University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships.
Studying in the United Kingdom can be expensive for international students, especially when tuition fees and living expenses are combined. For students who want to attend a prestigious UK university but need financial assistance, the University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships provide an opportunity to reduce the cost of an undergraduate or postgraduate education.
Think Big is the University of Bristol’s flagship international scholarship scheme. It provides tuition-fee scholarships to eligible international students applying for selected undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The scholarship is particularly attractive because it is available across a wide range of subjects and is open to students from different countries, including Nigeria.
However, prospective applicants should understand that Think Big scholarships are not necessarily fully funded scholarships. The award primarily reduces tuition fees, while students generally remain responsible for their living expenses and other costs.
Read also: Gates Cambridge Scholarship – Fully Funded Study in the UK
University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships
The Think Big scholarship programme is designed to support high-achieving international students who want to study at the University of Bristol.
The university offers Think Big scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
For the 2026 entry, the University of Bristol invested up to £5 million in Think Big scholarships for international students.
The programme includes different awards, meaning the value of the scholarship depends on the particular scholarship and level of study.
Successful scholars may also gain access to the Think Big Development Programme, which provides opportunities for networking, leadership development, personal development and career preparation.
How Much Is the Think Big Scholarship Worth?
The value of a Think Big scholarship depends on the specific award.
For undergraduate students, awards can provide substantial tuition-fee reductions for each eligible year of study.
For postgraduate students, Think Big scholarships can provide significant tuition-fee discounts toward eligible Master’s programmes.
The University has previously offered postgraduate Think Big awards worth up to £26,000 per year, while undergraduate awards have been offered at up to £13,000 per year.
The exact award available can change from one academic year to another.
Applicants should therefore check the scholarship available for their intended intake rather than relying on figures from a previous year.
Is the Think Big Scholarship Fully Funded?
No, applicants should not automatically describe the standard Think Big scholarship as fully funded.
The main scholarship benefit is a tuition-fee waiver or discount.
The scholarship is applied directly to the student’s tuition fees and does not normally provide a cash alternative.
This means that even a student who receives a large Think Big award may still need money for:
- Remaining tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transportation
- Books and study materials
- Visa costs
- Immigration-related expenses
- Personal expenses
- Travel
The University of Bristol also offers other scholarships and bursaries, some of which may provide additional financial support.
Who Can Apply?
Think Big scholarships are designed for students classified as international or overseas students for tuition-fee purposes.
Eligibility depends on the specific undergraduate or postgraduate scholarship.
Generally, applicants must:
- Be classified as an overseas student for fee-paying purposes
- Have applied for an eligible University of Bristol programme
- Meet the academic entry requirements
- Be starting the eligible programme in the relevant academic year
- Meet the specific scholarship conditions
- Submit the scholarship application before the deadline
Applicants should carefully read the conditions for their particular scholarship because requirements can differ between awards.
Can Nigerian Students Apply?
Yes.
Nigerian students are eligible to apply for appropriate University of Bristol international scholarships, including eligible Think Big scholarships.
The University of Bristol specifically welcomes applications from Nigerian students.
For postgraduate study, the University states that the typical minimum academic requirement is an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK upper second-class degree, commonly referred to as a 2:1, although requirements vary by programme.
The University also states that Nigerian degree qualifications must come from institutions accredited by the National Universities Commission.
Applicants should therefore check both the academic requirements of their chosen programme and the eligibility requirements of the scholarship.
Undergraduate Think Big Scholarships
The undergraduate Think Big scholarship scheme is available to international students applying for eligible bachelor’s degree programmes.
Awards can contribute significantly toward tuition fees over the duration of the degree.
However, not every undergraduate programme is eligible.
Clinical courses such as Medicine and Dentistry have been excluded from the Think Big undergraduate scholarship scheme, and applicants should check the current conditions for their specific programme.
Undergraduate applicants generally apply through UCAS for their Bristol degree and then complete the appropriate international scholarship application.
Postgraduate Think Big Scholarships
International students applying for eligible postgraduate taught programmes can also apply for Think Big scholarships.
The postgraduate scheme can be particularly valuable because international Master’s tuition fees can be substantial.
Eligible applicants may receive a tuition-fee scholarship that reduces the overall cost of their Master’s programme.
The University has also introduced specialised Think Big awards for certain areas, including research and law.
For example, the Think Big about Research scholarship has provided awards of £13,000 and £6,500 toward the first year of eligible Master’s by Research programmes.
This demonstrates why students should search the University’s full scholarship portfolio rather than assuming that there is only one Think Big award.
What Courses Are Covered?
Think Big scholarships cover a wide range of academic subjects.
Depending on the particular award, international students may find opportunities in fields such as:
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Business
- Economics
- Finance
- Law
- Education
- Social sciences
- Biological sciences
- Environmental sciences
- Arts
- Humanities
- Health-related subjects
- Other eligible disciplines
The exact eligible courses vary by scholarship.
Applicants should therefore confirm that their intended programme qualifies before submitting a scholarship application.
Academic Requirements
Academic excellence is an important part of the Think Big scholarship selection process.
Applicants need to meet the entry requirements of their chosen Bristol programme.
For postgraduate applicants, this typically means holding a bachelor’s degree at the required academic level.
For undergraduate applicants, the required qualifications depend on the degree programme.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not necessarily guarantee a scholarship.
Think Big awards are competitive, so applicants should aim to demonstrate strong academic performance and a compelling overall application.
Leadership and Personal Development
Think Big is not only about reducing tuition fees.
Scholarship recipients are also offered opportunities to participate in the Think Big Development Programme.
The programme is designed to help scholars develop personally and professionally.
Activities can include:
- Networking opportunities
- Leadership development
- Workshops
- Personal development activities
- Career preparation
- Connecting with other international scholars
- Opportunities to develop professional confidence
Think Big scholars can therefore benefit from a wider international community while studying at Bristol.
How to Apply for the University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship
The application process starts with applying for an eligible course at the University of Bristol.
Step 1: Choose Your Course
Identify an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate programme that matches your academic background and career objectives.
Check the admission requirements and international tuition fee before applying.
Step 2: Apply to the University of Bristol
Submit your programme application.
You must have an application ID before beginning the international scholarship application.
Depending on the programme, you may need academic transcripts, certificates, references, personal statements and evidence of English-language proficiency.
Step 3: Prepare Your Scholarship Application
Once you have your application ID, complete the Think Big scholarship application.
The scholarship application asks applicants to provide information and written responses relevant to the award.
Your responses should demonstrate your achievements, ambitions and suitability for the scholarship.
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
Submit your scholarship application before the relevant deadline.
Scholarship deadlines can differ according to the scholarship and academic level.
For the 2026 entry, the main Think Big scholarship application deadline was 10 April 2026 at 10 am UK time.
Future deadlines may be different, so applicants should always check the latest deadline for their intended intake.
What Documents Do You Need?
The exact requirements depend on the programme and scholarship.
Common documents can include:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic references
- Scholarship application responses
- Proof of English-language proficiency where required
- UCAS, Student or application ID
- Other programme-specific documents
Make sure the information in your scholarship application is consistent with the information in your university admission application.
How Are Think Big Scholars Selected?
Think Big scholarships are competitive, and applicants are assessed according to the relevant scholarship criteria.
Academic performance is an important factor.
The University may also consider the quality of the applicant’s scholarship responses and their overall suitability for the award.
A strong application should explain your academic achievements clearly and demonstrate how studying at Bristol fits into your future ambitions.
Avoid using generic statements that could have been written for any university.
Instead, explain why you selected Bristol, what you hope to achieve through your programme and how your education will contribute to your future career or wider goals.
Does Think Big Provide a Living Allowance?
The standard Think Big tuition scholarship should not be confused with a living-cost stipend.
The scholarship is applied directly to tuition fees.
International students therefore need to make separate arrangements for accommodation and living expenses.
Bristol itself advises international students to plan their finances carefully before arriving in the UK.
This is particularly important because the remaining cost after a scholarship can still be substantial.
Can Think Big Scholarships Be Combined With Other Funding?
There are restrictions on combining Think Big awards with other funding.
Applicants who already have funding that, when combined with a Bristol scholarship, would exceed the full cost of tuition may not be eligible.
Other University of Bristol scholarships can also have their own restrictions concerning combined funding.
Students should therefore read the relevant terms and conditions before accepting multiple awards.
What Happens After You Win?
Think Big scholarships are applied to eligible tuition fees after the student completes registration.
The scholarship does not normally provide a cash alternative.
If the scholarship covers more than the tuition fee payable, the student does not receive the difference as cash.
For awards covering multiple years, the scholarship is normally applied to the relevant tuition fees when the student re-registers, subject to the scholarship’s conditions.
Tips for Winning a Think Big Scholarship
Start early.
Do not wait until you have only a few days before the deadline to prepare your scholarship application.
First, make sure your academic profile satisfies the requirements of the programme.
Then research the scholarship carefully and understand what the University is looking for.
When writing your scholarship responses, use specific examples.
If you have demonstrated leadership, explain what you did and the result.
If you have contributed to your community, explain the contribution and its impact.
Your future goals should also be realistic and connected to your proposed degree.
Finally, proofread your application carefully before submitting it.
Final Thoughts
The University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships provide international students with an opportunity to reduce the financial cost of studying at one of the UK’s leading universities.
The programme supports eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students and offers different scholarship values depending on the level of study, academic programme and particular award.
For international students, including Nigerians, the scholarship can provide a substantial tuition-fee reduction.
However, Think Big should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship. Its principal benefit is tuition-fee support, meaning students may still need to finance accommodation, food, transportation, visa expenses and other living costs.
Applicants should also remember that competition is strong. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
The best approach is to identify an eligible Bristol programme early, prepare a strong academic application, demonstrate your achievements clearly and submit the scholarship application before the applicable deadline.
For Nigerian students and other international applicants looking for UK study funding, Think Big remains an important scholarship programme to consider when planning for undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University of Bristol.
