The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

United Kingdom

2 Fulbright/Ulster University Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

The Fulbright-Ulster University Awards covers postgraduate degrees within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences focused in Humanities and Social Sciences or Creative Industries.

Ulster University is recognised internationally for its academic quality and student experience as well as for its socio-economic contribution.  We are Northern Ireland’s largest university with over 30,000 students across our three campuses located in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry.  Our new and enhanced Belfast campus is one of the largest higher education capital builds in Europe.  Ulster is ranked in the top 40 UK universities by the Times Good University Guide 2023.  We are proud to welcome international students from over 70 countries worldwide.

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences delivers programmes and research across a full range of disciplines in arts and humanities, led by world-leading researchers.  It is home to the Belfast School of Art, founded in 1849, the award-winning Ulster University Law Clinic, and world-leading research centres in the fields of peace and conflict, human rights and transitional justice.

Humanities and Social Sciences Award

One Fulbright-Ulster University Award will be offered with a focus in Humanities and Social Sciences.

According to REF 2021, Ulster is ranked joint first in the UK for 100% of world-leading and internationally excellent research in social work and social policy, education, modern languages and linguistics, and media studies.

Ulster has a strong reputation as a centre of excellence for research and analysis in the areas of governance, policy and professional practice, particularly in the context of divided societies.  This research is organised primarily through our globally recognised International Conflict Research Institute, INCORE.

Our Transitional Justice Institute (TJI) is a world-leading law-led multidisciplinary research centre focusing on transitional justice.  In REF 2021, 82% of Law research at Ulster is ranked as world-leading and internationally excellent, across outputs, impact and environment.

Creative Industries Award

One Fulbright-Ulster University Award will be offered with a focus in Creative Industries.

The Creative Industries is the fastest growing sector of the UK economy, and in Northern Ireland employs over five per cent of the entire workforce.

Ulster has world-leading expertise in all areas in the sector, and ranked joint first in the UK for world-leading research impact in music, drama, dance, performing arts and screen studies according to REF 2021.

Our Creative Industries Institute brings together our advanced research and teaching expertise in creative disciplines to collaborate with industry, government and communities focusing on skills acquisition, job creation, policy development and future-led research.

Ulster University’s Belfast campus is also home to Studio Ulster, a unique £72 million investment in a large-scale Virtual Production studio complex in partnership with Belfast Harbour and supported by NI Screen. It integrates Virtual Production with traditional film, animation, games and broadcast industry alongside leading-edge Research and Development, and Visual FX capability.

To find out more about Ulster University’s Creative Industries Institute, visit: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/cii

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has the lowest student rent in the UK according to the 2023 National Student Accommodation Survey and Belfast City was voted the friendliest UK city by Conde Nast Traveller in 2021. In the below videos, students from the US share their experience of studying at Ulster University and living in Northern Ireland.

 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

Master's programs in the UK may last up to 1 year (and in rare circumstances, 2 years). Unless otherwise stated, funding is provided for the first year of the degree - although the grant period is 10 months, tuition waivers cover the entire first year and student visas are not impacted by grant length. 

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation
Candidate Profile

For this award, applicants must be proposing a one-year Master’s degree program in Humanities, Social Sciences, or Creative Industry.

The Commission is seeking applicants who demonstrate:

  • Rigor in scholarly enquiry and academic or professional excellence
  • Strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in the UK and at a particular institution
  • A desire to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of their host country
  • Commitment to the community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities
  • Flexibility and dynamism necessary for active involvement in the host country

 

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Step into Fulbright in the United Kingdom—a vibrant exchange opportunity that has weaved strong bonds between the UK and the US since 1948. From the buzzing energy of large metropolitan cities to the charm of quaint towns, daily life as a Fulbright Postgraduate to the United Kingdom offers a wide array of experiences. Our awards unfold across the UK's diverse landscapes throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Navigating the country is made easy with efficient public transportation networks, allowing scholars to explore cities, countryside, and coastlines. Throughout the year, grantees engage in cultural events and festivals, immersing themselves in the arts, music, and local traditions. To name a few opportunities, previous Fulbrighters have participated in Highland games, organised writing workshops in picturesque locations, and visited National Trust properties across the UK.

With over 160 universities, the UK is home to innovative and globally significant research and teaching projects spanning all disciplines and sectors. Fulbright awards are offered across all 4 nations and the British Virgin Islands, with a range of all disciplines awards and subject-specific awards.

Candidates interested in applying for an award in the United Kingdom are advised to visit the US-UK Fulbright Commission's website for more information on the awards offered by the Commission and to hear from our alumni community.  

Explore firsthand accounts from US Postgraduates like Asael Rodriguez, who engaged with his host community of Canterbury through volunteering opportunities, and Katelyn Barnes and Paul Kyumin Lee, who deepened their work in peacebuilding and conflict resolution while researching in Belfast. 

 

Hear about Fulbright experiences from Cesar Cortorreal, 2022-23 Postgraduate Awardee here: 

 

 

Applicants may also wish to consult Universities UK, Universities Scotland, Universities Wales, and UK Research and Innovation for more information about higher education in the UK.  

Applicants may contact the US-UK Fulbright Commission with any queries by emailing fulbrightprogrammes@fulbright.org.uk  

 

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible

For this award, applicants must be proposing a one-year Master’s degree program in a Humanities, Social Sciences, or Creative Industries.

The following applicants are ineligible for consideration:

  • Applicants who have extensive previous experience in the UK
  • Applicants whose proposals are to complete any part of a medical degree, including internships or residencies, or applicants who hold a Ph.D. at the time the grant is to begin
  • Applicants who have previously spent time at their selected university will be at a competitive disadvantage
  • Applicants who have spent six or more months in the host country in the year prior to the grant are ineligible for consideration
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select the specific award you are applying for from the drop down menu.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation and must apply for admission according to the relevant university’s admissions procedures. Applicants are not expected to have a letter of admission/affiliation at time of application, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival.

Applicants will complete two applications, the Fulbright application and the university’s application (according to the university’s admissions procedures). Applicants must submit their university applications as early as possible, ideally before January 13, 2025. Applicants who fail to do so may be at a competitive disadvantage. The Fulbright Program does not cover the application fee for the university.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

Tuition for the first year of study will be waived internally by the host university. 

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1902.70 monthly stipend amount in
£ [British Pound Sterling]

The stipend amounts are in line with the UK Research and Innovation’s minimum amounts for studentship stipends and allowance.

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

For an idea of what to expect with regards to living costs within the UK, please refer to the British Council’s guidance on the cost of study for international students: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.org.uk
Grant Amount
  • Full tuition waiver for the first year of study
     
  • £19,027 living stipend a (contribution towards general maintenance costs)
     
  • £1,500 travel stipend
     
    The living stipend is intended as a contribution towards general maintenance costs towards the first year in the UK.