The United Kingdom is a popular destination for international students, known for its world-class universities, diverse cultural experiences, and rich academic traditions. However, the cost of studying in the UK can be high. Scholarships offer vital financial support to help international students afford their education. This article highlights some of the most prominent scholarships available for international students in the UK, detailing their worth, eligibility criteria, and application processes, along with links to their official websites for further information.
Countries with Free University Tuition
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship program, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations. These scholarships support outstanding emerging leaders from around the world to pursue a one-year master’s degree in any subject at any UK university.
Worth:
- Full coverage of tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Travel costs to and from the UK
- Arrival and departure allowances
- Cost of a UK visa application
- A travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
- Return to your country of citizenship for at least two years after your scholarship ends.
- Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry to a postgraduate program at a UK university.
- Have at least two years of work experience.
- Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by July.
Application Process:
- Applications are submitted online through the Chevening website.
- Required documents include academic transcripts, degree certificates, and reference letters.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and are available for students from developing Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are intended for students who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK.
Worth:
- Approved airfare from the student’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the scholarship.
- Tuition fees
- Stipend (living allowance) of £1,236 per month, or £1,516 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area.
- Warm clothing allowance
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year.
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
Application Process:
- Applications are made through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) online application system.
- Required documents include academic transcripts, degree certificates, and reference letters.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from any country outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
Worth:
- University composition fee
- A maintenance allowance for a single student (£18,744 for 12 months at the 2023-24 rate)
- One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
- Inbound visa costs and the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Additional discretionary funding for academic development, family allowance, fieldwork, etc.
Eligibility:
- Be a citizen of any country outside the UK.
- Applying to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study at the University of Cambridge: PhD, MSc/MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course.
Application Process:
- Applications are submitted through the University of Cambridge’s graduate application portal.
- Required documents include academic transcripts, CV, research proposal, and reference letters.
Rhodes Scholarships
The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting exceptional students from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Established in 1902, it is the oldest international scholarship program in the world.
Worth:
- University and college fees
- A personal stipend (£18,180 per annum)
- One economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the scholarship and one economy class flight back to the student’s home country at the conclusion of the scholarship
Eligibility:
- Each applicant must fulfill the citizenship and residency requirements of the Rhodes constituency for which they are applying.
- Age limits vary between constituencies but are generally between 18-24 years old.
- Have achieved academic standing sufficiently advanced to assure completion of a bachelor’s degree by the October following election.
Application Process:
- Applications are submitted online through the Rhodes Trust website.
- Required documents include academic transcripts, personal statement, CV, and reference letters.
Clarendon Scholarships at the University of Oxford
Clarendon Scholarships are prestigious awards offered by the University of Oxford to the best students worldwide. Clarendon Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and potential across all degree-bearing subjects at the graduate level at Oxford.
Worth:
- Full coverage of tuition and college fees
- A generous grant for living expenses (£15,009 for 12 months)
Eligibility:
- All applicants for graduate study at the University of Oxford are eligible.
- Selection is based on outstanding academic merit and potential.
Application Process:
- No separate application is required; all eligible applicants are considered automatically.
- Required documents include academic transcripts, personal statement, CV, and reference letters.
Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
The University of Edinburgh offers Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships to attract the best and brightest PhD students from around the world. These scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded based on academic merit.
Worth:
- Covers the difference between the tuition fee for a UK/EU graduate student and that chargeable to an overseas graduate student. This does not cover maintenance expenses.
Eligibility:
- Open to students who are classified as overseas for tuition fee purposes.
- Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential.
Application Process:
- Applications are submitted online through the University of Edinburgh’s scholarship portal.
- Required documents include academic transcripts, research proposal, and reference letters. Conclusion
The UK offers a wealth of scholarship opportunities for international students, each designed to help alleviate the financial burden of studying abroad. Scholarships like the Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, Gates Cambridge Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Clarendon Scholarships, and Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships provide substantial financial support and are accessible to a broad range of international students. By understanding the eligibility criteria, benefits, and application processes, students can effectively apply for these scholarships to achieve their academic goals in the UK. For more detailed information and to start the application process, please visit the provided links.
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