Education
UK university awards £5,000 scholarships to 200 postgraduates
DDM News

Durham University has launched the Inspiring Excellence 5K Postgraduate Scholarship for 2025.
Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the scholarship provides 200 international students with a £5,000 tuition fee discount for eligible one-year, full-time master’s programs.
The financial support applies to programs starting in September 2025 and aims to reward academic excellence.
Durham University, a prestigious institution in the United Kingdom, is known for its rich history, research excellence, and academic reputation.
The United Kingdom remains a leading destination for international students, offering world-class education and scholarship opportunities.
Scholarship details and eligibility
The £5,000 scholarship is deducted directly from tuition fees and cannot be converted into cash.
It is a merit-based award designed to support students with outstanding academic achievements and strong potential for success.
The scholarship is available for most master’s programs at Durham University, with a few exceptions.
The following courses are not eligible for the Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship:
All Business School master’s and MBA programs
Any second year of a taught postgraduate program
PGCE and PGCERT (Education)
MA in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects
Executive MSc in Behavioural Science
All research postgraduate programs
MSW (Social Work)
Graduate Diplomas
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:
✔ Apply for a one-year, full-time taught MSc, MA, LLM, or MDS program (excluding MBA programs).
✔ Start their master’s program in September 2025.
✔ Receive an offer of admission from Durham University by May 4, 2025 (first selection) or June 8, 2025 (second selection).
✔ Be classified as an overseas student for tuition fee purposes.
✔ Meet or exceed the entry requirements of the chosen program.
✔ Not already hold another Durham University scholarship, except for the Durham International Scholarship.
✔ Be self-funded and not sponsored by an external funding body.
✔ Submit the Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship application form separately.
Application process and deadlines
The scholarship application opened on March 14, 2025.
Applicants must submit their applications before April 30, 2025, for the first selection round.
The first group of selected scholars will be announced on May 12, 2025.
These scholars must confirm their admission by paying a deposit within two weeks.
The second round of applications will close on June 8, 2025, with successful candidates announced on June 16, 2025.
A waiting list of scholars will be published on July 7, 2025.
Durham University encourages interested students to apply early through its official scholarship application page.
Selection criteria and additional funding opportunities
The university has emphasized that the scholarship is competitive and not all applicants will be selected.
A panel of university staff will review applications based on academic merit, nationality diversity, and program distribution.
Due to the high volume of applications, Durham University will not provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
Students from Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Vietnam have an additional funding advantage.
These students can combine the Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship with the Durham International Scholarship, receiving a total £10,000 tuition discount.
The Durham International Scholarship, valued at £5,000, is automatically awarded to eligible students from these countries.
However, applicants must still meet all criteria and apply separately for the Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship.
About Durham University and UK higher education
Founded in 1832, Durham University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK.
It is part of the Russell Group, an association of leading research-intensive universities in the UK.
Durham consistently ranks among the top universities globally for academic excellence and research impact.
The university attracts students from over 150 countries, reinforcing its status as a global academic hub.
The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s best universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.
It is known for its high academic standards, research contributions, and diverse student community.
Scholarships like Durham’s Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship help international students access world-class education in the UK.
Durham University remains committed to supporting exceptional students through scholarships and funding opportunities.
For more details and application guidelines, visit Durham University’s official website.
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