Scholarships to Study in the UK for International Students

How UK scholarships are structured

Scholarships for international students in the United Kingdom fall into two broad groups. The first is government and national schemes — funded by the UK government or its partners and open to students from many countries. The second is university scholarships — awards each institution runs for its own applicants, which vary widely from one university to another.

Most full-fee scholarships are for postgraduate (master's) study; funding for undergraduate degrees is rarer and usually comes directly from individual universities. Knowing which group an award belongs to tells you where to apply and what the eligibility looks like.

The main national scholarships

Three of the best-known UK scholarship routes are funded by the UK government or the British Council. Each has its own eligibility, application window, and selection process, so treat them as separate applications rather than a single pool.

• Chevening Scholarships — funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for a one-year taught master's; see chevening.org
• Commonwealth Scholarships — funded by the FCDO for students from eligible Commonwealth countries; see cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
• GREAT Scholarships — run by the British Council with the UK GREAT Campaign and participating universities; see britishcouncil.org

University and subject-specific scholarships

Beyond the national schemes, almost every UK university offers its own scholarships and bursaries for international students. These can be merit-based, country-specific, subject-specific, or need-aware, and the amounts range from partial fee discounts to full funding.

The most reliable way to find them is the official scholarships or funding page on each university's own website. Eligibility, value, and deadlines differ by institution and change each year, so always read the current criteria on the university's official page rather than relying on summaries elsewhere.

Eligibility is always secular and official

Legitimate scholarships set out clear, secular eligibility — typically based on academic merit, your chosen course, your country of citizenship or residence, work experience, or financial need. Read each programme's official eligibility page carefully, because criteria differ between awards and are updated every cycle.

This page is a general overview. It does not list amounts or deadlines, because those change frequently — always confirm the current figures and rules on the official programme website before you apply.

Avoid scholarship scams

Genuine scholarships never ask you to pay a fee to "secure" or "guarantee" an award, and no service can promise you a scholarship, an admission, or a visa. If someone asks for payment in exchange for a guaranteed result, treat it as a warning sign.

Apply only through the official programme website or the university's own scholarships page, and verify every detail there. When in doubt, contact the scholarship body or university directly using the contact details on their official site.