If you search SOAS Master’s Scholarships (International) 2026, the main thing to understand is that this is not a fully funded UK scholarship. It is a large-volume international master’s fee-waiver scheme, and that changes how you should judge it.
SOAS is offering over 150 scholarships, each worth £8,000 as a tuition fee waiver, and the scheme runs in three application rounds, with the final deadline on 30 June 2026. That makes it more accessible than many UK scholarships with only a handful of awards, but it also means you need to understand the funding limit clearly.
One-line takeaway: This is a strong option if you want a realistic UK master’s tuition discount and can still cover the remaining costs; it is not the right target if you need a truly fully funded package.
SOAS Master’s Scholarships (International) 2026 (Quick Answer)
- Scholarship: SOAS Master’s Scholarship (International) 2026
- University: SOAS University of London
- Level: Postgraduate taught, on-campus
- Funding: £8,000 tuition fee waiver
- Number of awards: Over 150
- Application rounds: 28 February 2026, 30 April 2026, 30 June 2026
- Final deadline: 30 June 2026
- Best for: overseas students with strong academics who can fund the rest of their study costs
- Key tradeoff: high number of awards, but not fully funded
SOAS Master’s Scholarships (International) 2026 Overview
| Item | Official details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship value | £8,000 fee waiver |
| Number of awards | Over 150 |
| Study type | Full-time postgraduate taught, on campus |
| Applicant type | Overseas fee-paying students |
| Academic threshold | Minimum UK 2:1 or international equivalent |
| Main restriction | Cannot hold another SOAS scholarship or full-fee sponsorship |
| Joint partnership programmes | Ineligible |
| Two-year programme rule | Scholarship applies to the first year only |
What Makes This Scholarship Different
This scholarship is different because it is built on scale, not just prestige.
Many UK scholarships offer stronger funding but only to a very small number of students. SOAS is doing something different here:
- over 150 awards
- clear fee-waiver value
- multiple rounds
- straightforward academic eligibility
This matters because your approval odds are not being compressed into a tiny award pool. Compared with more selective UK routes like some UCL or Durham scholarships, this one is often more realistic purely on volume.
The tradeoff is clear: it is easier to justify applying because of the number of awards, but the funding is weaker than a fully funded scholarship because it only reduces tuition.
Benefits (With Real Meaning)
£8,000 fee waiver
The official scholarship value is:
- £8,000 fee waiver
This is important because it directly reduces your tuition bill, which is usually the biggest visible university charge.
Large number of awards
SOAS states that it is offering:
- over 150 International Master’s Scholarships
This is better for applicants who want a scholarship with a broader award base rather than an ultra-narrow competition.
Multiple application rounds
The scholarship has three rounds:
- 28 February 2026
- 30 April 2026
- 30 June 2026
This gives applicants more than one timing opportunity, which is a practical advantage over single-deadline scholarships.
Notification speed
SOAS says successful applicants with an offer to study will be notified:
- within 10 working days of each deadline
That is a useful operational benefit because many scholarships leave applicants waiting for much longer.
Is SOAS Master’s Scholarships (International) 2026 Fully Funded?
No.
This is an £8,000 tuition fee waiver only. It does not promise:
- full tuition coverage
- accommodation
- living stipend
- travel
- visa support
This matters because many students searching “UK scholarships 2026” assume any major international scholarship is fully funded. This one is not.
If you need full cost coverage, you should also compare:
- fully funded scholarships 2026
- broader UK scholarships 2026
- other higher-value postgraduate routes
Eligibility
To be eligible, the official SOAS page says you must:
- hold an offer for a full-time postgraduate taught (on-campus) programme
- be an overseas fee-paying student
- hold a minimum UK upper second-class (2:1) or international equivalent
- not be in receipt of another SOAS scholarship or full-fee scholarship/sponsorship from another source
- note that joint partnership programmes are ineligible
Important programme rule
If you apply for a 2-year programme, the scholarship applies to:
- the first year of tuition fees only
This directly affects how you should evaluate affordability.
Who Should NOT Apply?
This scholarship is not ideal if:
- you need a fully funded master’s scholarship
- you are not an overseas fee-paying applicant
- your academic profile is below the required level
- you are applying to a joint partnership programme
- you already have another full-fee scholarship or sponsorship
- you cannot fund the remaining study and living costs after the £8,000 waiver
That is the real tradeoff. This scholarship is easier to justify than some highly selective awards, but only if the remaining financial gap is still manageable for you.
Required Documents
The process is tied to both your programme application and scholarship application through the SOAS admissions system.
You should expect to need:
- your complete master’s programme application
- academic transcripts / degree records used for admission
- identity and fee-status information required by SOAS
- access to the SOAS admissions portal for the scholarship application
SOAS is clear that:
- you must submit a complete online application for admission by the relevant scholarship deadline
- you must also apply for the scholarship via the admissions portal
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Step 1: Apply for an eligible SOAS master’s programme
SOAS requires you to submit a complete online application for admission by the scholarship deadline.
Step 2: Use the correct scholarship round
The official round deadlines are:
- First round: 28 February 2026, 11:59pm GMT
- Second round: 30 April 2026, 11:59pm BST
- Third round: 30 June 2026, 11:59pm BST
Step 3: Apply for the scholarship through the admissions portal
SOAS states that you must apply for this scholarship via:
- the SOAS admissions portal
You need to have applied for a course first in order to get login credentials.
Step 4: Make sure your admission application is complete
SOAS notes that the scholarship panel will consider:
- your scholarship application
- together with your online application for admission
This matters because an incomplete admissions file weakens the scholarship process too.
Step 5: Watch for the results window after each round
SOAS says successful applicants with an offer to study will be notified:
- within 10 working days of each deadline
For the first round, SOAS explicitly says successful applicants will be notified by:
- Friday 13 March 2026
Step 6: Prepare for the CAS deposit condition
If you are successful, SOAS says you will be required to pay:
- a CAS deposit of £4,000
This is one of the most important practical details in the whole scheme.
Strategy: How to Increase Your Chances
1. Apply in the earliest round you can realistically meet
This is better because:
- later rounds usually come with less flexibility
- early applications show better planning
- you get a faster decision cycle
2. Do not treat this as automatic
The number of awards is high, but the scholarship still targets:
- overseas students
- strong academic performance
- eligible taught programmes
High volume does not mean guaranteed.
3. Be realistic about the funding gap
This is important because many students see £8,000 and mentally convert it into “problem solved.” That is rarely true in London.
You should calculate:
- remaining tuition
- accommodation
- visa and travel
- daily living costs
4. Use this as one route in a broader UK funding plan
This scholarship is better used as part of a wider plan, not as your only hope.
If you are comparing options, also review:
- fully funded scholarships 2026
- UK scholarships 2026
- scholarships still open 2026
5. Keep the CAS deposit in mind before accepting
The £4,000 CAS deposit condition is not a small detail. It affects whether the award is truly workable for you.
Who Should Apply?
This scholarship is better for:
- overseas students applying to a full-time on-campus SOAS taught master’s
- students with a 2:1 or strong international equivalent
- applicants who want a realistic UK tuition-discount route
- students who can still fund the remaining costs after the fee waiver
- applicants looking for a scholarship with a relatively large award volume
Extra Intent Questions
Is this scholarship worth applying for?
Yes, if your real goal is a realistic tuition reduction at SOAS rather than a fully funded package.
This is one of the stronger UK fee-waiver schemes because:
- the award count is high
- the value is clear
- the rounds are structured
- the notification timing is relatively fast
Does SOAS notify unsuccessful applicants too?
The official page specifically states that successful applicants with an offer to study will be notified within 10 working days of each deadline. It does not make the same explicit promise for all unsuccessful applicants on the scholarship page itself.
Is the scholarship automatic with admission?
No.
SOAS is clear that:
- you must apply for the programme
- and apply for the scholarship through the admissions portal
That is an important difference from automatic scholarship systems.
Common Mistakes
- assuming £8,000 means fully funded study
- ignoring the £4,000 CAS deposit condition
- applying to an ineligible joint partnership programme
- missing the round deadlines
- not completing the admission application properly before the scholarship cut-off
- assuming a 2-year programme gets funding for both years
- treating the large award number as a guarantee
FAQ
What is the deadline for SOAS Master’s Scholarships (International) 2026?
The scholarship has three rounds:
- 28 February 2026
- 30 April 2026
- 30 June 2026
The final deadline is 30 June 2026.
How much is the SOAS Master’s Scholarship worth?
It is worth:
- £8,000 as a tuition fee waiver
Is SOAS Master’s Scholarship fully funded?
No. It is a partial tuition waiver, not a full funding package.
How many SOAS Master’s Scholarships are available in 2026?
SOAS states it is offering:
- over 150 International Master’s Scholarships
How quickly are results announced?
SOAS says successful applicants with an offer to study are notified:
- within 10 working days of each deadline
Conclusion
The best way to look at SOAS Master’s Scholarships (International) 2026 is as a high-volume UK tuition-discount scholarship, not a fully funded master’s award. That makes it useful for a different type of applicant.
If you are a strong overseas candidate who can still manage the remaining costs, this is worth applying for because the award volume is unusually large and the process is clear. If you need full tuition plus living support, this is not the right scholarship to rely on alone.
Official Links
- Scholarship page: https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/soas-masters-scholarships-international-2026
- Admissions portal guidance: https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/apply-soas/how-apply-postgraduate-study