Purpose of the Programme
The Think Big scholarships are the flagship funding scheme at the University of Bristol for international students. The university invests millions to attract bright students from all over the world. By offering generous tuition fee discounts, Bristol aims to reduce the financial barrier for overseas students wishing to study there.
But it’s more than simply lowering costs. It’s about enabling students who have high potential and ambition to access a top UK university, engage in global learning, contribute to the university community, and build futures that span borders. So if you’re someone who wants not only to study abroad but also to make a difference—this scheme is designed with that kind of applicant in mind.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you go full-steam ahead, let’s check what you’ll need in order to qualify. The eligibility for Think Big (2025 entry as published) gives a very good guide:
Undergraduate Eligibility
- You must be classed as an overseas student for fee purposes (i.e., international fees apply).
- You must have applied for an eligible undergraduate course at Bristol (with the exception of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science) starting in September of the intake year.
- You must meet the entry requirements for your chosen course.
- The scholarship application must follow your study application (you don’t necessarily need to have an offer yet—but you must have applied).
Postgraduate Eligibility
- You must apply for an eligible full-time taught master’s programme (one year) or for certain eligible two-year programmes (e.g., MSc Social Work, MA Law) starting in September.
- You must be classed as an overseas fee-paying student.
- You must not already be in receipt of funding that would equal or exceed the full cost of your tuition fees alongside the Bristol scholarship.
Additional Notes
- For 2025 entry, the scholarship was only valid for students beginning their programme in that defined intake year; deferring may lead to the scholarship being withdrawn.
- The amount of the discount depends on your level of study and specific scheme year.
- You may not hold multiple Bristol scholarships covering tuition fees; if eligible for more than one, the highest-value award is typically given.
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Fields of Study
What types of courses are eligible under Think Big? Broadly, the scheme covers a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses at Bristol—provided you qualify under the overseas fee-payer classification and the programme is in their list of eligible courses.
For undergraduates: many full‐time bachelor’s programmes (except some professional ones like Medicine) are included.
For postgraduates: many one-year taught master’s programmes plus some two-year ones. The exact list of eligible programmes may vary each year. You’ll need to check the current list of “eligible programmes” on Bristol’s official scholarship page.
So whether you’re interested in sciences, social sciences, humanities, business, engineering or other disciplines—if the course at Bristol is eligible and you meet criteria—you have a shot.
Benefits of the Scholarship
Here’s where things get appealing. What difference can this scholarship make for you?
- For undergraduate students: the Think Big undergraduate scholarships were valued at £6,500 or £13,000 per year of study (for 2025 entry) for eligible programmes.
- For postgraduate students: scholarships ranged from £6,500, £13,000, up to £26,000 per year of study for 2025 entry.
- The scholarship is applied as a tuition fee waiver, not as a cash award. That means your tuition cost is reduced directly.
- For first year only: there may be an additional bursary (up to £3,000) paid directly into your bank account (UK bank) for eligible postgraduate applicants.
In practical terms: you could reduce your tuition burden significantly, making the decision to study abroad much more viable financially. It’s important to remember that living expenses, visa costs and other non-tuition costs still need to be covered by you (or through other funding).
Check out: DAR for U.S offers 10 awards of $25,000 each for U.S. undergrad/grad students of American history
Deadline & Important Dates
Deadlines matter—catch those and you’re in the game; miss them and you could lose out.
For the 2025 intake:
- Undergraduate Think Big applications closed on 24 February 2025 at 10 am UK time.
- Postgraduate Think Big applications closed on 23 April 2025 at 10 am UK time.
- Outcomes for undergraduate applicants were notified in April; for postgraduate applicants, outcomes were notified in May.
For future intakes (e.g., 2026/27) you’ll need to check the scholarship webpage for updated dates, but the pattern is usually: study application first, scholarship application by late February or April (depending on level), and decisions by spring.
How to Apply
Here’s a step-by-step friendly guide to help you apply:
- Apply to your chosen programme at the University of Bristol (undergraduate or postgraduate), making sure it’s one of the eligible courses and you meet requirements.
- Submission of study application should precede the scholarship application—ensure you are classed as overseas fee-payer.
- Complete the Think Big scholarship application form (online) within the timeframe. When you submit this, you’ll automatically be considered for all variations of the Think Big scheme you’re eligible for.
- Provide supporting documents as required: your course application reference/ID, possibly your motivation, transcripts, evidence of overseas fee status, etc.
- Submit before deadline (check the year and level). Late applications are typically not accepted.
- Await decision: successful applicants will receive an award letter; you’ll accept the offer and then proceed with enrolment, visa, accommodation, etc.
- Maintain eligibility: if your scholarship is annual/covers multiple years, you may need to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Why Study at University of Bristol?
Beyond the scholarship itself, there are real advantages to being at Bristol:
- It’s a well-regarded UK university with strong global reputation, offering a wide range of courses and vibrant student life.
- As an international student, you’ll benefit from a diverse campus environment and access to resources designed to support overseas students.
- The tuition reduction from the Think Big scholarship makes the investment more feasible—so you can focus more on your studies and experience, and less on stress over cost.
- Studying in the UK prepares you for global career opportunities, international networks and a skills base that resonates worldwide.
Final Thoughts
So here’s the deal: if you’re an overseas fee-paying student, you’ve got strong academic credentials, an interest in studying in the UK, and you’re keen to take advantage of a scholarship that really makes a difference—this is worth your attention. The Think Big Programme at Bristol is competitive, yes—but if you put the work in, it could be a game-changer.
Start your preparation now: pick your course, check you meet criteria, gather your documents, write a thoughtful motivation, set your deadlines. Because when the time comes, being ready matters. I’m rooting for you—go ahead and apply, and imagine where this could lead you!
Official program website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/fees-finance/scholarships/