Marshall Scholarships

At least 40 Marshall Scholarships are awarded each year. They may be held at any British university and cover one or two years of graduate study in almost any discipline. The scholarship covers all tuition costs and fees; it also provides a monthly stipend and some funds for travels and books. The Marshall Commission maintains a very useful website, and interested students should familiarize themselves with the rules for candidates, frequently asked questions, and the various resources about British universities and academic programs.

Deadlines

  • Preliminary: Aug. 1, 2023
  • Internal: Sept. 1, 2023
  • External: Late Sept. 2023

Who is Eligible?

The Marshall Scholarship has three basic conditions of eligibility:

  • U.S. citizenship (at the time of application)
  • Completion of an undergraduate degree within the 3 years prior to beginning study in the UK
  • Cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.7

Adviser: Eleanor (Ellie) Stanford, Fellowship Adviser

Selection criteria: Candidates for the Marshall Scholarship should demonstrate “distinction of intellect and character,” as well as “strong motivation and seriousness of purpose.” Both in their academic work and other activities, strong Marshall applicants will show evidence of the potential to be leaders in society. Finally, a strong Marshall application will offer a well thought-out rationale for the proposed academic program.

Preliminary application: Because competition for this scholarship is so intense, it is important to begin the application process early. The initial application is intended to get you started putting together the materials you will need for later stages. Based on your initial application, you will receive feedback from the Fellowships Adviser regarding whether you have the potential to receive institutional endorsement and if so what steps you should take and what concerns you will have to address to earn that endorsement.

Marshall Preliminary Application Form 

The preliminary application will consist of the following:

  • A current, comprehensive resumé, including employment, activities, honors, skills, and languages. This need not be limited to one page. Please include a description of planned employment or other activities for the upcoming summer and fall.
  • The names of four potential writers of letter of recommendation, at least three of whom should be professors. You are advised to inform these writers of your plans to apply for this fellowship.
  • A personal statement worksheet
  • A list of any other fellowships you are planning to apply for
  • A list of any questions you have about the fellowship or the application process

Official fall internal application: Prospective applicants must register on the Marshall website in order to access the online application. In this first stage, you submit your application electronically to Eleanor (Ellie) Stanford, Fellowship Adviser, and are interviewed soon after by the Committee on Fellowships and Prizes here on campus. This application includes the following elements:

A 3-page application form, including a section asking about “personal interests and non-academic activities” and a “brief statement of future career aims."

Personal statement of not more than 1,000 words describing your “academic and other interests and pursuits.”

  • A description (not more than 500 words) of your “proposed academic programme, giving reasons for your choice of course and preferred university.”
  • A brief essay (not more than 500 words) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study in the UK
  • Four letters of recommendation
  • Click here for instructions and advice for your recommenders.

On the basis of that application and interview, the Committee will decide whether or not to endorse your application.  If you are selected as a nominee, the committee will prepare an official letter of support for your application. You will also receive some feedback on your application and have a short time period in which to revise materials for your final application. The better and more polished your initial application; the likelier you are to have a strong interview, a strong letter of support, and the strongest possible final application.

External application: Revised application must be submitted to Eleanor (Ellie) Stanford, Fellowship Adviser, at least two days before the official external deadline. If necessary, you should be prepared to make last-minute editorial corrections and must submit the corrected version by 5 p.m. on the day before the published external deadline.

After the application is submitted: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by mid-September. They must take a printed and signed copy of their application and four passport-size photos to their interviews. The final selection will be announced shortly after the interview. Successful applicants will be offered a scholarship in writing, and will be asked to accept or decline this offer, also in writing, within 12 days of receiving it.