Top UK scholarships for international students
The UK is famous for its high-quality education. But for many international students, the fees and living costs are a real obstacle.
The good news? The UK government and universities offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and financial aid. These help outstanding students fund their studies. So if you dream of studying in the UK, you may have more options than you think.
Here are some of the main scholarships open to international students.
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government’s global scholarship programme. It helps emerging leaders and decision-makers from eligible countries complete a one-year master’s degree in the UK.
The award is fully funded. This means recipients can focus entirely on their studies and professional development. The selection process takes around eight to nine months, and the strongest candidates are chosen after an interview.
Applications usually open in early August and close in early October each year. Check the official Chevening website for the current dates and your country’s eligibility criteria.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships help talented, motivated students gain the skills to support sustainable development. They are offered each year to students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
You can apply for PhD, master’s and distance-learning study. Applicants are assessed on academic merit and on the potential impact of their study plan back home.
GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council. They support students from selected countries who need financial help to study in the UK.
Each award is worth at least £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate taught course. More than 140 scholarships are available across 60-plus universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Eligible countries and participating universities change every year. So always check the Study UK GREAT Scholarships page for the current list. Each university sets its own deadline, usually between February and May.
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
The Saltire Scholarships are offered by the Scottish government together with Scottish universities. They support postgraduate master’s study in fields such as science, technology, creative industries, healthcare and medical sciences, and clean energy.
The goal is to attract new international students to Scotland. For that reason, they are not usually open to students who have studied there before. Always check the current eligible countries and terms, as these can change.
Government schemes are not your only option. Many top UK universities run their own generous scholarships for international students. It’s worth searching the funding pages of any university you like. Don’t miss the chance to lower the cost of your studies.
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