Scholarships To Study In UK For Indian Students: Types, Eligibility Criteria, Top Scholarships With Application Deadline

Scholarships To Study In UK For Indian Students: Types, Eligibility Criteria, Top Scholarships With Application Deadline

Introduction

With its renowned universities, the United Kingdom has long been a global leader in academics, drawing students from all over the world. According to a survey by AECC, the United Kingdom is one of the most preferred study-abroad destinations in 2022. Well-known for its rich heritage, cultural diversity and the most advanced research, the UK has become a popular destination for international students.

But, attending university in the UK may prove expensive, especially for those from foreign countries. Thankfully, there are quite a number of scholarships available for both domestic and international students, which helps lower the cost of education in the UK.

The UK offers an array of scholarships, from government-sponsored schemes targeted at bringing students from specific backgrounds or nations to merit-based university scholarships.

Types of scholarships to study in the UK

The United Kingdom holds an enviable position in the list of top 10 study-abroad destinations. It is in second position, the first being the USA. Since the United Kingdom is dedicated to making high-quality education available for international students, it offers a number of scholarships at different levels. These scholarships can be broadly categorized into the following types:

Merit-Based Scholarships

The universities and various scholarship providers offer merit-based scholarships in the UK. This type of scholarship is a financial award granted to students on the basis of their exceptional academic achievements, skills, talent and other merits. These scholarships recognize and reward individuals who have excelled in their respective fields to encourage them to pursue higher education or further their talent.
It is highly competitive and requires a focused application and noteworthy SOP (statement of purpose)

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships in the UK provide financial assistance to students who are having hurdles in pursuing higher education overseas due to financial constraints. This scholarship values exceptional talent and primarily considers the student’s financial circumstances, like income and assets, as the main eligibility criteria.

Subject-Specific Scholarship

Subject-specific scholarships in the UK are awarded to students who exhibit excellence in particular academic fields. Students who have a significant interest in and talent for subjects like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or the arts are encouraged and supported by these scholarships.

Regional Specific Scholarships

Regional-specific scholarships in the UK are financial awards offered to students from some specific regions or geographic areas of the United Kingdom. It aims to acknowledge unique challenges and opportunities that students from different regions may face and to make higher education accessible to them. It encompasses a wide range of fields of study and levels of education, from undergraduate to postgraduate programs.

University Scholarships

Individual universities award university scholarships in the UK to both domestic as well as international students. It is based on criteria such as academic excellence, subject-specific achievements, merit-based qualities and even financial needs. Some universities also aim to offer it to international students to enhance diversity and attract talented students from around the world.

Business Scholarships

Business scholarships in the UK are offered by private businesses and organizations to support students who want to pursue their career in finance, business and entrepreneurship. The purpose of these scholarships is to honor and acknowledge students who demonstrate remarkable skills in leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

STEM Scholarships

STEM scholarships in the UK are awarded to students who are keen to pursue their career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The objective of this scholarship is to support students who are enthusiastic about STEM disciplines and create a well-rounded society.

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Government-funded scholarships to study in the UK

There are prominent government-funded scholarships to study in the UK for international students
  • Chevening Scholarships: Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chevening offers prestigious scholarships for postgraduate (Master's) study at universities across the UK. They target future leaders from all walks of life and aim to create a global network of professionals.

University scholarships to study in the UK

Scholarship name

University 

Scholarship amount

Think Big Scholarship

University of Bristol

Tuition fee waiver of up to £20,000

President’s Undergraduate Scholarship

Imperial College

Entire tuition fees and also provides a stipend for living expenses

Rhodes Scholarship

University of Oxford

£59400

 

Global Research Scholarship

University of Edinburgh

Tuition fee waiver of up to £10,000 for postgraduate level program

International Achievement Scholarship

University of Birmingham

Up to £5,000

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

University of Cambridge

Entire tuition fee and living expenses

Chancellor’s International Scholarships

University of Sussex

50% off on tuition fees for a postgraduate level program

Popular scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK

Below, we provide a brief of some of the most renowned and highly sought-after scholarships designed especially for Indian students, each of which is essential to helping them achieve their academic goals.

This table provides a summary of UK scholarships available for Indian students.

Name of scholarship

Eligibility

Amount

Mary Trevallyan Hardship Fund

It is open to students of all disciplines

£400-600

INR 41600-62000

Academic Excellence Scholarships

Indian students studying in the University of Lincoln are eligible

£5000

INR 521200

Waiver on tuition fee

International Ambassador Scholarship

It is available for all Indian students

£5000

INR 521200

Waiver on tuition fee

Leeds International Foundation Year Scholarships

Students of Economics, Business, Finance, Management & Human Resources are eligible

£3000

INR 312700

Rapid Formations Entrepreneur Scholarship Program

Students willing to pursue their UG degree in Business & Entrepreneurship

£500

INR 52100

British Chevening Scholarship

Students with 2 years of work experience

£18,000

INR 1876000

 

For MBA

£18,000

INR 1876000

A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

Students with 3 years of teaching experience

Stipend that covers tuition, living, language test and visa every month

Sports Scholarships

Students excelling in sports are eligible

£5000

INR 521000

Family Scholarship

Students of particular courses are eligible

20% off on 1st year fees

Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant

Students belonging to Arts studies in universities

£10,590-12400

INR 1104000-1299000

Rhodes Scholarship

Students with excellent academic records

£59400

INR 6201300

Chevening Scholarships

Indian citizen with a strong academic record.

Must have 2 years of work experience

All expenses, including tuition fees, living costs and travel expenses

Commonwealth Scholarships

It is open to Indian citizens under the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme

Entire tuition fees, living expenses and much more

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Academic excels pursuing PhD

Must be accepted at the university of Cambridge

Entire study cost and additional support

Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships

Indian citizens with a stron academic record

It is available for doctoral and graduate programs

Tuition fees, living costs and travel expenses

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

Eligibility varied on grant

Grant amount varies

Application process for scholarship in the UK

  • Research scholarships: Start by identifying relevant scholarships. Resources like the scholarship websites of universities you're interested in, government scholarship portals (e.g., Chevening Scholarships), and scholarship aggregator websites can be helpful for this.
  • Review eligibility criteria: Carefully read the eligibility criteria for each scholarship. This will typically include academic requirements, nationality restrictions, intended field of study, and sometimes work experience requirements.
  • Prepare application materials: Gather the required documents, which may include:
  • Completed application form: This will be specific to each scholarship program and often available online.
  • Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions.
  • Standardized test scores: If applicable, proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) and other required tests are mentioned in the scholarship criteria.
  • References: Letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or other relevant individuals as specified by the scholarship.
  • Personal statement: An essay outlining your academic background, research interests, career goals, and how the scholarship aligns with your aspirations.
  • Research proposal (for research scholarships): A well-defined research proposal outlining your research topic, methodology, and expected outcomes. This may be required for some scholarships, particularly those focused on research programs.
  • Proof of financial support: Some scholarships may require documentation to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to cover living expenses not covered by the scholarship.
  • Submit application: Meet the application deadline and submit your complete application package following the instructions provided by the scholarship provider. This may involve online submission or sending physical documents.

Documents required to get a UK scholarship

  • Completed application form
  • Academic transcripts
  • Standardized test scores (if applicable)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Research proposal (for research scholarships)
  • Proof of financial support (for some scholarships)
  • Additional documents specific to the scholarship program (e.g., CV, portfolio, work experience certificates)

Application deadlines for scholarships in the UK

Scholarship deadlines can vary greatly. Some scholarships have deadlines as early as September or October in the year preceding your studies, while others may have deadlines in March or April. It’s crucial to check the specific deadlines for each scholarship you’re interested in.

Tips for students applying for scholarships in the UK

Start your research early

Start your research well in advance, as some scholarships have prerequisites and specific deadlines that you need to meet.

Check the eligibility criteria

Every university has unique eligibility criteria; ensure you have checked everything and you meet the requirements for the scholarships.

Pay attention to your application

Craft a compelling application that pays special attention to your academic goals and achievements and why you deserve that specific scholarship.

Seek guidance from experts

Reach out to the MSM Unify team for expert guidance on scholarships, financial aid, admission to the best university, visa and immigration proof, and everything that is required to make your overseas education journey smooth.

Keep a check on deadlines

Use digital calendars and other tools to mark important deadlines and submit your application before the due dates. Also, gather all necessary documents in one place to make your application a smooth process.

Top Scholarships in UK for International Students in 2024

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FAQs

Got questions?
Find answers here
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Q. How to get a scholarship to study in the UK?
To get a scholarship in the UK, research available options, review the eligibility and application deadlines, ensure you meet the requirements and prepare a strong application that highlights your academic records, achievements, and extracurricular involvements.
The chances of being awarded a 100% scholarship are rare, but they are definitely there. It is a highly competitive scholarship as it is offered to brilliant students who have excellent academic records and achievements.
Indian students can get scholarships in UK easily. There are many scholarships available for Indian students. You can refer to the blog above to learn more about the available scholarships.
The United Kingdom does offer full scholarships to selected students. It covers tuition fees and living expenses. Full scholarships are highly competitive and require excellent records of students.

Indian students can get full scholarships in UK by demonstrating their academic excellence and leadership skills and by participating in extracurricular activities.

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