Thank you for your interest in applying for the government funded Spärck AI Scholarship programme, named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones. This will provide full funding (tuition fees and stipend) for each chosen scholar to undertake a master’s course paired to the programme at one of the nine partnered universities.
| Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Deadline | The deadline for this scholarship has now passed |
| Value |
2 Scholarships covering full tuition fees plus a stipend of £20,780
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| Eligibility |
All applicants
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If selected, you will join a dynamic world-class cohort of high-achieving and adaptable individuals who demonstrate leadership potential, resilience, and a clear vision for the future of AI. You’ll be empowered to drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to the UK’s AI ecosystem—emerging as part of the next generation of AI leaders. Through industry exposure and structured cohort activities, you’ll gain the skills and networks needed to shape responsible, high-impact AI development across research, government, and industry.
Throughout the year, you’ll take part in a range of activities designed to build connections within your cohort and with professionals across the AI landscape, acting as a prestigious community of future AI leaders. Towards the end of your master’s course, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a work placement with one of our industry partners in an AI-related field.
Scholarship Criteria
We are looking to recruit candidates from a broad range of backgrounds, who can demonstrate how they meet some of the following characteristics. Upon receipt of your application, assessors will consider these qualities as part of the selection process, recognising that candidates may demonstrate them in different ways and through varied experiences:
Strengths
- Curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving
- Comfort with ambiguity and change
- Strong communication skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset and leadership potential
- Teamwork
Motivations
- What it means to be part of a government-funded scholarship and how you would make the most of this opportunity
- Your motivation to contribute to the AI ecosystem in the UK
Eligibility
To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- High academic achievement
- UK student from Black and marginalized ethnic minority groups
- Students who have experienced being in care as young people
- Identify as women
- Students from low-income backgrounds
- Disabled students, including those with sensory and/or mobility impairments, long-term mental health conditions, autism, long-term illnesses, and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)
- First-generation students (whose parents or immediate caregivers did not attend university)
- Students who attended schools and colleges with performance below the national average
Candidates will be ranked based on how many of these criteria are met.
Eligible programme
AI for Business MSc
How to apply
The application process involves three stages:
- Stage one involves completion of an online form comprised of the following components:
- Personal details
- Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) questions
- A personal statement – question asked in form (500-word limit)
- An essay question asked in the form (500-word limit)
- You will be asked to send us a reference following the submission of your scholarship application
The application form will be open on Thursday 29 January 2026 and close on Monday 2 March 2026 at 5pm GMT. Reference submissions also require to be received by that deadline.
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In stage two, shortlisted applicants will be invited to apply for the MSc AI for Business where academic merit and suitability for the programme will be established.
Please be aware that the application processes for the scholarship and the programme are separate. You must submit an application for each and success in one does not guarantee success in the other.
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Stage three will see a selection of candidates who have secured offers for the programme invited to interview, based on the strength of their application.
Interviews will take place in May 2026
All applicants will be notified in July 2026.
Please note that you may only receive one form of UK government funding. For example, if you apply to multiple government-funded bursary or scholarship schemes, you will only be eligible to accept one award.
This award is for students starting in the academic year 2026-27 and cannot be deferred. Please note that the award is conditional upon you receiving an unconditional offer to study the MSc AI for Business for September 2026 in line with our admissions policy.