If you have been searching for a legitimate, well-funded scholarship to study in the United Kingdom, the Hatfield Scholarship 2026 at Durham University is one you absolutely should know about. Offered by the historic Hatfield College at Durham University, this scholarship program covers a range of awards for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, with some fully funded options available to international students from developing countries. Whether you are a female student from Africa or South Asia hoping to pursue a Masters degree in science, or a home student from the North East of England looking for financial support at one of the UK’s most respected universities, there is a Hatfield scholarship designed with you in mind.
In this article, we cover every detail you need to know about the Hatfield Scholarship 2026, including what each award covers, who can apply, which subjects are eligible, the application process step by step, the required documents, and some practical tips to help you put together a strong application. Read this carefully before you apply.
About Hatfield College at Durham University
Hatfield College is one of the oldest and most distinguished colleges within Durham University, having been founded in 1846. Durham University itself is one of the leading research universities in the United Kingdom and consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the UK in major international rankings. The university is located in the historic city of Durham in the North East of England, known for its stunning cathedral and castle, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hatfield College has a strong tradition of academic excellence, a vibrant college community, and a notable track record for welcoming and supporting international scholars. The college has Junior, Middle, and Senior Common Rooms that create a sense of community across all levels of study. It is also home to a diverse population of both undergraduate and postgraduate students, making it a genuinely international environment in which to study.
The college’s scholarship program is funded primarily through the Hatfield Trust, which has been built up over many years thanks to the generous contributions of Hatfield alumni and friends. The Trust funds a range of awards including undergraduate scholarships, postgraduate scholarships, bursaries for home students from lower-income backgrounds, and the fully funded Lioness Scholarship for international female students from developing countries.
Overview of All Hatfield Scholarships 2026
Hatfield College offers several distinct scholarships and bursaries. It is important to understand that these are separate awards with different eligibility criteria, funding levels, and application processes. Here is a clear summary of each.
| Scholarship Name | Level | Target Applicants | Award Value | Fully Funded? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatfield Lioness Scholarship | Postgraduate (Taught Masters) | International female students from developing countries | Full tuition + living stipend + accommodation + flights + visa costs | Yes |
| Guy Beresford Scholarship | Postgraduate (Taught Masters) | Home students from the North East of England, lower-income households | £15,000 | Partial |
| Chadwick Scholarship | Undergraduate | Home-fee students, exceptional potential, financial need | £4,000 per academic year | Partial |
| Gant Scholarship | Undergraduate | Home-fee students, exceptional potential, financial need | £4,000 per academic year | Partial |
| Full Hatfield Bursary | Undergraduate | Home undergraduates with household income below £30,000 | Annual bursary for up to 4 years of study | Partial (living support) |
| Part Hatfield Bursary | Undergraduate | Home undergraduates with household income between £30,000 and £47,200 | One-time first year award | Partial (living support) |
The Hatfield Lioness Scholarship 2026: Complete Details
The Hatfield Lioness Scholarship is by far the most talked about of all the Hatfield College awards, and with good reason. It is the only fully funded scholarship in the Hatfield portfolio, and it is specifically designed to support female students from developing countries where access to tertiary and postgraduate education remains limited. The scholarship was created to mark three decades since women were first admitted to Hatfield College, and it reflects the institution’s ongoing commitment to gender equity, diversity, and international inclusion.
What Does the Lioness Scholarship Cover?
The Hatfield Lioness Scholarship provides a comprehensive package of financial support. Recipients benefit from full payment of university tuition fees for their entire Masters programme, so you do not need to worry about the cost of your degree at all. Beyond tuition, the scholarship also provides a monthly living stipend to cover day-to-day expenses while you are studying in Durham.
Accommodation is fully covered as well. Scholars are provided with a fully funded, self-catered, single room in mixed accommodation at Hatfield College. This means you will live as part of the college community alongside other students, which is a valuable part of the Durham experience.
The scholarship also covers one return economy air ticket from your home country to the United Kingdom, plus the cost of travel between the UK airport and Durham City upon arrival. When you first arrive, you will also receive a settling-in allowance to help you get set up in your new environment without financial stress.
Perhaps most significantly, the Lioness Scholarship also covers the cost of your UK student visa and the UK Health Surcharge, which are two of the biggest financial barriers that international students typically face when planning to study in Britain. Having these costs taken care of is a huge practical benefit.
Eligibility for the Hatfield Lioness Scholarship
To be considered for the Lioness Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria. You must be a female student. You must be a national of an eligible developing country. The scholarship is specifically aimed at women from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and other developing regions where women’s access to higher and postgraduate education is significantly limited. Countries that have previously been listed as eligible include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in South Asia, and Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in Africa, among others. You should check the official Hatfield College website for the current full list of eligible countries, as it may be updated each year.
You must intend to study a full-time taught Masters degree at Durham University. PhD programmes and research Masters degrees are not eligible. MBA programmes are also excluded.
Your chosen course must fall within the eligible subject areas. These are courses based in a department within the Science Faculty at Durham University, plus the following: MSc in Bioarchaeology, MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, and MSc in Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology from the Department of Archaeology, and MSc in Climate, Risk, and Society and MSc in Environmental Hazards and Risks from the Department of Geography.
You must not be in receipt of any other scholarship or funding for your Masters programme. The Lioness Scholarship is intended to be the primary source of support for its recipients.
Hatfield College aims to award the scholarship to a candidate who has strong academic qualifications, the personal qualities needed to complete a demanding postgraduate course, and the potential to act as a positive ambassador for their home country during their time in Durham. Importantly, the college also looks for candidates who will use the knowledge and skills gained in Durham for the benefit of their society when they return home.
Eligible Courses for the Lioness Scholarship
| Department | Eligible Courses |
|---|---|
| Science Faculty (general) | All taught Masters courses based in Science Faculty departments |
| Department of Archaeology | MSc Bioarchaeology; MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology; MSc Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology |
| Department of Geography | MSc Climate, Risk, and Society; MSc Environmental Hazards and Risks |
The Guy Beresford Scholarship 2026
The Guy Beresford Scholarship is a postgraduate award of £15,000 offered by Hatfield College to support home students from the North East of England who wish to study a full-time STEM taught Masters degree at Durham University. This scholarship is specifically for students who come from lower-income households and who are from the North East of England, including Cumbria.
To be eligible for the Guy Beresford Scholarship, you must be a home-fee student planning to study full-time for a taught Masters degree in a STEM subject at Durham University. Your home postcode must fall within one of the following North East regions: CA, DH, DL, NE, SR, or TS. You must also be from a lower-income household, as defined by evidence from Student Finance England’s assessment of income data provided to your university during the final year of your undergraduate studies.
This scholarship is named in memory of a Hatfield alumnus and reflects the college’s commitment to supporting talented students from its local region who might otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate education. A £15,000 award toward a STEM Masters degree at a Russell Group university is a genuinely significant financial contribution that can make postgraduate study viable for students who would otherwise find it out of reach.
Hatfield Undergraduate Scholarships 2026
For students entering Durham University at undergraduate level who have been allocated to Hatfield College, the college offers two named undergraduate scholarships funded through the Hatfield Trust.
The Chadwick Scholarship
The Chadwick Scholarship was established in memory of Hatfield alumnus Michael Chadwick, thanks to the generosity of his parents. It is designed to support a home-fee undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional academic potential and genuine financial need. The award provides £4,000 per academic year to the successful applicant. One scholarship is available per year, awarded to a student who holds an offer of a place at Durham and has been allocated to Hatfield College to begin their studies in the autumn of the relevant year. Preference may be given to students intending to study Engineering.
The Gant Scholarship
The Gant Scholarship is similarly aimed at home-fee undergraduate students of exceptional potential and genuine financial need. Like the Chadwick award, it provides £4,000 per academic year and one scholarship is available per intake year. It is open to students who hold a Durham offer and have been allocated to Hatfield College. Students whose household income is below £47,200 per year are eligible to apply for these college scholarship programs.
A key condition for both undergraduate scholarships is that Durham University must be the student’s firm choice. Students cannot hold these awards while treating Durham as an insurance offer.
Hatfield Bursaries: Automatic Financial Support
In addition to the named scholarships, Hatfield College also offers bursaries to home undergraduate students from lower-income households. One of the most useful aspects of the Hatfield Bursary is that no separate application is required. Eligibility is determined automatically based on the household income information provided through the Student Finance England process.
The Full Hatfield Bursary is awarded to new undergraduate students without a previous degree whose household income is below £30,000 per year. This bursary is provided each year of registered study, up to a maximum of four years, even if the student studies abroad or completes a placement year as part of their degree.
The Part Hatfield Bursary is available to new undergraduates without a prior degree whose household income falls between £30,000 and £47,200 per year. Unlike the full bursary, the part bursary is a one-time award provided only in the student’s first year of study.
If you are an eligible student from a lower-income household who has been allocated to Hatfield College, the bursary will simply be applied to your account once Student Finance England shares your income assessment with the college. You do not need to do anything extra.
Why Choose Hatfield College and Durham University?
Choosing where to study is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your academic life, so it is worth understanding what makes Durham and Hatfield College stand out.
Durham University is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom. It is a member of the Russell Group, the association of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. The university is known for the quality of its teaching and research, the beauty of its campus, and the strength of its alumni network. A Durham degree is recognized and respected by employers around the world.
Hatfield College specifically has one of the most active and well-supported college communities in Durham. College life at Hatfield includes sports, music, drama, debating, and a wide range of social events that make the student experience rich and full. For postgraduate scholars from overseas, the college environment provides an immediate community and social support network, which can make a huge difference when you are far from home.
The Science Faculty at Durham is particularly strong in areas like Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biosciences, and related disciplines. For Lioness Scholarship recipients studying in these fields, Durham offers access to world-class laboratories, research facilities, and academic staff who are leaders in their fields.
Durham City itself is a wonderful place to live. It is compact, walkable, and safe, with a thriving student community and excellent transport links to Newcastle, Edinburgh, and London.
Application Process for the Hatfield Scholarship 2026
The application process varies depending on which scholarship you are applying for. Here is a detailed breakdown of how to apply for each type.
How to Apply for the Hatfield Lioness Scholarship
The Lioness Scholarship application has two stages, and both must be completed for your application to be considered.
In Stage 1, you must submit an academic application for your chosen Masters programme at Durham University. This is done through the Durham University postgraduate admissions system. In this application, you should clearly state your intention to apply for the Hatfield Lioness Scholarship. You will need to upload all the standard documentation required for your chosen course, which typically includes evidence of English language proficiency, your academic CV, your educational qualifications and transcripts, a personal statement, two academic references, information about your funding situation, passport details, and any other supporting documentation required by your department.
In Stage 2, once you have submitted your academic application and received an offer letter from Durham University, you must then apply separately for the Lioness Scholarship itself. You need to submit the scholarship application form along with the following supporting documents: your Durham University offer letter, your academic transcript, reference letters, your IELTS or equivalent English language certificate, and any other relevant documents. All Stage 2 materials are submitted to Hatfield College by email to the development office by the college deadline of 31 March.
Candidates will hear the outcome of their Lioness Scholarship application by mid-June each year.
To begin your application journey, visit the official Hatfield Lioness Scholarship page on the Durham University website for the most current application form, deadline confirmation, and list of eligible countries.
How to Apply for the Guy Beresford Scholarship
The application process for the Guy Beresford Scholarship follows a similar two-stage approach. You must first apply to Durham University for a STEM taught Masters degree through the standard postgraduate admissions process. You should reference your intention to apply for the Guy Beresford Scholarship within this academic application. Then, separately, you apply to Hatfield College for the scholarship by submitting the required supporting documents, including proof of your household income as assessed by Student Finance England, your academic transcript, and reference letters.
For full details and to start your application, visit the Guy Beresford Scholarship official page at Durham University.
How to Apply for Undergraduate Scholarships (Chadwick and Gant)
For the Chadwick and Gant undergraduate scholarships, applications are made directly through Hatfield College once you have received a firm offer of a place at Durham and have been allocated to Hatfield College. The application asks you to submit personal information, a supporting statement about your financial situation and academic potential, and references. The typical deadline for undergraduate scholarship applications is late April, so you should begin preparing well in advance once you receive your Durham offer.
Visit the Hatfield Undergraduate Scholarships page on the Durham University website for current application forms and deadlines.
Documents Required for the Hatfield Scholarship Application
| Document | Lioness Scholarship | Guy Beresford Scholarship | UG Scholarships (Chadwick / Gant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham University offer letter | Required | Required | Required |
| Academic transcript | Required | Required | Required |
| IELTS / English language certificate | Required | Required (if applicable) | Not typically required |
| Two academic references | Required | Required | Required |
| Personal statement | Required (for UG application) | Required (for UG application) | Required |
| CV / Resume | Required | Required | Optional but helpful |
| Passport copy | Required | Not typically required | Not typically required |
| Evidence of household income (Student Finance England) | Not required | Required | Required (for bursary eligibility) |
| Research proposal | If required by chosen department | If required by chosen department | Not required |
Tips for a Strong Hatfield Scholarship Application
Competition for the Hatfield Lioness Scholarship is significant, and the college receives applications from talented women across the developing world. A technically complete application is the minimum. A truly strong application stands out because it is thoughtful, specific, and honest. Here are some practical tips to help you submit your best possible application.
Start your Durham University academic application early. The scholarship deadline of 31 March means you need to have already applied to your Masters programme and received an offer letter well before that date. Processing time for academic applications can take several weeks, so aim to submit your programme application no later than February.
Be specific in your personal statement about why you want to study your chosen subject at Durham. Generic statements about wanting to pursue science or wanting to develop your career do not stand out. Explain which specific research areas or academic staff at Durham you are interested in, and why Durham in particular is the right environment for what you want to achieve.
Be honest and clear about your background and your financial situation. The scholarship is designed for students who genuinely need it and who genuinely would not be able to pursue postgraduate study in the UK without this support. Do not feel embarrassed to be direct about your circumstances. That honesty is exactly what the scholarship committee needs to see.
Address your plans for after your Masters degree directly. Hatfield College explicitly looks for candidates who will use their enhanced skills and knowledge for the benefit of their home community or country. Think carefully about what you plan to do when you return, and articulate it clearly and credibly.
Ask your referees early. Your references need to speak to both your academic ability and your personal qualities. Give your referees plenty of time, and brief them on the scholarship and what it is looking for, so their letters can address the most relevant aspects of your profile.
Make sure your English language test result is ready. You cannot submit your Stage 2 scholarship documents without your IELTS or equivalent certificate. If you have not yet taken an English language test, book one immediately.