Funding and scholarships for International Students in the UK
For any student considering undergraduate or postgraduate studies, the UK is a very attractive proposition. It offers a host of world-recognised universities, courses and innovative teaching. However, studying in the UK doesn’t come cheaply. So, if that’s what you’d like to do you may well need some help to finance your studies and living expenses. More than 1500 UK scholarships for international students are available at the UK’s top universities, for the academic year 2023-2024.
In this article, WorldRemit will give you some information and tips, on the different types of funding and UK scholarships that are available for international students.
WorldRemit Content Team
• 6 mins read • Updated
UK government scholarships
Postgraduate government scholarships
You can apply for a postgraduate scholarship from the UK government to cover course fees and living expenses. However, students from the EU are not eligible. If you’re from Malta or Cyprus you can still apply for Commonwealth Scholarships.
Chevening Scholarship
This UK government’s global scholarship programme is awarded to outstanding students in certain eligible countries. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree. They cover tuition fees, a living allowance and an economy class return airfare to the UK, plus additional grants to cover essential expenditure.
Marshall Scholarship
These scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the UK - in any field of study. 50 scholarships are awarded each year and cover university fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse.
Scotland Saltire Scholarships
If you’re from Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan or USA and want to study a full-time master’s degree in a Scottish university, you may be eligible for a Scotland Saltire Scholarship. It covers degrees in science, technology, creative industries, healthcare and medical sciences, as well as renewable and clean energy. Each award is worth £8000 to be used towards tuition fees for one year of full time study.
Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
If you’re a student from a developing Commonwealth country who wants to pursue Master’s study in the UK, one of these scholarships may be for you. They’re funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Each one provides airfares to and from the UK, tuition and examination fees, personal maintenance allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), initial arrival allowance, among other things.
GREAT Scholarships
Would £10,000 off your tuition fees on a 1 year post-grad course be useful? Yes! Then it may be well worth applying for one of these scholarships. They’re open to students in 14 countries. In the 2023-24 academic year, 200 of these scholarships will be offered by 49 universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
British Council scholarships for women in STEM
If you’re a woman with a degree or PhD in a STEM subject, you may be able to apply for this scholarship. It’s for master's degrees, or early academic fellowships, in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics programme at a leading UK university.
Offered by the British Council in partnership with 26 UK universities, its aim is to benefit women from the Americas, South Asia, South East Asia, Egypt, Turkey and Ukraine. You’ll need a background in STEM, be able to demonstrate a need for financial support and (of course) show you’re passionate about your subject.
Global Wales Scholarships for International Students
Global Wales offers four different scholarship programmes for international students wanting to study in Wales. They’re available to students from North America, India, Vietnam and EU countries - though different scholarships have different nationality eligibility criteria.
Chevening Scholarships for postgraduate study in Wales,
Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Scholarships
Twice a year, awards are granted by the Charlie Wallace Pakistan Trust to doctoral students in certain disciplines from Pakistan. These are students who are already in the UK and who are normally in their final year, or anticipating the final year, of their PhDs, and who need additional funding to help them complete their studies.
Undergraduate government scholarships
The government doesn't offer any UK scholarships for undergraduate studies. However, scholarships for undergraduates may be offered by institutions or universities. Please read on to find out more.
UK university scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships for foreign students in the UK, both in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The best way to find them is to refer to each university’s website.
Undergraduate scholarships
There are a number of different types of undergraduate scholarships available in UK universities - academic scholarships, performance-based scholarships, subject-specific scholarships, sanctuary scholarships, disability scholarships.
The main requirements are good grades at A Level or equivalent, depending on your country. Here are just a few universities offering undergraduate scholarships for international students in the UK.
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is keen to attract the most accomplished international students each year with a number of merit-based undergraduate scholarships, such as:
The University of Bristol
Bristol University has invested £3 million in Think Big scholarships to help international students come to study Bristol in 2023. These scholarships are for undergraduate and master's applicants with overseas fee status. The scholarships available for undergraduate study are:
Postgraduate scholarships
If you’re looking for a postgraduate scholarship, you’ll find that many of the UK universities offer them in a range of different subjects. There are academic scholarships, performance-based scholarships, subject-specific scholarships, sanctuary scholarships, and disability scholarships.
The main requirements are a good undergraduate degree and attaining a high academic level. Here are just a few universities offering postgraduate scholarships for international students in the UK.
The University of London
London University offers a whole host of scholarships for postgraduate studies - it’s worth visiting their website here.
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex offers Master’s scholarships for international students - you can search here.
For a more comprehensive listing of universities offering postgraduate funding for international students, visit this very useful site.
Home country scholarships
You’ll find that there may well be scholarships offered by your own government to study in the UK. You can check with your home country's local government or council website, or call them. There may also be exchange programs and partnerships with universities available.
How to apply for a scholarship in the UK?
Here are some tips on how to apply for scholarship in the UK:
Make sure you start doing your research early - possibly one or two years in advance, so you don’t miss the deadlines for submissions
Check requirements and criterias asked for by the government, university and institution offering the scholarship
There will be deadlines set for application - so check those early
Make sure you have everything in place for your application - letter of references, relevant documents, translated degrees, language certifications, etc.
Submit your application
Living abroad and sending money home
So, we’ve looked at finding a scholarship to study in the UK - but if you make the move to study, there will be other things to consider when moving. You may even be considering a move to study in another country. If so, don’t forget to check out our blog for more resources and guides to living abroad, and how your family may be able to send money to support you with WorldRemit.
UK scholarships for International Students: FAQs
Can international students get full scholarships in the UK?
Yes. You can apply for fully funded scholarships and realise your dream of studying at one of the UK's (and the world’s) top universities such as; University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College, University of Stirling, University of Bristol, University of London, and many more.
Is IELTS required for UK scholarships?
Some institutions might ask for IELTS or other types of language certification. You may be exempt from taking one of these tests if your home country is English speaking.
Which university in the UK is free for international students?
Most UK universities will have tuition-fees. However, you can get a full funded scholarships dedicated to international students which will reduce significantly the cost of studying in the UK.
The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.
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