Scholarships to Study UK for Indian Students

UK scholarships for Indian students offer valuable financial assistance along with opportunities to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, MBA, and research programs at some of the top universities in the UK. These scholarships are provided by UK government bodies, universities, and private organizations to encourage academic excellence, leadership, and international collaboration.

For Indian students aspiring to study in the UK, scholarships significantly reduce tuition fees and living expenses while opening doors to globally recognised education and career prospects.

Why Study in the UK with a Scholarship?

Studying in the UK with a scholarship provides multiple academic and professional advantages:

Access to world-ranked universities and cutting-edge research facilities
Financial support covering tuition fees, living expenses, or both
Exposure to diverse cultures and global career opportunities
Strong employability outcomes through international experience

Is studying in the UK affordable for Indian students?

Yes, studying in the UK can be affordable for Indian students with scholarships, as many fully or partially funded scholarships help cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

Do UK scholarships cover living expenses?

Some UK scholarships, such as Chevening, Rhodes, and Commonwealth Scholarships, cover tuition fees, accommodation, living costs, and airfare.

Types of Scholarships for International Students to Study in the UK

There are various UK scholarships for international students, categorised based on funding sources and eligibility.

Government-Funded Scholarships in the UK

These scholarships are funded by the UK government to attract talented international students:

Chevening Scholarships – Fully funded scholarships covering tuition fees, living costs, and travel
Commonwealth Scholarships – Offered to students from Commonwealth countries for specific disciplines

Are government scholarships in the UK fully funded?

Yes, most government-funded UK scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and additional allowances.

University-Specific Scholarships in the UK

Many UK universities offer scholarships directly to international students:

Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)
University of Westminster Scholarships

These scholarships are generally awarded based on academic excellence and leadership potential.

Private and Non-Governmental Organization Scholarships

Several private organizations also offer scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK, including:

The Royal Society Grants
GREAT Scholarships

Merit-Based UK Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic performance:

Dean’s Scholarships
Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships to Study in the

Need-based scholarships focus on students with financial constraints:

Ferguson Scholarships
Snowdon Trust Scholarships

Subject-Specific Scholarships in the UK

These scholarships are designed for specific academic disciplines:

Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
Think Big Scholarships (University of Bristol – multiple disciplines)

Research and Specialized Scholarships

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships

Regional Scholarships in the UK

Some scholarships are offered for specific regions within the UK:

Saltire Scholarships (Scotland)
Wales International Scholarship Program

UK Scholarships for Undergraduate Indian Students

With the aim of strengthening academic pursuits and promoting multiculturalism, several undergraduate scholarships in the UK are available for Indian students:

Commonwealth Scholarships
Inlaks Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
Tata Scholarship for Indian Students
Rhodes Scholarship (for select institutions)
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
University-specific scholarships (Cambridge Trust, Oxford India Centre Scholarship)
Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship
Saltire Scholarships (Scotland)
GREAT Scholarships

UK Scholarships for Postgraduate Indian Students

Below are some of the most popular postgraduate scholarships in the UK for international students:

Chevening Scholarships – Fully funded; requires a minimum of 2 years of professional experience
Rhodes Scholarship – Fully funded at the University of Oxford for students with exceptional leadership qualities
Felix Scholarship – Covers tuition, living expenses, and travel for underprivileged students
Commonwealth Scholarships – Available for selected disciplines
Hornby Scholarship – For English language teaching professionals
Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) – Focuses on arts and heritage conservation
Sussex India Scholarship – £4,000 tuition fee reduction
GREAT Scholarships – £10,000 tuition-only scholarships
Niyo Scholarship – Provides $2,000 financial assistance for overseas postgraduate study

Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements and deadlines, so applicants should carefully review the details.

UK Scholarships for Master’s Programs

The following UK master’s scholarships are available to international students:

Chevening Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships
Lancaster University Scholarships
London School of Economics (LSE) Scholarships
University of Southampton Scholarships
Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
UCL Global Masters Scholarship
Imperial College London Scholarships
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
University of Bristol – Think Big Scholarships
King’s College London International Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships
Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships
Bristol University Postgraduate Research Scholarships
University of Westminster International Scholarships
University of Oxford Graduate Scholarships
University of Glasgow International Scholarships
University of Manchester International Excellence Scholarships
University of Cambridge International Scholarships

UK Scholarships for MBA Programs

Indian students pursuing an MBA in the UK can apply for the following scholarships:

London Business School Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
Imperial College Business School Scholarships
University of Leeds – Leeds University Business School Scholarships
University of Oxford – Saïd Business School Scholarships
University of Manchester – Alliance Manchester Business School Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships
University of Edinburgh Business School Scholarships
University of Cambridge – Judge Business School Scholarships
University of Bath – Bath MBA Scholarships
University of Warwick – Warwick Business School Scholarships

Top Government Scholarships for International Students to Study in the UK

The leading government scholarships for Indian students include:

Chevening Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships
UK Government Global Scholarships
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
University-specific government-backed scholarships (Oxford, Cambridge)
Westminster International Scholarships
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

Eligibility Criteria for UK Scholarships

To apply for scholarships to study in the UK, students generally need to meet the following criteria:

Strong academic background and course-specific qualifications
Conditional or unconditional offer from a recognised UK institution
Subject-specific eligibility (for certain scholarships)
English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or alternatives
Work or leadership experience (for scholarships like Chevening)
Proof of financial need (for need-based scholarships)
Personal statement or scholarship essay
Letters of recommendation
Proof of intent to return to the home country (common for government scholarships)

How to Apply for Scholarships to Study in the UK

Follow these steps to apply for UK scholarships:

Research scholarships offered by universities, government bodies, and private organizations
Check eligibility criteria, nationality requirements, and subject suitability
Prepare documents such as academic transcripts, SOP, LORs, and English proficiency scores
Obtain an offer letter from a UK university
Submit scholarship applications as per instructions
Track application status and respond to additional requests
Prepare for scholarship interviews if required
Accept the scholarship offer and proceed with the UK Student Visa application

Intakes for UK Scholarships

UK scholarships have multiple intakes throughout the year:

Undergraduate Scholarships: September–October
Postgraduate Scholarships: September, January, or April
Chevening Scholarships: August–November
Rhodes Scholarships: June–August
Commonwealth Scholarships: November–December
Research Scholarships: Autumn and Spring
University-Specific Scholarships: November–May
Global Scholarships: Announced annually (often Spring or Summer)

FAQs - UK Scholarships for Indian Students

What are the best scholarships to study in the UK for Indian students?

Some of the best UK scholarships for Indian students include Chevening Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, Gates Cambridge Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships, and university-specific scholarships from Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.

Can I get a scholarship to study in the UK without IELTS?

Yes, many UK universities accept alternative English language requirements or prior education in English instead of IELTS.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships to study in the UK?

Yes, students can apply for multiple UK scholarships as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for each.

Need Help Applying for UK Scholarships?

For further assistance or personalised guidance, students can contact Edwise International and avail of expert services for studying in destinations such as study in UK, study in USA, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New Zealand, study in Singapore, study in Ireland, study in France, study in Germany, and more.