It’s the middle of the day. You’re enjoying an afternoon siesta when you have a dream. You’re on 221B Baker Street, London, about to meet Sherlock. But the alarm rings, waking you up at your study desk, preparing to grab your postgraduate scholarship in the UK. Pursuing postgraduation in the UK is a dream framed by centuries of academic excellence and a vibrant cultural life.
The moment you look at international tuition fees with the high cost of living in cities like London or Cambridge, you’re bound to wake up from the dream. But your dream can become a reality with a fully funded master’s scholarship in the UK. According to HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), a whopping 685,565 international students enrolled in UK higher education institutions in the academic year 2024-2025. This blog will shed light on the most prestigious postgraduate scholarships in the UK to help you strategically plan your application journey.
Top 10 Postgraduate Scholarships In The UK: An Overview
| Scholarship | Level | Coverage | Key Eligibility | Application Deadline |
| Chevening | Master’s | Fully Funded | 2,800 hrs post-grad work experience2-year return home rule | Closed for 2026; Opens Aug 2026 for 2027 |
| Commonwealth | Master’s / PhD | Fully Funded | Commonwealth citizenProven financial inability 2:1 degree | Closed for 2026; Opens Sept 2026 for 2027 |
| GREAT | Master’s | £10,000+ | Eligible passport holder | March – May 2026 (varies by uni) |
| British Council Women in STEM | Master’s | Fully Funded | Women from eligible countriesSTEM degree | March – May 2026 (varies by uni) |
| Gates Cambridge | Master’s / PhD | Fully Funded | Non-UK citizenExceptional academic meritLeadership | Closed for 2026; Opens Sept 2026 for 2027 |
| Rhodes | Master’s / PhD | Fully Funded | Age 18-23First-class Honours (GPA > 3.7) | Closed for 2026; Opens June 2026 for 2027 |
| Felix | Master’s / PhD | Fully Funded | Indian/developing country citizenFirst-class degree | Closed for 2026; Opens June 2026 for 2027 |
| Clarendon | Master’s / PhD | Fully Funded | First-class degree (GPA > 3.7) | Closed for 2026; Opens Sept 2026 for 2027 |
| Imperial College PhD | PhD | Fully Funded | First-class UK degree equivalent | Rolling / Varies by department |
| Warwick Chancellor’s | PhD | Fully Funded | International student | Closed for 2026; Opens late 2026 for 2027 |
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🔍 Find Your Student Home in the UKDetailed Breakdown of the Top 10 Postgraduate Scholarships In The UK
1. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is funded by the UK government. It’s a fully-funded award for 1-year master’s degrees in the UK. It covers full tuition with a £22,000 cap for MBAs, a monthly stipend, and travel costs. The eligibility for the 2026-2027 intake requires at least 2,800 hours of work experience and a commitment to return to their home country for a minimum of 2 years post graduation. The selection process requires 4 specific essays on leadership, networking, and career planning. It is one of the most sought-after postgraduate scholarships in the UK, preparing future leaders and key decision-makers who wish to bring a positive change to their home countries.
| What’s Covered? | Full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, return economy flights, and grants to attend networking events. |
| Eligibility Criteria | • Must be a citizen of an eligible country and legally commit to returning home for at least two years immediately after the scholarship ends.• Must have at least 2,800 hours of work experience gained strictly after undergraduate graduation.• Must apply to three different eligible UK university courses and secure an unconditional offer by mid-July. |
| Deadline | Applications for the 2026-2027 intake are closed. The window for the 2027-2028 academic year opens in August 2026. |
| How to apply? | Visit the Chevening portal to apply & find the specific award for your country of citizenship.Check eligibility to ensure you have an undergraduate degree, 2800 hours of work experience and a return-home plan.Choose your course by picking 3 different eligible one-year Master’s courses at UK universities.Complete the online portal requirements – 4 specific essays on leadership and career goals.If shortlisted, prepare for an in-person interview with 2 professional references and academic transcripts.Finalise an offer from one of your 3 chosen UK courses by the July deadline. |
Wanna know more about more postgraduate scholarships in the UK? Explore this Reddit link and find answers from students on some lesser-known scholarships.
UK Postgrad Scholarships other than Chevening? – r/phmigrate
2. Commonwealth Scholarship
To date, over 31,000 people have taken up Commonwealth Scholarships since the first group of 175 Scholars arrived in the UK in 1960. The Commonwealth Scholarship is a development-focused award, which means that the applicants need to align their studies with development themes like ‘strengthening health systems’ or ‘resilience and response to crises’. Unlike other scholarships, you cannot apply directly to the Commission; you must be nominated by a National Nominating Agency in your home country or a specific invited NGO. The award covers full tuition fee and a monthly stipend (approx. £1,347 to £1,652).
| What’s Covered? | Approved tuition fees, airfare, a living maintenance allowance, a warm clothing allowance, and thesis grants. |
| Eligibility Criteria | • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country.• You must explicitly prove that you are unable to afford to study in the UK without this specific funding.• Must hold a first-class or upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree. |
| Deadline | The 2026-2027 intake is closed. Applications for the next academic year will open around September 2026. |
| How to apply? | Apply via the Commonwealth portal and identify which specific award types are open to your region.Align with a theme that fits into one of the six priority development themes, like ‘science and technology for development’.To begin the nomination process, contact the National Nominating Agency or an eligible NGO in your home country.List 3 potential institutions in your scholarship application to secure admission offers.Complete the official CSC application form.Finalise your application through your local nominating body, which will officially recommend you to the CSC for final selection. |
3. GREAT Scholarship
The GREAT Scholarship is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council. GREAT Scholarships offer students from 18 countries the opportunity to receive £10,000 towards their tuition fees for a one-year taught postgraduate course. This is a partial scholarship, which excludes living stipends, flights, and visa costs, which means the applicants need to prove that they can self-fund their remaining expenses. For the 2026-2027 intake, applicants are required to secure an admission offer from one of the 60+ participating UK institutions before applying for the award through that university’s portal. Candidates are selected based on academic merit and their willingness to serve as ambassadors of GREAT, which means representing the UK higher education sector at a global scale.
| What’s Covered? | A minimum of £10,000 towards your tuition fees for a one-year course. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must be a passport holder from an eligible country, have an undergraduate degree, and meet the specific university’s strict English language requirements. |
| Deadline | Deadlines are specific to each participating university, generally falling between March and May 2026 for the upcoming intake. |
| How to apply? | Visit the GREAT scholarship to ensure your passport country is one of the eligible nations for the current cycle. Filter from 60+ participating UK institutions to find an award for your specific country.Apply and receive a formal offer for a 1-year postgraduate course from your chosen university. Apply for the scholarship directly through the university’s portal following their specific application instructions. Submit scholarship-specific requirements like an essay.Confirm funding in case of selection. |
4. British Council Women in STEM Scholarship
A fully-funded award, the British Council Women in STEM scholarship is designed to narrow the gender gap in science and technology by supporting women from over 30 countries who are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. For the 2026-2027 intake, up to 90 scholarships are available. Each award is valued at a minimum of £40,000, covering full tuition, monthly stipends, travel expenses, visa costs, and health insurance. This scholarship is meant for specific one-year master’s programmes at a selected group of universities in the UK.
| What’s Covered? | Full tuition fees, living stipend, travel costs, visa fees, health coverage, and special support for mothers. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must be a woman from an eligible country, demonstrate financial need, and have an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. |
| Deadline | Deadlines vary by host university, typically falling between March and April 2026. |
| How to apply? | Visit STEM Scholarship to find the specific UK universities partnered with your region. Confirm your citizenship from the eligible regions like South Asia, East Asia, or the USA. Select a STEM programme from the list provided by the participating universities. Apply directly to the partner university for the chosen course and secure an admission offer. Fill out the separate applications via the university portal.If in, the university will coordinate with you. |
5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
One of the most prestigious international awards, the GATES Cambridge Scholarship provides approximately 80 fully funded scholarships annually for postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. If you’re into research, then this award is perfect for you, as it prioritises research where roughly two-thirds of the awards are reserved for PhD students. The funding covers — full university fees, annual maintenance allowance, and airfare. The selection is based on four criteria — intellectual ability, justification for the course, leadership potential, and a documented commitment to improving others’ lives.
| What’s Covered? | University composition fee, maintenance allowance, one economy single airfare, and inbound visa costs. |
| Eligibility Criteria | • Open to citizens of any country outside the UK.• You must secure a departmental nomination from Cambridge, requiring an outstanding academic transcript.• You are strictly evaluated on four pillars: outstanding intellectual ability, justified choice of course, proven commitment to improving the lives of others, and capacity for leadership. |
| Deadline | Closed for the 2026-2027 intake. Applications for 2027-2028 will open in September 2026. |
| How to apply? | Apply for admission through the University of Cambridge Graduate Admissions portal. Within the university application, fill out the specific section to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Submit a 500-word essay as per the scholarship’s criteria.Submit a specific Gates Cambridge funding reference that expresses your leadership and social commitment. If shortlisted, attend the interview before the final selection. |
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🔍 Find Accommodation Near University of Cambridge6. Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, well known for its ‘Character, Service and Leadership’ framework, is a fully-funded postgraduate award for 2 or more years of study at the University of Oxford. The award covers complete fees with an additional monthly stipend of £1,700 (£20,400 per annum) for living expenses, visa fees, International Health Surcharge, and two economy flights. The Rhodes Scholarship application process is divided into specific geographic regions, such as India, West Africa, or Global. Each region has its own strict eligibility and deadline rules. The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders and promoting international understanding and peace through an international community of scholars.
| What’s Covered? | All university and college fees, the university application fee, a living stipend, and two economy-class flights. |
| Eligibility Criteria | • Age: Highly restricted. Generally aged 18–23 on October 1st of the application year.• Residency: Must have undertaken formal study at an educational institution in your constituency for at least 4 of the last 10 years.• Academic: Must have a First Class Honours Degree (or a GPA of at least 3.7/4.0). |
| Deadline | Closed for the 2026 intake. Applications for the 2027 intake open around June 2026. |
| How to apply? | Complete the application via the Rhodes Trust portal and provide your academic transcripts and proof of citizenship. Write a 750-word essay on your character, leadership and how you intend to use the scholarship for the betterment of mankind.Secure 5-8 referees, out of which 3 must be academic, who can speak to your character, leadership, and intellectual ability. If shortlisted, you’re required to attend a final interview with the selection committee in your home constituency. |
7. Felix Scholarship
The Felix Scholarship is specifically intended for high-achieving underprivileged candidates from India and other developing countries, for postgraduate study. This scholarship is for 3 institutions in the UK — University of Oxford, University of Reading, and University of London. As an eligibility criterion for the 2026-2027 intake, Indian applicants must hold a first-class undergraduate degree from a recognised Indian university and must not have previously studied abroad for a year or more. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees, a living stipend (ranging from approx. £17,894 to £19,000 depending on the university), along with one return flight. A mandatory requirement is the proof of financial need, as the trust’s mission is to support deserving students who cannot afford a UK education. Deadlines to apply for this award typically fall between January and early March 2026, depending on which of the three universities the candidates may apply to.
| What’s Covered? | 100% of course fees, a grant for living costs, and one return flight. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must be a citizen of an eligible developing country, hold a first-class Bachelor’s degree, and not have previously studied outside your home country. |
| Deadline | Closed for 2026. The next round opens in early 2027 for the 2027/28 academic year. |
| How to apply? | Visit the Felix Scholarship portal to choose between the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and SOAS. Before the deadline, submit a formal application for a full-time PG course at 1 of the 3 partner universities. Complete the separate Felix Scholarship application through the university’s student portal (Reading or SOAS) or be considered automatically for Oxford. Provide detailed information and proof of your socioeconomic background.Ensure you are an Indian national or from another eligible developing country under the age of 30 with a first-class undergraduate degree. If selected, you’ll be called for an interview. |
8. Clarendon Scholarship
A fully-funded award, the Clarendon Scholarship at the University of Oxford is a unique kind of scholarship as it is open to all students regardless of their nationality, location, or subject. Each year, it awards about 200 new scholarships covering full course fees and a generous annual grant for living expenses to full-time and part-time DPhil and Master’s students. The best part? There is no separate application form; students are directly shortlisted by submitting their graduate course application by the relevant December or January deadline. The sole criterion for selection is based on ‘outstanding academic merit and potential’. What’s more? The scholarship offers membership to the Clarendon Scholars’ Association, a multidisciplinary community that hosts social, academic, and professional development events throughout the year.
| What’s Covered? | Fully funded tuition and college fees, plus a generous annual grant for living expenses. |
| Eligibility Criteria | • There is no separate application; you are automatically considered when applying to Oxford by the December/January deadline.• Selection is based solely on academic merit. You must possess the equivalent of a UK First-Class Honours degree.• Must demonstrate outstanding research aptitude through prizes, references, and proposals. |
| Deadline | Closed for the 2026 intake. Opens September 2026 for 2027 entry. |
| How to apply? | Choose any PhD program on the Oxford University page. Apply for your chosen course through the University of Oxford graduate admissions portal. There is no separate application form for the scholarship. By applying for your course by the deadline, you are automatically considered for the scholarship. Your academic department will nominate you to the Clarendon selection panel if your record is among the highest in your field. If selected, you will receive an official funding offer email between April and June. |
9. Imperial College PhD Scholarship
The President’s PhD Scholarship at Imperial College London is for high-performing candidates. It is a highly competitive, fully-funded award with an intent to support approximately 50 high-potential PhD students every year. The scholarship is inclusive towards both home and international students. It covers full tuition fees and a generous tax-free stipend of £25,150 per annum (at 2024-25 rates) for up to 3.5 years. The scholars get an additional £2,000 for the first three years to support research expenses like conference travel or lab equipment. A first-class UK degree (or an international equivalent) is the minimum criterion for eligibility and must secure a supervisor at Imperial College who is willing to nominate the applicant before one of the 3 annual application deadlines.
| What’s Covered? | Full tuition fees and an annual tax-free contribution to maintenance costs for 3.5 years. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have a high academic standing (usually a first-class degree or equivalent) and an unconditional or conditional offer to study for a PhD at Imperial. |
| Deadline | Rolling deadlines vary by department. |
| How to apply? | Visit the Imperial College page and filter awards by your nationality, department, and degree level Identify and contact a faculty member in your research area to discuss your proposal and confirm their willingness to supervise you. Apply for your chosen PhD program from the Imperial College online admission portal and ensure you meet the academic entry requirements. For major awards like the President’s PhD Scholarship, get a nomination from your prospective supervisor or department.Fill out the specific funding and scholarship sections within your standard application for relevant awards.Track the cut-off dates as many scholarships require applications to be submitted as early as November or January. |
10. Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarship
The Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a highly competitive, fully-funded award that covers 100% of academic fees and a monthly living stipend for up to 3.5 to 4 years. What’s unique about this scholarship is that it has a ‘single application’ system, which automatically enters you into various elite institutes like Monash-Warwick Alliance and the Faculty Chancellor’s awards. The 2026 intake is currently closed as the deadline for applications passed in December 2025. Scholars who get through receive a one-off £5,000 Research, Training and Supporting Grant (RTSG) and also get access to professional development opportunities.
| What’s Covered? | Full payment of overseas tuition fees and a maintenance stipend. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Open to any international student applying for a PhD at the University of Warwick with a stellar academic background and an exceptional research proposal. |
| Deadline | The 2026 intake is currently closed. Will reopen in late 2026 for 2027 applicants. |
| How to apply? | Choose an eligible Postgraduate Research (PGR) program from the University of Warwick Scholarship website.Apply for admission to the University of Warwick by early December 2026 to obtain your 7-digit applicant ID.Use your 7-digit ID to register your ITS applicant account. Submit the separate scholarship form through the portal by the mid-December 2026 deadline to be eligible for central funding.Submit a research proposal and ensure your academic referees submit their letters before the deadline. Expect to receive your 2027 intake funding decision by early March 2027. |
Pro Tips for Applying to Postgraduate Scholarships in the UK
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, according to HESA, a whopping 685,565 international students enrolled in UK higher education institutions in the academic year 2024-2025. This means that to be able to stand a chance among lakhs of applicants, you need some valuable tips to get a postgraduate scholarship in the UK. Keep these pro points in mind.
- Start early and track deadlines
Most of the postgraduate scholarships in the UK require applications almost a year in advance. To keep a track of a year’s record of applications, create a spreadsheet to track opening dates and deadlines to streamline your applications.
- Align your SOP with scholarship goals
Every scholarship and the college that provides it is looking for something specific. Every scholarship has an objective. Chevening focuses on leadership, Gates focuses on improving the lives of others, and so on. Write your SOP strictly targeting the objective instead of writing a generic SOP.
- Secure strong academic and professional references
Choose references who have worked closely with you. The ones who know your work ethic closely. Don’t simply go for impressive titles.
- Avoid common application mistakes
You wouldn’t want to be rejected because you failed to prove your post-graduation work experience or missed an age limit. Cross-check your eligibility criteria thoroughly.
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🔍 Explore Student Accommodation in the UKConclusion
It’s valid that you may feel daunted by the application processes for the postgraduate scholarships in the UK. But by simply respecting the timelines, having all the required documents handy, and meticulously preparing your application profile, you can bag the scholarship of your dreams. Don’t let the high figures of the fees scare you; there is a wealth of funding that’s waiting for passionate and capable students who are ready to take the plunge. If you need a starting point, begin by gathering your documents and refining your SOPs.
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