Scholarships and discounts for international students

Eligibility criteria:

• You must be a self-funding Overseas fee paying student.
• Studying a full-time taught/MRes programme at a UK Derby Campus/Site.
• Starting your studies in April 2026, September 2026 or January 2027.
• You must successfully meet any conditions set for entry onto the programme.

Terms, Conditions and Exclusions: 

• The Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship can be combined with the Full Payment Discount of £1,000 GBP if you meet the criteria for the full payment discount.
• The Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship is only for the first year of your studies.
• Accelerated programmes and PhD/MPhil Programmes are not eligible for the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship.
• Candidates who are fully sponsored by a third party will not be entitled to the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship.
• If a student meets the eligibility criteria, the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship will be stated on the CAS letter and deducted from the full tuition fee.
• If you are eligible for the Vice Chancellors’ Scholarship and the Alumni discount you will only be offered whichever holds the greater value.
• If a student meets the eligibility criteria, the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship will be awarded automatically upon enrolment, no application is required.
• Students who qualify for other scholarships such as British Council GREAT Scholarship, Chevening and Commonwealth or any other government scholarship will not be eligible for the for the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship.
• If your circumstances change and you do not meet the eligibility criteria or the terms, conditions and exclusions set out, you will automatically become ineligible for the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship. 

Please note that all students are required to comply with, and are bound by, the University’s Student Regulations and Procedures, including the Student Code of Conduct. If a student is removed from the course for failing to comply with the Student Regulations and Procedures, they may be required to pay the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship back in full.

If you pay your annual tuition fee in full ahead of enrolment, you will benefit from a £1,000 discount. If full payment is received prior to issuing your CAS, we will adjust the remaining fees that you need to show your financial requirements accordingly. Terms and Conditions apply.

25% alumni discount

The 25% alumni discount is available if you are fully enrolled on a postgraduate programme by July 2026. 

This offer applies to full-time and part-time campus-based masters programmes and is applicable for students who have graduated from a full-time or part-time undergraduate degree course at the University of Derby. This offer also applies to any graduate wishing to progress onto an online postgraduate programme.*

*Exclusions apply:

• Postgraduate research courses
• PGCE courses
• Corporate learning programmes
• LBR programmes (learning beyond registration)
• CPD courses
• Integrated masters
• MSc Pre-registration courses
  • MSc Nursing (Adult) Pre-registration
  • MSc Nursing (Mental Health) Pre-registration
  • MSc Diagnostic Radiography Pre-registration
  • MSc Occupational Therapy Pre-registration

10% alumni discount

If you enrol on a PhD, MPhil or DProf, you will be eligible for a 10% discount. The discount is fixed, regardless of when you graduated. You can find further information on our postgraduate research fees and funding page.

How it works

Discounts must be requested at the time of enrolment and will not be automatically applied. You will need to provide your degree certificate when enrolling as evidence that you have studied with us before.

To check whether the discount applies to the course you intend to study, call the Student Records and Awards team on +44 (0)1332 593110 or email studentrecordsandawards@derby.ac.uk.

We also have a number of Sports Scholarships available for which international students can apply.

Find out more about our Sports Scholarships

Eligibility

To be eligible for the European Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a national of an EU or EEA country: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• Be classified as an Overseas/International fee-paying student
• Starting your studies in September 2026, January 2027 or September 2027
• Require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)/Student Visa to study in the UK
• Hold an unconditional offer for an on campus, full-time undergraduate or postgraduate taught/MRes programme at the University of Derby
• Meet all CAS and academic requirements for the chosen course
• Enrol on an eligible course in the relevant academic year

Terms and conditions

• The scholarship is valued at £6,000 and is applied as a tuition fee reduction
• The scholarship is awarded automatically at the CAS stage, no separate application is required
• The scholarship applies to tuition fees only and does not cover living costs, accommodation, or other expenses
• The scholarship is available for the duration of the course (e.g. for a 3 year undergraduate student, the scholarship will apply for all 3 years of studying)
• Students must be self-funded; those who are fully sponsored by external organisations are not eligible (e.g. if you are sponsored by your employer to study on this course, the scholarship will not apply to you)
• The scholarship cannot be combined with other University of Derby scholarships, discounts, or bursaries unless explicitly stated
• Students must enrol on a full-time course and maintain their registration to retain the award
• Students who qualify for other scholarships such as the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship, South-East Asia Scholarship, British Council GREAT Scholarship, Chevening and Commonwealth or any other government scholarship will not be eligible for the for the European Scholarship
• The University reserves the right to withdraw or amend the scholarship at any time
• If a student defers entry, the scholarship offer may be reassessed for the new intake but it is not guaranteed that the student will be eligible again
• If your circumstances change and you do not meet the eligibility criteria or the terms, conditions and exclusions set out, you will automatically become ineligible for the European Scholarship

Please note: that all students are required to comply with, and are bound by, the University’s Student Regulations and Procedures, including the Student Code of Conduct. If a student is removed from the course for failing to comply with the Student Regulations and Procedures, they may be required to pay the European Scholarship back in full.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the South-East Asia Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be nationals of one of the following countries: Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia or Thailand
• Be classified as an overseas/International fee-paying student
• Starting your studies in September 2026, January 2027 or September 2027
• Require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)/Student Visa to study in the UK
• Hold an unconditional offer for an on campus, full-time undergraduate or postgraduate taught/MRes programme at the University of Derby
• Meet all CAS and academic requirements for the chosen course
• Enrol on an eligible course in the relevant academic year

Terms and conditions

• The scholarship is valued at £5,000 and is applied as a tuition fee reduction
• The scholarship is awarded automatically at the CAS stage, no separate application is required
• The scholarship applies to tuition fees only and cannot be used for accommodation, travel, or living costs
• The scholarship is available for the first year of study only
• Students must be self-funded; those who are fully sponsored by external organisations are not eligible (e.g. if you are sponsored by your employer to study on this course, the scholarship will not apply to you)
• Students who qualify for other scholarships such as the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship, European Scholarship, British Council GREAT Scholarship, Chevening and Commonwealth or any other government scholarship will not be eligible for the for the South-East Asia Scholarship
• The scholarship cannot be combined with other University of Derby scholarships, discounts, or bursaries unless explicitly stated
• Students must enrol on a full-time course and maintain their registration to retain the award
• The University reserves the right to withdraw or amend the scholarship at any time
• If a student defers entry, the scholarship offer may be reassessed for the new intake but it is not guaranteed that the student will be eligible again
• If your circumstances change and you do not meet the eligibility criteria or the terms, conditions and exclusions set out, you will automatically become ineligible for the European Scholarship

Please note: that all students are required to comply with, and are bound by, the University’s Student Regulations and Procedures, including the Student Code of Conduct. If a student is removed from the course for failing to comply with the Student Regulations and Procedures, they may be required to pay the South-East Asia Scholarship back in full.

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 MRes Molecular Medicine 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 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 Chevening scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship for postgraduate students. This includes tuition fees, accommodation and flights. 

Eligible students will have passion, ideas, and influence to provide the solutions and leadership needed to create a better future. 

Please see the full list of eligible countries on the Chevening website.

A separate application is required through the Chevening website. Please refer to the Chevening website for the application timeline.

Please note that the Chevening Scholarship has now closed applications for 2026.

Apply on the Chevening website