Getting a Scholarship to Study in the UK costs s between £22,000 and £50,000 or more per year for international students when tuition fees and living expenses are combined. For most international students, that figure makes scholarship funding not just desirable but essential. The good news is that the UK’s scholarship landscape is one of the most developed in the world — with hundreds of government-funded, university-funded, and foundation-funded awards available to students from virtually every country.
The challenge is that these awards are competitive, early-closing, and each has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and strategic requirements. Getting a scholarship to study in the UK is not just about being an excellent student. It is about identifying the right scholarship for your profile, understanding what each award is looking for, and submitting an application that makes a compelling case within specific constraints.
This guide covers every major scholarship route, what each requires, and how to approach the application process strategically.
The Four Main Categories of UK Scholarship
Before looking at specific awards, understanding the four main funding sources helps you identify where your strongest opportunities sit.
Government-funded scholarships. The UK government funds several major scholarship programmes — Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT — that operate internationally. These are typically the most prestigious and the most competitive, and most are aimed at postgraduate students.
University-specific scholarships. Almost every UK university runs its own scholarship programme for international students. These range from automatic tuition fee discounts for high-achieving applicants to fully funded awards for exceptional candidates. University scholarships exist at undergraduate as well as postgraduate level.
Foundation and sector scholarships. Independent foundations, professional associations, charitable trusts, and corporations fund scholarships targeting specific nationalities, subjects, or backgrounds. These are less well-known but often less competitive than major government awards.
Research funding and studentships. For PhD and research master’s students, fully funded research studentships — covering fees and a living stipend — are offered through universities, the UK Research Councils (UKRI), and individual research projects. These are the primary funding route for doctoral study.
Chevening Scholarships — The UK Government’s Flagship Programme
Chevening is the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential and strong academic backgrounds. The scholarships offer full financial support to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university.
Chevening covers full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, travel costs to and from the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, and the cost of one visa application.
Key facts for 2026:
- Available to students from approximately 160 countries and territories
- For one-year master’s degrees only — not undergraduate or PhD
- Requires at least two years of work experience after undergraduate graduation
- Applications for 2026–27 are now closed; the next cycle typically opens in August 2026 and closes in early October 2026
- You must receive an unconditional offer from at least one of your course choices by 9 July 2026
What the selection is based on: Chevening selects scholars based on four criteria: leadership and influence, networking ability, relationship with the UK, and commitment to returning to their home country after studying. Academic excellence is a threshold requirement — not the primary selection criterion. The essays and interview carry enormous weight.
The common mistake: Most unsuccessful applicants focus their application on academic achievement. Chevening is looking for future leaders who will return home and make a positive impact. Every essay answer should be framed around this.
Commonwealth Scholarships — For Low and Middle-Income Countries
The Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK. They are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Available for master’s and PhD studies
- Open to citizens of Commonwealth countries in the developing world — not high-income Commonwealth countries
- Covers tuition fees, living costs, flights, and an arrival allowance
- Selection focuses on academic excellence and commitment to development in the home country
Commonwealth Scholarships are advertised through national nominating agencies in each eligible country. Applications are submitted to the nominating agency in your country — not directly to the scholarship commission. Check with your national nominating agency for current deadlines.
GREAT Scholarships — University Partnerships with the British Council
GREAT Scholarships are scholarships to UK universities across a variety of subjects, for students from 18 countries. Applications for 2026–27 are open.
Each GREAT Scholarship provides a minimum of £10,000 toward one year of postgraduate study at a participating UK university. Unlike Chevening, GREAT Scholarships are awarded jointly by the British Council and the participating university — each institution sets its own additional eligibility and selection criteria.
Eligible countries include China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, and others — check the British Council website for the current full list.
The application process requires you to apply to the scholarship through the university’s own admissions portal, alongside your programme application. Deadlines vary by institution — check each university’s GREAT Scholarship page individually.
University Scholarships — The Largest Pool of Funding
University scholarships represent the most diverse and most accessible scholarship landscape for international students. Most UK universities have their own scholarship programmes to support international students, ranging from automatic merit-based tuition discounts to competitive fully funded awards.
Some of the most significant university scholarships include:
Clarendon Scholarship — University of Oxford. One of Oxford’s most prestigious scholarships, covering course fees and a living grant for students from any country studying at Oxford at postgraduate level. Highly competitive and based on academic excellence.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Funded by the Gates Foundation, covering all costs for study at the University of Cambridge at postgraduate level (master’s, PhD, or other postgraduate programme). Open to all nationalities outside the UK.
Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford. One of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarship programmes, covering all costs for two or three years at Oxford. Open to students from specific countries. Selection based on intellectual ability, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships. Edinburgh offers a range of scholarships for international postgraduate students across subjects, administered through the university’s own application system.
Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships. Full fee waivers for PhD students at the University of Warwick — available competitively to international applicants.
Most universities also offer partial scholarships — merit-based tuition fee discounts of £2,000 to £10,000 — that are awarded automatically to qualifying applicants based on academic grades. These are not advertised as prominently as fully funded awards but are significantly more accessible. Always check the international scholarships page of every university you apply to.
Research Funding for PhD Students
For doctoral study, fully funded studentships are the norm rather than the exception at research-intensive UK universities. These are funded through:
- UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) — the main public funding body for research in the UK. UKRI funds PhD studentships through its councils (EPSRC, AHRC, ESRC, MRC, BBSRC, and others) allocated to specific universities and research projects.
- University doctoral training partnerships — groups of universities receiving block grant funding to offer fully funded PhD places in specific subject areas
- Individual research grants — where a principal investigator has received research funding that includes PhD studentship positions
Most UKRI-funded PhD studentships are available only to UK and settled residents — not to international students. However, a proportion of funded PhD places at most universities are available to international students, funded through university endowments or research grants. Contact the relevant department directly for current funded PhD availability for international applicants.
Read also- hardest universities to get into uk
Sector and Foundation Scholarships
Several smaller but genuinely accessible scholarship sources are worth researching alongside the major programmes.
- Charles Wallace Trust — for students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar studying arts, heritage, and culture in the UK
- Saltire Scholarships (Scotland) — for students from Canada, China, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the USA studying at Scottish universities, worth £8,000
- Scotland’s Saltire and other devolved scholarships — Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each fund specific scholarship programmes for international students studying at institutions in their nation
- Professional associations — many professional bodies (law, engineering, medicine, accountancy) fund scholarships for students entering their discipline. Research the professional association for your intended career field.
- Corporate scholarships — multinational companies operating in your home country sometimes fund scholarships for students from that country studying a relevant subject in the UK
For Chevening Scholarship eligibility and application guidance, check: Chevening — apply for a scholarship
How to Maximise Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
Getting a UK scholarship requires more than being academically qualified. These are the strategies that make the difference between a strong application and a successful one.
Start early and apply to multiple awards simultaneously. Major scholarships like Chevening open in August and close in October for study starting the following September. University deadlines vary but many close in January or February. Building a scholarship application calendar 12 to 18 months before your intended start date is not excessive — it is the only realistic way to apply to multiple awards without rushing any of them.
Understand what each scholarship is actually selecting for. Chevening selects leaders. Commonwealth selects committed development contributors. University merit scholarships select high academic achievers. Each application should be framed specifically for what that scholarship values — not recycled from a previous application.
Tailor every essay to the specific scholarship criteria. Generic scholarship essays about “my passion for education” and “wanting to make a difference” are the most common failure mode. The strongest applications are specific — specific about the problem the applicant plans to address, the skills they need from this particular study programme, and the impact they will produce after returning home.
Secure a university offer before applying to major scholarships. Chevening, GREAT, and many other scholarships require you to have applied to (and ideally received an offer from) your chosen UK universities before or during the scholarship application. Apply to your universities in parallel with your scholarship applications, not after.
Get strong references. Most scholarship applications require two or three references who can speak to your academic ability, professional achievement, and leadership potential. Choose referees who know you well enough to write with specific examples — not just senior people whose names look impressive.
Use Find Study for application support. Find Study helps students identify the scholarships they are most likely to be competitive for, supports the essay writing and application process, and ensures deadlines are managed across multiple simultaneous applications. Contact us to discuss your profile and scholarship options.
For the British Council’s full scholarship database, check: Study UK British Council — scholarships and funding
Conclusion
Getting a scholarship to study in the UK is achievable with the right preparation and the right strategy — but it requires starting early, understanding what each award is looking for, and building a tailored application rather than a generic one. Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT, and university-specific scholarships collectively fund thousands of international students in the UK every year. The students who succeed are not always the most academically exceptional — they are the ones who have researched the award, understood the selection criteria, and built an application that answers the scholarship committee’s actual question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a university offer before applying for a scholarship?
For Chevening, you must have applied to at least three eligible UK universities as part of your scholarship application, and must receive an unconditional offer from at least one by July. GREAT Scholarships are applied for through the university itself, so an application to the programme is required simultaneously. Most university scholarships are assessed alongside your programme application.
When should I apply for UK scholarships?
Most major UK scholarships open between August and November for courses starting the following September. Chevening applications typically open in August and close in early October. University scholarship deadlines are often aligned with or just after UCAS deadlines — January to March for most institutions. Start researching 12 to 18 months before your intended start date and build a scholarship calendar with all relevant deadlines.
Can I get a fully funded scholarship to study in the UK?
Yes — Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon, and Rhodes scholarships all provide full funding covering tuition, living costs, and travel. These are highly competitive. GREAT Scholarships provide a minimum of £10,000 toward postgraduate study at a participating university. PhD studentships at research-intensive universities often include full funding for both fees and a living stipend.
