LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship 2026 in the UK (Fully Funded)

For students whose academic dreams have been interrupted by conflict, forced displacement, or the violence of war, the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship 2026 represents one of the most meaningful and targeted funding opportunities available in the United Kingdom. Offered by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), one of the world’s leading specialist institutions in global health, this scholarship provides a grant of £30,000 to cover tuition fees and living costs for a full-time, on-campus Master’s program. It is not a general merit award. It is a carefully designed, values-driven scholarship that exists because LSTM believes no exceptional student should be denied access to advanced global health education because of circumstances entirely beyond their control. The application deadline is 9am on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. This guide explains everything you need to know to apply.

About the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine was founded in 1898 and holds the distinction of being the world’s first institution dedicated to research and education in tropical medicine. Based in Liverpool, England, LSTM has over a century of experience working in some of the world’s most challenging health environments, from malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa to infectious disease response in conflict-affected regions. Its Master’s programs attract students from across the globe who are committed to careers in global health, humanitarian response, public health leadership, and health systems strengthening.

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship was created to reflect the institution’s deep commitment to equity and to the principle that personal talent and academic promise should be the deciding factors in who accesses advanced education, not the financial consequences of being caught in a conflict. Students living through or fleeing war face compounded obstacles: displacement, interrupted study, loss of financial resources, and the psychological weight of uncertainty. This scholarship directly addresses those barriers by providing a single, substantial grant that can be applied towards both tuition and living costs.

The scholarship carries a value of £30,000, which can be used towards tuition fees and living costs for full-time, on-campus Master’s programs at LSTM. For students enrolled in the part-time, distance-learning MSc Global Health program specifically, the grant covers tuition fees only. One award is available each cycle. This exclusivity reflects the significance LSTM places on each individual scholarship recipient and the depth of support and commitment the institution makes to that scholar.

The scholarship aligns directly with LSTM’s broader mission to build global health leadership, reduce health inequality, and develop practitioners capable of providing effective health leadership in emergency and humanitarian settings. Recipients are not just funded to study. They are identified as future contributors to global health equity in some of the world’s most demanding environments.

LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship 2026 Summary

Benefits of the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship is built around a single, substantial financial grant that gives recipients genuine flexibility to manage both the academic and practical costs of postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. Here is a precise breakdown of what the scholarship provides.

The £30,000 Grant

• £30,000 is awarded as a total grant. This is not a loan and carries no repayment obligation.
• For students enrolled in full-time, on-campus Master’s programs at LSTM, the grant can be allocated across both tuition fees and living costs in whatever proportion best meets the student’s financial needs. This flexibility is a significant advantage, as tuition fees and cost-of-living requirements vary depending on the program and individual circumstances.
• For students enrolled specifically in the part-time, distance-learning MSc Global Health program, the grant covers tuition fees only. Living costs for distance learners are expected to be managed independently since the student does not need to relocate to Liverpool.

Coverage of Tuition Fees

• LSTM Master’s program tuition fees vary by course. The £30,000 grant is designed to be large enough to cover the full tuition cost of most Master’s programs at LSTM, with remaining funds available for living costs if studying full-time and on-campus.
• Removing the tuition burden entirely allows recipients to focus on their academic work without the persistent financial anxiety that frequently undermines academic performance for students in difficult financial situations.

Support for Living Costs in Liverpool

• For full-time, on-campus scholars, a portion of the £30,000 can be directed toward accommodation, food, transport, and other daily living expenses in Liverpool. Liverpool is one of the UK’s more affordable major cities, meaning the grant goes considerably further in terms of daily living costs compared to London or Edinburgh.
• This is particularly important for students who have been displaced or have left their home country, as they often arrive in the UK with very limited personal financial resources.

Access to World-Class Global Health Education

• LSTM is consistently ranked among the leading specialist institutions in tropical medicine and global health worldwide. Recipients gain access to postgraduate programs taught by researchers and practitioners who are actively engaged in global health challenges across Africa, Asia, and other regions.
• The academic environment at LSTM is designed around real-world global health problems. Students work alongside faculty members who have direct field experience in humanitarian response, infectious disease control, health systems management, and tropical medicine, giving scholars a learning experience that is both academically rigorous and practically grounded.

A Platform for Health Leadership and Impact

• LSTM explicitly positions the scholarship as a vehicle for developing future health leaders who will reduce health inequality and provide leadership in emergency and humanitarian settings. Being a Humanitarian Scholar at LSTM carries professional recognition that extends well beyond the degree itself.
• Alumni of LSTM’s programs occupy senior positions in global health agencies, international NGOs, national health ministries, WHO, and research institutions around the world. The LSTM network is a genuine and lasting professional asset for scholars who go on to work in global health.

Pastoral and Institutional Support

• As a specialist institution with long experience supporting students from challenging backgrounds and conflict-affected regions, LSTM provides pastoral support and student services tailored to the needs of international students, including those dealing with the specific stresses of displacement and resettlement.
• The scholarship application process itself, which asks applicants to articulate their experience in their own words, reflects LSTM’s commitment to treating each scholar as an individual rather than a statistical category.

Eligibility Criteria for the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship has a tightly defined set of eligibility conditions that reflect its specific purpose. Every criterion matters. Read each one carefully before preparing your application.

Conflict-Affected or Displaced Status

• You must be at risk as a result of armed conflict or war, or you must be displaced inside your country, or you must have been forced to leave your country in the last three years due to conflict.
• The three-year window is measured from the date of the scholarship application. Applicants whose displacement occurred more than three years before the 15 April 2026 deadline should confirm their eligibility with LSTM before applying.
• The scholarship does not specify particular countries or conflicts. It is open to students from any country whose situation meets the conflict and displacement criteria.

Programme Application

• You must be applying for any Master’s course at LSTM. The scholarship is available across all Master’s level programs offered by the institution, which span global health, humanitarian studies, tropical medicine, infectious diseases, public health, and related fields.
• You must hold a conditional offer from LSTM for your preferred course at the time you submit your scholarship application. You do not need an unconditional offer, but a conditional offer is mandatory. Students who have not yet received a conditional offer should apply for their chosen program as soon as possible to ensure they have an offer before the 15 April 2026 scholarship deadline.

Self-Funding Status

• The scholarship is restricted to self-funding students. Students who already hold a fully funded award covering their tuition and living costs from another source are not eligible.
• Students who hold partial funding, a scholarship covering only tuition or only living costs, may still be eligible as self-funding students depending on their overall financial situation. Contact LSTM’s scholarships team to clarify if you are unsure.

No Nationality Restriction

• LSTM does not specify a restricted list of eligible nationalities for the Humanitarian Scholarship. It is open to conflict-affected and displaced students from any country worldwide.
• This makes it one of the most inclusive humanitarian scholarships available at a UK institution. Any student who meets the conflict and displacement criteria, holds an LSTM conditional offer, and is self-funding is potentially eligible regardless of their national origin.

English Language Requirements

• As with all LSTM Master’s programs, applicants must meet the English language requirements of their chosen course. LSTM’s standard English language requirement for most postgraduate programs is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0, or an equivalent score in a recognized English language qualification.
• Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree in English, or who come from countries where English is the official language of instruction, may qualify for an exemption. Check the language requirements for your specific program on the LSTM website.
• The scholarship does not waive English language admission requirements. You must meet these independently as part of your program application.

Required Documents for the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship application has two layers: the Master’s program admission application and the scholarship application itself. Below is a full breakdown of what is required at each stage.

For the LSTM Master’s Program Application

• Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from all previous higher education institutions, showing subjects studied, grades achieved, and qualifications awarded. Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations.
• Undergraduate degree certificate: A copy of your undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. If you are awaiting your final results, a letter from your institution confirming expected graduation and current grades is acceptable.
• English language test results: Official IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent scores meeting LSTM’s minimum language requirements for your chosen program. These must be current and valid.
• Personal statement for program admission: A statement explaining your motivation to study your chosen LSTM program, your academic and professional background, and your intended career direction in global health. This is separate from the scholarship personal statement.
• References: LSTM typically requires two references from academic or professional referees who can speak to your suitability for postgraduate study. Check the specific requirements for your chosen program.
• Passport or identity document: A clear copy of your current passport or national identity document.
• CV or academic resume: A current curriculum vitae detailing your education, work experience, research background, and any relevant experience in health, humanitarian, or public service fields.

For the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship Application

• Completed scholarship application form: Once you hold a conditional offer from LSTM, the scholarship application form link is sent to you by email. If you receive your conditional offer letter before the scholarship deadline, the form link is included in that letter. The form must be completed and submitted by 9am on 15 April 2026.
• Personal statement of a maximum of 700 words: This is the most important document in your scholarship application. The statement must address three specific areas, all within 700 words:
• Your conflict experience: Describe the risk you have faced as a result of armed conflict or war, and if you have been displaced inside your country or forced to leave your country in the last three years. Be honest, specific, and clear about your circumstances.
• Your academic goals and research interests: Explain your academic goals and your research interests in direct connection to the LSTM course or courses you have applied for. Make the connection between your background and your chosen field of study explicit.
• The impact of your studies: Outline clearly how your studies will support your career and contribute to reducing health inequality and providing health leadership in emergency settings. LSTM wants to see that you have a clear sense of the professional path ahead and the role this degree plays in it.

Note: The 700-word limit is firm. Statements that exceed this limit or that fail to address all three areas will be considered incomplete. Use every word deliberately. This is not an open-ended essay. It is a structured statement with a specific purpose, and precision matters.

No Additional Supporting Evidence Required

LSTM does not specify that applicants must submit documentary evidence of their conflict-affected status, such as refugee documentation or official displacement records, at the application stage. The personal statement is the primary vehicle through which applicants communicate their circumstances. However, you should be prepared to provide supporting documentation if LSTM requests it during the assessment process.

Application Timeline for the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship follows a focused and clear timeline. The most important thing to understand is that the scholarship application is triggered by your Master’s program application and conditional offer, not by a separate rolling process. Here is the complete timeline.

Step One: Apply for Your LSTM Master’s Program

• Applications for LSTM Master’s programs can be submitted on a rolling basis. There is no single closing date for program applications, but you must have received a conditional offer before you can access the scholarship application form.
• To ensure you receive your conditional offer well before the scholarship deadline, submit your Master’s program application as early as possible. LSTM advises candidates not to leave this to the last moment, as the conditional offer process takes time.
• If you have already received a conditional offer from LSTM, you do not need to wait. The scholarship application link is already available to you via email.

Step Two: Access the Scholarship Application Form

• Once you hold a conditional offer, you receive the scholarship application form link by email.
• If you have not yet received your conditional offer and you receive it before 15 April 2026, the scholarship application link is included in your Conditional Offer letter.
• If you do not hold a conditional offer by 15 April 2026, you cannot apply for the scholarship in the current cycle.

Step Three: Submit Your Scholarship Application

• Deadline: 9am on Wednesday, 15 April 2026 (UK time).
• The scholarship application form must be submitted by this deadline. Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances.
• The personal statement must be submitted as part of the application form. Ensure you have your 700-word statement written, reviewed, and ready to paste into the form before the deadline.

Post-Submission

• LSTM reviews all submitted scholarship applications and notifies applicants of the outcome. LSTM does not publish a specific results date for the Humanitarian Scholarship, so check the official LSTM scholarships page or contact the scholarships team directly for current information on notification timelines.
• Successful recipients receive instructions on scholarship confirmation, tuition fee payment arrangements, and any remaining enrollment steps. Non-UK recipients will need to apply for a UK Student Visa after receiving the scholarship offer.

How to Apply for the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The application process requires two parallel streams: the Master’s program application and the scholarship application. Here is a complete step-by-step guide for the entire process.

1. Identify your LSTM Master’s program: Visit the LSTM website and review the full list of available Master’s programs. Select the program or programs that align with your academic background, research interests, and career goals. Programs available at LSTM include the MSc Humanitarian Studies, MSc Global Health, MSc Tropical and Infectious Diseases, MSc International Public Health, and several other specialist global health programs. Choose your program carefully, as the connection between your chosen course and your career goals must be clearly articulated in your scholarship personal statement.
2. Prepare and submit your Master’s program application: Apply directly through LSTM’s online admissions portal. Ensure your application is complete, with all required documents submitted and your application fee paid if applicable. Apply as soon as possible to receive your conditional offer well before the scholarship deadline.
3. Receive your conditional offer: LSTM reviews your program application and, if you meet the admission requirements, issues a conditional offer. This is the trigger that gives you access to the scholarship application form. The conditional offer will arrive by email and will include or be followed by the scholarship application form link.
4. Write your 700-word personal statement: Before you even open the scholarship application form, write your personal statement. This is the heart of your application. Cover all three required areas: your experience of conflict or displacement, your academic goals and research interests in relation to your chosen LSTM course, and the specific career and health impact you intend to achieve through your studies. Write multiple drafts. Be specific, honest, and concise. Ask someone you trust to read it before you submit.
5. Complete the scholarship application form: Access the form via the link sent to you by email or included in your conditional offer letter. Fill in all sections of the form carefully. Paste your 700-word personal statement into the designated section. Review the entire form before submitting.
6. Submit by 9am on 15 April 2026: Submit the completed scholarship application form before the deadline. Once submitted, check that you have received a confirmation email or receipt. If you do not receive a confirmation, contact LSTM’s scholarships team to verify that your application was received.
7. Await notification: LSTM reviews all applications and contacts all applicants with their outcome. Successful scholars are notified and given instructions on next steps. If you are successful and are not already in the UK, begin your UK Student Visa application immediately after receiving your scholarship offer, as visa processing times vary.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Start your Master’s program application now, even if you are still gathering documents. The sooner you apply, the sooner you receive your conditional offer, and the more time you have to prepare a thoughtful and polished scholarship personal statement.
• Use the full 700 words. LSTM has set a 700-word limit, not a 700-word minimum, but a brief or incomplete statement signals a lack of preparation. Use the space to give LSTM a full and compelling picture of who you are, where you have been, and where you intend to go.
• Be specific about your conflict experience. You do not need to provide extensive traumatic detail, but you do need to make clear the nature of the risk or displacement you have experienced and how it connects to your financial and academic situation. Vague statements are not competitive.
• Connect your chosen program directly to your career goals. LSTM is a specialist institution. It awards this scholarship to students who will become health leaders and practitioners, not just degree holders. Show that you understand what LSTM’s programs teach and explain precisely how that knowledge relates to what you intend to do professionally.
• Be clear about the health inequality or emergency health context you intend to work in. The scholarship statement asks about reducing health inequality and providing health leadership in emergency settings. Be specific about the population, region, or health challenge you are targeting. Generic statements about wanting to help people are not what LSTM is looking for.
• If you have any questions about eligibility or the application process, contact LSTM directly at info@lstmed.ac.uk or visit the scholarships page on the LSTM website for current guidance.

FAQs About the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

Who is this scholarship designed for?

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship is designed specifically for postgraduate students who are currently at risk due to armed conflict or war, or who have been internally displaced or forced to leave their country within the last three years because of conflict. It is for self-funding students who would otherwise be unable to fund their studies at LSTM. It is not a general merit award and is not open to students whose circumstances do not meet these humanitarian criteria.

Can I apply for this scholarship from outside the UK?

Yes. There is no requirement that you be physically present in the UK at the time of application. You can apply from anywhere in the world as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and hold or can obtain a conditional offer from LSTM for your chosen program. If you are awarded the scholarship and are not already in the UK, you will need to apply for a UK Student Visa before arriving to begin your studies.

Is the scholarship enough to fully fund my studies at LSTM?

The £30,000 grant is designed to cover both tuition and living costs for most full-time, on-campus Master’s programs at LSTM. Tuition fees at LSTM for Master’s programs vary by course. For some programs, the tuition fee may consume a substantial portion of the award, leaving the remainder for living expenses. For the part-time, distance-learning MSc Global Health, the grant covers tuition only. Review the tuition fees for your specific chosen program on the LSTM website to understand how your £30,000 would be distributed.

What if I already hold a partial scholarship from another source?

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship is for self-funding students. If you hold another scholarship that already fully covers your fees and living costs, you would not be eligible. However, if you hold a partial award, you may still qualify as a self-funding student who requires additional support. Contact LSTM’s scholarships office at info@lstmed.ac.uk to discuss your specific financial situation before applying.

Do I need to prove my displacement or conflict status with official documentation?

LSTM’s application requires a personal statement of up to 700 words in which you describe your experience of conflict or displacement. The institution does not explicitly state that supporting documentation such as refugee papers or government-issued displacement records must be submitted with the initial application. Your personal statement is the primary means by which you communicate your circumstances. However, LSTM may request additional evidence during the assessment process. Be prepared to provide documentation if asked.

Is there only one LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship awarded each year?

Yes. LSTM states that one award is available per cycle. This reflects the depth of commitment the institution makes to each recipient. It also means the scholarship is highly competitive, as all eligible applicants are competing for a single award. A strong, specific, and well-crafted personal statement is essential to distinguish your application.

What Master’s programs at LSTM are eligible for this scholarship?

The scholarship is open to applicants for any Master’s course at LSTM. LSTM offers a range of specialist programs including MSc Humanitarian Studies, MSc Global Health, MSc Tropical and Infectious Diseases, MSc International Public Health, MSc Malaria Science, MSc Clinical Tropical Medicine, and others. For the full list of current programs and to check tuition fees and course content, visit the study section of the LSTM website.

Final Thoughts on the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship is one of the most clearly purposeful postgraduate awards in the United Kingdom. In a landscape where most scholarships are primarily merit-based and treat financial need as a secondary consideration, this award places humanitarian circumstance at the centre of its selection criteria. It exists because LSTM recognises that conflict and displacement destroy educational trajectories, and that many of the students most capable of building health systems, reducing inequality, and leading humanitarian responses are precisely those who have had their own studies most severely disrupted.

At £30,000 applied toward a program at one of the world’s premier specialist global health institutions, the financial value is substantial. But the significance of this scholarship goes deeper than the number. LSTM’s Master’s programs produce practitioners who go on to work in the most demanding health environments on earth. The institution has been doing this work for over 125 years. For a student whose academic path has been interrupted by war, access to this environment and this network changes not just a career but a professional trajectory that will, in turn, affect the health outcomes of communities and populations.

If you are a conflict-affected or displaced student with a strong academic background, a commitment to global health, and a clear sense of the work you want to do in the world, this scholarship was made for you. The application deadline is 9am on 15 April 2026. Apply for your LSTM Master’s program today, receive your conditional offer, and use every one of your 700 words to tell LSTM exactly why you are the scholar they should invest in.

Apply Now for the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship 2026

Visit the official LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship page to access the scholarship form, review eligibility details, and begin your Master’s program application: Apply at the Official LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship Page

The April 2026 deadline is firm. Begin your program application today to ensure you receive your conditional offer and scholarship form link in time to submit a complete, well-prepared application.

Need Help With Your Scholarship Application?

The LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship personal statement is the most consequential document in this application. With only 700 words to communicate the weight of your experience, the depth of your academic purpose, and the clarity of your professional vision, every sentence must earn its place. Writing this statement well requires both emotional honesty and structural precision, and getting that balance right is genuinely difficult.

ScholyHub Consultancy offers personalised expert support for students navigating competitive scholarship applications. Services include personal statement development and review, program selection guidance, CV preparation, English language readiness support, and end-to-end application strategy. Visit ScholyHub Consultants to request a professional consultation and approach your LSTM scholarship application with the preparation and confidence it deserves.