Scholarship for visa costs – for School of Informatics PhD offer holders

Each year, the high costs of obtaining a student visa prevent talented students from joining the School of Informatics — even when they have secured full PhD scholarships.

Central students

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we are delighted to offer a Scholarship for Visa Costs to support at least one incoming PhD student starting in September 2026. This award will cover both the UK visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must hold an offer to begin PhD study in the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, in September 2026.
  • Preference will be given to applicants:
    • whose Institute-led PhD will be based in the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute; and
    • who are nationals of low- or middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank

Application process

  • Offers to international PhD applicants are expected to be issued by April 2026.
  • In May 2026, the Informatics Graduate School will contact all eligible offer-holders to invite them to apply for this scholarship (there is no need to enquire about applying, we will be in touch with you if you are eligible).
  • Applicants will complete a short form outlining the financial barriers they face in accepting their PhD offer.
  • A selection panel will review all applications, and outcomes will be communicated directly to applicants.

We hope this scholarship will help ensure that financial barriers do not prevent exceptional students from joining our vibrant research community.

Informatics Forum

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