UK Scholarships for International Students

You dream of soaking in the vibrant culture of London, walking in the enchanting forests of Edinburgh, or sipping the tea by the river in Cambridge but the cost of studying here seems like a towering Big- Ben-sized obstacle. UK education isn’t cheap, thus making scholarships and fellowships to be highly sought after. This increases the competition in the scholarship applications too but it also leads to the rise of more scholarship means by govt. or private funding organizations or even universities to attract international students. Let us look at the different types of scholarships in the UK.

Open Scholarships

Scholarships	Application link	Deadline
Commonwealth Scholarships- for PG and PhD studies	Apply here	Varies by country
Chevening Scholarships- for 1 year master’s program	Apply here	Nov 5th, 2024
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship- for PG or PhD degrees	Apply here	Dec 3rd, 2024, or Jan 7th, 2025, and Oct 16th for US nationals.

Types of Scholarships

Below is a curated list of scholarships for students studying abroad in the UK either offered by government, universities, or private funding bodies for undergraduate or postgraduate level studies.

Government- Funded Scholarships:

• Commonwealth Scholarships – Commonwealth scholarships manage the postgraduate and PhD funding of talented international students from commonwealth countries to enhance knowledge and skills in the sectors of Science & Technology, Global Peace, innovation, entrepreneurship, health, etc. There are a variety of scholarships to choose from with varying deadlines, eligibility, and benefits. Check here for details.

• Chevening Scholarships – Fully funded scholarships for meritorious students who wish to study one-year master’s programs in the UK.  Students from all over the world can apply with the condition of returning and serving your country for at least 2 years after your degree and scholarship ends. The scholarship eligibility also sometimes demands a minimum of 2 years (2800 hours) of work experience in prior. Applications are open with a deadline of November 5th, 2024. Apply here.

• GREAT Scholarships – Funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with participating UK higher education institutions to help students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. The scholarship offers GBP 10,000 towards the tuition fee for one-year taught postgraduate courses. Scholarship application forms are offered to you by the university on successful admission. 

Private/Non-Profit Organization Scholarships:

• The Gates Cambridge Scholarship – For international students admitted for full-time/part-time postgraduate or PhD studies at the University of Cambridge based on their academic excellence. Around GBP 30,000- 60,000 annually covering fees, maintenance, visa costs,s and others. Extendable up to your course duration. The applications for 2024 will close on Dec 3rd, 2024, or Jan 7th, 2025, and Oct 16th for US nationals. Apply here.

• A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship – For international  ELT professionals including teachers, teacher-trainers, inspectors, and materials writers to study master’s in TESOL. A monthly stipend is given accordingly to cover all costs including tuition, visa, airfare, and living expenses. Deadlines lay around October 31st every year. 

University Specific Scholarships-

• The Rhodes Scholarship – The Rhodes Trust offers a fully- -funded scholarship to international students from around the world to study postgraduate programs at the University of Oxford. The Scholarship is merit-based and is renewable for your duration of studies in the UK. Besides covering full tuition, the Scholarship also offers a stipend worth GBP 19,092 per annum to cover other costs. Application forms will be available for you once you have successfully gained admission to the University of Oxford. Applications are closed for the 2025 cycle and will reopen in June 2025 for the 2026 cycle. 

• Felix Scholarships – Fully funded scholarships offered to study at three universities- the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), part of the University of London for underprivileged students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Belarus, Peru, Czech Republic, Kenya, Ghana, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Nepal, Hungary and Lebanon. You do not need to apply separately. Deadlines depend on the course application deadline.

• Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarships – A prestigious scholarship option available for students of Vietnam, India, USA, Canada, and countries of the European Union to study a full-time master’s program in the selected universities in Wales. These include- Bangor University, Wrexham University, Aberystwyth University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea University, the University of South Wales, Cardiff University, and Cardiff Metropolitan University. The scholarships are worth up to GBP 10,000 and are given in the form of a tuition fee discount. Deadlines vary depending on the course and university application. 

Other Scholarships-

• Marshall Scholarships – For US students with a GPA of 3.7 or above in their UG studies for admission to PG studies in the UK. Fully funded scholarship covering tuition fees, airfare, living stipend as well as additional funds for travel and books. Applications for 2025 entry are closed. 

• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships – The Charles Wallace India Trust in partnership with various UK universities offers a 10-month tenured scholarship to Indian students for postgraduate and research studies in arts, heritage, and humanity. The scholarship restricts students to be aged between 28- and 38 years granting accommodation and living costs in the UK along with a £700 contribution towards travel costs. Applications will open by the end of October. 

• Rotary Peace Fellowships – The Rotary Peace Center offers fully funded scholarships to international students to study for master’s degrees at one of their dedicated peace centers. The fellowship amount covers tuition and fees, room and boarding expenses, round-trip transportation, as well as internship and field-study expenses. The 2025-26 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is closed now and the 2026-27 application will be available online in February 2025. 

Application Process

The application process for scholarships in the UK varies depending on the type of scholarship and the awarding institution. Some scholarships may require you to fill out an application form directly from the official website of the offering institution, others may ask you to fill out an application form along with the university admission application form or some may not even ask for a separate application at all. You will directly be considered for upon admission and aligning with certain eligibility requirements. However, if you do have to fill out a separate application form, some of the common steps would include registration, submission of SOP, and other documents along with the application form. You may be required to submit an application form and attend an interview if required. 

Document Requirements 

• A completed application form
• SOP or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Academic Transcripts and Certificates
• English Language Proficiency Proof
• Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
• Proof of Financial Need
• Copy of Passport
• Portfolio (if needed)
• Essay for Scholarship
• Offer letter from the university (if needed)
• Proof of Work Experience

Conclusion

The UK is home to four of the world’s top ten universities, according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. A scholarship might just land you in one of these prestigious institutions! Stay persistent, stay curious, and make the most of the resources and tips provided. Polish those applications, highlight your unique story, and get ready to embark on an educational journey that’s as enriching as it is unforgettable.

FAQs