• The Cambridge Trust Selwyn Borthwick Masters Studentship in the Ancient World
• The Borthwick Masters Studentship in Studies in the Ancient World
• The Cavendish - Dr Angela McNelly Scholarship in the Physics of Medicine
• The Sir David Harrison Studentship in Sciences, Maths, or Engineering
• The Donald and Sheila Mann Studentship(s) in Indentureship Studies
• The Vienna MPhil Studentship in Philosophy
• The Elgar Masters Studentship
• The Cambridge Trust 'John & Angela' - Masters in Conservation Leadership
• The Silverstrand Scholarship in Conservation Leadership
• The Hamilton Cambridge International Scholarship
• The Bowman Scholarship
• The Walters-Kundert Studentship
• The Richard Edwards MPhil Studentship in the History of Art
• The Dobson Studentship in Materials Science
• The Patrick Cross Studentship in Economics
• Other Sources of Funding
• Funding for Current Selwyn Students

The Cambridge Trust Selwyn Borthwick Masters Studentship in the Ancient World

Selwyn College is pleased to offer a Masters Studentships for a top scoring Masters candidate with a research focus on the ancient world. Potential areas of study could be Archaeology, Classics, Art History, History, Anthropology, or other related subjects, depending on the focus of research.  The Studentships will be awarded for entry in October 2026. The Studentships offers a £12,000 contribution to the University Composition Fee for Home students of outstanding academic potential, who intend to study for a PhD degree in the future.

Those wishing to be Considered should apply to the University in the normal manner.  Applicants should specify Selwyn as their preferred College on the University of Cambridge application form, and indicate that they are applying for the Borthwick Studentship.

The Borthwick Masters Studentship in Studies in the Ancient World

Selwyn College is pleased to offer one Masters Studentship for a top scoring Masters candidate with a research focus on the ancient world. Potential areas of study could be Archaeology, Classics, Art History, History, Anthropology, or other related subjects, depending on the focus of research. The Studentships will be awarded for entry in October 2026. The Studentship is a partial award and open to exceptionally well-qualified UK or international candidates, of outstanding academic potential, who intend to study for a PhD degree in the future. 

Those wishing to be considered should apply to the University in the normal manner. Applicants should specify Selwyn as their preferred College on the University of Cambridge application form, and indicate that they are applying for the Borthwick Studentship. 

The Cavendish - Dr Angela McNelly Scholarship in the Physics of Medicine

Selwyn College is pleased to offer a PhD studentship in the Physics of Medicine. The Studentship will cover the University Composition Fee for Home Students. The studentship may also be open to International Students, subject to additional Departmental Support.  Applications from demographic groups underrepresented in the Department of Physics, for example woman, would be particularly welcome.

The successful candidate must be admitted to do a PhD in Physics of Medicine at the Department of Physics. The student must be studying at Selwyn College or transfer their College affiliation to Selwyn. It is recommended that students wishing to be considered for this studentship select Selwyn as preferred College on their application.

The Sir David Harrison Studentship in Sciences, Maths, or Engineering

Selwyn College is pleased to offer a Master's Studentship in the Sciences, Maths, or Engineering in memory of the College's former Master, Sir David Harrison.  The Studentship will be open to UK students and will make a partial contribution towards their studies.

Those wishing to be considered should apply to the University in the normal manner.  Applicants should specify Selwyn as their preferred College on the University of Cambridge application form and indicate that they are applying for the Sir David Harrison Studentship.

The Donald and Sheila Mann Studentship(s) in Indentureship Studies

Selwyn College is pleased to offer Master's Studentship(s) for students researching indentureship and related topics for their MPhil degree in any subject.  The Studentship(s) will be open to both UK and overseas students and will make a partial contribution of up to £12,500 toward fees or maintenance costs.  The award may be divided between multiple applicants.  Applications from students from South Asian backgrounds would be particularly welcomed.

Those wishing to be considered should apply to the University in the normal manner.  Applicants should specify Selwyn as their preferred College on the University of Cambridge application form and indicate that they are applying for the Donald and Sheila Mann Studentship(s).

The Vienna MPhil Studentship in Philosophy

Selwyn College welcomes applications for the Vienna MPhil Studentship in Philosophy.  The studentship is open to exceptionally well-qualified UK students. Prospective students should apply in the usual way, listing Selwyn as their preferred college on the University of Cambridge application form.  The studentship will be awarded for entry in October 2026 and covers the University Composition Fee for Home Students.

The Elgar Masters Studentship

The College is delighted to offer a legacy from an old member which has allowed us to establish a scholarship for a current Selwyn student who wishes to continue to postgraduate study at Master’s level. It has been agreed that, in keeping with the benefactor’s wishes, we should give priority to those who have been in receipt of a Cambridge Bursary and/or come from widening participation backgrounds. 

The proposal is to offer one full studentship per year. Candidates should apply for their desired postgraduate course of study in the normal way, naming Selwyn as their first choice college. There is no need for a separate application or reference as, once we have determined eligibility, we shall use the University’s ranking system to determine the top ranked candidate. In the event that this person obtains a matched award from a Department or another source, we may be able to make a second award.

The Cambridge Trust 'John & Angela' - Masters in Conservation Leadership

The Studentship is open to exceptionally well-qualified candidates, who intend to study at the College for an MPhil in conservation leadership.  Postgraduates of any University may apply.  Eligible applicants must have applied for admission, or already received an offer of admission to the University of Cambridge.  The Studentship will be tenable for one year and offers the University Composition Fee for International Students.

Those wishing to be considered for The 'John & Angela' - Masters in conservation leadership should apply to the University in the normal manner, indicating their preference for Selwyn College.  The successful applicant will be selected by the College, in consultation with the conservation leadership course, and must become a member of the College on taking up the studentship.

The Silverstrand Scholarship in Conservation Leadership

Selwyn College offers the Silverstrand Scholarship for 2026 entry in the Conservation Leadership programme.  The Scholarship offers the University Composition Fee for International Students, as well as a maintenance stipend and a settling in fee.

The Scholarship is open to exceptionally well-qualified candidates, who intend to study at Selwyn College for an MPhil in Conservation Leadership.  Postgraduates of any university may apply and candidates from South East Asia are particularly encouraged to apply.  Eligible applicants must have applied for admission, or already received an offer of admission to the University of Cambridge.  The Scholarship will be tenable for one year.

Those wishing to be considered should apply to the University in the normal manner, indicating their preference for Selwyn College.  The successful applicant will be selected by the College, in consultation with the Conservation Leadership course.

The Hamilton Cambridge International Scholarship

Selwyn College and the Cambridge Trust occasionally offer a Hamilton Cambridge International Scholarship. The scholarship is for an Overseas PhD student in any subject.  Applicants should specify Selwyn as their preferred College on the University of Cambridge application form, and indicate that they are applying for the Hamilton Scholarship.  The next award will be made in 2027.

The Bowman Scholarship

Selwyn College offers the Bowman Scholarship each year. It is intended to assist with the fees and maintenance of a former member of Nottingham High School studying for an advanced degree at the University of Cambridge or a BA degree as an affiliated student.   It is only tenable for Selwyn College. For further details please see Bowman_Scholarship.pdf

The Walters-Kundert Studentship

The Walters-Kundert fund supports a UK PhD student to undertake doctoral work in the Department of Chemistry; the recipients need to be members of Selwyn or to transfer their College affiliation to Selwyn. Candidates need to go through the applications process run by the Department. The next award will be made in 2027.

The Richard Edwards MPhil Studentship in the History of Art

Selwyn College welcomes applications for the Richard Edwards MPhil in the History of Art.  Applications may include research in art history and allied subjects, including architecture and design.  Preference would be given in the first instance to those studying for the MPhil in the Global History of Art and Architecture. Prospective students should apply in the usual way, listing Selwyn as their preferred college. The Studentship will be awarded for entry in October 2026 and covers the University Composition fee for Home students.

The Dobson Studentship in Materials Science

Managed by the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, this award may be held at Selwyn College and offers a PhD studentship to a top candidate identified by the Department. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the Department in the first instance. The PhD studentship will be offered for October 2026 entry.

The Patrick Cross Studentship in Economics

Selwyn College is pleased to offer the Patrick Cross Studentship in Economics. This is a partial scholarship and available to exceptionally well qualified applicants studying for an MPhil in the Faculty of Economics.

Prospective students wishing to be considered for this studentship should apply in the usual way, listing Selwyn as their preferred college.  The studentship will be awarded for entry in October 2026.

Other Sources of Funding

For information about the Postgraduate Master’s Loan, please see here (Please pay close attention to the rules on eligibility, as not everyone is eligible.)

For more funding options please see here

Funding for Current Selwyn Students

The College has two funds to assist postgraduate students with research-related expenses, one for travel (e.g. to conferences), and one for other essential items such as books, software, meeting registrations, etc. In addition, there are funds available to specific categories of students; e.g. specific travel grants or sports grants. For more information please see here

College hardship funds are also available for those who meet unexpected financial difficulties during their course.

A thesis binding grant, currently £100, is available to all PhD students on submission of their thesis.