The University of Leicester is offering 30 International Undergraduate Merit Scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year, providing a full tuition fee waiver for exceptional international students. Eligibility requires meeting high academic standards and submitting a short video application.
University of Leicester Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | University of Leicester |
| Host Country | United Kingdom (UK) |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate |
| Award Type | International Tuition Fee Discount (Waiver) |
| Field of Study | All Undergraduate Programmes (with exclusions) |
| Funding | Full Tuition Fee Waiver (100% discount) |
| Eligible Countries | All Countries |
| Number of Awards | 30 for the September 2026 intake (150 over five years) |
| Application Deadline | June 30, 2026 (Must be ‘Firm Choice’ by this date) |
University of Leicester Undergraduate Merit Scholarship Details
The University of Leicester offers the International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship to recognize the high standard of applications received from around the world. This is a prestigious award that grants a full tuition fee waiver to 30 outstanding international fee-paying students commencing their studies in September 2026.
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The university plans to award 150 such scholarships over the next five years. This highly competitive scholarship is awarded based on exceptional academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to contributing to the university community.
Benefits of University of Leicester Undergraduate Scholarship
The scholarship is a highly valuable award that significantly reduces the financial burden of studying abroad in the UK.
Tier 1: Financial Benefits
- Full Tuition Fee Waiver: The scholarship covers 100% of the international tuition fees for the student.
- Duration: The waiver is applied for a maximum of three years of the undergraduate programme, covering years one, two, and three.
Tier 2: Recognition
- Prestigious Recognition: Awarded in recognition of exceptional academic achievement demonstrated by high entry grades.
Eligibility Requirements for University of Leicester Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
To be considered for this full tuition fee waiver, candidates must meet the following strict academic, admission, and fee status criteria:
- Fee Status:
- Must be classified as an international student for fee purposes.
- Admission & Commitment:
- Must be starting a full-time undergraduate programme at the University of Leicester, UK campus, commencing in September 2026.
- Must have made Leicester their ‘firm choice’ by the deadline of June 30, 2026 (or the UCAS reply deadline, if earlier).
- All conditions of your offer must be met by August 20, 2026.
- Academic Achievement (The Merit Component):
- Candidates should achieve the academic equivalent to two grades above the standard A-level entry requirement for their chosen programme (e.g., if the standard entry requirement is ABB, the candidate should achieve A*AA or equivalent).
- Eligible Programmes:
- The scholarship is available for entry into Year One, Two, or Three of an undergraduate programme.
- Exclusions: The scholarship excludes the following programmes:
- Medicine
- LLB Maitrise
- STEM International Foundation
- ‘International Year 1’ courses
- Programmes that exceed three years in duration.
- English Proficiency:
- The guide states “No IELTS Required”, indicating that the university accepts other forms of English proficiency proof or waives the requirement based on prior academic history.
How to Apply for University of Leicester Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process is two-fold: securing admission and submitting the scholarship-specific video.
- Apply for Undergraduate Degree: Submit a formal application for an eligible full-time undergraduate degree programme at the University of Leicester.
- Receive Offer and Meet Conditions: Receive a conditional or unconditional offer from the University. Candidates must be on track to achieve the equivalent of two grades above the standard A-level entry requirement.
- Make Leicester Your Firm Choice: You must accept the offer and make the University of Leicester your ‘firm choice’ through UCAS (or directly) by June 30, 2026 (or earlier if your UCAS reply deadline is sooner).
- Create and Submit Video Application:
- Create a short video (no more than two minutes in length) that addresses the following three questions:
- What do you want to achieve after university?
- How will your chosen degree help you achieve this?
- How will you contribute to the University community while you’re here?
- The video should be submitted as a link (Google Drive, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Wechat Video, or Douyin) in the section indicated on the scholarship application form.
- Meet Final Offer Conditions: Ensure all conditions of your offer (including final grades and English proficiency) are met by August 20, 2026.
- Notification: The scholarship will be awarded to 30 successful candidates, and notification will typically follow the final confirmation of academic results.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does “equivalent to two grades above the standard A-level entry requirement” mean?
This means if the standard requirement for your course is BBB, you need to achieve at least AAB or its international equivalent. If the requirement is ABB, you need A*AA or equivalent. This demonstrates the exceptional academic achievement required for the scholarship.
2. Is the scholarship a cash stipend or a fee waiver?
It is a full tuition fee waiver, meaning the university covers 100% of your international tuition costs. It does not include a cash stipend for accommodation or living expenses.
3. Which undergraduate programmes are excluded from the scholarship?
The scholarship excludes Medicine, LLB Maitrise, STEM International Foundation, ‘International Year 1’ courses, and any programme that exceeds three years in duration.
4. What is the deadline to make the University of Leicester my ‘firm choice’?
You must accept your offer and make Leicester your ‘firm choice’ by June 30, 2026, or your specific UCAS reply deadline, whichever date comes first.
5. What is the required length and content of the application video?
The video must be no more than two minutes long and must address three specific questions: your post-university goals, how your degree will help you, and how you will contribute to the University community.
6. Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship?
Yes, after applying for admission to the university, you must complete the separate scholarship application form and submit the link to your video within it.
7. How many scholarships are available for the 2026 intake?
There are 30 full tuition fee waivers available for the September 2026 intake of international undergraduate students.
8. If my degree program is only two years long, will the scholarship cover all three years?
No, the scholarship will cover the tuition fees for the duration of the program only. The award is for a maximum of three years, so a two-year program would be fully covered for two years.
9. What if I achieve the required grades but miss the August 20 offer condition deadline?
Failure to meet all conditions of your offer by August 20, 2026, may result in the withdrawal of your scholarship consideration, as meeting the offer conditions is mandatory for enrollment and final award confirmation.
10. The guide says “No IELTS Required.” What are some accepted alternative proofs of English proficiency?
While the guide notes IELTS is not strictly required, the University typically accepts alternatives such as specific grades in high school qualifications (like A-Level English or IB English), or recognized qualifications like TOEFL or Duolingo English Test, provided they meet the university’s B2 level requirement.
