Spärck AI scholarship

About the scholarship

You will get: 

• full funding for your master’s course, including tuition fees and a tax-free stipend (the UKRI minimum amount will update in Spring 2026) 
• the opportunity to apply for a work placement at an organisation related to AI 
• access to activities and events, to meet AI professionals and other students. 

This scholarship is funded by the UK government. 

It is named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones.  

You must have already applied for full-time study on one of these taught master’s programmes:

• Artificial Intelligence (MSc) 
• Artificial Intelligence for Business (MSc) 
• Engineering with Artificial Intelligence (MSc) 
• Artificial Intelligence for Medicine and Health (MSc). 

The programme must start in September 2026.

You can only get one type of UK government funding. If you apply for multiple government-funded bursary or scholarship schemes, you can only accept one.

You can only apply for one Spärck AI scholarship, even if you apply for multiple master's programmes.

UK and international applicants can apply.

Your skills

We will consider these skills and interests when reviewing applications:

• curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving
• comfort with ambiguity and change
• communication and teamwork skills
• entrepreneurial mindset and leadership potential
• interest in being part of a government-funded scholarship and making the most of this opportunity 
• interest in contributing to the AI ecosystem in the UK.

We are looking for candidates from a range of backgrounds.

1. Complete an application form

You need to fill in the application form. This should include:

• a personal statement, outlining your:
  • motivation for being part of a government-funded cohort-based scholarship programme and how you will make the most of this opportunity (4000 characters)
  • vision and curiosity including a desire to expand knowledge of AI and explore ideas beyond their immediate discipline (4000 characters)
  • critical thinking and problem solving (4000 characters)
  • adaptability (4000 characters)
  • communication and collaboration (4000 characters)
  • leadership and entrepreneurial mindset (4000 characters)
• an essay (4000 characters) on the topic: “What opportunities do you see AI presenting in the field you aim to study through your master’s course?”
• details of the person who will provide your reference letter.

If you are from a group under-represented in the AI sector, you should also provide a statement about your circumstances. This could include if you:

• are British and from Black and marginalised ethnically minoritised groups
• are care-experienced
• identify as a woman
• are from a low-income background
• are disabled, including with sensory or mobility impairments, long-term mental health conditions, autism, long term illnesses or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)
• are a first-generation student (your parents or carers did not go to university)
• attended schools and colleges where performance is below the national average.

You should prepare your answers before filling in the online form.

2. Get a reference letter

You also need a reference letter from someone who knows your work and can endorse your suitability for a scholarship. For example, this could be a tutor or manager.

Your chosen person must fill in the reference letter form by the deadline. You should ask them to do this.

You need to submit an application form and get a reference letter by 15 April 2026.

Late applications will not be considered.

Application deposit deadline

Due to waiting on a scholarship decision, you may need extra time to pay your application deposit. You can request an extension using the PGT deposit deadline extension request form. This will extend your deadline until after final decisions have been made. 

Once you have applied, we will review your application.

If your application is shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview.

We will send scholarship offers on 15 June 2026. You must accept by 1 July.

If your application is unsuccessful, you cannot appeal the decision.

We cannot give you feedback about your application.