Ashfords Scholarship

Scholarships for postgraduate marine-related courses at the University of Plymouth
Marine Institute research

2026 Scholarships

Up to two scholarships of £1,000 each are available to students who are offered a place on one of our marine-related postgraduate masters-level programmes starting in September 2026.
It is a precondition of the award that successful applicants will conduct a marine-themed dissertation as part of their studies.
To be eligible you must:
  1. be in the final year of study on an undergraduate course at the University of Plymouth; and
  2. at the time of submitting your Scholarship application, have already applied for a marine-related postgraduate masters-level programme at the University of Plymouth commencing in September 2026 (see list of suggested courses below).
Applicants will be judged primarily on the basis of their undergraduate academic performance, but shortlisting will also consider a personal statement indicating why you wish to take the postgraduate programme you have selected and how this choice fits with your longer-term career or personal objectives.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted to marineinstitute@plymouth.ac.uk no later than Friday 29 May 2026.
Please include:
  • your full name;
  • student number;
  • current undergraduate course of study;
  • chosen masters-level programme;
  • personal statement – please indicate in no more than 300 words why you wish to take the postgraduate programme you have selected and how this choice fits in to your longer-term career or personal objectives.

Previous Scholarship winners

2025

  • Ruby Atkins

2024

  • Ethan Quah

2023

  • Storm McClements
  • Constance Little
  • Cerys Rimmer

2022

  • Caroline Millan
  • Janine Douglas
  • Maizie Edwards

2021

  • Jennifer Hickman
  • Miriam Daughtery

2020

  • Cecily Eaton
  • Erin Browne

Ashfords Final Year Project Prize

If you are interested in the Ashfords Scholarship, you may also be interested in applying for the Marine Institute Final Year Project Prize – first prize £300, second prize £150.
The prize is open to current undergraduate students whose final year research project relates to the marine sector.
Marine
Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach
The University of Plymouth has an international reputation in providing courses associated with the sea and provides one of the widest portfolios of marine and maritime courses in Europe. Thousands of students choose to study a degree with a marine or maritime theme and the Marine Institute acts as a gateway to these courses.
Marine courses at the University of Plymouth have access to the state-of-the-art research laboratories and equipment and have a strong hands-on theme. The University is recognised as a leader in experiential learning – fieldwork, for example, is a vital and important component of environmental degrees.
Find out more about our courses in marine and maritime .