Do you wish to study in the UK but your funds are limited? Good news! Several scholarship options in the UK are available for international students. Obtaining a scholarship from any university in the United Kingdom is highly beneficial, especially for international students.
Some of these scholarships offer financial support to international students who may not have access to similar resources as domestic students. Due to the high rate of tuition fees for international students and the expenses of traveling the world to study at a UK university, securing a scholarship is the best. It can help offset the financial burden of studying overseas through the provision of financial support.
Therefore, if you are in search of the various scholarship options in the UK, this comprehensive article has lots of opportunities waiting for you. Scholarships also help international students develop skills and knowledge that can lead to better career opportunities. The essence of these scholarships is to assist students in specific fields or industries.
As well as to provide them with the necessary training and networking opportunities to succeed in their chosen careers. In this article, we will take you through the various scholarship options in the UK, their eligibility, and how to apply for UK scholarships. Let’s dive in!
Types of International Scholarships
There are quite several scholarship options in the UK for international students. However, note that the availability of scholarships and eligibility criteria may differ greatly across UK universities and course types.
So, it’s important to do research online and find the right type of scholarship for your course. Below are some of the scholarship types available in the UK. Scroll down!
1. University-Specific Scholarships
Many universities in the United Kingdom give scholarships to international undergraduate students specifically. But, they are usually based on merit and may cover all or part of the tuition fees.
2. Government-Funded Scholarships
The government of the United Kingdom and its agencies also offer scholarships to international students. Some of the most famous government-funded scholarships include the Chevening Scholarships and the Commonwealth Scholarships.
3. Private Scholarships
Some private organizations, foundations, and companies usually offer scholarships to international students in the UK. These scholarships are based on individual academic merit, financial need, or probably both.
4. Subject Scholarships
Students who plan to study a particular subject also get some scholarship options in the UK. For instance, there are scholarships made available for students who intend to study engineering, business, or medicine.
5. Undergraduate Scholarships
Almost all the universities in the UK offer undergraduate scholarships for international students. These scholarships often cover the tuition fees, living, and traveling expenses.
6. Master’s Scholarships
Below are some of the categories of master’s scholarship options in the UK. Scroll down!
i. Chevening Scholarships
The keyword for the Chevening Scholarships is Leadership. These particular scholarships are provided for individuals who show great leadership potential and also have impressive academic results. Furthermore, the scholarships are fully funded majorly for international students who enroll in a Master’s degree in the UK.
Also, the tuition fees, living expenses, and return flights to the UK are all covered by the scholarship. Every year, more than 1,500 Chevening Scholarships are provided during every academic cycle. The recipients of the scholarships are usually selected by British Embassies across the globe.
Furthermore, these scholarships allow future decision-makers to develop academically, create professional networks, have a feel of the UK culture, and much more. The fully-funded scholarships are awarded to extraordinary individuals from around the world to study a one-year master’s program in any field and at any UK university.
ii. Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth scholarships are awarded to international students in the UK who come from the Commonwealth countries and don’t have the opportunity to study their preferred Master’s or Ph.D program without external financial support. Individuals with outstanding academic records and brilliant students with a great chance of making a positive change in the world are awarded this scholarship.
Meanwhile, there are three main Commonwealth scholarships. They include:
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships.
Additionally, these scholarships are funded by the UK government and offered to citizens of the Commonwealth countries to study a master’s program or PhD.
iii. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Scholarships are fully funded for international students to study a joint master’s or PhD at multiple universities across Europe, including those in the UK.
iv. Fulbright Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by the US government and are provided for extraordinary US citizens to study for a master’s or PhD in the UK.
v. Great Scholarships
This is a £10,000 provided to cover your tuition fee for a one-year Master’s program in the UK. Furthermore, this scholarship is provided by the partnership between the British Government and participating universities. If you want to apply, you must first check whether your country is one of the 14 eligible countries for this award.
Then, you should check your University funding page and see if they offer the award. If they do, just follow the instructions stated there. The essence of these scholarships is to offer international students from different countries the opportunity to study a master’s program in any field.
vi. Imperial College London Scholarships
Imperial College London Scholarship is fully funded for international students. Every year, close to 10 fully-funded scholarships are awarded to the outstanding students. In addition, it covers the tuition fees and a yearly tax-free contribution to maintenance costs of £16,550.
vii. University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships
The University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships are awarded to international students. It’s also available for undergraduate and master’s studies. Furthermore, the recipient gets up to £20,000 which can be used as fee waivers towards the cost of tuition fees.
viii. Global Leaders Scholarship
Global Leaders Scholarship is provided for international students through the University of Bath and it’s only available for masters studies. There are 45 Global Leaders Scholarships and each is worth £5,000. It will be used as a fee waiver towards the cost of the tuition fees.
7. Oxbridge Scholarships
i. Gates Cambridge Scholarships
These are fully-funded scholarships that are usually awarded to extraordinary students from any country to study a full-time postgraduate program at the University of Cambridge. It is fully funded for Master’s and Ph.D and as such, £18,744 is offered per year. As well as health insurance, a personal development budget of £2,000, and a family allowance.
ii. Rhodes Scholarships
These are fully-funded scholarships that are offered to extraordinary students around the world to study postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.
8. Non-governmental UK Scholarships
i. Euraxess UK
Euraxess is an ambition of the European Commission and its essence is to provide support for researchers in Europe. The UK branch of the project is governed by the British Council and offers different graduate research scholarships for international students from across the globe. Furthermore, Euraxess UK is an online portal that concentrates majorly on funding opportunities for established researchers.
However, international students in the UK enrolled in a Ph.D program are also included. So this one is particularly useful for you if you’ve decided to continue with an academic research career after obtaining a doctorate.
ii. CastleSmart Scholarship
Estate agent CastleSmart offers more than £5,000 every year for an undergraduate student in the UK and it’s available to all nationalities.
iii. Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship
A $2,000 prize is available to a student currently enrolled in the UK or another study destination as a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student. You will need to submit an essay to apply and the scholarship is open to all nationalities.
iv. The Royal Society Grants
Different grants and fellowships are open to brilliant researchers in the UK and beyond.
Scholarship Eligibility
The eligibility requirements for an international student to obtain a scholarship in the UK differ greatly. It will depend on the scholarship type, amount, and the institution providing the scholarship. Interested candidates are expected to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) or academic achievement in a specific subject area, to qualify for most scholarships.
Also, applicants must prove their proficiency in English by taking a standardized English test. To qualify for a scholarship, you must be enrolled in a UK institution and you’ll need to provide letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or other professionals. For some scholarships, you may also need to submit essays or personal statements highlighting your academic goals and achievements.
Applying for a UK University Scholarship
Are you an international student and want to study in the UK? Do you need scholarships, bursaries, and funding? If yes, then delve more into some of the scholarships listed above to understand how to apply.
However, the application process differs by institution and the type of scholarship. With this approach, you are close to finding the right scholarship that will benefit your future.
Conclusion
We hope you find this comprehensive guide on the various scholarship options in the UK informative and interesting. However, delve more into the listed scholarships above to understand how to apply and the various requirements. We wish you the best!