Can International Students Get Scholarships For UK Universities?

The UK is home to various world-ranking universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College, and Imperial College. Due to its high-quality education, students worldwide prefer the UK for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD education. However, studying in an expensive country such as the UK can be financially challenging, so students are compelled to ask, “Do UK universities offer scholarships to international students?”. 

Well, to the surprise of many, the answer is yes. Being an international student, you can effortlessly get a scholarship in the UK based on your academic background, original country, and chosen university. This blog briefly focuses on different available scholarships in the UK and their eligibility. 

Different Types of Scholarships Available in the UK

Here are the different types of scholarships available in the UK: 

Government-Funded Scholarships

The UK government offers different types of scholarships to attract talented individuals from all around the world. Here are some of them: 

• Chevening Scholarships: These scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign Office and awarded to students willing to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK. 

• Commonwealth Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to low—and middle-income Commonwealth countries and cover master’s and PhD studies. 

• GREAT Scholarships: These scholarships are offered to UK universities across various subjects. Moreover, it covers £10,000 in tuition fees for postgraduate students from India, China, and Nigeria. 

• Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students from different countries studying in Scottish universities. 

University-Specific Scholarships

Most UK universities offer different scholarships to international students, such as merit-based, need-based, or nationality-focused. 

• University of Oxford (Clarendon Fund): This scholarship covers tuition fees and living costs for students studying in all academic disciplines. 

• University of Cambridge (Gates Cambridge): This scholarship offers full-cost coverage to international students to enhance their academic and leadership potential. 

• Imperial College London (Imperial Bursary): This scholarship offers £5000 annually to cover the housing costs of international students. 

Subject-Specific Scholarship

Some universities in the UK also offer scholarships in specific subjects to gather talent in a field in one place. Here are the prominent ones: 

• Rhodes Scholarship: This scholarship funds postgraduate studies at Oxford to facilitate students in disciplines like the humanities and social sciences. 

• STEM Scholarships: These scholarships cover institutions like Imperial College London to facilitate students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Private and International Scholarships

Some private organisations, foundations, and international bodies also offer scholarships in the UK, such as: 

• British Council Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to support women’s education in STEM by investing in initiatives like StudyUK. 

• Felix Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to Indian students. They efficiently cover financial needs, tuition fees, and living costs at selected universities. 

• Marshall Scholarships: These scholarships are granted to Americans to fund postgraduate studies at any UK university. 

• Fulbright Program: This is a US Government-funded scholarship that focuses on educational exchange programs, offering grants to students, scholars, and professionals.

Applying for these scholarships requires a completed application form, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. You can consult the best essay writing support to get a well-written personal essay and secure a desired UK scholarship. 

What Do These Scholarships Cover?

Every scholarship varies, whether it’s government-funded, university-specific, or subject-specific. Some scholarships might cover the full tuition fees, and some might cover a partial portion. Some might include living expenses, some might not. Some might offer an annual stipend, and some might offer a monthly stipend. Moreover, some may also include travel allowances, research support, and visa-related support. 

Who Is Eligible?

The eligibility criteria of each scholarship are different. Here are the common requirements in UK scholarships: 

• Academic Excellence: Students with high grades in their last qualification.  

• Language Skills: Students with a strong grip on the English language, i.e., high bands in IELTS or TOEFL. 

• Meetings Requirements: Students who are meeting visa and residency requirements in the UK. 

• Financial Need: Students with a lower pay scale range. 

• Extracurricular Skills: Students with leadership skills demonstrated through their voluntary work and contributions.

Final Thoughts

Studying in an educationally rich country like the UK is a dream for every international student. However, due to their high tuition fees, travel and living expenses, various students leave their pursuit of studying in the UK. Well, all is not lost. International students can also get excellent scholarships to continue their studies in the UK. You must adhere to various requirements in order to secure a preferred UK scholarship. 

Moreover, if you’re struggling to write a top-notch personal essay, you can consult professional essay writers in the UK. They will craft your required essay in no time.