The best UK scholarships for international students

PhD scholarships
If you need financial help for your PhD scholarships, these UK PhD scholarships can help you realise your dream of studying in the UK. Source: Christine Bird/Shutterstock.

Any student who has done even a little bit of research into studying abroad will know it doesn’t tend to come cheap.

With flights, health insurance, visa and processing costs, rising tuition costs in most countries, as well as sky-high living expenses, you’re going to need a decent-sized bank account for that coveted overseas stint.

But what if you and your family don’t have thousands saved up and ready to spend on your education? Don’t give up on the dream just yet, there are ways you can get a bit of extra help towards funding.

Now, as a student who has likely done at least a little bit of research, you are also likely to know there are scholarships available – what you might not know are which ones you are eligible for, where to find them, or how to apply.

So here are some of the best scholarships to study abroad in the UK you could be eligible for:

Through the UK government

Chevening Scholarships

The UK government offers a global scholarship programme called “Chevening”. It is open to all international students who meet the Chevening eligibility criteria, which states you must have applied for at least three degree courses in the UK, usually one-year Master’s courses.

The majority of the scholarships pay for your tuition fees, as well as a living allowance, return flights from your country to the UK, and sometimes more to cover other expenditure.

Applications open in August 2018 for the 2019/20 academic year and you can apply here.

Commonwealth Masters Scholarships

If you are from a “Commonwealth country” and are hoping to pursue a Master’s degree in the UK then the Commonwealth Scholarship could be for you.

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) provides funding for tuition fees, exam fees, airfare cover to and from the UK, a personal maintenance allowance, “initial arrival allowance” to cover extra costs in the first few days, exam fees and even a thesis grant if needed.

You can check regulations in your country and apply for the 2019/20 academic year here.

Through individual universities

Numerous universities in the UK offer scholarships to international students so if there is an institution, in particular, you have your eye on, have a look on their website or reach out via email to see if they have any scholarship available.

Wouldn’t it be great to have your tuition (and more) paid for! Source: GIPHY.

Here are more:

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Hoping to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge? This scholarship will cover all your costs.

Rhodes Scholarships at University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship was set up in 1902 and is the world’s oldest international scholarship programme at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It awards exceptional postgraduate students from certain eligible countries.

Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships

Each year, the University of Edinburgh offers 30 scholarships to international students hoping to undertake a PhD research programme in any field of study. The scholarship reduces tuition fees to the rate given to domestic students (and students who are from countries in the European Union) but does not cover maintenance costs.

Old College, Edinburgh. Source: Shutterstock.

Denys Holland Scholarship at University College London

Undergraduate students from any country are eligible for this scholarship if they would be unable to fund their studies at UCL otherwise and show a desire to throw themselves into university life inside and outside of their studies. The student will receive GBP9,000 (US$12,870) every year of their degree which they may use towards their tuition or as a maintenance loan.

Bristol University International Office Scholarships

The University of Bristol offers five scholarships per year for future undergraduate international students worth GBP8,500 (US$12,160).

University of West England Chancellor’s Scholarships

Each year, Bristol’s UWE offers a number of scholarships totalling GBP100,000 (US$143,000) for international students. Some of the scholarships may require you to undertake an internship for a while alongside your studies.

University of Westminster International Scholarships

The university awards scholarships to students from any developing country who wish to study in the UK and pursue a full-time Master’s degree in any subject area, except MBAs. Successful applicants can look forward to free tuition, accommodation, flights to and from London and living expenses.

Developing Solutions Scholarships at University of Nottingham

If you are from Africa, India or a developing Commonwealth country and you wish to study for a Master’s at Nottingham before returning to improve the development of your home country, this scholarship is for you. There are 105 available every year, with 30 covering the entire tuition cost and the other 75 subsidising it by 50 percent.

You can also have a look at these:

There are hundreds of scholarships out there so look hard enough, apply religiously, cross your fingers and hopefully, you’ll be on your way to the UK in no time.

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