New Spärck AI Scholarships to Fund Master’s Degrees at Top UK Universities
Young people with exceptional talent in artificial intelligence are set to benefit from a major new government-backed initiative that offers full scholarships to study AI and STEM subjects at some of the UK’s most prestigious universities.
Unveiled by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle on Monday 9 June, the Spärck AI scholarships, which is named in honour of trailblazing British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones, will fund at least 100 master’s-level students from the UK and around the world.
Covering both tuition and living costs, the scholarships aim to make advanced study in AI more accessible, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. Successful applicants will study at one of nine leading UK institutions, including universities in Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol.
These prestigious awards are designed to rival world-renowned schemes such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships. Recipients will also benefit from exclusive access to industry partnerships, placements and mentorship opportunities with top tech organisations, including the UK’s AI Safety Institute and companies like Darktrace, Faculty, and Quantexa.
In launching the scheme, the government hopes to accelerate the development of a skilled AI workforce that can fuel economic growth, support innovation, and advance the UK’s global leadership in technology.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
“We are providing unique opportunities for talented young people to take up master’s degrees in AI, with fully funded tuition and unparalleled access to industry.
Students will be able to go on to highly skilled jobs, building a workforce fit for the future and boosting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
In parallel, the government has announced an expansion of the Turing AI Fellowships through a new Pioneer stream, aimed at experienced professionals across disciplines — from science and humanities to industry and academia. These fellowships will offer research funding and tailored mentoring, helping fellows apply AI to real-world challenges in their sectors.
Both announcements form part of a broader national AI skills strategy, including a bold upskilling drive launched by the Prime Minister during London Tech Week, with the ambition to equip millions of people with essential digital and AI capabilities.
