2026 Marshall Scholarships for American Students

If you are a highly motivated American student eager to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, applications are now open for the 2026 Marshall Scholarships. Established in 1953 by an Act of the UK Parliament, these prestigious awards enable outstanding young Americans to study in the UK, strengthening academic, cultural, and leadership ties between the two nations.

The Marshall Scholarships are renowned for supporting future leaders who excel academically, demonstrate leadership potential, and embody ambassadorial qualities. With up to 50 scholarships available in 2026, candidates can study at nearly any British university, across a wide range of disciplines. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: United Kingdom

• Host Institutions: Any accredited UK university (with emphasis on partner universities beyond Oxford, Cambridge, and London institutions)

• Study Level: Postgraduate (Master’s and Doctoral pathways)

• Target Group: Citizens of the United States with strong academic, leadership, and ambassadorial potential

• Fields of Study: Almost all disciplines at graduate level (excluding MBAs, certain professional degrees, short or part-time programs, and courses with excessive online components)

• Number of Awards: Up to 50 scholarships for 2026

• Value & Coverage:

  • Full tuition fees

  • Monthly stipend for living costs (£1,378 outside London / £1,690 in London for 2024–25 rates)

  • Travel fares to and from the US, plus a mid-term return trip for multi-year scholars

  • Visa fees and access to the UK’s NHS healthcare system

  • Additional allowances (minimum £3,000) for research, leadership, and ambassadorial activities

• Duration:

  • One-year Marshall Scholarship: 10–12 months

  • Two-year Marshall Scholarship: Two academic years, with possible third-year extension for PhD scholars

• Application Deadline: 16 September 2025, 5:00 PM (local time of endorsing institution)

• Start Date: September/October 2026 academic year

  
  

🧭 Scholarship Overview

• Purpose: To allow future American leaders to study in the UK while fostering mutual understanding and advancing knowledge in science, technology, humanities, social sciences, and the arts.

• Selection Criteria: Academic merit, leadership potential, and ambassadorial potential.

• Course Selection Rules:

  • Candidates must select a first- and second-choice course for each year of study.

  • Restrictions apply for certain institutions (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, KCL, Imperial)—these cannot be chosen together in the same year.

  • Certain courses, such as MBAs, postgraduate diplomas, and professional law/medicine degrees, are not funded.

• Partnership Scholarships: Extra opportunities are available at partner universities across the UK. NIH–Marshall Scholarships support PhD students in biosciences and medicine at Oxford and Cambridge.

• Application Pathways: Candidates may apply for either one-year or two-year scholarships, but not both.

🎁 Benefits of the 2026 Marshall Scholarships

• Full tuition coverage at any UK university

• Generous stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses

• Funded travel between the US and the UK (plus mid-term trip for multi-year scholars)

• Visa and healthcare costs fully covered

• Additional allowances for research, leadership development, and cultural engagement

• Opportunities to join a distinguished network of Marshall Scholars, leaders, and innovators

• A transformative experience that strengthens UK–US relations while expanding academic and professional horizons

✅Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• U.S. citizenship at the time of application

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year U.S. institution by September 2026

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.7 or higher at time of application

• Graduation after April 2023

• Must not already hold a degree or degree-equivalent from a UK university, nor have completed GCSEs or A-Levels in the UK

• Application endorsed by the applicant’s U.S. undergraduate institution (limit of 24 endorsements per institution)

📝 Application Procedure

1. Institutional Endorsement – Candidates must be endorsed by their U.S. undergraduate institution (President, Provost, or Dean).

2. Online Application – Submit through the official portal, including required essays/statements:

   • Personal Statement (intellectual development & interests, 750 words max)

   • Proposed Academic Program (course choice and rationale, 500 words)

   • Leadership Statement (example of leadership in action, 500 words)

   • Ambassadorial Potential Statement (engagement with UK community & future impact, 500 words)

   • One-Year Statement (only for one-year applicants, 300 words)

3. Supporting Documents – Official transcripts (PDF), recommendation letters, and endorsement letter from institution.

4. Deadline:

   • Candidate submission to institution: 16 September 2025

   • Final institutional submission: 18 September 2025

5. Selection Process:

   • Regional interviews across eight U.S. centers in November 2025

   • Announcement of awards in late November/December 2025

📂 Required Documents

• Completed online application form

• Personal, academic, leadership, and ambassadorial statements

• Endorsement letter from institution

• Three letters of recommendation

• Official academic transcripts (PDF copies acceptable)

• Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport copy at interview stage)

ℹ️ Extra Information

• Scholars are expected to stay in the UK for the full duration of their program.

• The Marshall Commission encourages applicants to explore universities outside of Oxford, Cambridge, and London to diversify placements.

• AI-generated or AI-assisted application essays are strictly prohibited; authenticity will be verified during interviews.

• Dependants may accompany scholars, but only limited support (travel allowance, shipping allowance, settling-in allowance) is provided.

🚀 Final Note

The 2026 Marshall Scholarships represent one of the most prestigious opportunities for American students to immerse themselves in British academia and culture while preparing for leadership roles that strengthen the UK–US partnership. If you meet the eligibility requirements and aspire to become part of this distinguished legacy, now is the time to begin preparing your application.