Question 1

What is Masters Scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Masters Scholarship is a scholarship discovery platform that helps students find and apply for scholarships across universities in the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and Singapore. Alongside discovery, we also run two of our own funding programmes — the Student Bursary and the Merit Scholarship — which are awarded exclusively by us, on top of any university-level or external scholarships you may already be eligible for.

Question 2

What's the difference between the Student Bursary and the Merit Scholarship?

Accepted Answer

The Student Bursary grant is awarded through a profile evaluation and interview process, tied to a specific university. The Merit Scholarship is awarded purely on performance in a standardised exam, open to students in the top ~3% of scorers. If you secure a Student Bursary grant, you automatically become eligible for the Merit Scholarship too — they're not mutually exclusive.

Question 3

Is Masters Scholarship free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Discovering scholarships, applying for our Student Bursary, and sitting the Merit Scholarship exam are all free for students. We're funded through partnerships with universities, not by charging applicants.

Question 4

Which countries and programmes are covered?

Accepted Answer

We cover Master's and MBA programmes at universities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and Singapore. Applications for the United States are currently closed.

Question 5

Can I apply for both the Student Bursary and Merit Scholarship in the same year?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In fact, applicants are limited to one application per edition of each individual programme, but you can be considered for both the Student Bursary and the Merit Scholarship at the same time — and securing one can make you automatically eligible for the other.

Question 6

Who can apply for the Student Bursary?

Accepted Answer

You're eligible if you're a citizen of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, or South Africa, planning to begin a Master's or MBA programme abroad within the next 12 months, with a minimum of 55% in your undergraduate degree. Work experience and an existing university offer are not required to apply.

Question 7

How does the Student Bursary process work?

Accepted Answer

It's a three-step process: first, a profile evaluation based on your Preliminary Application Form; second, a 30–45 minute interview with our scholarship panel assessing academics, communication, and motivation; and finally, if shortlisted, you're awarded a guaranteed scholarship grant tied to a specific university.

Question 8

When are the application rounds?

Accepted Answer

We run four rounds each year: Early Access (deadline November 1), Round 1 (February 28), Round 2 (May 31), and Round 3 (July 31). Applying early significantly boosts your chances — early applicants see 1.5x higher acceptance rates and scholarship amounts that run 1.7x higher on average.

Question 9

How long does the decision take after I apply?

Accepted Answer

Our panel reviews your profile within 5–7 business days of your application. If shortlisted, you'll have 48 hours to complete your interview, and a final decision follows within 3–5 business days after that.

Question 10

Does the Student Bursary replace other scholarships I might get?

Accepted Answer

No. The Student Bursary is provided exclusively by Masters Scholarship, in addition to any university-level or external scholarships you may already be eligible for — it's stackable, not a substitute.

Question 11

Do I need an offer letter from a university before applying?

Accepted Answer

No. Admission confirmation from the foreign university is not required at the time of application. You can apply as long as you plan to begin studying abroad within the next 12 months.

Question 12

Who can apply for the Merit Scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Students with a minimum 6.0+ CGPA from their bachelor's degree are eligible. If you've already secured a Student Bursary grant, you're automatically eligible for the Merit Scholarship as well. You can also qualify through our Direct Entry programme.

Question 13

How much is the Merit Scholarship worth?

Accepted Answer

The grant amount is determined by the total number of students appearing for the exam that year. In 2025, awarded amounts ranged from $500 to $24,000.

Question 14

What does the exam cover, and how long is it?

Accepted Answer

The exam is conducted online and covers 90 questions across Aptitude, Verbal, and Critical Thinking & Logical Reasoning sections. It assesses your critical thinking, quantitative ability, and language eloquence. The exact question pattern may vary slightly each year.

Question 15

When is the Merit exam conducted, and when are results out?

Accepted Answer

The exam is conducted in July or August each year, with specific dates announced in June. Results are published within 15–30 days of the exam date, showing your percentile and the scholarship amount awarded based on performance.

Question 16

What score do I need to qualify?

Accepted Answer

Your final score determines your rank against all other candidates that year. Students who fall within the top ~3% qualify for the Merit Scholarship.

Question 17

Is there a cap on how many students can win the Merit Scholarship?

Accepted Answer

No, there's no cap on the number of Merit Scholarships awarded each year. All eligible students who clear the cutoff in the examination qualify for the scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Masters Scholarship?

Student Bursary FAQs

Merit Scholarship FAQs

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