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UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with nine UK universities · Application cycle 2027/2028

Spärck AI Scholarship 2027/2028

Not specified Fully funded?

About this scholarship

A UK government-backed programme that fully funds AI and AI-related Master's degrees at nine leading UK universities. Named after computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones, it is open to both UK and international students. Scholars also get access to industry mentoring, work placements and a national cohort network. The first cohort started in autumn 2026; details for 2027 entry have not yet been announced.

Funding type

Full tuition fee waiver. Tax-free maintenance stipend at the UKRI/UKVI minimum rate (GBP 20,780 for 2025/26; UCL paid GBP 22,780 for London). Industry mentoring and work placement opportunities. Reasonable travel costs to attend the national launch event. Up to about 10 scholarships per university (at least 100 in total in 2026/27).

Tuition fees
Covered
Living costs
Covered
Travel
Not specified
Insurance
Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities
All nationalities
Residence condition
No residence condition

Open to UK (home) and international applicants. Must hold an offer for an eligible AI-related Master's course at a participating university. New entrants only; no deferral. Cannot hold other UK government funding or external sponsorship covering 100% of tuition. Academic bar is set by each university (e.g. Manchester asks for a first-class degree or overseas equivalent in Computer Science or a related subject).

Minimum grade
Not stated
Work experience asked for
Not stated
Return condition
Return condition not stated
How to apply
Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test not mentioned

No separate language test is stated beyond the English requirements of the Master's course at each university.

University admission details

Required before applying?

Participating universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, University of Southampton, University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University, University of Manchester, University of Bristol. Each university lists its own eligible courses (e.g. MSc Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Data Science). You must first apply and receive an offer for the Master's course.

Required documents

Scholarship application form Personal statement AI-related essay (some universities) One or more references Standard Master's admission documents

Application steps

Dates for 2027 entry are not yet announced; universities (e.g. Southampton) say they will update details in autumn 2026. For 2026/27 entry, deadlines were set per university: Bristol and Southampton 15 April 2026, Imperial 17 April 2026, Manchester 30 April 2026, UCL 1 May 2026. Expect similar spring timing. Apply early for the Master's course so you hold an offer before the scholarship deadline. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed; 2026 outcomes were issued in June-July.

Requirement checklist

Offer for an eligible Master's course Required

Apply for one of the university's listed AI-related Master's courses first; the scholarship is only open to applicants holding an offer.

Scholarship application form Required

Submitted separately to each university by its own deadline.

Personal statement Required

Address the scheme's criteria (e.g. vision, curiosity, adaptability, communication, leadership).

Essay on an AI-related topic Conditional?

Required by some universities (e.g. Bristol, Manchester).

Reference Required

From someone who knows your academic or professional work.

Interview Required

Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by an academic panel.

Scholarship contacts

University of Southampton scholarships team: [email protected] · Contact form

Imperial College London scholarships team: [email protected] · Contact form

University of Manchester, Computer Science postgraduate office: [email protected] · Contact form

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