Douglas Olsen
The UK is a popular choice for students from all over the world, but studying in another country can be daunting, especially when it comes to funding your studies. The average cost of attending university and receiving a bachelor's degree for international (non-UK) students in the UK is about £22,000 per year, with fees for international students ranging from £10,000 to £38,000 per year. UK government student loans tend to be dependent on residency, so most international students are ineligible for them. However, there are still some options for financial aid for international students in the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average tuition fees for international students | £10,000 to £38,000 per year |
| Average cost of living for international students | £1,300–£1,400 per month in London; £900–£1,300 in other cities |
| Undergraduate scholarships | Offered by some universities and colleges, as well as external organisations |
| Postgraduate scholarships | More common than undergraduate scholarships; offered by universities, colleges, and external organisations |
| Student loans | Unlikely to be available from the UK government for international students; some universities may offer their own loan schemes |
| Part-time work | Allowed alongside studies; most courses allow up to 20 hours per week |
| Private grants and loans | Offered by companies and non-governmental organisations |
Scholarships
There are several scholarships available for international students in the UK, and they are offered by universities, governments, and private organisations. Here are some examples:
University Scholarships
- Cardiff University: Beacon Scholarship for financially disadvantaged students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- University College London: Denys Holland Scholarship for undergraduate students from any country who cannot secure funding without the scholarship.
- University of Oxford: Reach Oxford Scholarship for students from low-income countries who cannot study for a degree in their own countries.
- University of Westminster: Westminster Full International Scholarship for international students from developing countries.
- Sheffield Hallam University: Transform Together Scholarship for international and European Union (non-UK) students starting a full-time taught course.
Government Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships: Funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office for postgraduate courses.
- Marshall Scholarships: For American students looking to study in the UK.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: For students from Commonwealth countries, usually awarded to postgraduate students.
Private Organisation Scholarships
- Fulbright Commission: Grants aid to students worldwide.
- World Council of Churches: Offers aid to students worldwide.
- World Health Organization: Provides aid to students all over the world.
It is important to note that scholarships are highly competitive and often have strict eligibility criteria. Students are advised to research and apply for scholarships early, as they are not guaranteed. Additionally, undergraduate scholarships are rarer than postgraduate scholarships.
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Student loans
If you are an international non-EU student, it is unlikely that you will be able to get a student loan from the UK government. However, some universities create their own loan schemes for talented students from low-income backgrounds, which may include non-EU students. Contact the university you are interested in attending to find out if they have a loan scheme and what the eligibility requirements are.
Scholarships
Scholarships are the most common form of funding for international students. They are usually awarded based on academic ability, potential, or talent in another area, like sports or music. Scholarships may cover tuition fees in full, reduce them, or contribute to living costs. They are highly competitive and often aimed at postgraduate students, but undergraduate scholarships are also available.
- The University of Oxford offers Reach Oxford scholarships to students from low-income countries who are unable to study for a degree in their own country. The scholarship covers tuition and college fees, a grant for living expenses, and one return airfare per year for 3 or 4 years.
- University College London offers the Denys Holland Scholarship, worth £9,000 per year for three years, to undergraduate students who can demonstrate their intention to make full use of the activities offered by the university.
- Cardiff University offers the Beacon Scholarship to financially disadvantaged students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda who are looking to study a 3-4 year undergraduate course (excluding medicine). Tuition and maintenance fees are split three ways, with a third coming from the university, a third from Beacon, and a third from the scholar's family or sponsors.
- The University of Westminster offers the Westminster Full International Scholarship, which includes full tuition fee waivers, accommodation, living expenses, and flights to and from London, to international students from developing countries.
Other Sources of Funding
There are also other sources of funding available to international students, such as private grants and loans from companies and non-governmental organisations. These often come with conditions, such as requiring students to work for the company once they have completed their degree.
Your home country may also be a source of funding, either from the local government or from companies based in your home country. Funding from your home country may require you to return home after your studies to work.
International organisations such as the Fulbright Commission, World Council of Churches, and World Health Organization also grant aid to students all over the world. Many of these require you to be in your home country when you apply.
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Private grants
If you're considering a private grant or loan, always read the agreement before you sign it. Private loans often come with repayment time limits and interest. Some companies will offer a loan on the condition that you work for them once you've graduated.
There are no guarantees with these financial options, so it's important to consider how you will finance your studies if they're not available to you.
Cardiff University
- Beacon Scholarship: Awarded to financially disadvantaged students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda who are looking to study a 3-4 year undergraduate course (excluding medicine). Tuition and maintenance fees are split three ways, with a third coming from the university partner, a third from Beacon, and a third from the scholar’s parents, sponsor, or guardians. The programme includes leadership training and development, an away and home country mentor network, and a goal-setting performance management system.
- Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Worth over £2M in funding awards to international students across undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels of study. Awards from £2,000 are available to international students across a wide range of subject areas. International applicants holding offers for selected undergraduate programmes will automatically be eligible for the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.
University College London
Denys Holland Scholarship: Supports undergraduate students from any country who, without the scholarship, would be unable to secure funding to study at UCL. The scholarship is worth £9,000 per year for three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Scholars may choose to use the scholarship to cover fees, with any remainder paid as a maintenance award. Applicants must hold a valid UCL student or UCAS application number, have an offer of admission to UCL for full-time undergraduate study, be in financial need, be able to demonstrate broad interests, and intend to be actively involved in and contribute to the life of the university.
University of Oxford
Reach Oxford Scholarship: Offered to students from low-income countries who, for political, financial, or educational reasons, cannot study for a degree in their own countries. The scholarship covers tuition and college fees, a grant for living expenses, and one return airfare per year for 3 or 4 years, depending on course length.
University of Westminster
Westminster Full International Scholarship: Includes full tuition fee waivers, accommodation, living expenses, and flights to and from London. Applicants must be an international student from a developing country and hold an offer for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University. The scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence, development potential, and financial need.
Sheffield Hallam University
Transform Together Scholarship: Exclusively for international and European Union (non-UK) students starting a full-time taught course at the University. A half fee waiver (50% discount) is available for postgraduate courses and for each year of an undergraduate degree. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement. Applicants must also describe how they will stand out as an ambassador for Sheffield Hallam University during and after their studies.
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Part-time work
Part-time jobs are a great way for international students in the UK to gain disposable income and valuable work experience. However, it's important to be aware of your working rights and visa restrictions. Students with a Student Visa can generally work part-time during their studies, with a maximum of 10 hours per week for any course below degree level and 20 hours per week for degree-level courses. During holidays, you can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week.
On-Campus Jobs
On-campus jobs are a fantastic choice due to their convenience and flexible scheduling. Job opportunities include conferencing and catering, IT services, volunteering, library services, student administration, and various student union jobs.
Off-Campus Jobs
There are also many off-campus part-time jobs available for international students. These include customer service representatives, sales specialists, restaurant service assistants, and delivery assistants.
Online Jobs
With the growing popularity of online work, many companies are willing to hire students to work on projects on a part-time basis. Examples of online part-time jobs include social media marketing, content creation, web design, and team handling.
Popular Part-Time Jobs
- Tutor
- Translator
- Dog walker
- Theatre/cinema usher
- Retail or grocery worker
- Barista or hospitality staff
- Home care worker
- Receptionist
- Food delivery driver
- Warehouse worker
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Funding from home country
Funding from your home country
Your home country could be one of the biggest sources of funding for your studies in the UK. This funding could come from either your local government or companies based in your home country.
Local government funding
Contact your local government office to find out what financial support they recommend for students studying abroad. Most local governments have websites, so you can do this easily online.
Company funding
Think of two or three (or as many as you can) large companies that are located in your home country and send letters or emails to them enquiring about study assistance.
Things to consider
One thing to consider is that funding from your home country may come with the requirement that you return home after graduating to work.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some UK universities offer financial aid to international students. However, it is limited and often competitive.
Here are some examples of scholarships:
- The University of Westminster offers the Westminster Full International Scholarship, which includes tuition fee waivers, accommodation, living expenses, and flights to and from London.
- University College London offers the Denys Holland Scholarship, which is worth £9,000 per year for three years.
- Cardiff University offers the Beacon Scholarship for students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Tuition and maintenance fees are split between the university, Beacon, and the scholar's family or sponsors.
- The University of Oxford offers the Reach Oxford Scholarship for students from low-income countries who are unable to study in their own countries. The scholarship covers tuition, college fees, living expenses, and airfare.
- Sheffield Hallam University offers the Transform Together Scholarship, which includes a 50% fee waiver for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
There are several external scholarships available for international students, such as:
- Chevening Scholarships, funded by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for postgraduate courses.
- Marshall Scholarships, specifically for American students looking to study in the UK.
- Commonwealth Scholarships, for students from Commonwealth countries.
- GREAT Scholarships, offered by the British Council's StudyUK website, for students of certain nationalities.
Yes, there are a few other options to consider:
- Your home country: Contact your local government office to inquire about funding opportunities. Additionally, reach out to large companies in your home country to ask about study assistance.
- International organizations: Some organizations, like the Fulbright Commission, provide aid to students worldwide.
- Private organizations: Some UK companies may offer financial aid in exchange for an agreement to work for them post-graduation.
- Family: Many international students receive financial support from their family and relatives.
International students should consider the following costs:
- Tuition fees: These can vary depending on the university, course, and level of study. For undergraduate degrees, fees can range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, while an undergraduate medical degree can cost up to £65,000 per year.
- Living expenses: These include accommodation, groceries, utilities, insurance, transport, phone bills, clothing, and entertainment.
- Immigration-related costs: A student visa requires an upfront payment, and there may be additional costs such as the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Deposits: You may need to pay deposits for accommodation and your course.
- Travel expenses: Consider flight costs and any pre-arrival COVID-19 testing or quarantine hotel costs.
- Currency fluctuations: Exchange rates may change during your studies, impacting your expenses.
