School of Computer Science Scholarships

Value of award (per year)

Each scholarship available will comprise partial or full tuition fee funding and an annual stipend. The value of the annual stipend is dependent on the funder of that scholarship. Students who are successfully awarded a scholarship will receive full details of the tuition fee funding and annual stipend available in a scholarship award letter and will be asked to confirm their acceptance of the award to secure it. 

As a minimum, students will be offered stipends at an annual stipend rate set by the University of St Andrews. For 2025-2026, the University of St Andrews Stipend rate is £19,775 p.a.. The stipend is subject to an annual uplift, the value of which will be confirmed and published by the University each academic year. 

Duration of award

Typically, funding is awarded for 3.5 years, though this may vary depending on the scholarship awarded and the specific terms of the funding. The specific duration of the scholarship will be set out in the scholarship award letter.

Additional criteria

As part of the scholarship selection process, shortlisted applicants to the School of Computer Science will be invited to attend an interview. This interview helps assess the applicant’s suitability for the scholarship and alignment with the School’s research priorities. 

The interview will typically assess the following areas: 

• Academic and Research Excellence 
  Your academic achievements, technical knowledge, and preparedness for postgraduate research. 

• Research Proposal Quality 
  The clarity, originality, and feasibility of your proposed research project, including its relevance to the School’s research themes. You will also be given a relevant recent research paper in your proposed area of interest and we will discuss this during the interview. 

• Fit with Research Group and Environment 
  How well your research interests align with the expertise and ongoing work of the proposed supervisor and research group. 

• Motivation and Career Aspirations 
  Your reasons for pursuing postgraduate research in Computer Science and how the scholarship will support your academic and professional goals. 

Interview Format: 

• Interviews are typically conducted online or in person, depending on your location and availability. 

• You will be contacted by the School to arrange a suitable time. 

• The interview panel may include your prospective supervisor, the Director of Postgraduate Research and other academic staff members. 

The outcome of the interview will contribute to the final scholarship decision. 

How to apply

Before you apply, you must develop a research proposal and find a suitable supervisor. More instructions on this process can be found on the School of Computer Science website. 

Apply for your chosen course with the School of Computer Science at the University of St Andrews: Postgraduate research.  

In the ‘Funding 1’ section, select the option ‘I have applied for or I will be receiving a bursary or scholarship’.  

In the ‘Bursaries and Scholarships’ section, answer yes to the question ‘I will be applying for a scholarship through the University of St Andrews’ - the award scheme is ‘School of Computer Science Scholarship’. 

We especially encourage female applicants and underrepresented minorities to apply. The School of Computer Science was awarded the Athena SWAN Silver award for its sustained progression in advancing equality and representation, and we welcome applications from those suitably qualified from all genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions or none, social class backgrounds, and family structures to our postgraduate research programmes. 

Applications are particularly welcome from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and individuals with other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional roles at the University. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture, demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards such as Athena SWAN, Carer Positive, and Race Charters. Full details are available on the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) webpage.

Terms and conditions

Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions.  No offer of funding will be issued before a conditional or unconditional course offer has been made.  

When will I know the outcome?

Decisions will be made once the shortlisted candidates have been interviewed, and the outcome of your scholarship application will be communicated to you by email as soon as possible after the closing date. If you have any queries about the scholarship or need further information, please email pg-admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk.