The University of Bristol will offer fully funded master’s scholarships in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to both international and UK students beginning in October 2026. The initiative is part of the UK government’s new Spärck AI Scholarships, aimed at developing a world-class AI workforce through its £17.2 million AI Opportunity Action Plan.
The scholarships will cover tuition fees and living expenses for students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Bristol is one of nine top UK universities selected to deliver this prestigious programme, alongside Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, and others.
To support the scheme, Bristol is launching four new AI-focused MSc programmes in:
Artificial Intelligence
Engineering with AI
AI for Business
AI for Medicine and Health
Scholars will also receive mentorship and internship opportunities with top UK AI firms such as Darktrace, Quantexa, Faculty, and the UK AI Safety Institute.
Applications will open in spring 2026. Interested students are advised to monitor the University of Bristol’s website for updates.
“We relish the opportunity to shape the next generation of global AI pioneers,” said Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The programme is named in honour of Karen Spärck Jones, a British computer science trailblazer, and aims to rival international awards like the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships.
