University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships for International Students 2026
The University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship is one of the most widely recognised international scholarship programmes in the United Kingdom, offering tuition fee funding of up to £26,000 for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the world. Applications for the 2026 intake close on 10 April 2026 at 10:00 am UK time.
For international students looking to study at a top-ranking UK university with partial tuition support, the Think Big Scholarship programme at the University of Bristol is one of the strongest funding opportunities available today. Bristol has invested up to £5 million in Think Big scholarships to support international students beginning their studies in September 2026 — making it one of the largest scholarship commitments of any Russell Group university for this intake cycle.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what the scholarship offers, which courses are eligible, how the application works, what the selection panel is looking for, and the key dates you must not miss.
About the University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities. Founded in 1909 as one of Britain’s original civic or “red-brick” universities, it currently enrolls over 30,000 students, including more than 7,000 international students from over 150 countries worldwide.
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Bristol is ranked 51st globally, with particularly strong scores in research reputation and employer reputation. The university also appears in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the United Kingdom for research output and graduate employability. Its location in Bristol — a vibrant, culturally rich city in the southwest of England, just 1.5 hours from London by rail — makes it an especially attractive destination for international students seeking a balance between academic excellence and quality of life.
What Is the Think Big Scholarship?
Think Big is the University of Bristol’s flagship scholarship scheme for international students. The programme is specifically designed for students who hold overseas fee-paying status and have applied to eligible undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the university. It is not a fully funded scholarship — awards are applied directly as tuition fee waivers — but the level of financial support on offer is substantial, and for many international students it represents a critical reduction in the cost of studying in the UK.
The Think Big programme brings together scholarships funded by the university’s central budget, individual faculties, alumni donors, and external partners, all under one application umbrella. This means that by submitting a single scholarship application form, you are automatically considered for every Think Big award for which you are eligible — including subject-specific and faculty-level awards you may not even know exist.
The scheme is merit-based, with selection focused on academic achievement, ambassadorial potential, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Think Big Scholarship Award Values
The scholarship amounts differ depending on whether you are applying for undergraduate or postgraduate study, and the specific course or faculty you are enrolled in.
Undergraduate Scholarship Awards
Undergraduate Think Big scholarships are applied as tuition fee waivers for up to four years of study — meaning successful recipients benefit from the reduction across the full duration of their degree, not just the first year.
| Award Level | Annual Value | Duration | Applicable Programmes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Think Big UG | £6,500 or £13,000 | Up to 4 years | Any eligible undergraduate programme |
| Think Big about Business | £6,500 | Up to 4 years | Business School undergraduate programmes |
| Think Big about Economics | £6,500 | Up to 4 years | School of Economics undergraduate programmes |
| Think Big about Policy Studies | £13,000 | Up to 4 years | School for Policy Studies undergraduate programmes |
| Think Big about Science & Engineering | £6,500 | Up to 4 years | Chemistry (BSc) and Physics (BSc) |
| Think Big about Veterinary Science (New 2026) | £6,500 | 3 years | Veterinary Science (BVSc) and Accelerated Graduate Entry BVSc |
Important: Courses at the Bristol Dental School and the Bristol Medical School are not eligible for Think Big undergraduate scholarships.
Postgraduate Scholarship Awards
For postgraduate applicants, Think Big scholarships are applied as tuition fee waivers for the first year of study. Three award levels are available, and certain courses attract higher-value or newly introduced awards for 2026.
| Award | Value | Programme(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Think Big PG | £6,500 / £13,000 / £26,000 | Any eligible one-year or two-year postgraduate master’s programme, including MRes |
| Think Big about Business PG | £6,500 or £13,000 | Business School postgraduate programmes |
| Think Big about Economics PG | £6,500 or £13,000 | School of Economics postgraduate programmes |
| Think Big about Education PG | £6,500 | School of Education postgraduate programmes |
| Think Big about Law and Justice PG | £6,500 | Any MA or LLM programme |
| Think Big about Science & Engineering PG | £6,500 | Any eligible taught master’s in Faculty of Science & Engineering |
| Think Big about Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health | £13,000 | Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health (MSc) |
| Think Big about Public Policy | £6,500 or £13,000 | Public Policy (MSc) |
| Think Big about Comparative Literatures and Cultures (New 2026) | £6,500 or £13,000 | Comparative Literatures and Cultures (MA) |
| Think Big about Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (New 2026) | £13,000 | Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (MSc) |
| Think Big about International Development (New 2026) | £13,000 | International Development (MSc) |
| Think Big about International Relations (New 2026) | £13,000 | International Relations (MSc) |
| Think Big about Sociology (New 2026) | £13,000 | Sociology (MSc) |
| Think Big about Translation and Interpreting (New 2026) | £6,500 or £13,000 | Interpreting (MSc) and Translation and Intercultural Studies (MA) |
| Think Big about Research (New 2026) | £6,500 or £13,000 | Any eligible master’s by research (MRes) programme |
| R. Senathi Rajah Memorial Scholarship | £26,000 + £3,000 living cost bursary | Nationals of Sri Lanka studying any eligible postgraduate programme |
The Think Big Career Accelerator
One of the most distinctive features of the Think Big programme — particularly for postgraduate applicants — is the Think Big Career Accelerator. This is an employability-focused scholarship programme designed to help international master’s students build the confidence and professional skills they need to find employment or advance their careers after graduation.
In 2026, the Career Accelerator has been expanded so that all eligible one-year postgraduate master’s programmes, including MRes programmes, can now qualify. This is a significant expansion from the 2025 launch, which was initially limited to certain faculties.
What the Career Accelerator Includes
- A £3,000 scholarship applied toward tuition fees
- A welcome reception with fellow scholars and university academics
- Lectures delivered by University of Bristol professors
- Access to prestigious guest speaker events and industry networking opportunities
- Career workshops and professional development sessions
Additional Career Accelerator places with enhanced benefits are available for students in the following areas: the Business School, the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the School of Modern Languages, the School of Economics, and the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
An important note on how the Career Accelerator interacts with the main Think Big postgraduate scholarship: the two awards cannot be held simultaneously. However, Career Accelerator awardees from Round 1 (those who applied before 14 January 2026) are automatically reconsidered for a full Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship in May 2026. If a postgraduate scholarship is subsequently awarded, the Career Accelerator award is upgraded accordingly.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
The Think Big Scholarship is open to international students from all countries. There is no nationality restriction. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following core requirements:
- Have submitted an application to study a full-time, in-person undergraduate or master’s programme at the University of Bristol beginning in September 2026
- Hold overseas (international) fee-paying status as classified by the University of Bristol
- Be applying to an eligible course — not all programmes qualify, and eligibility must be confirmed before applying
- Receive an offer of admission from the University of Bristol by Friday, 24 April 2026 — failure to receive an offer by this date will result in the scholarship application being withdrawn
- Meet the academic entry requirements set by the university for their chosen programme
Additional Conditions to Remain Aware Of
- The scholarship is exclusively for the September 2026 intake. It cannot be deferred to a later year of entry, and if an applicant defers their admission, the scholarship will not transfer.
- Undergraduate applicants must confirm the University of Bristol as their firm choice on UCAS and satisfy all academic entry conditions by 31 August 2026.
- If you hold multiple offers from Bristol, you must select one programme for your scholarship application before the deadline. Failing to choose can render your application ineligible.
- Recipients cannot hold other funding which, when combined with a Bristol scholarship, would exceed the full cost of their tuition fees.
- Medicine and Dentistry programmes at undergraduate level are not eligible. Veterinary Science is now eligible for the first time in 2026, but only for the specific award listed above.
You do not need to have received an offer from Bristol before submitting your scholarship application — but you must have already submitted your programme application and received an application ID (UCAS ID for undergraduates, Student ID for postgraduates, or Kaplan ID for pathway students) before beginning the scholarship form.
What the Scholarship Covers
All Think Big awards — at both undergraduate and postgraduate level — are applied exclusively as tuition fee waivers. The scholarship does not cover living expenses, accommodation, travel, or other costs associated with studying in the UK, with the exception of the R. Senathi Rajah Memorial Scholarship and the Michael Wong Pakshong Bursary, which include separate living cost components.
For undergraduate students, the annual award renews for up to four years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. For postgraduate students, the award is applied for the first year of study only.
To put this in perspective, international undergraduate tuition fees at the University of Bristol typically range from approximately £22,000 to £35,000 per year depending on the course. A £13,000 annual waiver sustained over four years represents a reduction of up to £52,000 over the course of an undergraduate degree — a significant contribution toward the total cost of a UK university education.
The Think Big Development Programme
Beyond the financial award, all Think Big Scholarship recipients gain access to the Think Big Development Programme — a structured enrichment experience designed to develop leadership, professional skills, and global networks during the time at university.
This programme offers guidance and inspiration for scholars to unlock their potential beyond the classroom, and provides a framework for community engagement and personal development that complements academic study. Think Big scholars are also invited to join the university’s LinkedIn network, connecting with current and past recipients from around the world.
Application Timeline for 2026
The full application timeline for the Think Big Scholarship 2026 is set out below. Meeting these dates is critical — particularly the offer deadline of 24 April 2026, which is a hard cutoff that the university enforces strictly.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 October 2025 | Scholarship applications open at 10:00 am UK time |
| 14 January 2026 | Career Accelerator Round 1 early consideration deadline (postgraduate applicants only) |
| February 2026 | Career Accelerator Round 1 outcomes shared with applicants |
| 10 April 2026 | Think Big Scholarship applications close at 10:00 am UK time |
| 24 April 2026 | Deadline to receive a university offer — applications without an offer are withdrawn |
| Late May 2026 | Think Big Scholarship outcomes shared with applicants |
| Late May 2026 | Deadline for successful scholarship offer holders to accept the award |
| July 2026 | Formal scholarship award letters shared with successful applicants |
| 31 August 2026 | Deadline for undergraduate applicants to satisfy all academic entry conditions |
How to Apply for the Think Big Scholarship
The application process is the same regardless of which specific Think Big award you are targeting. One form covers all eligible scholarships simultaneously.
Step 1: Apply to Study at the University of Bristol
Before you can begin your scholarship application, you must have already submitted an application to study at Bristol. Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through the University of Bristol’s postgraduate application portal. Once your application has been processed, you will receive an application ID — either a UCAS ID, a Student ID, or a Kaplan ID depending on your route.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Answers in Advance
The scholarship application form contains three essay questions. Each answer has a maximum character limit of 1,000 characters (including spaces). The university strongly advises drafting responses in a separate document before entering them into the form, since the form cannot be edited after submission.
The three questions assess the following themes:
- Achievements and Special Skills: You are asked to describe achievements beyond academic study that highlight your ambition and demonstrate how you have made a difference.
- Ambassadorial Potential: The panel wants to know how you have built relationships and networks, or what you intend to do to benefit your community as a Bristol scholar.
- Future Plans and Motivation to Study at Bristol: You are asked to explain what specifically attracted you to the University of Bristol and to outline your long-term career goals.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form
Access the Think Big Scholarship application form through the University of Bristol’s International Scholarships online portal. The form is divided into three sections: personal details, application question responses, and agreement to terms and conditions including an academic integrity statement.
Use the same personal details you provided on your programme application — this is how the scholarship system matches your eligibility. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted. If this does not arrive, check your spam or junk folder.
Step 4: Await the Outcome
Results are communicated in late May 2026. Successful applicants will be contacted directly by the University of Bristol. Formal award letters follow in July 2026, ahead of the September start date.
Application Tip: The university’s guidance explicitly states that AI-generated content is not permitted in scholarship applications. Authenticity is a core selection criterion. Write from genuine experience, not from a template — the panel has reviewed thousands of applications and can identify generic or fabricated responses.
What the Selection Panel Is Looking For
Think Big is described by the university as a merit-based award, but the selection criteria go beyond academic grades alone. Based on the structure of the application questions and official guidance, the panel evaluates applicants across three broad dimensions:
Academic Excellence
Strong academic performance is a baseline requirement. The university is looking for students who demonstrate the intellectual ability to succeed in their chosen programme. However, grades are not the only factor, and students with exceptional personal qualities or unique professional experience should not be deterred from applying.
Ambassadorial Potential
Bristol uses the term “ambassadorial potential” to describe candidates who will actively contribute to the university community, engage with fellow students and academics, and serve as positive representatives of the Think Big programme both during and after their studies. This includes evidence of community involvement, leadership, volunteering, or entrepreneurial activity.
Clarity of Purpose and Global Perspective
Applicants who can articulate a coherent vision for their future — and who can connect that vision specifically to the University of Bristol and their chosen programme — stand out from those who write generic statements of intent. The panel wants to understand why Bristol, why now, and what impact you intend to have in your field or community after graduation.
Additional Scholarships Running Alongside Think Big
The Think Big application form also considers applicants for several other University of Bristol international scholarship programmes. These include:
GREAT Scholarships
In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Bristol offers GREAT Scholarships for postgraduate international students from India, Mexico, and Thailand applying for any eligible one-year master’s programme. One scholarship of £13,000 is available per country, applied toward tuition fees.
Michael Wong Pakshong Bursary
This is a living cost bursary — rather than a tuition fee waiver — available to a postgraduate taught student from selected schools within the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences. Unlike tuition scholarships, this bursary specifically supports living expenses, making it complementary to other awards.
Global Transfer Programme Scholarships
Students applying to Bristol via the Global Transfer Programme from partner universities may also be eligible for the Global Transfer Bursary in addition to Think Big Scholarships. Because the bursary is classified differently from a scholarship, it is possible to hold both simultaneously — a meaningful advantage for transfer pathway students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for Think Big before I receive an offer from Bristol?
Yes. You are not required to hold an offer at the time of submitting your scholarship application. However, you must have already submitted your programme application and received an application ID. You must then receive an official offer of admission from Bristol by 24 April 2026 or your scholarship application will automatically be withdrawn.
How many Think Big Scholarships are available?
The University of Bristol has committed up to £5 million in Think Big scholarships for the 2026 intake. The number of individual awards varies by level, subject area, and funding source — not all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will receive an award.
Will I know which specific award I have been considered for?
When you submit the single application form, you are automatically assessed for every Think Big award for which you are eligible based on your course and personal details. You do not need to separately identify or request individual awards within the form.
Is the Think Big Scholarship renewable for undergraduate students?
Yes, for undergraduate students the award is applied annually for up to four years of study, subject to continued satisfactory academic progress. For Veterinary Science (BVSc), the award covers three years of full-time study only.
Can I defer my Think Big Scholarship to a later year?
No. The scholarship is strictly for September 2026 entry. If you choose to defer your admission to a subsequent academic year, the scholarship will not transfer. You would need to reapply in a future cycle.
Are PhD programmes eligible for Think Big?
The standard Think Big Scholarship covers undergraduate and taught master’s programmes. PhD programmes are not covered under the main Think Big scheme. However, the university offers a separate Think Big for Researchers programme for doctoral applicants, which should be checked independently on the Bristol website.
Strengthening Your Application: Practical Advice
Competition for Think Big awards is significant — Bristol receives applications from high-achieving international students around the world, and the scholarship fund, while substantial, cannot accommodate every eligible applicant. The following practical steps can meaningfully improve your chances.
- Apply early. The scholarship portal opened on 21 October 2025, and applications close on 10 April 2026. Submitting well before the deadline avoids technical issues and allows time to correct errors, since no changes can be made after submission.
- Draft offline first. Given the 1,000-character limit per question, every word matters. Draft your responses in a word processor, refine them carefully, then transfer them to the form. There is no autosave on the form itself.
- Be specific about Bristol. Generic answers that could apply to any university are a red flag for selection panels. Reference specific departments, research groups, professors, or programmes at Bristol that connect to your stated goals.
- Demonstrate impact, not just participation. Listing activities is less compelling than explaining the difference those activities made — to your community, your organisation, or your field.
- Use your own voice. The university has made clear that AI-generated content is not permitted. Authentic, personal, first-person writing that reflects genuine experience and ambition is what the panel responds to.
- Secure your offer promptly. The 24 April 2026 offer deadline is non-negotiable. If your programme application is still being processed, follow up proactively with the admissions team to avoid your scholarship application being withdrawn.
Summary: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship |
| Host Country | United Kingdom |
| Study Level | Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Master’s) |
| Eligible Nationalities | All countries (overseas fee status required) |
| UG Award Value | £6,500 or £13,000 per year, for up to 4 years |
| PG Award Value | £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000 for first year |
| Career Accelerator | £3,000 additional award for eligible postgraduate students |
| Total Investment (2026) | Up to £5 million |
| Application Deadline | 10 April 2026, 10:00 am UK time |
| Results Notification | Late May 2026 |
| Entry Date | September 2026 only |
| Award Type | Tuition fee waiver (not cash) |
| Number of Applications | One form covers all eligible Think Big awards |
Final Thoughts
The University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship is a well-structured, generously funded, and genuinely competitive international scholarship opportunity. For students who are already planning to apply to Bristol — or who are weighing their options for postgraduate study in the UK — the Think Big programme adds a meaningful layer of financial support that can reduce the overall cost of a British university education by tens of thousands of pounds.
What makes Think Big particularly practical from an application standpoint is the single-form approach: one well-prepared application automatically enters you into consideration for every award you qualify for, across all faculty-level and subject-specific categories. There is no need to track and separately apply for multiple individual scholarships.
The deadline is 10 April 2026. If you are eligible, this is one application worth investing serious time and preparation into — because the financial impact of winning could be transformative for your ability to study in the United Kingdom.
