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
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Rhodes Scholarship | External | Postgraduate degrees | Oxford course fees, a £20,400 annual stipend |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | External | Eligible postgraduate degrees | Full cost of studying at Cambridge, including a £22,050 maintenance allowance |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships | EU-funded | Master’s | No tuition or other mandatory participation costs for scholarship holders, plus a €1,400 monthly contribution |
| The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | External partnership | Partner-specific postgraduate programs | Fully funded; coverage and eligible programs vary by partner university |
| Chevening Scholarship | UK Government and partners | One-year master’s | Fully funded |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship | UK Government | One-year taught master’s | Approved tuition fees, airfare, a monthly stipend, and applicable allowances |
| GREAT Scholarships | UK Government campaign, British Council, and participating universities | One-year taught postgraduate courses | £10,000 toward tuition fees |
| International Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 | University of Sheffield | Bachelor’s | £2,500 per year, up to £10,000 for a four-year course |
| Think Big Postgraduate Award | University of Bristol | Eligible postgraduate master’s programs, including MRes | £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000 toward tuition fees for the first year |
| Developing Solutions Master’s Scholarship | University of Nottingham | Eligible full-time master’s programs, including MRes | 50% or 100% of tuition fees |
| Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships | University of Bristol | Bachelor’s | £6,500 or £13,000 per year toward tuition fees for up to four years |
| International Ambassador Scholarship | University of West London | Bachelor’s, Master’s | £1,000 toward first-year tuition fees |
| Clarendon Scholarship | University of Oxford | Master’s, DPhil | Full course fees and, for full-time scholars, a living-cost grant of at least £20,780 |
| International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship | University of Nottingham | Bachelor’s | £5,000 toward first-year tuition fees |
| Bestway Foundation Scholarships | Bestway Foundation and University of Kent | Eligible one-year taught master’s and master’s by research programs | £26,000 toward tuition fees and maintenance |
| Reach Oxford Scholarships | University of Oxford | Bachelor’s | Course fees, a living-cost grant, and one return airfare per year |
| Undergraduate Scholarships | University of Sussex | Bachelor’s | One current example is the Chancellor’s International Scholarship: £5,000 for the first year of study |
| Chancellor’s International Scholarships | University of Warwick | Eligible postgraduate research degrees | Full academic fees, a UKRI-rate maintenance stipend for 3.5 years, and a £5,000 Research Training and Support Grant |
| UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarships | University College London | Bachelor’s | Up to 33 awards for 2026–27: 10 full-tuition awards with maintenance and additional-cost support, and 23 full-tuition awards |
1. Rhodes Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Oxford course fees, a £20,400 annual stipend for 2025–26, and applicable support for visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs
- Eligible Degree/s: Postgraduate degrees
- Meet the Rhodes Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Toluwalase Awoyemi from Nigeria
First awarded in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship supports exceptional students pursuing postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. For the 2025–26 academic year, the scholarship covers Oxford course fees and provides an annual stipend of £20,400. Applicable visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs are also covered.
Eligibility requirements vary by constituency. Applicants should review the current rules for their country or region before applying.
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
- Meet the Gates Cambridge Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Arnab from India and Olivia from Nigeria
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.
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
- Meet the Erasmus Mundus Scholars in the UK: Explore scholarship journeys, including Muhammad from Pakistan and Verlyn from Indonesia
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.
4. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
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.
5. Chevening Scholarship
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.
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
- Meet the Commonwealth Master’s Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Iqra from Pakistan and Aarti from India
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.
7. GREAT Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: £10,000 toward tuition fees
- Eligible Degree/s: One-year taught postgraduate courses
- Meet the GREAT Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Peter from China and Faria Marha from Bangladesh
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.
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
- Meet the Think Big Postgraduate Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Khushi from India and Hien from Vietnam
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.
10. Developing Solutions Master’s Scholarship (University of Nottingham)
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)
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.
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
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.
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
- Meet the Chancellor’s International Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Peter from Hong Kong
The University of Warwick’s current doctoral scholarship competition includes Chancellors 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.
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
- Meet the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Aye Myat Mon from Myanmar and Louisa Wirawan from Indonesia
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.
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. Make sure to explore our Study in the UK guide and check out the Available Programs in the World for more information about studying in the country.
