Studying in the UK can be more accessible with the right scholarships. Below are some of the most prestigious and generous funding opportunities that international students could explore:
1. Government & Global Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
Fully funded one-year master’s scholarships covering tuition, travel, and living costs. For individuals with leadership potential and strong academics. Take IELTS - Commonwealth Scholarships
Targeted at students from Commonwealth countries, offering fully funded master’s and PhD awards, including fees, stipend, airfare, and research grants. Admission TimesNursing Abroad - GREAT Scholarships
Funded by the UK’s GREAT Britain Campaign and British Council, offering around £10,000 toward tuition for master’s programs. Available for students from selected countries. Take IELTSScholarships for Development
2. University-Specific Awards
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship (University of Cambridge)
Covers full tuition, a £20k annual stipend, flights, visa fees, and discretionary funding for postgraduate and PhD candidates. swiftscholarshipsUniversitioWikipedia - Clarendon Fund (University of Oxford)
Automatic consideration for graduate applicants—covers full fees, college charges, and includes a living grant (~£15k–£18k). WikipediaCGSS - Weidenfeld–Hoffmann Scholarships (Oxford)
Supports emerging leaders from developing economies. Full funding for graduate studies at Oxford. Wikipedia - Jardine Scholarships (Oxford & Cambridge)
For students from select Asian countries, offering full tuition, stipend, insurance, and return airfare. Wikipedia - Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust
Awards around 400 scholarships annually to international students at Cambridge, focusing on tuition and sometimes living costs. Wikipedia - University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships
Includes generous PhD funding (~£24k/year tuition difference) and up to £50,000 for doctoral study in selected areas. swiftscholarships - University-Specific Scholarships Elsewhere
- Imperial College London: President’s PhD Scholarship
- University of Manchester: Global Futures Scholarship (£5k–£8k/year)
- King’s College London: Hardship and merit-based funds
- University of Bristol: Think Big Scholarships (£5k–£20k tuition discounts)
- University of Warwick: Chancellor’s International Scholarship (PhD tuition + £18,750 stipend)
- University of Sussex: Chancellor’s International Scholarships (~50% fee reduction)
FullyFundedScholarship.orgScholarships for Development
- Other Scholarship Highlights
- UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarships: Up to full tuition + £15,000/year maintenance for undergraduates from low-income backgrounds. CGSS
- GEMS Scholarship (University of Stirling): £2,000 annual fee reduction for undergraduates. scholarshiproar.com
- Goldsmiths International Response Scholarship: Covers tuition and accommodation (~£8,825/year). scholarshiproar.com
- Dundee Global Excellence Scholarships: £5,000 toward postgraduate tuition. scholarshiproar.com
- Joint Japan–World Bank Graduate Scholarship: Fully funded master’s at LSE for students from developing countries. Amberstudent
- Rotary Peace Fellowships: Fully funded master’s/PhD for students studying in the UK, USA, and other countries. scholarshiproar.com
- Sidney Perry Foundation: Grants for international students in need. Wikipedia
Summary of Top Scholarships
| Scholarship | Coverage | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT | Full tuition & living expenses | Master’s / PhD |
| Gates Cambridge, Clarendon, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann, Jardine | Full tuition + living stipend | Postgraduate |
| University-specific (Manchester, Warwick, Bristol, etc.) | Partial to full tuition waivers | UG/PG |
| UCL, Stirling, Goldsmiths, Dundee | Tuition + stipend or housing | UG / PG |
| Joint Japan–World Bank, Rotary Peace | Full funding + living expenses | PG |
| Sidney Perry Foundation | Partial support for need-based | UG / PG |
Learn More
For insights into UK study costs and budgeting, check out:
👉 Cost of Studying in the UK: Tuition Fees, Living Expenses, and More
Final Thoughts
UK scholarships offer life-changing support for talented international students. Whether you’re looking for full funding or partial tuition relief, options like Chevening, Gates Cambridge, and university-specific awards are worth every effort.