MA

Marshall Scholarship

by UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

The Marshall Scholarship funds outstanding young Americans to pursue graduate study at any UK university. Established in 1953 as a gesture of gratitude for the Marshall Plan, the program selects approximately 50 scholars each year.

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Funding

Full funding at any UK university (tuition + stipend)

Duration

2 years (extendable to 3)

Geography

United States

Eligibility

Must be a US citizen. Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited US university with a minimum GPA of 3.7. Must have graduated within the past 3 years. Cannot already hold a degree from a UK institution.

Application

Annual (applications due in early fall)

Deadline

September 2025

Any FieldLeadershipGlobal AffairsScience & ResearchPolicy & Government

About This Fellowship

The Marshall Scholarship is one of the most prestigious postgraduate awards available to American students. Established in 1953 by the British government as a living gift to the United States in gratitude for the Marshall Plan, the scholarship finances young Americans of high ability to study for graduate degrees at any university in the United Kingdom.

Unlike the Rhodes Scholarship, which is restricted to Oxford, Marshall Scholars can attend any UK university, including Cambridge, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, Edinburgh, UCL, and many others. This flexibility allows scholars to pursue the specific programs and supervisors that best match their academic and professional goals. Approximately 50 scholars are selected each year.

Marshall Scholars have gone on to distinguished careers in government, academia, business, science, and the arts. Notable alumni include Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, former National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Applebaum, and Ray Dalio (founder of Bridgewater Associates). The scholarship emphasizes not only academic excellence but also the potential to strengthen the US-UK relationship and make a significant contribution to society.

What You Get

The Marshall Scholarship provides comprehensive funding to study at the UK university of your choice.

  • Full tuition fees at any UK university for up to 2 years (extendable to 3)
  • Annual personal living allowance (approximately $15,000-$18,000)
  • Annual book grant for academic materials
  • Thesis/research grant for dissertation-related expenses
  • Economy class return airfare to the UK
  • Arrival allowance to help with settling-in costs
  • Fares and expenses for travel to the UK in connection with the scholarship
  • Optional extension to a third year for PhD or second master's degree

Selection Criteria

The Marshall Scholarship evaluates candidates on academic merit, leadership, and ambassadorial potential.

  • Must be a US citizen with a minimum GPA of 3.7 from an accredited US university
  • Must have graduated from undergraduate no more than 3 years prior
  • Demonstrated academic distinction and intellectual curiosity
  • Strong leadership record in campus and community activities
  • Clear, well-articulated plan for graduate study and how it connects to career goals
  • Potential to serve as an ambassador between the US and UK
  • Application includes personal statement, proposed program of study, and 4 reference letters
  • Regional interviews conducted at British consulates across the US

How to Apply

The Marshall application process begins at your undergraduate institution and progresses through regional interviews.

  • Many universities have internal deadlines in August, before the national deadline in September
  • Check with your campus fellowship advisor early — most schools have a pre-screening process
  • Apply to specific degree programs at UK universities (you must identify these in advance)
  • Strong applications demonstrate a clear link between your past work, proposed study, and future goals
  • Regional finalists are interviewed by committees at British consulates
  • Results announced in November for the following academic year

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