If you’re dreaming of fully funded study in Liverpool, two shining opportunities stand out: the University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarship for Master’s and the Thomas Mark Scholarship at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Both cover an international student’s tuition and living costs (and more!), making a Liverpool master’s degree accessible without massive debt.
This report dives deep into each scholarship. For each, we cover eligibility (who can apply), coverage (tuition, stipend, etc.), application process and deadlines, selection criteria, and a typical awardee profile. We also compare the two side by side in a handy table. Finally, find answers to common FAQs about these Liverpool scholarships.
Whether you’re a refugee with big plans or a pediatric health professional from an LMIC, read on to see if one of these fully funded awards could launch your Liverpool adventure.
1. University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarship for Master’s
Host institution: University of Liverpool (Russell Group, England)
Scholarship name: University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master’s Programmes
Level: Postgraduate taught (one year MA or MSc)
What’s covered: Full tuition and on campus fees plus a living stipend and accommodation. In fact, this scholarship waives all fees for the one year course and provides support worth up to £18,688 (living costs and accommodation). It even covers your travel to Liverpool (meet and greet included). In short, it’s a complete package: tuition, housing, living stipend and travel costs are all covered. (Note: family members are not supported.)
Eligibility: This scholarship is for refugee or humanitarian-protection students. You must have official refugee status or humanitarian protection (under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention) outside the UK. Ukrainian nationals with EU “temporary protection” status living in the EU also qualify (with the right documents). You must be applying for an eligible one year MA or MSc at Liverpool (excluding Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Allied Health courses). In practice, ideal candidates are academically strong refugees or displaced persons who want to resume their studies in Liverpool. You’ll need a conditional offer from Liverpool University before applying.
Selection criteria: Awardees are chosen for academic merit and their background. The university looks for candidates who have overcome adversity, show leadership or community spirit, and who clearly want to return home to make an impact (though formal return requirement isn’t explicitly stated). Crucially, applicants must provide official proof of refugee status or equivalent protection (detailed documents like UNHCR letters or EU residency cards).
Application process: First apply for your MA/MSc course by 31 January 2027. This means you must submit a full course application (including transcripts, etc.) by that date to be considered for the scholarship. Once you have an unconditional offer in hand, the scholarship application opens in Spring 2027 via an online form on the Liverpool scholarships page. You will email proof of status and complete the form (instructions come in your offer letter). After that, a university panel will decide by mid-June 2027. If you don’t hear by 1 August 2027, assume it wasn’t successful.
- Deadline: Course applications by Jan 31, 2027; scholarship application opens Spring 2027 (exact dates TBA).
- How to apply: Apply for your Liverpool MA/MSc first. Once you have an offer, the scholarship link will be provided.
- Number of awards: Up to two scholarships are available each year.
Typical awardee: In past rounds, recipients have been refugees who left home countries under threat. For example, young scholars from Syria, Congo, Afghanistan or other conflict zones have won this award. They are resilient individuals with strong grades and a clear plan to use their Liverpool education to help communities back home.
Recent changes (2024–2026): This is a relatively new initiative. The first awards were offered for 2026 entry (applications closed) and it’s now gearing up for 2027. The university refined the program over 2024–25 to broaden eligibility (adding Ukrainians with EU status, for instance) and to provide extra support like language help and visa assistance.
Official source and application: University of Liverpool scholarships page (see “Humanitarian Scholarships for Master’s”). Apply via the Liverpool online application system by the deadlines above.
2. Thomas Mark Scholarship (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)
Host institution: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), a standalone postgraduate medical research university in Liverpool.
Scholarship name: Thomas Mark Scholarship, LSTM (named after a British pediatrician)
Level: Postgraduate taught (Full time Master’s)
What’s covered: This is a full ride scholarship for selected candidates. It covers everything: tuition fees, living expenses, return flight to the UK, visa costs and basic accommodation. In short, you can study at LSTM without paying a penny and still get a stipend for living costs. The official description calls them “full scholarships to cover fees, living costs, flights and visa requirements”.
Eligibility: This scholarship is specifically for LMIC nationals with a pediatric background. “LMIC” means Low or Middle Income Country, as defined by the OECD. You must be a trained or practicing pediatrician (or pediatric specialist) applying to any full-time, on campus master’s program at LSTM. You also need to have applied and received at least a conditional offer from LSTM. In practice, it attracts doctors (often from Africa, Asia or similar regions) who specialize in child health and want training in tropical or global health.
- Who can apply: Medical doctors (pediatricians) who are nationals of an LMIC and intend to work in child health.
- Work/volunteer experience: Being a practicing pediatrician is required. (There is no separate volunteer requirement stated, but professional experience in pediatrics is expected.)
Selection criteria: The review panel looks for outstanding pediatric healthcare professionals committed to improving child health in resource limited settings. Your application should highlight academic excellence, leadership in healthcare, and a clear plan for impact (e.g. improving pediatric care in your country). The scholarship form specifically asks you to explain your career goals and how the degree will help “reduce health inequality and provide health leadership in paediatric care” in your country.
Application process: If you’ve applied to an LSTM master’s and got an offer, you’ll receive a link to the Thomas Mark scholarship form via email. You must submit the form (with your statement and any documents) by 9am on 15 April 2026. The process is built into LSTM’s standard scholarship application system, no separate external application is needed.
- Deadline: April 15, 2026 for 2026 intake (annual deadline). (Usually offered for the September intake.)
- How to apply: Apply for a master’s at LSTM. Once you have a conditional offer, use the link provided to fill out the scholarship form.
- Number of awards: More than one scholarship is available each year (exact number unspecified, likely a handful).
Typical awardee: Past Thomas Mark scholars have been pediatricians from countries like India, Nigeria, or Sudan, for example. They hold strong medical qualifications and usually have some experience (often a few years) working in children’s health. They typically show a clear commitment to returning home to enhance pediatric care.
Recent changes (2024–2026): LSTM regularly updates its scholarship offerings. The Thomas Mark Scholarship has been awarded annually for recent intakes. The 2026 round was announced in late 2025 (source news item Nov 2025). No major changes were noted in 2024–26 other than continued emphasis on pediatric care.
Official source and application: LSTM scholarship page for Thomas Mark Scholarship. Apply via LSTM’s online course application (choose your program, receive an offer, then access the scholarship form).
Comparison Table
| Scholarship (2026 intake) | Institution | Level | Coverage | Deadline (2026) | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarship (Master’s) | University of Liverpool | Masters (taught) | Full tuition waiver, accommodation, living stipend, travel to UK | Course app: Jan 31, 2027; Scholarship app opens Spring 2027 | University of Liverpool (Master’s scholarships page) |
| Thomas Mark Scholarship | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine | Masters (taught) | Full tuition, living costs, flight, visa (full funding) | Apr 15, 2026 (2026 intake) | LSTM (Thomas Mark Scholarship page) |
(Coverage notes: “travel” covers an arranged flight to the UK. Deadlines refer to course applications or scholarship forms.)
FAQs
Q1: Can a UK or EU citizen apply for these scholarships?
- Humanitarian Scholarship: No. It’s only for international students with refugee status or humanitarian protection outside the UK. If you already have UK/EU citizenship or status, you are not eligible.
- Thomas Mark Scholarship: You must be from a Low-/Middle-Income Country (LMIC). UK/EU nationals (which are generally high income countries) are not eligible for this one.
Q2: What courses or fields of study are eligible?
- Humanitarian Scholarship: Any one year MA or MSc at Liverpool (except Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Med or Allied Health). Example fields include global development, engineering, humanities, etc., as long as they are taught master’s programs on campus.
- Thomas Mark Scholarship: Any full time on campus master’s at LSTM. Common choices are MSc Tropical Paediatrics, MSc Global Health, MSc Infectious Diseases, etc. Essentially all LSTM master’s programs are eligible for the Thomas Mark Scholarship as long as you meet the pediatric background criterion.
Q3: Are family members or dependents covered?
No, neither scholarship funds dependents. The Liverpool University scholarship explicitly states it does not cover family. The Thomas Mark Scholarship covers only the student (tuition, living, flight, visa); any family would need separate support.
Q4: How do I prove refugee status or similar?
For the Humanitarian Scholarship, you must submit official documents. Acceptable proof includes UNHCR refugee certificates, asylum application receipts, or EU temporary protection documents (e.g. for Ukrainians). The application form will guide you, but essentially you need legal proof that you were granted refugee/humanitarian protection status outside the UK.
Q5: If I don’t meet all criteria now, should I still apply?
Each scholarship is strict on its eligibility: for example, LSTM requires a pediatric medical background. Do not apply if you clearly don’t qualify (you won’t get an interview). However, it’s worth checking details carefully, or instance, the Liverpool scholarship does allow Ukrainian nationals with special status. If in doubt, contact the program office.
Q6: What if I miss the 2026 deadline? Will there be 2027?
- Liverpool Humanitarian: Yes, this scholarship is planned for September 2027 entry too. Although exact dates are TBA, mark your calendar for Spring 2027 applications and contact the Liverpool scholarships team (wpscholarships@liverpool.ac.uk) for updates.
- Thomas Mark (LSTM): It’s offered annually. If you missed April 2026, look out for the next call for Sept 2027 intake (usually opens late in 2026).
Each of these Liverpool scholarships has its own official website for full details and updates (see table above for links). Read the guidelines carefully, prepare your documents early, and you could be on your way to a fully funded degree in Liverpool. Good luck!