Funding your master’s may be a challenge. At LSE, approximately £3 million of needs-based awards are offered annually to students applying for diploma and taught master’s programmes. This post will explore the various scholarships and awards that you may be eligible for.

Graduate Support Scheme

The Graduate Support Scheme (GSS) is a financial needs-based scholarship scheme, with the value of awards ranging from £5,000 to £15,000 for both Home and International students. As it’s aimed to be supplemental, you’re expected to have secured the remainder of the costs through other means.

The scheme’s open for anyone, including double degree programme applicants, with the exception of those studying specific executive programmes. If you’re an applicant to a double degree programme, you’re eligible to apply to the LSE GSS for Year 2 at LSE, thus applying for the scheme during your first year at LSE’s partner institution.

LSE Master’s Awards (LMAs)

Applicants with financial needs exceeding GSS’s capacity may be referred to the LSE Master’s Awards (LMAs), which offer a range of £5,000 to a full award. Preference is given to those from low and middle income countries, especially where loans are not available or if those countries are under-represented in other LSE award schemes administered by the School.

Named scholarships

There are currently several named scholarship schemes, each offering one or more awards, aimed at Home and International  students. The value of the scholarships varies and the awards are designated for offer holders of certain programmes.

Anniversary Scholarships

LSE Anniversary Scholarships are aimed for taught master’s students from the UK, except for those taking specific executive programmes. The awards range from £5,000 to £15,000, based on financial need and are designed to help with fees and/or living costs.

LSE Access to Education Graduate Scholarships

The LSE Access to Education Graduate Scholarships cover tuition fees and up to £14,400 in maintenance costs for those that are asylum seekers, refugees, and persons with humanitarian protection. The support prioritises offer holders who haven’t pursued any masters’ previously, as well as recent graduates who were eligible for maintenance support in their undergraduate studies due to financial circumstances.

Programme-related awards

There are many programme-related scholarship opportunities for students undertaking certain programmes in most of the departments. Make sure to check the website for full details.

Country-based awards

LSE offers scholarships for students from various parts of the world. Additionally, there are external organisations offering scholarships: Association of Commonwealth Universities, British Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, Commonwealth Scholarships, and Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme.

Applying for the scholarships

Upon submitting your admission application to LSE, you’ll gain access to the Graduate Applicant Portal, where you’ll see a link to the Graduate Financial Support Application. By completing the personal statement section in the application, you’ll be considered for any other scholarships providing you meet their criteria. There’s no need to submit separate applications for different scholarships. This process applies to most of the scholarships mentioned above, except for those offered by external organisations that run their own application processes.

Explain your financial circumstances as clearly as possible to enhance your chances in securing the scholarships and follow guidance given by the “How to complete the LSE Graduate Financial Support Application” page.

Important dates

You have to submit your financial support application by 25 April 2024. By that date, you’ll have to have received a conditional or unconditional offer from LSE to be considered for the scholarships. After submitting the application, it’ll take up to 24 hours to decide on your eligibility for the GSS, which you’ll see on the Graduate Application Portal. Only successful applicants will be notified throughout May, June, and July 2024.

Note that that some scholarships may have different and even earlier deadlines. You may refer to their pages for further details. It’s best that you apply as early as possible, so buckle up, and all the best of luck!