Top Scholarships In The UK 2025-26

With over 600,000 international students choosing the UK each year, it remains one of the top study destinations in the world. However, tuition fees can range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, making UK scholarships for international students essential for those seeking financial aid. If you're looking for UK masters scholarships, fully funded scholarships for undergraduate international students in the UK, or, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. The Commonwealth Scholarship UK, for instance, supports students from low and middle-income countries, while the GREAT Scholarship UK offers funding of £10,000 per student for a range of postgraduate programs. Universities also offer funding options, such as the University of Manchester scholarships, to help students manage expenses. This guide will help you find the best funding options to turn your study abroad dream into reality.

Types of Scholarships In The UK

If you're planning to pursue higher education in this country, you'll find plenty of scholarship opportunities in the UK designed to ease financial burdens. Many UK scholarships for international students cover not just tuition fees but also living expenses and even travel costs. This means that talented students who might struggle with funding can still achieve their academic dreams with the right UK university scholarships. Let’s dive into the different types of scholarships in the UK and find the best fit for you!

1. Academic Scholarships In The UK

These scholarship opportunities in the UK are based on a student's academic achievements, such as grades, test scores, and class rankings. Universities, independent schools, or other educational institutions may offer them. Academic scholarships in the UK can cover tuition fees, living expenses, or both.

2. Merit-based Scholarships In The UK

These scholarships in the UK for international students can fall under fully funded scholarships and are awarded to exceptional achievers in a particular field. These intensely competitive scholarships require an all-focused application and a killer statement of purpose.

3. Need-based Scholarships In The UK

These scholarships in the UK are awarded to students who need financial support or aid. A need-based scholarship is primarily intended for students from low-income families who cannot afford the expensive tuition and living costs.

4. Subject-specific Scholarships In The UK

As the name suggests, these scholarships in the UK are provided to students enrolled in a specific course such as Law, Medicine, Social Sciences, etc.

5. Research Scholarships In The UK

These are provided to students who wish to pursue research in a specific field of their interest. They can cover tuition fees, living expenses, or both and may include funding for research-related expenses such as travel or equipment.

6. Industry-sponsored Scholarships In The UK

Private companies or organizations often offer these scholarships to students interested in pursuing careers in a specific field.

7. Sports Scholarships In The UK

These scholarships are awarded to students who excel in sports and want to continue playing at the collegiate level and beyond. Universities and sports organisations, including private foundations, may offer sports scholarships in the UK and fund sports-related expenses for future sports stars.

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5 Best Government Scholarships In the UK

It's worth noting that a wide range of scholarship opportunities in the UK, provided by the government of the UK, come with their eligibility criteria and requirements. For example, some scholarship opportunities in the UK are designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In contrast, others are aimed at students with exceptional academic abilities or specific areas of study.

Government Scholarships In The UK

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Scholarship	Offered By	Amount	Duration	Course Level	Deadline
Chevening Scholarships	UK Government (FCDO)	Full tuition + living expenses	1 year	Master’s	Early November 2025
Commonwealth Scholarships	UK FCDO & Commonwealth Scholarship Commission	Full tuition + travel + stipend	1–3 years	Master’s, PhD	December 2025
GREAT Scholarships	British Council & UK Government + Universities	£10,000	1 year	Master’s	May 16, 2025
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships	Scottish Government	£8,000	1 year	Master’s	31 May 2025
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	European Commission with UK & EU Universities	Full tuition + travel + stipend	1–2 years	Joint Master’s	Early February 2025

5 Best Non-Government Scholarships In The UK

In the United Kingdom, various non-government scholarship opportunities in the UK are available for students seeking financial assistance to pursue their education. Universities, private organisations, and charitable foundations offer these scholarships to support talented individuals in their academic endeavours.

Non-Government Scholarships In The UK

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Scholarship	Offered By	Amount	Duration	Course Level	Deadline
Rhodes Scholarships	Rhodes Trust	Full tuition + living expenses	2 years (extendable)	Master’s	2 October 2025
Gates Cambridge Scholarships	Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation	Full tuition + stipend	1–3 years	Master’s, PhD	Early December 2025
Clarendon Fund Scholarships	University of Oxford	Full tuition + stipend	Varies according to course duration	Master’s, PhD	Dec 2025–Jan 2026
Amberscholar	Amber	upto $12,000	Varies	Undergrad, Master’s, PhD	16 August 2025
Euraxess UK Scholarships	European Commission	Varies	Varies	PhD/Postdoc Research	Varies

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships In the UK for International Students

You must fulfill precise qualifying requirements when applying for scholarships in the UK. While each scholarship in the UK may have its unique set of criteria, there are a few things you should be aware of:

1. Academic achievements are vital

Candidates must have great grades and a competitive GPA in their prior courses to be eligible for the particular scholarship in the UK. You can go through a few tips to improve your GPA here. While entrance to UK institutions normally needs average marks, students must have attained a 60-80% or above score in their prior academic programmes to be eligible for UK scholarships for international students.

2. The ability to communicate in English is essential

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English competence to be eligible for specific scholarships in UK. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent in similar examinations is usually required to qualify for major scholarships in the UK.

3. Extracurricular activities

This might also influence the eligibility for scholarships in the UK. Those who have participated in various extracurricular activities for students. Particularly if they have leadership experience or have been active in social welfare initiatives, they may be considered for specialised, fully funded scholarships for undergraduate international students in the UK. Moreover, sports and athletic successes might lead to availing the scholarship opportunities in the UK.

Here is a detailed table of the eligibility criteria for several scholarship opportunities in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria For Scholarships In The UK

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Scholarship	Eligibility Criteria
Chevening Scholarships	- Citizen of a Chevening-eligible country - Undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 - Minimum 2 years’ work experience
Commonwealth Scholarships	- Citizen/permanent resident of a Commonwealth country - Not studying or working in a high-income country - Demonstrated financial need - Must meet UK university admission requirements
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships	- Citizen of Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan, or the USA - Offer of a place at a Scottish university
GREAT Scholarships	-Citizen of an eligible country (e.g. India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.) - Offer to study at a participating UK university - Meet English language and academic requirements
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	- Bachelor's degree (or final-year student) - No prior Erasmus Mundus funding for a master’s - Must apply to a minimum of two Erasmus consortium universities - English proficiency required
Rhodes Scholarships	- Citizen of an eligible Rhodes constituency (e.g. India, USA, Australia, etc.) - Age limit: 18–24 years (varies slightly by country) - Strong academic record - Leadership and community service experience
Gates Cambridge Scholarships	- Non-UK citizen - Applying to full-time Master’s or PhD at University of Cambridge - Exceptional academic record
Clarendon Fund Scholarships	- Applying to full-time or part-time postgraduate study at University of Oxford - Exceptional academic merit and potential - No separate application; considered automatically upon admission
Euraxess UK Scholarships	- Primarily for researchers at doctoral/postdoctoral levels - Citizenship/visa eligibility varies by program - Must have relevant academic background - Often requires a host institution in the UK
Amberscholar	- Enrolled or planning to enrol in any UK university - Undergraduate or postgraduate student - Must submit a short application/essay - Open to all nationalities

Things to Remember While Applying For Scholarships

1. Investigate the various scholarships in UK to see which ones you are eligible for. Starting early in the process is a good idea, as some applications for fully funded scholarships in the UK for undergraduate international students might take several months to complete.

2. If you've found scholarships in the country that fit your credentials and interests, thoroughly evaluate the eligibility criteria and application procedures. This will vary based on the scholarship opportunities in the UK, but they often include academic accomplishments, English language competence, and extracurricular activities.

3. As an international student, you will have to show your English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS. You can take the IELTS for UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) or the IELTS Life Skills Test.

4. Preparing your application materials, including academic records, letters of recommendation, essays, and other papers, comes next. Let yourself have plenty of time to complete these items properly and deliberately.

5. Following submitting your application, contact the scholarship giver to confirm receipt of your papers and inquire about the status of your application.

6. Follow up after submitting your application; you may want to follow up with the UK scholarship provider to ensure they have received your application and ask if they need additional information.

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UK Scholarships for International Students offer vital financial support to those aiming to pursue high-quality education in the United Kingdom. These scholarship opportunities in the UK are designed to ease the financial burden and reward academic excellence, leadership, and potential. Whether you're seeking undergraduate scholarships for international students in the UK or looking into UK masters scholarships, there are a variety of options to help fund your studies.

From government-funded awards to UK university scholarships and departmental grants, international students have access to numerous funding opportunities. These UK scholarships not only make education more affordable but also open doors to world-class institutions across the country. If you're considering studying in the UK, now is the time to explore the range of UK university scholarships for international students available. Make sure to stay organised, research thoroughly, and meet all deadlines to improve your chances.

We wish all international applicants the best in securing postgraduate scholarships UK for international students and making the most of their academic journey in the UK! With hard work and determination, you may make your ambition of studying in the UK a reality. Although some scholarships do cover rent, not all of them do. So why not lower your expenses by picking affordable accommodation in the UK with amber's help?