20 Best Scholarships in the UK for International Students (with Real-Life Examples)

The United Kingdom is home to universities and institutions that attract international students from around the world. Receiving an offer from a UK university can be an important milestone, and scholarships can make studying in the country more affordable.

This article lists scholarship and funding opportunities available to international students in the United Kingdom. It includes government-backed programs, external awards, and university-specific scholarships. Where available, we have also included links to stories from students who have received these scholarships.

Top Scholarships in the United Kingdom

1. Rhodes Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Oxford course fees, a £21,060 annual stipend for 2026–27, Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, two economy-class flights, and a settling-in allowance
• Eligible Degree/s: Postgraduate degrees

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded, merit-based postgraduate award offered by the Rhodes Trust for study at the University of Oxford. Applications are open to eligible students worldwide through Rhodes constituencies, with nationality, residency, age, and academic requirements varying according to the constituency. Applicants selected in the 2026 application cycle will enter Oxford in October 2027.

The scholarship normally provides two years of funding, although support for some academic pathways, including doctoral study, is subject to additional conditions. For 2026–27, Scholars receive a £21,060 annual stipend in addition to Oxford course fees and other specified costs. Applicants must apply for the Rhodes Scholarship before applying to Oxford and should check their constituency’s current eligibility rules, deadline, and Information for Candidates before submitting an application.

Anna Gräfin von Pestalozza’s path to the Rhodes Scholarship: In her recipient story, the German engineering graduate says her national Rhodes Scholarship application involved a CV, cover letter, and in-person interview, where she faced philosophical questions and challenges to her own positions. She prepared by reflecting on her motivation, intended impact, and alignment with Rhodes values, and believed that authenticity and genuine passion helped her application stand out; she had also graduated first in her class in both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She went on to graduate from the University of Oxford in Public Policy and Public Policy Research with Rhodes support. View More Rhodes Scholarship recipients →

Recent recipient outcomes include: Titus Malunga, who continued at Oxford in African Studies after his MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment; Luisa, who moved from an Oxford MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy into a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology in Health and Disease; and Meret Ebsary, whose story states that she pursued further study under the scholarship.

2. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Full cost of studying at Cambridge, including a £22,050 maintenance allowance for 12 months at the 2025–26 rate, applicable visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, and airfare
• Eligible Degree/s: Eligible postgraduate degrees

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established following a US$210 million donation from the Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. Around 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded each year to applicants from countries outside the United Kingdom.

The award covers the University Composition Fee and includes a maintenance allowance of £22,050 for 12 months at the 2025–26 rate. It also covers one economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course and applicable inbound visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs. Additional discretionary funding may be available for eligible expenses.

One scholar’s journey: Arnab Sarkar approached his Gates Cambridge Scholarship application much like his PhD application: he researched supervisors carefully, was already working on a project with the academic who became his supervisor, and rewrote his personal statement several times with mentor feedback. He says that combination of academic strength, relevant research experience, and a statement connecting his astrophysics work to leadership and impact helped his application stand out; he also recommends beginning the essays earlier and seeking feedback from alumni. Arnab went on to complete his PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge. View More Gates Cambridge Scholarship recipients →

3. Erasmus Joint Master’s Scholarships

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: No tuition or other mandatory participation costs for scholarship holders, plus a €1,400 monthly contribution toward travel, visa, installation, and living costs
• Eligible Degree/s: Master’s

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships support selected students enrolled in international master’s programs delivered by consortia of higher education institutions. Programs generally last 12, 18, or 24 months.

Scholarship holders cannot be charged tuition fees or other mandatory participation costs. The scholarship contribution is €1,400 per month for the duration of the program and is intended to help with travel, visa, installation, and living expenses.

A recipient’s path: Asim Zulfiqar discovered the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship late in the application cycle, applied to three programmes, and was accepted to one; for the successful PIXNET application, he researched programme keywords, contacted alumni about expectations, and used a personal SWOT analysis to identify strengths worth emphasizing. His existing IoT work gave him a concrete connection to material he learned was taught in the programme, helping him tailor the application rather than relying on a generic statement. After completing the master’s, including study at Aston University in the UK, he became an IoT scientific researcher in Germany and later began a PhD at the Technical University of Munich alongside that job.

Recent recipient outcomes include: Gizelle Jamero, who became a Fire Engineer at Arup in Ireland after her Erasmus Mundus master’s; Jay Tering, who returned to the Philippines to teach at a university and work on research and extension projects; Nemer, who subsequently joined a Marie Skłodowska-Curie-funded PhD project in France; and Maheera Abdul Ghani, who went on to a fully funded PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. View More Erasmus Mundus Scholarship recipients in the United Kingdom →

4. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Fully funded; coverage and eligible programs vary by partner university
• Eligible Degree/s: Partner-specific postgraduate programs

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program works with partner universities to support talented young people from Africa. In the United Kingdom, relevant opportunities have been offered through institutions including the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Oxford.

Eligible courses, delivery formats, and funding arrangements differ by partner university. Applicants should review the current partner-specific scholarship page before applying.

One scholar’s journey: Nyingilayefa Gift Ernest first applied for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in 2023 and was rejected; before reapplying in 2024, she spent two years researching the program, learned from past scholars, strengthened her essay writing, and returned with a clearer account of the impact she wanted to make. She says the successful application drew on her experience growing up in a flood-affected, food-insecure part of Nigeria and connected that story to her goal of working on food security and sustainable agriculture. She was selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and is pursuing a Master’s in Food Security at the University of Edinburgh. View More Mastercard Foundation Scholarship recipients →

5. Chevening Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Fully funded
• Eligible Degree/s: One-year master’s

Chevening Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organizations. They support emerging leaders from eligible countries and territories who wish to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship is fully funded. Applicants should review the current Chevening eligibility requirements, course rules, and application timeline before applying.

Katarina Vukadinović’s path to Chevening: Katarina Vukadinović applied three times for the Chevening Scholarship, using the setbacks to reshape her essays and interview preparation while seeking advice from Chevening alumni. Her experience launching a Youth Club in Montenegro gave her a concrete leadership record, and she went on to complete an MA in Youth and Community Work at the University of East London. After the scholarship, she returned to the same field in Montenegro, saying the degree broadened her perspective and increased her recognition within the youth-work sector. View More Chevening Scholarship recipients →

Recent recipient outcomes include: Bonart Osmani, who returned to Kosovo and founded Bonart Architects; Ibrahim Walaman, who continued in renewable energy and became a Design Engineer at Naked Energy in the UK; and Pedro Almada, who applied to nearly 100 jobs before securing a World Bank consultancy and later a role at UNICEF.

6. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Approved tuition fees, airfare, a monthly stipend, and applicable allowances
• Eligible Degree/s: One-year taught master’s

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship supports students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who would otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is for approved one-year, full-time taught master’s courses.

The award covers approved tuition fees and airfare. It also includes a monthly stipend, currently published as £1,452 per month or £1,781 per month for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area, plus applicable allowances.

A recipient’s path: Vaibhav Sonone prepared his Commonwealth Shared Scholarship essays with two mentors, producing four to five improved drafts of each and focusing on development impact and alignment with the scholarship’s themes. His wider scholarship strategy relied heavily on mentorship and repeated revision, and he credits a clear connection between his course, professional goals, and work with Indigenous communities in India with strengthening his application. He completed an MSc in Environment and Development at the University of Leeds through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, later applying frameworks from the degree in his work with Indigenous communities. View More Commonwealth Scholarship recipients →

Recent recipient outcomes include: Alfred Navokhi Apaji, who progressed to a PhD in the United States after his Newcastle master’s; Priyanka Sheoran, who returned to India and became a wildlife veterinarian working with NGOs; and Faith Mbonongo Banda, who worked with GIZ Malawi and later became a lecturer while pursuing PhD research.

7. GREAT Scholarships

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: £10,000 toward tuition fees
• Eligible Degree/s: One-year taught postgraduate courses

GREAT Scholarships are offered through a partnership involving the GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and participating UK higher education institutions. Each scholarship provides £10,000 toward tuition fees for an eligible one-year taught postgraduate course.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the participating countries are Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.

Karnikka Mahendran’s path to the GREAT Scholarship: Karnikka Mahendran had previously won another Bristol scholarship but postponed her studies; when she reapplied the following year and did not receive it again, she instead secured the GREAT Scholarship for Justice and Law. For her GREAT application, she started drafting early, repeatedly refined her answers, mapped her experiences and achievements, and selected only the examples that best matched each question rather than trying to include everything. She went on to complete an LLM in International Law at the University of Bristol, finishing as the top performer in her cohort. View More GREAT Scholarships recipients →

8. International Merit Undergraduate Scholarship (University of Sheffield)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: £2,500 per year, up to £10,000 for a four-year course
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The current University of Sheffield award is the International Undergraduate Scholarship 2026. Eligible international undergraduate students receive a £2,500 tuition-fee discount for each year of study, subject to the university’s progression requirements. The total value can reach £10,000 for a four-year course.

The award is applied automatically to eligible students, so a separate scholarship application is not required. Applicants should review the official exclusions and terms for their intake year.

9. Think Big Postgraduate Award (University of Bristol)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000 toward tuition fees for the first year
• Eligible Degree/s: Eligible postgraduate master’s programs, including MRes

The University of Bristol offers Think Big postgraduate scholarships to eligible international students. The awards are worth £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000 and are applied toward tuition fees for the first academic year.

Eligible programs include postgraduate master’s courses and MRes programs. Applicants should review the current official terms and course exclusions before applying.

One scholar’s journey: Hien Mai built her Think Big application around a consistent central theme, using specific actions and concentrating on two experiences most relevant to her ambitions rather than listing every achievement. She says the scholarship essay carried particular weight and recommends showing a clear connection between what an applicant has already done and what they plan to do next. Coming from a law background before moving into education work, she completed a Master’s in Neuroscience and Education at the University of Bristol with the Think Big Postgraduate Award. View More Think Big Postgraduate Scholarships recipients →

10. Developing Solutions Master’s Scholarship (University of Nottingham)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: 50% or 100% of tuition fees
• Eligible Degree/s: Eligible full-time master’s programs, including MRes

The Developing Solutions Master’s Scholarship at the University of Nottingham supports students from Africa, South Asia, and selected Commonwealth countries who can demonstrate how their studies may contribute to development in their home countries.

The scholarship covers either 50% or 100% of tuition fees. It is available for eligible full-time master’s programs, including MRes courses, in the university’s participating faculties. For an eligible two-year master’s course, the scholarship applies to the first year only.

11. Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships (University of Bristol)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: £6,500 or £13,000 per year toward tuition fees for up to four years
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The Think Big Undergraduate Scholarship at the University of Bristol supports eligible international undergraduate students. Awards are worth £6,500 or £13,000 per year and are applied toward tuition fees for up to four years.

Courses offered by the Bristol Dental School and Bristol Medical School are not eligible. Applicants should review the current official page for any additional exclusions and application instructions.

A recipient’s path: Sharon deferred her university start by a year and used the gap year to research and prepare her Think Big application, drawing on extracurricular and volunteer work that aligned with her goal of becoming a physics teacher. She says a clear roadmap helped her application stand out: she emphasized peer tutoring and education-sector volunteering and showed that she had researched opportunities at Bristol connected to that career. She received the Think Big Undergraduate Scholarship to pursue a BSc in Physics at the University of Bristol and is currently in her penultimate year. View More Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships recipients →

12. International Ambassador Scholarship (University of West London)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: £1,000 toward first-year tuition fees
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s

The University of West London’s International Ambassador Scholarship provides a £1,000 contribution toward first-year tuition fees for eligible international undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Applicants should review the current university page for the latest eligibility conditions, application instructions, and ambassador responsibilities.

13. Clarendon Scholarship (University of Oxford)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Full course fees and, for full-time scholars, a living-cost grant of at least £20,780 for 2025–26
• Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, DPhil

Applicants who apply for an eligible master’s or DPhil course at the University of Oxford by the relevant December or January deadline are automatically considered for a Clarendon Scholarship. A separate scholarship application is not required.

Clarendon covers full course fees. Full-time scholars also receive an annual living-cost grant, which is at least £20,780 for the 2025–26 academic year. Part-time scholars receive a study-support grant calculated according to the type and length of their course.

14. ASEAN and Oceania Undergraduate Excellence Award (University of Nottingham)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: £5,000 toward first-year tuition fees
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The ASEAN and Oceania Undergraduate Excellence Award has been replaced by the University of Nottingham’s International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship.

The current scholarship provides a £5,000 contribution toward first-year tuition fees for eligible international fee-paying students beginning an eligible full-time undergraduate degree at the university’s UK campus. Applicants should review the official page for academic criteria, course exclusions, and funding conditions.

15. Bestway Foundation Scholarships

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount for Master’s: £26,000 toward tuition fees and maintenance

The Bestway Foundation Scholarships currently support eligible students domiciled in Pakistan who wish to pursue selected one-year master’s programs at the University of Kent.

The University of Kent’s current page states that five scholarships are available, each worth £26,000 toward tuition fees and maintenance. Eligible courses are in specified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. The award is administered exclusively by the University of Kent.

Anis Malik’s path to the Bestway Foundation Scholarship: Anis Malik spent months refining his personal statement after researching the university, program, and scholarship requirements, and he sought feedback from previous scholarship holders on Facebook and LinkedIn. He shaped the statement around a coherent link between his academic achievements, research and industry experience, hardships, and future goals, rather than relying on generic scholarship advice. After completing an MSc in Medical Bioscience at the University of Bradford through the Bestway Foundation Scholarship, he went on to work as a Quality Control Technician in a UK food-testing microbiology laboratory. View More Bestway Foundation Scholarship recipients →

16. Reach Oxford Scholarships

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Value: Course fees, a living-cost grant, and one return airfare per year

The Reach Oxford Scholarships support undergraduate students from low-income countries who are unable to pursue a degree in their home country because of political or financial reasons or because suitable educational facilities do not exist.

The award covers course fees, provides a living-cost grant, and includes one return airfare per year. It is available for three or four years, depending on the length of the undergraduate course. Applicants must first receive an undergraduate offer from the University of Oxford. Medicine is not eligible.

17. Undergraduate Scholarships (University of Sussex)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: One current example is the Chancellor’s International Scholarship: £5,000 for the first year of study
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The University of Sussex offers scholarships for international undergraduate students. One current example is the Chancellor’s International Scholarship, which provides £5,000 for the first year of full-time study.

Applicants must be classified as overseas fee-paying students, hold an offer for an eligible full-time bachelor’s degree, and meet the university’s current academic and funding conditions. Students should check the official page for the latest scholarship options and deadlines.

18. Chancellor’s International Scholarships (University of Warwick)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Full academic fees, a UKRI-rate maintenance stipend for 3.5 years, and a £5,000 Research Training and Support Grant
• Eligible Degree/s: Eligible postgraduate research degrees

The University of Warwick’s current doctoral scholarship competition includes Chancellor’s Scholarships for eligible postgraduate research applicants. The award covers full academic fees and provides a maintenance stipend at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years, together with a £5,000 Research Training and Support Grant.

Eligible routes include PhD, MPhil/PhD, EngD, and the PhD stage of an MRes plus PhD program. Applicants should review the current Warwick Doctoral College page for the latest application cycle and eligibility rules.

Dr. Andrea Dsouza’s path to the Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Andrea Dsouza applied broadly across several countries and contacted research-group leaders directly, with a successful interview with her future supervisor becoming the pivotal step before her formal Warwick application. She tailored her funding statement around her diagnostic-research experience and long-term healthcare goals, sought feedback from mentors and peers, and emphasized the connection between her previous work and proposed research. After completing her PhD in Biomedical Sciences through the Chancellor’s International Scholarship at the University of Warwick, she became a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Warwick Medical School. View More Chancellor’s International Scholarship recipients →

19. UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarships (University College London)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Up to 33 awards for 2026–27: 10 full-tuition awards with maintenance and additional-cost support, and 23 full-tuition awards
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship supports international students from low-income backgrounds who have submitted an application for admission to a full-time undergraduate degree at University College London.

For 2026–27, UCL states that up to 33 scholarships are available. Ten awards cover full tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, and a fixed allowance for additional costs. Twenty additional awards cover full tuition fees, and three additional full-tuition awards are available for students from India.

Louisa Wirawan’s path to the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship: Louisa Wirawan researched UCL’s programs closely, pulled specific details from its websites and program materials into her application, and redrafted her scholarship essays multiple times. Rather than presenting unrelated achievements, she says she built a cohesive portrait linking her academic work, initiative, hobbies, goals, and interests. She received the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship to study Archaeology and Anthropology at University College London. View More UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship recipients →

20. Cambridge Trust International Scholarship (University of Cambridge)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: International tuition fees, maintenance, and student immigration health surcharge
• Eligible Degree/s: PhD

The Cambridge Trust International Scholarship supports overseas PhD applicants at the University of Cambridge. It is open to prospective students from all countries except the United Kingdom and Ireland who have overseas fee status. Scholarships are available across eligible subjects and Cambridge Colleges.

Selection is based on academic merit, with applicants assessed on academic ability and research potential, examination results, and references; financial circumstances do not affect selection. Applicants must apply to Cambridge by the funding deadline for their chosen course, and the scholarship does not require additional questions in the Applicant Portal. Funding normally lasts for the course length, while up to six additional months of maintenance support for the optional PhD writing-up period may be available on application.

Usama Javed Mirza’s path to the Cambridge Trust Scholarship: Usama began preparing four months before applying, drafting his research proposal and CV early and asking an experienced colleague to strengthen his proposed methodology. He contacted prospective PhD supervisors with both documents attached, explained how his research connected with their expertise, tracked funding deadlines in a spreadsheet, and practiced extensively for both his PhD and scholarship interviews. His interdisciplinary academic and professional experience supported his application for a PhD in Education at the University of Cambridge, and he was offered the fully funded Cambridge Trust Scholarship alongside Gates Cambridge funding. View More Cambridge Trust Scholarship recipients →

UK universities and external organizations offer a wide range of scholarships for international students. Funding values, eligible courses, and application deadlines can change between academic years, so students should always confirm the latest terms on the official scholarship page before applying.

We hope this article on scholarships in the United Kingdom for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!