Carnegie Masters Grants

Application period opens: Friday 1 May 2026
Application period closes: Friday 31 July 2026
Notification date: The week commencing Monday 3 August 2026
Entry: 2026

The Carnegie Education Fund is launching a new grant scheme to widen access to postgraduate study in Scotland. Carnegie Masters Grants will support students from low‑income households to undertake a taught or research master's degree at a Scottish university.

Postgraduate qualifications play a vital role in career progression and contribution to public life, but costs remain a significant barrier for many students. The Carnegie Masters Grants aim to reduce this barrier by providing financial support to eligible students studying full‑time or part‑time at Scottish higher education institutions.

The scheme is open to applicants who are ordinarily resident in Scotland, live in low‑income households, and have applied for or secured a place on an eligible master’s course starting in 2026-2027.

Value of award (per year)

Support for Tuition Fees

A Carnegie Masters Grant will provide a contribution towards the cost of Home-rate tuition fees for masterʼs programmes up to a maximum of £10,000 (full-time) or £5,000 per year (part-time).

Study-cost stipend

In some cases, a Carnegie Masters Grant can also help with the additional costs of study, such as travel, childcare, or equipment costs.

Applicants whose circumstances meet the eligibility threshold will be awarded up to £5,000 (full-time) or £2,500 per year (part-time).

The information you submit in your application will be used to determine eligibility.

Stipends will be awarded based on:

Financial need
Personal circumstances
Available budget

If you are awarded a study-cost stipend, you will receive it across three instalments across the academic year and it will be paid directly to your bank.

Duration of award

For the duration of the eligible postgraduate programme.

At what stage of my course application can I apply for this scholarship?

Before applying, you must have an offer (conditional or unconditional) for a place at the University of St Andrews on an eligible taught or research Master's programme.

Application restrictions

Study level

Available to students studying at:

Postgraduate taught, Postgraduate research

Subjects

Available to students studying:

Postgraduate courses leading solely to a Certificate or Diploma qualification (e.g. PGCert, PGDip, PGCE, PGDE), as well as MPhil or PhD programmes, are not eligible.

Domicile for fee status

Scotland home

Schools

Available to students in the following Schools and Departments:

Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science, Divinity, Earth and Environmental Sciences, English, Film Studies, Geography and Sustainable Development, Graduate School, History, International Relations, Mathematics and Statistics, Medicine, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology and Neuroscience, Social Anthropology, Business School, International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute

Application assessment

Financial need (Hardship, means tested)

Available to

Prospective students

Mode of study

Full time, Part time - daytime, Online

Geographical criteria

Scotland (UK/Home)

Nationality and/or Residency Requirement

Resident of Scotland

Additional criteria

Please read the Carnegie Masters Grants Applicant Guidance or full eligibility details and scholarship requirements.

How to apply

Apply through the Carnegie Trust online application form on their website.

Contact: [email protected]