Marshall Scholarship

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Program Purpose: 

Named in honor of US Secretary of State George Marshall, Marshall Scholarships commemorate the humane ideals of the Marshall Plan and the continuing gratitude of the British people to their American counterparts. Program objectives are: (A) To enable intellectually distinguished young Americans, their country's future leaders, to study in the UK; (B) To help Scholars gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain; (C) To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and the creative arts at Britain's centers of academic excellence; (D) To motivate Scholars to act as ambassadors from the USA to the UK and vice versa throughout their lives thus strengthening British American understanding; (E) To promote the personal and academic fulfillment of each Scholar.

Program Description and Benefits: 

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to 50 Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.

As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth. Their direct engagement with Britain through its best academic programs contributes to their ultimate personal success.

This is a highly competitive program with only about .04% of students nominated by their institutions selected as Marshall Scholars.

‘Marshall Plus’ is an extracurricular program of events and opportunities which aims to expose every Marshall Scholar to British government, institutions and culture at the level of both policy and practice. It complements the experience of Britain which Scholars gain from their academic course of study. he program includes events to which all Scholars are invited and which focus on understanding British government and public life.

The Scholarship supports two years of study to complete a master's (possibly a third to pursue a doctorate) in any discipline at any university in the UK.

There are also a limited number of One Year Marshall Scholarships. The One Year Marshall Scholarship is tenable for one academic year (12 months) and cannot be extended.

Supported Fields: 

THE FOLLOWING DEGREES ARE NOT FUNDED UNDER THE MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP: 

(1) Second BA/BSc (undergraduate) Degrees;

(2) MBA (any university);

(3) MPhil Development Studies (University of Oxford);

(4) MSc/MFE Financial Economics (any university);

(5) MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology (University of Oxford);

(6) MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine (University of Oxford);

(7) MSc Law and Finance (University of Oxford);

(8) MPP (Public Policy) (University of Oxford);

(9) Degrees leading to professional qualifications in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and law (these degrees typically take 5 years to complete);

(10) Degrees that require extended periods away from the University or the UK, including joint degrees with Universities not in the UK;

(11) PGDip/Certificates in any subject;

(12) Supervised research not leading to a degree qualification.

One year Marshall Scholarship candidates must be registered for degrees that are 12 months in duration. Courses that run for 10 months or less (i.e., where the course ends before August) will not be funded on the one-year Scholarship. Please check the university websites carefully for the duration of the degree in months. There are no exceptions to this regulation.

Tenable Institutions: 

Candidates are encouraged to consider studying at one of the UK partner universities listed below under "More Information." These institutions fund Marshall Scholarships in full or in part. Applicants interested in any of these Scholarships should mention this in their applications:

Program Benefits: 

The Scholarship provides University fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse. The Two Year Marshall Scholarship is tenable for two academic years (22 months), but may be extended by the Commission, though not beyond the end of a third academic year. Third-year extensions are granted by the Commission on a limited basis, for strong academic reasons, subject to the availability of funds.

In addition to the third year funding offered by the Commission: (A) up to 3 third-year extensions may be granted by the University of Oxford to those pursuing a doctorate at Oxford; (B) up to 3 third-year extensions may be granted by the Cambridge Trust to those pursuing a doctorate at the University of Cambridge.

Application Process: 

Applicants must apply for nomination to the Marshall through the University. Applications are made in one of 8 regions in the U.S. Candidates may apply in one region only – either the region in which they have their permanent home address or in which they are studying. Please note that University nomination is not guaranteed. Applicants should contact the Fellowships well in advance of the campus deadline, and be prepared to engage in extensive research, writing, and revision -- and for finalists, practice interviews.

Applicant Profile: 

Marshall scholars are intellectually distinguished, America's "potential leaders, opinion formers, and decision makers," "who will contribute to advancement of knowledge in science, technology, humanities, social sciences, and creative arts at Britain's centers of academic excellence." Preference will be given to candidates who combine high academic ability with the capacity to play an active part in the life of the United Kingdom university to which they go, and to those who display a potential to make a significant contribution to their own society.

Eligibility: 

Senior, or alumnus or graduate student within two years of receiving a bachelor's degree. The applicant's undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.7. Applicant must not have studied for or hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British University, nor have taken GCSE or A Levels at a UK school. There are no age restrictions for this program and married persons may apply. Persons already studying for or holding a British degree or degree-equivalent qualification are not eligible to apply for a Marshall Scholarship.

Selection Criteria: 

Successful applicants will present a cogent argument as to why their studies and proposed career would be best served by spending 2 years at a British university, or 1 year if they are applying for the one year Marshall Scholarship. In appointing Marshall Scholars, the Commission looks for distinction of intellect and character as evidenced by the applicant's scholastic attainments (a minimum 3.7 GPA is required) and by their other activities and achievements. Marshall looks for adequate preparation for the proposed course of study, particularly in upper-level course work and real strength in the major field.

Citizenship: 

U.S. citizens only.

Program Deadline: 

The national deadline, circa September 25 annually, does not directly apply to students, who must apply for nomination through the University by the campus deadline.

University Deadline: 

Completed applications must be submitted to the Fellowships Office by Noon on May 25 annually.

More information: 

The Commission has established partnerships with leading institutions in the UK.

Marshall applicants are invited to indicate two preferred universities. Whilst Marshall Scholarships are tenable at any British University, expressions of interest in studying at universities other than Oxford, Cambridge and London are particularly welcomed. Candidates are especially encouraged to consider the Marshall Partnership Universities.

The Commission has partnerships with:

• University of Bath
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University of Bradford
• Cardiff University
• University of Dundee (College of Life Sciences)
• Durham University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Exeter
• University of Glasgow
• Guildhall School of Music & Drama
• Imperial College London
• Keele University
• University of Kent
• King's College London
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• University of Manchester
• Newcastle University
• University of Nottingham
• Queen Mary University of London
• Queen's University Belfast
• University of Reading
• Royal Holloway
• Royal Northern College of Music
• University of St Andrews
• School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
• University College London
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• University of Surrey
• University of Sussex
• University of Warwick
• University of York

The Commission also has partnerships with the following Oxford and Cambridge Colleges:

• Balliol College, University of Oxford
• Christ Church, University of Oxford
• Christ's College, University of Cambridge
• Exeter College, University of Oxford
• Gonville and Cauis, University of Cambridge
• King's College, University of Cambridge
• Lincoln College, University of Oxford
• Magdalen College, University of Oxford
• Magdalene College, University of Cambridge
• New College, University of Oxford
• Newnham College, University of Cambridge
• Nuffield College, University of Oxford
• Pembroke College, University of Cambridge
• Peterhouse, University of Cambridge
• Oriel College, University of Oxford
• Somerville College, University of Oxford
• St John's College, University of Cambridge
• Trinity College, University of Oxford
• Trinity College, University of Cambridge
• University College, University of Oxford

Candidates for all of these Scholarships will compete in the main Marshall Scholarship competition and if no-one of sufficient quality is found these Scholarships will not be offered. These Scholarships are not in addition to the 45-50 Marshall Scholarships offered annually.

Other U.K. Scholarships

• For information about other funding for US citizens, consult the British Council page on Scholarships and Financial Support.

• See also this list of UK Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships for International Students.

How To Apply: 

This program requires institutional nomination. Students may not apply directly to the foundation or program. Instead, applicants must apply through the University by the campus deadline. Please note that University nomination is not guaranteed.

To learn more about the Marshall Scholarship Program, or to receive feedback on your application materials, contact Dr. Joy Viveros, Marshall Representative, and Director of the Fellowships Office, for an appointment well in advance of the May 25 campus deadline.