🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in United Kingdom — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
The UK's flagship international scholarships are Chevening (funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for one-year master's) and the Commonwealth Scholarships (for Commonwealth-country students), alongside GREAT Scholarships and many university awards. Explore options on the Study UK / British Council site and apply by each scheme's deadline.
The UK offers several UK-government scholarships alongside extensive university funding. The best-known are Chevening (one-year master's, funded by the FCDO), the Commonwealth Scholarships (for citizens of Commonwealth countries, run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission), and the GREAT Scholarships (a British Council partnership). The Study UK portal (British Council) is the official starting point.
- Chevening funds a one-year master's at any UK university for emerging leaders; you apply online and, if shortlisted, interview at the British embassy/high commission in your country.
- Commonwealth Scholarships support master's and PhD study for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
- GREAT Scholarships (British Council with UK universities) offer partial awards for one-year postgraduate study in selected countries.
- Beyond government schemes, individual UK universities offer their own international scholarships — check each institution's funding pages.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map UK funding: Chevening (FCDO master’s), Commonwealth Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships and university awards via Study UK / British Council.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- Chevening Scholarships
UK-government scholarship for a one-year master's; official application portal.
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
UK scholarships for Commonwealth-country citizens (master's, PhD, split-site).
- Study UK — British Council
Official UK study portal — scholarships and funding overview.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chevening Scholarship?
A UK-government award funded by the FCDO for a one-year master’s, covering tuition, a stipend and travel for future leaders.
Who can get a Commonwealth Scholarship?
Students from Commonwealth countries, particularly for master’s and PhD study, under the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Are there university scholarships too?
Yes — most UK universities offer their own international scholarships; check each university’s site alongside the national schemes.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- UK Government (GOV.UK) — UK's unified government services portal — visas, taxes, driving licences, benefits and more
- UK Visas and Immigration — UK visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and work authorization
- HM Revenue & Customs — Self Assessment tax returns, National Insurance, VAT registration and payment