The 2027 Martingale Scholarships are now open for eligible students planning to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees at partner universities in the UK. Learn about eligibility requirements, financial need criteria, application stages, key dates, and how to apply.
The 2027 Martingale Scholarships are now open for applications, offering an opportunity for talented students who want to progress to Master’s or PhD-level study at a UK university.
The Martingale Foundation says it is seeking applicants with strong academic potential, financial need and a genuine motivation to undertake postgraduate research. Successful candidates will also become part of a community of Martingale Scholars and receive support throughout the university application process.
Applications opened on 12 August 2026, with the final deadline set for 18 October 2026 at 23:59.
Apply for the 2027 Martingale Scholarships
2027 Martingale Scholarships: Overview
The Martingale Foundation scholarships are designed for students seeking postgraduate study in the UK who demonstrate academic potential while facing financial barriers to higher education.
The programme supports both Masters and PhD applicants, although the funding allocation process differs between the two routes.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Martingale Scholarships 2027 |
| Study level | Masters and PhD |
| Study destination | United Kingdom |
| Universities | Martingale partner universities |
| Applications opened | 12 August 2026 |
| Final deadline | 18 October 2026 |
| Deadline time | 23:59 |
| Interviews | November 2026 |
| University applications | January–February 2027* |
| Funding offers | April 2027 |
| Programme start | September 2027 |
*Some university programmes may have earlier application deadlines.
Who Is Eligible for the 2027 Martingale Scholarships?
Applicants must satisfy the Martingale Foundation’s stated eligibility conditions.
1. Academic Achievement
Applicants must have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a First or Upper-Second Class degree (or equivalent) in their most recent taught degree in a relevant subject.
This requirement is intended to identify candidates who demonstrate the academic potential necessary for postgraduate study and research.
2. Master’s or PhD Admission in 2027
Applicants must be eligible to begin a Master’s or PhD programme at a UK university from September 2027.
Candidates should therefore research eligible postgraduate programmes and understand the admission requirements of the universities they intend to apply to.
3. Home Fee Status
Applicants must qualify for Home Fee status at the Martingale Foundation’s partner universities.
This is an important requirement, so prospective applicants should confirm their fee-status position before submitting an application.
4. Education in the UK or Ireland
Applicants must have attended school in the UK or Ireland for at least:
- Three years between the ages of 11 and 18; or
- Seven years between the ages of 4 and 18.
There is an important exception for applicants with refugee status who qualify for Home Fee status. The foundation states that such applicants can apply even if they do not meet the minimum UK or Ireland education-history requirements.
5. State-Funded School Education
Applicants must have completed their GCSEs or equivalent at a state-funded school.
Alternatively, they may have attended a fee-paying school or college with a scholarship or bursary covering at least 90% of fees.
6. Financial Barriers
Financial circumstances are an important part of the selection process.
The eligibility criteria state that applicants must have faced or be facing financial barriers, including having a household income of £45,000 or under.
The foundation says applicants will be prioritized based on financial need, academic potential and motivation for postgraduate research.
What Do the Martingale Scholarships Look For?
Meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.
Martingale says its selection process considers three central areas:
Financial need: Evidence that financial circumstances have created barriers to postgraduate education.
Academic potential: A strong academic record and the potential to succeed in postgraduate study.
Motivation for research: A clear interest in postgraduate research and a convincing reason for pursuing a Master’s or PhD.
The foundation also considers how applicants could contribute to the wider Martingale Scholars cohort.
What Documents Are Required?
During the first application stage, applicants will need to provide several supporting materials.
These include:
- An academic transcript
- Evidence of financial need
- Two referees
Applicants should prepare these documents carefully before starting the online application.
The Martingale Foundation also advises applicants to research prospective postgraduate courses directly through university graduate admissions departments.
How the 2027 Martingale Scholarship Application Works
The selection and funding process consists of three main stages.
Stage 1: Apply to Martingale
Applicants first submit an online application to the Martingale Foundation.
The application is intended to help the foundation understand the candidate’s educational background, academic potential, financial circumstances, and motivation for becoming a Martingale Scholar.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.
The interview involves academic representatives and a Martingale representative. Candidates will be assessed on academic potential, motivation for postgraduate research and their potential contribution to the Martingale Scholars community.
Stage 2: Apply to Partner Universities
Successful applicants then become Qualified Candidates and receive support while applying to eligible courses at Martingale’s partner universities.
Martingale provides support through:
- Online workshops
- One-to-one guidance
- Application support
- Application proofreading
- A PhD Showcase event for PhD candidates
Qualified Candidates must still submit separate applications directly to each university and follow the relevant university admission requirements and deadlines.
Stage 3: Funding Allocation
The final stage differs between Masters and PhD applicants.
For Masters Scholarships, candidates who receive offers from eligible courses will provide their university and course preferences to Martingale. The foundation then allocates funded places among successful Qualified Candidates.
For PhD Scholarships, partner universities make offers of Martingale PhD places directly to Qualified Candidates from the pool of applicants who have applied to them. The number of PhD places available at each partner university is limited.
The foundation also notes that where a university offer is conditional, any Martingale funding will also be conditional.
2027 Martingale Scholarships Key Dates
Applicants should keep track of the following dates:
12 August 2026 — Applications open
The 2027 scholarship application cycle officially opened on this date.
18 October 2026 — Final application deadline
Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
November 2026 — Interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to in-person interviews held across the country.
December 2026 — Outcomes
Applicants will be notified of the outcomes. Successful candidates become Qualified Candidates and receive support with applications to partner universities.
December 2026 — PhD Showcase
PhD candidates will have the opportunity to meet academics from partner universities and learn more about eligible courses.
December 2026–January 2027 — Application support
Martingale will provide workshops, one-to-one guidance and application proofreading.
January–February 2027 — University applications
Qualified Candidates apply directly to partner universities for eligible Master’s and PhD programmes.
March 2027 — University offer confirmation
Qualified Candidates are expected to receive confirmation of their university offers, subject to course requirements.
April 2027 — Martingale-funded places
Successful Qualified Candidates who receive an offer from a partner university will be considered for a Martingale Scholarship.
Why the Martingale Scholarship Could Be Valuable
The programme offers more than assistance with postgraduate funding.
Qualified Candidates also receive structured support during the university application process. This can be particularly useful for students navigating competitive Masters or PhD admissions.
The programme also creates opportunities to connect with other scholars and academics through the Martingale community and, for PhD candidates, the Showcase event.
The foundation’s approach therefore combines postgraduate funding opportunities, academic development, application guidance and community-building.
How to Apply for the 2027 Martingale Scholarships
Eligible applicants should begin by reviewing the official eligibility requirements and application guidance.
The application process starts with the Martingale Foundation rather than directly with a university.
Applicants should:
- Confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements.
- Review the 2027 programme brochure and eligible courses.
- Prepare their academic transcript.
- Gather evidence of financial need.
- Identify two appropriate referees.
- Complete the online Martingale application.
- Submit the application before 18 October 2026 at 23:59.
- If shortlisted, prepare for the interview stage.
- If successful, apply separately to eligible partner universities.
Read the 2027 Martingale Scholarship Application Guidance
Applicants can also consult the foundation’s frequently asked questions before submitting an application.
Read the Martingale Scholarship FAQs
Important Information for Applicants
Prospective applicants should not assume that receiving Martingale support automatically guarantees admission to a particular university or course.
University applications are separate from the initial Martingale application, and candidates must satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen programmes.
Applicants should also note that some university programmes may have deadlines earlier than the general January–February 2027 application period.
The Martingale Foundation’s official eligibility guidance and application guidance should therefore be treated as the primary sources when determining eligibility and preparing an application.
View the Official Martingale Foundation Scholarship Page
Final Thoughts
The 2027 Martingale Scholarships provide a postgraduate opportunity for eligible students with strong academic potential, financial need and a clear interest in research.
The programme is open to candidates planning to begin eligible Masters or PhD studies at UK universities in September 2027. Beyond scholarship consideration, Qualified Candidates can receive structured support with university applications, including workshops, individual guidance and application proofreading.
With the final application deadline set for 18 October 2026 at 23:59, prospective applicants should review the eligibility criteria and supporting-document requirements early.
Apply Now for the 2027 Martingale Scholarships
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