Uk University Scholarships: International Student Opportunities

Scholarships are a great way to fund your studies in the UK, and there are plenty of options for international students. Scholarships can provide financial assistance to international students who may not have access to the same resources as domestic students. With tuition fees for international students being higher, scholarships can offset the financial burden of studying abroad by providing vital financial support.

Scholarships for international undergraduate students

Scholarships are a great way to fund your undergraduate studies in the UK as an international student. While undergraduate scholarships are less common than those for postgraduate studies, they are available from a variety of sources.

University scholarships

University scholarships are the most common form of funding for international students. These are usually offered based on academic merit, but can also be awarded for outstanding performance in other areas, such as sports or music. University scholarships can cover tuition fees in full, reduce them, or contribute to living and studying costs.

• The University of Nottingham offers a variety of scholarships across many courses and faculties, including sports scholarships.
• The University of Sheffield offers £2,000–£2,500 scholarships to international students, depending on their course. They also offer 50 scholarships worth 50% of tuition fees for each year of an undergraduate degree (subject to a 60% average).
• The University of Brighton's criteria for awarding international scholarships are primarily merit-based, but this is not limited to academic merit.
• The University of Manchester offers a huge variety of scholarships and bursaries, including subject-specific awards for international students.
• The University of Edinburgh offers three different types of undergraduate scholarships: The Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships for Math students, Robertson International Scholarships for History, Classics and Archaeology students, and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies International Scholarship for Veterinary students.
• The University of Westminster in London has two main scholarships for undergraduate students: Westminster Undergraduate High Achiever Awards and Westminster Undergraduate Full Scholarships.

Government scholarships

The UK government and its agencies also provide scholarships to international students. These include:

• The Chevening Scholarships: These are fully-funded scholarships awarded to outstanding individuals worldwide who wish to pursue a one-year master's degree in any field at any UK university.
• The Commonwealth Scholarships: These are funded by the UK government and awarded to citizens of Commonwealth countries to pursue a master's or PhD.
• The GREAT Scholarships: These are scholarships to UK universities across a variety of subjects, for students from 18 countries.

Private scholarships

Private organisations, foundations, and companies also provide scholarships to international students. These are usually based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of the two.

Subject scholarships

Some scholarships are available for students who plan to study a particular subject. For example, there are scholarships for students who plan to study engineering, business, or medicine.

Other scholarships

There are also scholarships for specific groups of people, such as refugees and asylum seekers, or students with disabilities.

Tips for applying for a scholarship

• Be persistent: Scholarships for international undergraduate students are very competitive and not as widely available as those for postgraduate students.
• Get feedback: If you are unsuccessful, ask your parents or teachers for feedback on your application.
• Ask questions: Don't be afraid to reach out to the university with any valid questions about the scholarship.
• Look out for scams: Be cautious if a scholarship sounds too good to be true, as it may be a scam trying to steal your personal information or money.
• Check the official website: If you are researching a particular university, check their official website rather than trusting information on social media.

It is also worth noting that funding for international undergraduate students in the UK can sometimes be awarded as part of a partnership between a university in the UK and a local representative in another country.

Scholarships for international postgraduate students

University Scholarships

Many UK universities offer scholarships specifically for international students. These scholarships can be merit-based, means-based, or related to a specific subject or department.

For example, the University of Bristol offers "Think Big" scholarships of up to £20,000 for international students at the undergraduate and master's levels. The University of Dundee offers Global Excellence Postgraduate Taught Scholarships of £5,000 for one year. The University of Exeter offers full-fee undergraduate scholarships for international students. The University of Bath offers Dean's Award for Academic Excellence Scholarships of £5,000 for master's students.

Some universities offer scholarships for students in specific fields. For example, the University of Nottingham offers sports scholarships, while the University of Manchester has subject-specific awards for international students in certain courses, disciplines, or faculties.

Government Scholarships

The UK government and its agencies also provide scholarships to international students.

The three main UK government scholarships are:

• Chevening Scholarships: These are fully-funded scholarships for outstanding individuals worldwide who wish to pursue a one-year master's degree in any field at any UK university.
• Commonwealth Scholarships: These are funded by the UK government and awarded to citizens of Commonwealth countries for master's or PhD studies.
• GREAT Scholarships: These are scholarships to UK universities across a variety of subjects, for students from 18 countries.

Private Scholarships

Private organisations, foundations, and companies also provide scholarships to international students, usually based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of the two. For example, the Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship awarded to exceptional students worldwide to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.

Other Scholarships

Other scholarships are available from organisations such as the British Council, which offers IELTS scholarships for international students pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree. The Fulbright Scholarship, funded by the US government, is another option for outstanding US citizens wishing to pursue a master's or PhD in the UK.

Application Advice

The eligibility requirements for scholarships vary, but most require a minimum grade point average (GPA) or academic achievement in a specific subject area. Applicants will also need to demonstrate proficiency in English through standardised tests.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must first be accepted into a UK institution. Applicants may need to provide letters of recommendation, essays, or personal statements outlining their academic goals and achievements.

It is worth noting that scholarships for international undergraduate students are less widely available than those for postgraduate students and are highly competitive.

University-specific scholarships

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham offers a variety of scholarships across many courses and faculties. Their new regional excellence awards cover a contribution toward tuition fees in the first year of your course and are available for high-achieving students who will put their degree to great use in their careers. They also offer sports scholarships for successful athletes.

University College London

The University College London has its own scholarship finder, with plenty of options and search filters for international students. There are search filters to simplify your scholarship search, such as your country of origin, degree, course, and more.

University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield offers scholarships of £2,000 to £2,500 to international students, depending on their course. They also offer 50 scholarships worth 50% of tuition fees for each year (subject to a 60% average) of an undergraduate degree. They provide country-specific scholarships and funding opportunities as well.

University of Brighton

The University of Brighton's criteria for awarding international scholarships are primarily merit-based, including academic merit and outstanding performance in a variety of areas. The strongest candidates will demonstrate a mixture of academic merit (including English language ability) and other outstanding achievements in their particular field of activity.

University of Manchester

The University of Manchester offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, including subject-specific awards for international students studying in specific courses, disciplines, or faculties. They also offer travel awards, university funding, and more.

University of Bristol

The University of Bristol offers the Think Big Scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available for undergraduate and master's studies and provides the recipient with up to £20,000, which can be used as fee waivers towards tuition fees.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge offers the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing master's or PhD studies. This scholarship provides a £17,500 stipend per annum, health insurance, academic development funding up to £2,000, and a family allowance of up to £10,120.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford offers several scholarships for international students, including the Clarendon Scholarship, Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship, and St Cross College Scholarship. These scholarships are fully or partially funded and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other allowances.

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter offers fully-funded undergraduate scholarships for international students, providing full, £10,000, and £5,000 tuition fee scholarships.

Westminster University

The Westminster Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships are aimed at fully funding undergraduate students from developing countries.

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee offers the Global Excellence Postgraduate Taught Scholarship, a partially funded scholarship for international students pursuing postgraduate programs. The scholarship provides £5,000 for one year only.

University of Bath

The University of Bath offers the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Global Leaders Scholarship for international students pursuing master's studies. These scholarships are partially funded and provide £5,000 each, to be used as fee waivers towards tuition fees.

University of Stirling

The University of Stirling is included in the GEMS International Undergraduate Scholarship program. This scholarship is fully funded and covers a £2,000 fee reduction each year for four years.

Goldsmiths, University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London, offers the Goldsmiths International Response Scholarship for undergraduate and master's studies. This scholarship covers an accommodation fee waiver, £8,825 for each year of study, and a tuition fee waiver.

University of Bristol

The University of Bristol offers the Think Big Scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available for undergraduate and master's studies and provides up to £20,000, which can be used for fee waivers towards tuition fees.

University of East Anglia

The University of East Anglia offers a full-fee scholarship for international students pursuing master's studies.

Imperial College London

Imperial College London offers a fully-funded PhD scholarship for international students. Up to 10 scholarships are awarded each year, covering tuition fees and an annual tax-free contribution to maintenance costs of £16,553.

Simmons University

Simmons University offers the Kotzen Scholarships, a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing undergraduate studies. The scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board.

University of Sussex

The University of Sussex offers scholarships for non-EU students pursuing a full-time taught postgraduate program. These scholarships are granted for an academic year and cover half of the tuition fees.

University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield offers the University Prize Scholarships for PhD applicants. This fully-funded scholarship (£20,000) can cover tuition fees and other expenses.

University of Westminster

The University of Westminster offers International Scholarships for international students enrolling in a master's program in the UK. This scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and flights to and from London.

Kingston University London

The International Office at Kingston University London offers scholarships to international students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies. This scholarship is partial and accounts for £4,000.

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh offers the Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships for international students pursuing PhD studies. This scholarship covers partial tuition fees.

University College London

The University College London offers the Denys Holland Scholarship for foreign undergraduate students who need financial assistance. Awardees receive £9,000 per academic year and can decide how to spend it, whether on tuition fees or living costs.

University of Bristol

The University of Bristol offers five scholarships worth £8,500 each for international undergraduate students. This amount goes beyond university tuition fees.

Cardiff University

Cardiff University, a member of the Russell Group, offers several scholarships for international students pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees.

Government-funded scholarships

The UK government and its agencies provide government-funded scholarships to support international students in their studies. These scholarships are available to students from a large number of countries and can be incredibly beneficial for international students who may not have access to the same resources as domestic students.

The three main UK government scholarships are:

Chevening Scholarships

These fully-funded scholarships are awarded to outstanding individuals worldwide who wish to pursue a one-year master's degree in any field at any UK university. The Chevening Scholarships are open to students who meet the eligibility criteria, including having at least two years of eligible work experience.

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK government and awarded to citizens of Commonwealth countries to pursue a master's or PhD. These scholarships are given to talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage. To be eligible, applicants must have an undergraduate degree and be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country or British Overseas Territory.

GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships are offered in partnership with UK universities to international students from various countries to pursue a master's degree in any field. The scholarships are open to students from 18 countries and cover a variety of subjects.

In addition to these main scholarships, the UK government offers hundreds of other scholarships, bursaries, and financial support options to international students. These include the Marshall Scholarship for US citizens, the British Council scholarships for women in STEM, and the Global Wales Scholarships for students from the USA, India, Vietnam, and EU countries.

Private scholarships

• CastleSmart Scholarship: Castle Smart Estate offers a scholarship of £6,000 for students pursuing an undergraduate degree at UK universities. The unique entry criterion for this scholarship is that applicants must create a YouTube video about their education and future aspirations. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply.
• The Royal Society Grants: The Royal Society, an independent scientific academy, offers several scholarships and grants for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students. Different scholarships within this programme have different eligibility criteria, so be sure to check before applying.

In addition to private scholarships, there are also university-specific scholarships and government-funded scholarships available for international students in the UK. University scholarships are typically easier to acquire than government or private scholarships, and many UK universities offer multiple scholarships and financial aid packages for international students.

Government-funded scholarships include the Chevening Scholarships and the Commonwealth Scholarships. The Chevening Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship awarded to international students who are exceptional in their field. It covers tuition fees, accommodation, and even flight costs for a one-year postgraduate course at any UK university. The Commonwealth Scholarship, on the other hand, is awarded to international students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries with a good academic history. This scholarship fully funds the recipient's education, including flight fares, accommodation, tuition, and personal allowances.

Frequently asked questions