With inflation reaching an alarming peak of 10.4% in 2023, seeking abroad education in the UK for students tends to get difficult. If you’re an international student dreaming of studying at the best university in the United Kingdom, the tuition fees can become a roadblock. However, the UK government offers a range of generous scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for foreign students. In this guide, we’ll explore some top UK government scholarships for international students to help you fulfil your study abroad dreams!
| Scholarship | Award Value | Eligible Countries | Degree Level |
| Chevening | Fully Funded | Chevening Countries | Masters, Some UG/PhD |
| Saltire | £8,000 | Canada, China, India, Japan, Pakistan, USA | Masters |
| Global Wales | Up to £10,000 | Vietnam, India, USA, EU | Masters |
| GREAT | Up to £10,000 | Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam | Masters |
| Commonwealth | Variable, Fully Funded | Developing Commonwealth Countries | Masters |
Top 5 UK Government Scholarships For International Students:
Many funding options are available for students studying in the UK. We have shortlisted the best 5 UK government scholarships for international students to go for studies in the United Kingdom.
1. Chevening Scholarships:
Chevening Scholarships is the UK government’s global scholarship programme. These scholarships are awarded to deserving students from Chevening-eligible countries around the world. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree.
- Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, a specific living allowance, an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional benefits to cover essential expenses.
- These scholarships are fully funded. Part-time courses, distance learning programmes, courses with less than nine months of duration & more than 12 months, PhD or DPhil, and taught with more than one month of study outside the UK are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Chevening scholarships cover the full cost of studying for a Master’s degree in the UK, up to £18,000.
2. Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships:
The Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship is amongst the popularly known UK government scholarships for international students. The Scottish Government collaborated with Scottish universities to offer these scholarship opportunities to students from Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan and the USA to study full-time master’s degrees in Scottish universities.
- The acceptable fields of study include science, technology, creative industries, healthcare and medical sciences, and renewable and clean energy.
- The award amounts to £8000, which will be used for the tuition fees for one year of full-time studies.
3. Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarships For International Students:
The Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship programme offers a brilliant opportunity for international students aiming to study in the United Kingdom,
The programme provides scholarships worth up to £10,000 to international students from Vietnam, India, the USA and EU countries for a full-time masters programme in Wales.
4. GREAT Scholarships:
The GREAT Scholarships offer financial grants to students coming from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.
The programme offers financial aid of up to £10,000 to cover their tuition fees for one-year postgraduate courses.
5. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships :
The Commonwealth Scholarships are primarily meant for students from developing Commonwealth countries. This programme offers financial assistance to students pursuing master’s in the UK.
These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The grant offered is variable. However, the scholarship programme provides a return airfare to and from the UK, tuition and exam fees, personal allowance and thesis grants (if applicable in case of research programmes).
General Documents For UK Scholarships:
While the eligibility requirements for different types of scholarships can vary, the list of documents needed remains mostly common. Here is a list of the documents required to get UK scholarships:
- Completed scholarship application form
- Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Proof of English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS/TOEFL scores)
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Copy of passport
- Proof of financial resources to cover living expenses in the UK
- Portfolio or samples of work (for creative/arts scholarships)
- Proof of extracurricular activities and achievements
Factors Affecting Top UK Scholarships:
UK Scholarships are granted to students who fulfil the eligibility criteria. Some crucial factors that greatly influence these top scholarships include:
- Extracurricular Activities
- Research and Publications
- Financial Need
- Alignment with Scholarship Objectives
- Recommendations and References
- Unique Qualifications
These were some of the popularly known UK government scholarships for international students. With funding opportunities covering tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, and more, eligible international students can leverage a chance to study abroad.
FAQs
1. Can international students get full scholarships in the UK?
Yes, there are fully funded scholarships to study in the UK for international students.
2. How can I get 100% scholarship in UK?
The University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and other offers UK universities offer 100% scholarships.
3. Do Indian students get scholarships in the UK?
GREAT Scholarships is available for Indian students to study in the UK.
4. How much percentage is required for a scholarship in the UK?
Around 60-80% is required on average for scholarships in the UK.
5. Is 7.5 a good IELTS score for a scholarship?
An IELTS 7.5 score is a good score. However, the eligibility criteria for different scholarships can vary.
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