Postgraduate Scholarships and Bursaries

We often have a number of scholarships available to students to help with tuition and living costs. Scholarships are non-repayable and have a competitive application process due to a limited number of each one being available. They are normally awarded based on certain criteria such as academic achievement or excellence, fields of study or personal circumstances.

You must hold an offer to study at the University of Derby before you can apply. Prospective students can apply for more than one scholarship if you are eligible, however you will only be awarded a maximum of one.

Please check the individual scholarship criteria below for specific requirements and details of how to apply.

Our scholarships

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

The Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship is funded by the University of Derby and a group of philanthropic donors, united in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Established in 2024, the scholarship reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, supporting students, and driving meaningful progress in biomedical science.

Designed to support students in financial need, the scholarship is open to those studying for an MSc in Biomedical Science, with preference given to applicants intending to pursue research in cancer treatment and related fields.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold an offer to study the MSc Biomedical Science programme or the MRes Molecular Medicine programme at the University of Derby.

Show a strong interest in biomedical research, particularly in cancer treatments (preferred).

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship includes:

£1,000 towards the tuition fee
A £500 contribution towards the a conference of the scholar's choice.

How to apply

This scholarship is open to applications. Applications can be submitted via this form. If you require any further details please contact development@derby.ac.uk.

The OPM Alumni Scholarship for Business and Social Impact

The OPM Alumni Scholarship for Business and Social Impact has been established through the generosity of alumni from Harvard Business School's Owner/President Management (OPM) programme following a visit to the University of Derby in 2025.

The scholarship provides a £7,000 contribution towards tuition fees for an outstanding University of Derby graduate progressing onto the University’s MBA programme. It is designed to support future leaders who demonstrate exceptional potential, entrepreneurial thinking and a commitment to creating positive social and economic impact.

In addition to financial support, the successful recipient will benefit from mentoring opportunities and engagement with an international network of experienced business leaders and Harvard Business School alumni. Through these opportunities, scholars will develop the knowledge, skills and connections needed to make a meaningful difference in their communities, industries and beyond.

The scholarship reflects a shared commitment to supporting talented individuals from backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in higher education.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be a University of Derby graduate from any undergraduate or postgraduate programme.
Hold an offer to study the University of Derby MBA.

Demonstrate:

Exceptional leadership potential
Entrepreneurial thinking
Academic excellence
A commitment to creating positive social and economic impact
Ambition to contribute to their community, region or industry.

Preference will be given to applicants who are from under-represented backgrounds in higher education, are the first in their family to attend university, or can demonstrate financial need.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship includes:

A £7,000 tuition fee award towards MBA study
Quarterly mentoring from members of the Harvard Business School OPM alumni community
Access to networking and engagement opportunities with experienced business leaders
Participation in an annual Harvard Business School OPM Alumni lecture hosted by Derby International Business School.

How to apply

Applications are open to eligible students holding an offer for the University of Derby MBA programme.

Applicants will be required to submit:

A CV
An academic reference
A personal statement outlining their leadership potential, career ambitions and commitment to creating positive impact
A supporting statement detailing how their background aligns with the criteria and the impact the scholarship would have on their studies and future aspirations.

This scholarship is open to applications. Applications can be submitted via this form. If you require any further details please contact development@derby.ac.uk.

The Sitwell Scholarship

This scholarship is currently closed to applications.

The Sitwell Scholarship aims to support and encourage students from Derby or Derbyshire (with a preference for North-East Derbyshire) in their studies on MA programmes within the College of Health and Humanities. The Scholarship is for a student to use to take advantage of opportunities available to them during their postgraduate study, such as attending a conference.

One scholarship of £1,600 will be awarded per academic year.

The decision to award the scholarship will be based on the student’s life journey rather than solely academic success; the successful applicant will show levels of excellence and a passion for progressing to a higher level of study within their discipline.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold an offer to study an MA course within the College of Health and Humanities, excluding Postgraduate Teacher Training courses.

The applicant must be from and based in Derby or Derbyshire.

When assessing applications, priority will be given to applicants from North-East Derbyshire, specific to North-East Derbyshire District Council wards:

How to apply

This scholarship is currently closed to applications.

Got a question?

For further information on our postgraduate scholarships, contact the Development team at development@derby.ac.uk.