• Nationality or immigration status
  • UK or ROI nationality
  • An EU national or a EEA EFTA national with settled or pre-settled status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme
  • A national of another country with indefinite leave to remain and enter the UK
  • Have Refugee Status from UK government

• Residency
  • Have been normally resident in the UK / and Islands for the 3 year period, excluding temporary absence for study/employment outside the UK or Islands, immediately before the start date of this award (first payment in October 2021).

Check your eligibility (PDF)

There are a small number of awards for candidates who have applied to specific courses who do not meet the nationality and residency criteria. You would need to meet the requirements for all applicants (see below).

If you have been assessed as ‘international fee status’ as part of your application to Queen’s, you will fall into this group. A small number of students assessed as ‘home fee status’ may also fall into this group if they do not meet residency requirements.

We anticipate that this will be a highly competitive process with a high volume of applications. Please ensure that:

• You have applied for admission to a course that is available for awards to students who do not meet nationality and residency criteria. If you do not already have an offer of admission (conditional or unconditional) for this course, ensure that you complete your application and submit all relevant documents in advance of the deadline.
• You have considered the criteria for the awards, and can demonstrate excellence across all areas. The applicant guidance (Word) can help you with this.

Candidates must hold an offer for a place on an eligible full-time postgraduate taught programme at the Queen’s University Belfast campus, starting in the academic year 2021/22 and prior to commencement of study have met any conditions attached to their offer as stated in their offer letter.

• Complete your application for a Master’s Award by 5 July 2021, including providing your supporting documents.
• An upper second class honours degree, from a University in the United Kingdom or Ireland or a non-UK qualification considered by the University as equivalent to this standard.
• Candidates who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible for a Studentship.
• Students who have previously studied for more than 60 CATS on a postgraduate Master’s programme, whether funded or self-financing, are not eligible. This does not include completion of an integrated Master’s degree as part of your undergraduate degree (e.g. MEng, MSci).
• You must be resident in Northern Ireland on the first day of your course.

All award applications will be assessed using the same criteria. We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Academic excellence in previous study
• Development of skills and building experience to support success on your chosen course of study and in achieving future ambitions
• That they have overcome challenges or barriers to reach postgraduate study
• How the chosen course of study will help you to use your skills and experience to make a positive impact.

The application guidance (Word) outlines how this will be assessed. Completing your application will include completing the online application form, sending us your CV that demonstrates how you have built your skills and experience.