University of London Scholarships 2027 in UK (Funded). Apply for fully funded scholarships here. The University of London is a federal university whose central “Worldwide” programme delivers flexible and distance-learning degrees to students in over 190 countries. That structure matters, since most of its scholarships fund online study, not campus relocation.
Two scholarships stand out for the 2027 entry cycle: the Váradi Scholarships for distance-learning students and the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship for the MA in Human Rights. Both work differently from a typical UK campus scholarship.
If you came here expecting a standard “study in the UK” scholarship article, complete with visas and campus housing, it’s worth resetting expectations early. Most of what’s covered below intentionally looks different, because the underlying study format is genuinely different.
University of London Scholarships 2027 Details:
| University: | University of London |
| Degree level: | Bachelors, Masters |
| Scholarship coverage: | Tuition Fee |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | United Kingdom |
| Last date: | 8 September 2026 |
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Financial Benefits
Because these are distance-learning scholarships, there’s no living stipend, flight, or accommodation coverage to offer, since students study from wherever they already live. The benefit is purely tuition-related.
| Scholarship | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Váradi Scholarships | Up to £10,900 toward programme fees for the current cohort; recipients must confirm how they’ll cover any remaining fees |
| Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | Full course fee waiver for the MA in Human Rights (distance learning) |
Neither scholarship covers costs not paid directly to the University of London, such as personal computers, study materials, or local teaching centre fees where applicable.
Available Study Programs
Undergraduate Programmes: Váradi-eligible bachelor’s degrees have included BSc Computer Science, BSc Psychology, and BSc Business Administration, all delivered fully online.
Postgraduate Programmes: Eligible Master’s options have included the Global MBA, Master of Laws (LLM), MSc Data Science, and MSc Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics.
MA in Human Rights: Delivered by the School of Advanced Study, this distance-learning master’s is the specific focus of the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship.
Exact eligible programmes shift slightly between cohorts, so always confirm the current list directly on the University of London’s official Váradi Scholarships page before applying.
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About the University of London
Rather than a ranked list of separate universities, here’s what actually makes up the “University of London” so applicants understand what they’re enrolling in.
| Entity | What It Is | Relevance to This Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| University of London (central/Worldwide) | Federal body offering its own distance-learning degrees directly | Awards the Váradi and Commonwealth scholarships covered here |
| Member Institutions (UCL, LSE, King’s College London, etc.) | Independently governed colleges within the federation | Run their own separate scholarships and admissions, not covered by this article |
| School of Advanced Study | Central research school delivering programmes like the MA in Human Rights | Hosts the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship |
Established by royal charter in 1836, the University of London founded some of the first fully external, distance-learning degrees in the world, well before online learning became mainstream elsewhere.
This history is directly relevant to today’s scholarships. The Váradi and Commonwealth awards both sit within that same external-study tradition, rather than being a scaled-down version of a typical campus scholarship. That’s a genuine strength for students who want a recognised UK qualification without leaving home.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility differs meaningfully between the two scholarships, so check carefully which one actually applies to your situation.
- Váradi Scholarships: Open to new students only, with an unconditional offer for an eligible distance-learning degree. Applicants must currently reside in one of a specific list of eligible countries, largely across Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, and must demonstrate genuine financial need.
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship: Open to residents of eligible developing Commonwealth countries who are unable to study in the UK due to financial or other constraints and who hold an offer for the MA in Human Rights.
Neither scholarship is available to students already registered at the University of London, and both require a confirmed programme offer before your scholarship application can be considered.
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Required Documents
| Document | Required For |
|---|---|
| Completed programme application form | Both scholarships (submitted first, before any scholarship form) |
| Váradi Scholarship application form | Váradi Scholarships only |
| Statement demonstrating financial need | Váradi Scholarships |
| Proof of residency in an eligible country | Váradi Scholarships |
| Commonwealth Scholarship Commission application | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship |
| Evidence of inability to study in the UK | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship |
Application Process
Step 1: Use the University of London’s course finder to confirm which programmes are currently scholarship-eligible.
Step 2: Submit your programme application first; scholarship applications aren’t considered without a confirmed offer.
Step 3: For the Váradi Scholarship, confirm you reside in one of the currently listed eligible countries.
Step 4: Once you receive your programme offer, complete the relevant scholarship application form.
Step 5: For the Váradi Scholarship, clearly explain in writing why you couldn’t undertake the programme without financial support.
Step 6: For the Commonwealth Scholarship, apply to the MA in Human Rights first, then submit your scholarship application to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission by its separate deadline.
Step 7: Upload all required documents under the correct “Scholarships and Bursaries” section of your online application account.
Step 8: Track your application status through your University of London online account.
Step 9: If awarded, confirm how you’ll cover any remaining fees not included in your scholarship amount.
Step 10: Begin your studies remotely; no relocation, visa, or travel arrangements are needed for distance-learning programmes.
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Student Visa Guide (Distance Learning vs. Campus-Based Study)
This is the single most important thing to understand before applying: most University of London Worldwide students never need a UK student visa, since they study entirely online from their home country.
The exception is campus-based, in-person research programmes, such as certain PhD programmes at the School of Advanced Study’s constituent institutes in London, which do require a standard UK student visa like any other in-person UK degree.
| Study Mode | Visa Requirement |
|---|---|
| Distance/Flexible Learning (BSc, MSc, LLM, MBA, MA Human Rights) | No UK student visa required; study entirely from your home country |
| Campus-Based Research Degrees (e.g., certain PhDs via School of Advanced Study) | A standard UK Student visa required and applied for through the UK government’s official process |
If you’re specifically pursuing a campus-based programme, general UK student visa rules apply: a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), proof of funds, and biometrics at a UK visa application centre, typically processed within 3 weeks for most applicants.
Health Insurance
Distance-learning students don’t need UK health insurance or the Immigration Health Surcharge, since they aren’t relocating to the UK at all.
Campus-based students, by contrast, pay the UK’s Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application, currently required for the full length of their course, giving them access to the National Health Service (NHS) while in the UK.
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Accommodation & Living Costs
For distance-learning students, there’s genuinely no UK accommodation or living-cost section to give since studying happens from home, wherever that is in the world.
Campus-based students attending in-person University of London institutes in central London face some of the highest living costs in the UK, given London’s overall cost of living.
- University or intercollegiate hall accommodation: roughly £800–£1,400/month
- Shared private flat in London: roughly £700–£1,200/month
- Monthly living expenses (food, transport, utilities): roughly £800–£1,200
Post-Study Work Opportunities
A distance-learning degree completed from outside the UK doesn’t come with a UK post-study work permit, since you were never in the UK on a student visa to begin with. That’s a genuine trade-off compared with an on-campus degree.
What a University of London Worldwide degree can still do is strengthen a later, separate UK visa application, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you secure a qualifying job offer from a licensed UK sponsor after graduating.
Campus-based graduates, by contrast, can apply for the UK’s Graduate Route, allowing up to 2 years (3 for PhD graduates) of open work rights after finishing an eligible in-person degree, a genuinely valuable pathway toward longer-term UK work and eventual settlement.
For many distance-learning students, the practical career value comes from combining a recognised UK qualification with continued employment in their home country, rather than treating the degree as a stepping stone toward relocation. Both are legitimate strategies, but they lead to quite different outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a UK student visa for a University of London distance-learning degree?
No. Distance and flexible learning programmes are studied entirely online, so no UK student visa is required.
Is the Váradi Scholarship open to applicants from any country?
No. It’s currently limited to residents of a specific list of European countries; check the official page for the current eligible list.
How much does the Váradi Scholarship actually cover?
The current cohort offers up to £10,900 toward programme fees, though this can vary between cohorts, so always confirm the latest figure.
Is the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship still open for 2027?
The 2026/27 round has already closed; the next round for future intakes hadn’t been announced at the time of writing.
Can I get a UK work visa after finishing an online degree?
Not automatically. A distance-learning degree can support a future Skilled Worker visa application if you secure a qualifying job offer, but it doesn’t include its own post-study work permit.
Are University of London distance-learning degrees recognised internationally?
Yes, they carry the same University of London degree-awarding powers as on-campus study, recognised globally as UK degrees.
What’s the difference between the University of London and UCL or LSE?
UCL and LSE are independently governed member institutions within the University of London federation, with their own separate scholarships and admissions processes.
Do I need IELTS for these programmes?
Most programmes require standard English proficiency evidence, such as IELTS, though exact requirements vary by course.
Conclusion
The University of London’s scholarships stand out for removing the biggest barriers to funded study, tuition costs, without requiring relocation, a visa, or UK living expenses for most programmes. That makes them a genuinely different kind of opportunity from a typical campus-based UK scholarship.
With both the Váradi and Commonwealth scholarship windows currently closed or not yet announced for future intakes, prospective applicants should monitor the official University of London pages directly and apply the moment applications reopen.
Official Resources
| Website Type | Official Website | Latest Application Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Váradi Scholarships | University of London – Váradi Scholarships | Expected to Open (Next Intake) – Check Official Website | Expected Next Intake |
| Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | University of London – Commonwealth Scholarships | Expected to Open (Next Intake) – Check Official Website | Expected Next Intake |
| University Admissions / Course Finder | University of London – Official Website | Varies by programme | Official |
| UK Student Visa (Campus-Based Study Only) | GOV.UK – Student Visa | N/A | Official |
| UK Immigration (Campus-Based Study Only) | GOV.UK – Visas and Immigration | N/A | Official |
Note: Most University of London scholarships apply to distance-learning programmes, which don’t require a UK visa, health insurance, or accommodation. Visa and immigration links above only apply to rare, campus-based programmes.