Your Guide to the Marshall Scholarship

The Marshall Scholarship is a prestigious award offering up to £38,000 per year (approximately $50,000 USD) to US students pursuing a Masters at a UK university. It funds up to 50 students a year, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel costs. To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens, hold a minimum GPA of 3.7, and have recently completed an undergraduate degree.

The Marshall Scholarship is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities available for American students pursuing a Masters in the UK. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, and even flights—effectively offering a fully funded academic adventure in a land of rain, historical landmarks, and an unshakeable love for tea.

However, competition is fierce. Only around 50 students are selected each year, meaning you’ll be up against some of the brightest minds in the US. But fear not—in this guide I'll walk you through everything you need to know, from eligibility and application requirements to interview preparation and insider tips.

The Marshall Scholarship was established in 1953 by the British government as a gesture of appreciation for the Marshall Plan, which saw the US provide economic aid to Europe after the Second World War. Essentially, it’s a "thank you" gift that keeps on giving—except instead of economic aid, you’re getting a fully funded education and the chance to pretend you understand cricket.

Since its inception, over 2,000 American students have received a Marshall Scholarship. Among them are two U.S. Supreme Court Justices, fourteen MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipients, six Pulitzer Prize winners, and even a Nobel Laureate. No pressure. Each year, up to 50 scholarships are awarded, covering:

• Full tuition fees
• Personal living allowance (so you won't have to survive on beans on toast—unless you want to embrace true British cuisine)
• Flights between the US and the UK
• Grants towards books, as well as your thesis and research expenses
• Daily travel allowance

How much is the Marshall Scholarship worth?

The total financial value of a Marshall Scholarship is approximately £38,000 per year (around $50,000 USD), making it one of the most generous postgraduate funding opportunities available—so long as you don’t spend it all on overpriced London coffee.

There are three main pathways for scholarship recipients:

• One-year Scholarship – Covers a single, non-extendable one-year Masters degree. Perfect if you want to cram an entire UK experience into 12 months of mild panic.
• Two-year Scholarship – Covers either:
  • Two separate one-year Masters degrees,
  • A single two-year research Masters, or
  • The first two years of a PhD.
• Two-year Scholarship with a possible third-year extension – Typically for those undertaking a PhD, either from the outset or by upgrading from a Masters.
  If you opt for the third-year extension, you’ll need to apply separately. Nothing like the thrill of another round of paperwork to keep life exciting.

In order to fulfil the eligibility criteria for a Marshall Scholarship, you’ll need to:

• Be a US citizen.
• Have completed a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited US institution.
• Have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.7 (because mediocrity just won’t cut it).
• Be a recent graduate (no earlier than April 2022 for the 2025 application cycle).
• Have never previously studied in the UK (not even for a summer school or Hogwarts exchange programme).

If you meet these criteria, congratulations! You’re eligible to apply. If not, you may wish to consider alternative scholarships such as Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, or Chevening.

The Marshall Scholarship is generous, but not that generous. The following courses are ineligible:

• MBAs (if you want to become the next Wall Street tycoon, you’ll have to fund that yourself)
• Postgraduate Diplomas or Certificates
• Distance learning courses
• Programmes that include international placements
• Courses starting in January

Applications for Marshall Scholarships usually open in June, with a deadline for submission at the end of September.

You’ll need to make your application from one of eight regional centres in the USA, depending on where you studied and where your permanent home address is:

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Chicago
• Houston
• Los Angeles
• New York
• San Francisco
• Washington DC

Once you’ve completed your application, it’ll need to be endorsed by your undergraduate university (or, in limited circumstances, your graduate school).

As part of your application, you’ll need to submit the following short essays:

• Personal statement
• Statement about your proposed study plans
• Statement about your post-scholarship plans
• Leadership statement
• Ambassador potential statement

You’ll also submit several other documents:

• Academic transcripts
• CV
• Three letters of recommendation (one primary academic, one general academic and one that focuses on your leadership skills)

Please be aware that the Marshall Commission tweaks the required essays (and word lengths) from year to year.

Applicants are assessed on three equally weighted criteria:

1. Academic excellence – A strong GPA is essential, but so is a clear and coherent study plan. You should be able to explain why your chosen course matters—preferably in a way that doesn’t sound like a TED Talk gone wrong.
2. Leadership potential – The committee seeks individuals who actually do things, whether in academia, activism, entrepreneurship, or community service. Being the person who organises pub quizzes does not count.
3. Ambassadorial potential – As a Marshall Scholar, you’re expected to strengthen US-UK relations. If all you know about Britain is tea, the Queen (RIP), and The Beatles, you may want to brush up a little.

If shortlisted, you will be invited to a 30-minute panel interview before a selection committee (usually made up of previous Marshall Scholars and academics).

Expect questions on:

• Your field of study – If you can’t explain your research in plain English, rethink your strategy.
• Your leadership experience – Running a Twitter account doesn’t count.
• Current affairs – Both in the US and UK—so read the news, not just Reddit.
• The Marshall Plan and General George Marshall – Know your history—there may be a quiz.

The best approach? Stay calm, be articulate, and avoid sounding like a pre-rehearsed robot.

Be under no illusions: Marshall Scholarships are difficult to get. But the pay off, well–it certainly pays. Here are some final tips from myself that will help set yourself apart. They might sound simple, but these things really add up and make a positive impact:

• Start early: You’ll thank yourself when you’re not frantically writing your essays at 3am the night before the deadline.
• Tell a story: Your application shouldn’t read like a LinkedIn profile—make it engaging and personal.
• Know the UK: If your knowledge is limited to Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, do some research.
• Confidence matters: If you don’t believe in yourself, why should the panel?