If studying in the United Kingdom has always been your dream, then it’s time to see that dream come true. But with such high tuition fees and living expenses, pursuing any degree in the UK seems almost impossible. However, there are so many scholarship and fellowship programs that have made gaining education from the UK accessible for motivated candidates. 

If you are in need of financial assistance, have an exceptional academic record, and have outstanding leadership qualities, you should avail yourself of the amazing scholarship opportunities available to you. Read on to discover the top 17 scholarships that you can achieve to study free of cost in the UK.  

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Gates Cambridge Scholarship(No IELTS Required)

The Gates Cambridge scholarships are awarded to 80 exceptional applicants. This scholarship covers academic development funding, airfare, family allowance, and a lot more. Students from all around the world can apply. Leadership qualities with a strong case are required if you really want to win this scholarship.

  • Offered by: The Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation
  • Institutions: University of Cambridge
  • Type: Fully Funded scholarship
  • Degree Program: Masters/Ph.D
  • Scholarship Amount: £17,500 

Click here to apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship. 

Chevening Scholarship (No IELTS Required)

Students from Chevening-eligible countries have the opportunity to apply to the Chevening scholarship master’s program. Around 1,500 Chevening scholarships are awarded to international students. It is a fully funded scholarship that covers a monthly allowance, return airfare to the UK, and additional grants. 

  • Offered by: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organizations
  • Institutions: UK Universities
  • Type: Fully Funded scholarship
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: Up to £18,000

Click here to apply for Chevening Scholarships.

Clarendon Scholarship(No IELTS Required)

Another scholarship offered by the University of Oxford is Clarendon Scholarship, which is both for Masters and Ph.D. students. It is named after the Clarendon Fund, which was established in 2001 with a donation from the Oxford University Press. It is a competitive award given to exceptional graduates to complete their education in the UK free of cost. 

  • Offered by: University of Oxford
  • Institutions: University of Oxford
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Masters, Ph.D.
  • Scholarship Amount: Both Partial and Full Funding

Click here to apply for St Cross College Scholarships.

 

GREAT Scholarships By British Council (No IELTS Required)

  • Offered by: the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council
  • Institutions: 12 Universities in the UK
  • Type: Fully funded scholarship
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Coverage: £10,000 for a one-year course
  • Deadline: Varies depending on the university

GREAT scholarships cover €10,000 towards the tuition fee of students who wish to study various master’s courses in the UK. The scholarship is covered for one year only. The collaboration of the GREAT Britain Campaign of the UK government with the British Council funds this scholarship. There are 200 GREAT scholarships available, which are offered by 49 universities providing high-quality education in Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. The scholars who win the GREAT scholarship will be welcomed in an event during their first semester. Later, they will be invited to a networking event in their second semester. 

Click here to apply.

 

Rhodes Scholarship (No IELTS Required)

Getting selected for a Rhodes scholarship is very tough, albeit in a good way, since the number of scholarship offered for each constituency is limited and the numbers of applications are too high. A global selection ratio of less than 0.7% makes it one of the world’s most competitive and respected scholarships.

It’s the combination of the academic statement, personal statement, and the recommendations made for you that ultimately helps you make the final cut. Here is some additional information about the selection process.

  • Rhodes Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial status.
  • In selecting Rhodes Scholars, no differences in marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social background, disability, or caste are considered.
  • The scholarship cannot be deferred or brought forward.
  • The Rhodes Scholarships are applied for first. If selected, the student must apply separately to the chosen program of study.
  • No scholarship will be offered if any suitable candidates are not found.

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Supported by: University of Oxford/Government of UK

Type: Fully Funded

Deadline:  Oct 2023

Click here to apply.

 

The Bourne Scholarship

If you think Prose Fiction is your cup of tea, you should definitely avail yourself of the Bourne scholarship. Students from around the world with genuine financial needs will be given preference. However, only candidates over 25 years will be considered for this application. 

  • Offered by: University of East Anglia
  • Institutions: University of East Anglia
  • Type: Fully Funded scholarship
  • Degree Program: Masters in Prose Fiction
  • Scholarship Amount: £7,000

Click here to apply for the Bourne Scholarship.

Commonwealth Masters Scholarship

Students from developing Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply for this scholarship to pursue their master’s degree in the UK. Motivated and talented students who believe that they have the capability to gain the skills and knowledge required for sustainable development can apply 

  • Offered by: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
  • Institutions: UK Universities 
  • Type: Fully Funded scholarship
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: £1,084 to 1,330 per month

Click here to apply for the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship.

Scotland Saltire Scholarships

Students from Pakistan, India, China, Canada, Japan, and the USA are eligible to apply for the master’s program to study various fields like medicine, healthcare, science, technology, etc. The applicant must have an interest in Scotland and should be competent enough to take a leading role in his/her field of interest. 

  • Offered by: Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish Universities & Colleges
  • Institutions: Scottish Universities & Colleges
  • Type: Fully Funded scholarship (one year)
  • Degree Program: Master
  • Scholarship Amount: £8,000 a year

Click here to apply for the Scotland Saltire Scholarships.

Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowships

If you are a postdoctoral researcher, you have this amazing opportunity of Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral fellowships that not only cover your expenses but also allow you to work in the best environment. A final-year Ph.D. researcher or an initial-stage postdoctoral is eligible to apply for this fellowship. 

  • Offered by: Wellcome Trust
  • Institutions: UK Universities
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Postdoctoral
  • Scholarship Amount: £300,000

Click here to apply for the Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral fellowship.

University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship

  • Funded by: University of Bristol
  • Type: Partial Funding
  • Education level: The undergraduate program and the Master’s program
  • Duration: It all depends on the program.
  • Deadline:
    • For postgraduate course 26th Feb 2024
    • For undergraduate program 29th Apr 2024
  • Offered by the University of Bristol to international undergrad and postgrad students
  • Provides up to £20,000 in tuition fee waivers to help cover costs of studies
  • Awarded based on academic ability, commitment to personal development, and enthusiasm for field of study

Undergraduate Scholarship Funding

  • Three scholarships of £10,000 each available
  • Nine scholarships of £5,000 each available

Postgraduate Scholarship Funding

  • Five scholarships of £20,000 each
  • Ten scholarships of £10,000 each
  • Twenty scholarships of £5,000 each

In summary, the ‘Think Big’ scholarship at the University of Bristol provides substantial tuition fee waivers for international students based on merit and passion for their chosen degree. Funding levels vary between undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

St Cross College Scholarship

Get an opportunity to study in the graduate college of the University of Oxford by applying for the St Cross College Scholarship. Students from around the world can apply and can get awarded on the basis of merit and financial needs. This scholarship covers the tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs of the candidate. 

  • Offered by: University of Oxford
  • Institutions: St Cross College
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: £8,825 each year with tuition fee waiver 

Click here to apply for St Cross College Scholarships.

Imperial College London Scholarship

With your postgraduate degree in chemical engineering, you cannot find any other opportunity more intriguing than getting a fully funded scholarship from Imperial College London. There are only 10 of these scholarships; therefore, you should stand out with your capabilities and exceptional application to win the scholarship. 

  • Offered by: Imperial College London
  • Institutions: Imperial College London
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
  • Scholarship Amount: Fully Funded   

Click here to apply for Imperial College London Scholarships. 

Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students

If you are from India, Vietnam, the US, or the European Union, you can apply for a master’s program in Wales. There are a number of host institutions that offer Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarships. The institutes include:

  1.  Aberystwyth University
  2.  Bangor University
  3.  Cardiff University
  4.  Cardiff Metropolitan University
  5.  Swansea University
  6.  University of South Wales
  7.  University of Wales Trinity St David
  8.  Wrexham Glyndwr University

You must apply to your preferred university and the scholarship separately to be considered for this program. 

  • Offered by: the Global Wales Program
  • Institutions: Mentioned above
  • Type: Partially Funded 
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: £10,000

Click here to apply for the Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarships.

 

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarships

Founded in 1985, the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies serves to provide advanced Islamic studies to Muslims around the world. They offer scholarships to international students so that they can pursue their postgraduate degrees from the prestigious institute free of cost. The preference will be given to those who are in need of a financial assistance. 

  • Offered by: OCIS
  • Institutions: University of Oxford
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Masters, PhD
  • Scholarship Amount: 100% of course fees and a grant for living costs (at least £17,668)

Click here to apply for Oxford Center for Islamic Studies Scholarships. 

Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships

All the international and European Union students can apply for the Transform Together Scholarships, with which they can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees with half tuition fee waiver. The Transform Together scholarships are primarily of two types: for European Union (non-UK) students and for international students. 

  • Offered by: Sheffield Hallam University
  • Institutions: Sheffield Hallam University
  • Type: Partially Funded 
  • Degree Program: Bachelor, Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: 50% fee waiver  

Click here to apply for Oxford Center for the Transform Together Scholarships. 

Undergraduate Westminster Vice Chancellor’s Scholarships

Students, particularly from developing countries, have this amazing opportunity to achieve fully funded scholarships and complete their undergraduate degrees in the UK. University of Westminster in the United Kingdom offers this fully funded scholarship, which aims at supporting outstanding students from developing countries. 

  • Offered by: University of Westminster
  • Institutions: University of Westminster
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Bachelor
  • Scholarship Amount: Covers tuition fee, accommodation, and all other expenses.   
  • Black or Mixed Black ethnic background

Click here to apply for Westminster Vice Chancellor’s Scholarships. 

GEMS International Undergraduate Scholarship

Global Education Management Systems Foundation helps students from around the world to get a chance to pursue bachelor’s degrees from leading universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the US, and Europe. Students who graduated from GEMS Education School can apply for this scholarship. 

  • Offered by: GEMS Foundation
  • Institutions: University of Stirling, UK
  • Type: Partially Funded 
  • Degree Program: Undergraduate
  • Scholarship Amount: £8,000 over four years

Click here to apply for GEMS International Undergraduate Scholarships. 

The University of West England Chancellor’s Scholarship

If you have never been to the UK and hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a British one, you have the opportunity to win a partially funded scholarship by UWE. The University of West England is known to provide scholarships worth £100,000 to international students every year. 

  • Offered by: The University of West England
  • Institutions: UWE, Bristol
  • Type: Partially Funded 
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: 50% tuition fee

Click here to apply for the University of West England Chancellor’s Scholarships.

University of Exeter Undergraduate/Postgraduate Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a range of scholarships for students to pursue their undergraduate degree in the UK free of cost. Global Excellence Scholarship is awarded to international students with exceptional academic backgrounds. You can complete three years of study with a yearly stipend of up to £5,000. 

  • Offered by: University of Exeter
  • Institutions: University of Exeter
  • Type: Both Partial and Full Funding
  • Degree Program: Bachelor/Master’s
  • Scholarship Amount: £5,000 or Fully Funded

Click here to apply for University of Exeter Under/Post graduate Scholarships. 

The Marshall Scholarships

If you can demonstrate leadership potential and outstanding academic achievement along with a commitment to public service, then you should definitely try your luck for the Marshall scholarship. You can pursue advanced study at a leading institution in the UK. However, this scholarship is for US citizens only. 

  • Offered by: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
  • Institutions: Any University in the UK
  • Type: Fully Funded 
  • Degree Program: Masters
  • Scholarship Amount: £8,825 each year with tuition fee waiver 

Click here to apply for the Marshall Scholarships.

Visit the official websites to get the most recent and accurate information about the scholarships. You will find out more about eligibility criteria, scholarship grants, and how to apply once you visit the website.