Terms, conditions and criteria

1. Scholarship applicants must hold either a ‘conditional’ or ‘unconditional’ offer for a full-time, on campus postgraduate taught programme at the University of Stirling. Those without a valid offer will not have their application assessed.

2. Applicants suspected of using Generative AI in their applications will not be assessed and feedback will not be given. Any decisions on suspected AI use will be final.

3. Be the Difference Scholarship is available for Postgraduate Taught, full-time, on campus degree courses of one-year duration for students starting in September 2025 or with courses with start dates in January 2026. Those studying the MLitt in Philosophy (University of St Andrews) and the MSc Strategic Communications and Public Relations (Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona) or other Joint courses are not eligible for these scholarships.

4. The scholarship applies to self-funded international fee payers only. Any change in fee status changes from International to Home/EU Fees will result in your scholarship being withdrawn and students may be required to repay the scholarship.

5. Students progressing from a pathway course at INTO Stirling are not eligible for this award with the exception of those students taking a pre-sessional English course only. Students from INTO are encouraged to apply for the <name of INTO’s own ringfenced awards>. Any award can only be used for the University of Stirling Masters Degree and cannot be used towards fees for any pathway course.

6. Students applying for, or expecting to receive, education loans (e.g US Financial Aid) are eligible to apply. However, students sponsored by an outside body or government organisation will not be eligible for this scholarship and it will be withdrawn.

7. With the exception of the Sports Scholarship, students are only eligible for one scholarship and should they be awarded another scholarship, the highest value scholarship will be applied and the lower value will be withdrawn. This may include, but is not limited to, British Council GREAT Scholarships, Chevening, or Commonwealth Shared Schemes.

Please read the attached conditions associated with accepting this scholarship carefully prior to applying for the scholarship.

1. If awarded the scholarship, you will be required to pay the £6000 Tuition Fee Deposit within 10 working days of receiving the award letter. If a self-funded student will cover 100% of tuition expenses through education loans this deposit can be waived on provision of loan documentation.

Where applicants fail to pay their deposit or fail to provide proof of education loans in the amount of 100% of tuition fees by 8th October, the University of Stirling reserves the right to rescind the scholarship and offer to another candidate. Applicants with concerns or requiring a payment deadline extension should contact the university by emailing international@stir.ac.uk.

The award and the payment of a deposit or proof of education loans covering 100% of tuition fees are not interchangeable – international fee paying students are still required to pay a deposit by the deadline.

2. The award shall be made as a tuition fee discount, meaning that fees will be reduced by the amount specified. No cheque or payment shall be made directly to the student. Scholarship holders remain liable for paying any remaining tuition fees to the University of Stirling.

3. If an applicant defers their entry to a following year, then the scholarship award will be removed. The applicant would be required to reapply the following intake, but any award cannot be guaranteed.

4. If a scholarship awardee ceases to be a registered student within the standard duration of the course, any payment or refund due will be based on the discounted tuition fee.

5. Once you are enrolled at the University of Stirling, we may contact you using your University student email account. It is your responsibility to check this account regularly for important information regarding any requests relating to the Scholarships scheme. We may make changes to these terms from time to time and the version that is applicable to you will be those that were in force at the date of your application with us.

Scholarship holders agree upon request to complete a new students’ survey, attend international scholarship awardees events as appropriate, write a student testimonial whilst studying and a career profile testimonial one year after graduation, and agree that testimonials and photographs can be used University of Stirling publicity material.

We will use the personal information you provide to process your enrolment and administer the scholarship scheme. We will retain all documents we receive in connection with the scholarship scheme along with your other student records in accordance with our Data Protection Policy.