Types of Scholarships in the UK for Indian & International Students

Scholarships for the UK: All Details About Types and Other Details.

Updated on Aug 30, 2024
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The UK is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities, making it a popular destination for international students. To support students financially, various UK scholarship types for students are available. These include opportunities provided by the UK government, universities, and private organizations. For Indian students, there are specific UK scholarships for Indian students 2024 designed to assist with their educational expenses. Here are the main UK scholarship types for students available:


Types of Scholarships in the UK

  • Government-Funded Scholarships

  • University-Specific Scholarships

  • Private and Organisational Scholarships

  • Need-Based Scholarships

  • Merit-Based Scholarships

Table of Contents

1 Government-Funded Scholarships

Government-Funded Scholarships are key UK scholarship types for students offering significant financial support. Here are some of the top options for international students in the UK:

  • Chevening Scholarships: For mid-career professionals, this scholarship covers travel, visa, and tuition fees, along with a monthly stipend and allowances. Applications for 2024-2025 open in August 2024, with a deadline of November 5, 2024.

  • Commonwealth Scholarships: These fully-funded scholarships support exceptional postgraduate students and professionals aiming to drive social change. They cover tuition, airfare, and living expenses, with applications typically due in December.

  • GREAT Scholarship: The GREAT Scholarship, offered by the British Council and UK universities, supports international students, including those from India, to pursue higher studies in the UK. This UK scholarship provides a minimum award of GBP 10,000 and covers full tuition fees for one-year postgraduate programs or the first year of a two-year master’s program.

2 University-Specific Scholarships

University-specific scholarships are essential UK scholarship types for students, tailored to support individuals pursuing advanced studies at particular universities. Here are some top university-specific scholarships for international students in the UK:

  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships: This prestigious scholarship for Indian students in 2024 covers full costs between GBP 30,000 and GBP 45,000 annually, including maintenance, travel, and other expenses. Applications for 2025-2026 open in September 2024.

  • University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships: This scholarship covers the difference between domestic and international fees for Ph.D. students at the University of Edinburgh. Awarded to 30 students annually, it's renewable for up to three years based on research potential.

3 Private and Organizational Scholarships

Private scholarships represent key UK scholarship types for students, funded by private entities and organisations to support international students. These scholarships can cover a range of expenses from tuition fees to living costs, often focusing on specific fields or research areas. 

  • Euraxess UK: is a career development portal created in partnership with the British Council, offering various funding opportunities for international students across the UK based on location, programs, and research fields.

  • Sir Ratan Tata Post-Doctoral Fellowship: targets early-career postdoctoral researchers in South Asian social sciences. Selected fellows receive a monthly allowance of GBP 1,750 (INR 1.84 lakhs) and research facilities for six months. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. and be permanently employed at an institution in the SAARC region.

4 Need-Based Scholarships

  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships: The Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships support students pursuing doctoral or research programs. These scholarships provide various types of grants, including accommodation and international travel expenses. Final-year doctoral students can receive up to GBP 10,000 (INR 10.54 lakhs).

  • Felix Scholarship: The Felix Scholarship offers full financial support to underprivileged students from 21 developing countries, including India. Awarded annually to around 20 students at the University of Oxford, University of Reading, and SOAS, it is both merit-based and need-based.

5 Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarships are prestigious UK scholarship types for students awarded to individuals based on exceptional academic performance or other achievements.

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships: These scholarships typically cover tuition fees, and sometimes additional costs such as living expenses. They are often aimed at high-achieving students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, or potential in their field of study.

6 UK scholarships for Indian students 2024

UK scholarships for Indian students in 2024 offer an excellent opportunity to pursue higher education in the UK with financial support. Here are top UK scholarships for Indian students 2024 to help fund your studies.

  • Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships: Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships, offered by St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, fully cover tuition, travel, visa, and other expenses. Available to Indian students under 35 with first-class degrees in graduate or postgraduate courses.

  • Rhodes Scholarship: The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded program for international students starting postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. Each year, 100 scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, a personal statement, and an interview. Applications close on August 1, 2024.

  • Saltire Scholarship: The Saltire Scholarships, provided by the Scottish Government and Scottish universities, offer £8,000 (₹8.4 lakhs) to international students from select countries, including India, pursuing postgraduate master’s programs in fields like science, technology, and healthcare. 

  • Inlaks Scholarship: The Inlaks Scholarship supports outstanding international students under 30 years old across various disciplines. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and travel costs, with awards ranging up to £100,000 (₹1.05 crore).

7 Postgraduate scholarships UK for international students

University of Strathclyde Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships

This scholarship supports self-funded international students enrolling in postgraduate taught or research courses in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

  • Eligibility: Open to self-funded international (non-EU) fee-paying applicants with strong academic qualifications applying for postgraduate taught or research courses.

  • Deadline: September 16, 2024

Strathclyde Business School Masters Scholarships 

Strathclyde Business School offers these scholarships to international students who wish to pursue a full-time Master's course. The scholarship amount varies between £9,000 and £12,000.

  • Eligibility: International students for a full-time Masters course. Candidates must be deemed international for fee status.

  • Deadline: August 31, 2024

Chevening LSE Fellowship

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, this prestigious fellowship is aimed at mid-career professionals to conduct research at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

  • Eligibility: Mid-career professionals to conduct research at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

  • Deadline: November 5, 2024

University of Oxford Skoll Scholarships 

The Skoll Scholarships are awarded to social entrepreneurs who wish to pursue an MBA at the University of Oxford, providing full tuition coverage and partial living expenses.

  • Eligibility: Social innovators pursuing an MBA at the University of Oxford.

  • Deadline: January 6, 2025

University of Kent Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries 

Open to students worldwide, these bursaries are intended to support postgraduate students financially, offering bursaries of £500 each. 

  • Eligibility: Open to students from anywhere in the world starting a postgraduate course in the academic year 2024-25.

  • Deadline: September 30, 2024

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Q1. What grades do you need for a scholarship for the UK?

Answer: For a UK scholarship, you generally need to have a minimum of 60-80% in your previous academic program. An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent is also commonly required, along with acceptance from a UK university

Q2. Which universities in the UK give scholarships?

Answer: Several universities in the UK offer scholarships for international students, including:

  • University of Cambridge (Gates Cambridge Scholarships)

  • University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholarships)

  • University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships)

  • University College London (Denys Holland Scholarship)

  • University of Bristol (International Office Scholarships)

Q3. What is a merit scholarship based on?

Answer: A merit scholarship is based on academic performance, artistic or athletic skills, civic engagement, and leadership activities. 

Q4. Which scholarship is available in UK?

Answer: Several scholarships are available in the UK for international students, including government-funded options like Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships, university-specific awards such as the Gates Cambridge Scholarships, and private or organisational grants like the Sir Ratan Tata Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

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