Take this quick quiz to find out
Snowdon Master's Scholarships
Eligibility info
Disability
You must have a diagnosis of one or more of the following:
- A learning difference (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, or AD(H)D)
- A visual impairment uncorrected by glasses (e.g. blindness or partial sight)
- A hearing impairment (e.g. D/deafness or partial hearing)
- A physical impairment or challenges with mobility (e.g. climbing stairs or uneven surfaces), or dexterity (e.g. using a keyboard or laboratory equipment)
- A social, behavioural or communication impairment (e.g. an autistic spectrum condition or Tourette’s Syndrome)
- A long-term illness or health condition which may involve pain or cause fatigue, loss of concentration or breathing difficulties – including any effects from taking associated medication.
- Two or more impairments or conditions
If you experience a mental health condition, challenge, or disorder (e.g. anxiety or depression) you are only eligible to apply if you also have a diagnosis of one or more of the health conditions or impairments listed above.
Disability is defined differently within different contexts and by individual preference, and the impact of any disability can vary greatly, so we can’t provide an exhaustive list or reply to all queries about the eligibility of specific health conditions or impairments. If you have a diagnosis of a disability, meet the rest of the inclusion criteria, and you align with the principles outlined in our guidance for a strong application, you should apply.
Disability
You must have a diagnosis of one or more of the following:
- A learning difference (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, or AD(H)D)
- A visual impairment uncorrected by glasses (e.g. blindness or partial sight)
- A hearing impairment (e.g. D/deafness or partial hearing)
- A physical impairment or challenges with mobility (e.g. climbing stairs or uneven surfaces), or dexterity (e.g. using a keyboard or laboratory equipment)
- A social, behavioural or communication impairment (e.g. an autistic spectrum condition or Tourette’s Syndrome)
- A long-term illness or health condition which may involve pain or cause fatigue, loss of concentration or breathing difficulties – including any effects from taking associated medication.
- Two or more impairments or conditions
If you experience a mental health condition, challenge, or disorder (e.g. anxiety or depression) you are only eligible to apply if you also have a diagnosis of one or more of the health conditions or impairments listed above.
Disability is defined differently within different contexts and by individual preference, and the impact of any disability can vary greatly, so we can’t provide an exhaustive list or reply to all queries about the eligibility of specific health conditions or impairments. If you have a diagnosis of a disability, meet the rest of the inclusion criteria, and you align with the principles outlined in our guidance for a strong application, you should apply.
About you
You must:
- be above 16 years of age.
- have UK home fee status.
- be residing in the UK for the duration of your course.
About you
You must:
- be above 16 years of age.
- have UK home fee status.
- be residing in the UK for the duration of your course.
Your course
Your course must:
- be at a university or higher education institution in the UK
- be a full master’s course (180 higher education credits) e.g. MA, MSc, MRes, MPhil, LLM, MBA
- start during the 2026/27 academic year (between August 2026 and June 2027)
- not be eligible for funding by your employer or through Access to Work (if applicable)
- be your first master’s degree. We understand there may be disability-related reasons for starting a second master’s and so in these very exceptional circumstances we will accept an application for a second master’s. If you fit into this category, you will need to make a case for this in your application.
You must apply to your university before applying for a Snowdon Master’s Scholarship. You will need to show evidence of your course offer during the application process. The only exception is if applications for your course do not open until later in the year – in this case we will discuss this with you.
Your course
Your course must:
- be at a university or higher education institution in the UK
- be a full master’s course (180 higher education credits) e.g. MA, MSc, MRes, MPhil, LLM, MBA
- start during the 2026/27 academic year (between August 2026 and June 2027)
- not be eligible for funding by your employer or through Access to Work (if applicable)
- be your first master’s degree. We understand there may be disability-related reasons for starting a second master’s and so in these very exceptional circumstances we will accept an application for a second master’s. If you fit into this category, you will need to make a case for this in your application.
You must apply to your university before applying for a Snowdon Master’s Scholarship. You will need to show evidence of your course offer during the application process. The only exception is if applications for your course do not open until later in the year – in this case we will discuss this with you.
These awards are highly competitive, with fewer than 2% of applicants receiving a scholarship. To avoid wasted effort and ensure the strongest candidates feel confident applying, we want to be clear that this opportunity is designed for individuals who truly stand out.
If you can demonstrate exceptional achievement, leadership, and a clear vision for impact, this may be the right fit for you. These scholarships are for those who have already shown they can excel and are ready to take their work to the next level.
If you are still building experience, unsure of your goals, or cannot yet evidence significant accomplishments, this may not be the right time to apply. We encourage you to review the characteristics we’ve outlined carefully – they will help you decide whether to proceed or wait until you’re better positioned for success.
Our aim is to guide prospective applicants honestly, manage expectations, and ensure that those with the strongest case put themselves forward with confidence.
Your application is likely to be strong if you can evidence some or all the following activities and ambitions. You:
- Use your lived experience of disabling barriers as a driver for change.
- Are pursuing academic or professional qualifications that will directly contribute to success on your leadership journey.
- Are considered by others to be a current or future role model, pioneer, or leader.
- Can evidence the same high standards in your existing academic achievements or be able to explain any disability barriers which prevented you from attaining the course places or grades you had hoped for.
- Can demonstrate clear ambition to be a thought leader, subject expert, or visible disability advocate in your future career and evidence achievements that have helped shape these ambitions.
- Are committed to increasing representation of disabled people in areas where it remains disproportionately low.
- Can provide demonstrable experience in disability thought leadership outside of your academic studies.
- Can demonstrate how your plans contribute to inclusion and societal progress.
This scholarship is not designed to support:
- Access to postgraduate education without clear leadership or advocacy goals.
- Courses or qualifications that are not considered necessary for progression in your chosen field.
- Individuals who are not yet ready to engage with public life, advocacy, or visible role-modelling.
- Anyone who is unable to commit to a two-way relationship with the charity.
Receiving a scholarship means entering a partnership. We expect you to:
- Provide regular reports during your master’s study.
- Stay in touch beyond your master’s programme and continue to update us about your progress. We’re here to support your continued journey and value updates as your leadership path evolves. We hope you will also make a commitment to disability community leadership through membership of the Disabled Leaders’ Network.
- Communicate with us and our funders about your journey and impact.
- Make an ongoing commitment to driving disability inclusion throughout your career.
FAQs
Your course can be full-time or part-time. If you study part-time and receive a scholarship, it will be split between the two years of your degree.
Your course can be taught in person, online, or as a hybrid of these.
Only if you have UK home fee status.
If you do not meet this criteria you are not able to apply for this award.
You can’t apply for an undergraduate course, a PG Cert, PG Dip, PGCE or a PhD level course, or any other master’s level studies which do not result in a full master’s degree.
Integrated undergraduate courses where the master’s is the final year are not eligible, however you can apply for the first master’s year of an integrated postgraduate course.
You must be residing in the UK for the duration of your course.
If your course includes international study (such as field research or an exchange semester), please get in touch with us.
The Snowdon Master’s Scholarship aims to accelerate exceptional disabled students through master’s study and into leadership in all its forms. We want to invest in you if you intend to use your lived experience of disabling barriers to challenge inequality, shift narratives, and lead progress in a specific field, your community, or in public life.
This scholarship is not designed to support:
- Access to postgraduate education without clear leadership or advocacy goals.
- Courses or qualifications that are not considered necessary for progression in your chosen field.
- Individuals who are not yet ready to engage with public life, advocacy, or visible role-modelling.
- Anyone who is unable to commit to a two-way relationship with the charity.
We can’t accept applications from individuals who identify as having a mental health condition, challenge, or disorder (e.g. anxiety or depression) unless you also have a diagnosis of one or more of the health conditions or impairments below:
- A learning difference (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, or AD(H)D)
- A visual impairment uncorrected by glasses (e.g. blindness or partial sight)
- A hearing impairment (e.g. D/deafness or partial hearing)
- A physical impairment or challenges with mobility (e.g. climbing stairs or uneven surfaces), or dexterity (e.g. using a keyboard or laboratory equipment)
- A social, behavioural or communication impairment (e.g. an autistic spectrum condition or Tourette’s Syndrome)
- A long-term illness or health condition which may involve pain or cause fatigue, loss of concentration or breathing difficulties – including any effects from taking associated medication.
- Two or more impairments or conditions
We cannot answer every question we receive about eligibility. Please make sure you have read through all the information on these pages, and take our eligibility quiz to find out if you can apply.
