Postgraduate funding
The UK government runs a variety of scholarship programmes to financially support international students who are looking for help funding their studies in the UK.
The three main UK government scholarships on offer are:
GREAT Scholarships are scholarships to UK universities across a variety of subjects, for students from 18 countries. Applications for 2025-26 are open.
Chevening Scholarships offers fully funded master’s degrees in the UK. Learn more about one of the UK’s most prestigious scholarships.
Commonwealth Scholarships are UK university scholarships given to talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage.
Wider UK government funding
Many universities offer fully-funded postgraduate studentships for PhD programmes. Find out more.
Institution-specific scholarships
Many UK higher-education institutions offer their own scholarship programmes.
These are offered based on a number of factors, which can be broadly split out into the following categories:
- Academic, merit and excellence scholarships – These are usually awarded to students with a strong academic background, including achieving strong grades in their school exams.
- Performance-based scholarships – These are usually awarded to those who have exceptional ability in an extracurricular activity such as sports, music or performing arts like drama or dance.
- Subject-specific scholarships – These are often offered by individual departments for students studying a particular course or subject.
- Equal access or sanctuary scholarships – These scholarships can take the form of a tuition fee reduction or waiver or maintenance award and are offered to refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution from their home countries.
- Disability scholarships – These scholarships support international students with a disability, long-term mental health condition, learning difficulty or other special needs.
Always check out different institutions’ websites to discover what is available, and take a look at specialist websites like Postgraduate Studentships and Prospects for curated information that covers different institutions.
Read our essential advice on how to apply for a scholarship, from eligibility criteria to tailoring your application.
Global Scholarships
A.S. Hornby Trust Scholarship
Scholarships for English language teachers to enhance their English language skills.
Eligible Countries: Selected countries (see website for details).
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
Funding for master’s and doctoral courses (including distance learning), as well as academic, professional, and medical fellowships.
Eligible Countries: Commonwealth countries (see website for details).
GREAT Scholarships
Scholarships for one-year master’s courses across various subjects at UK universities.
Eligible Countries: Selected countries (see website for details).
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
Scholarships for women pursuing master’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at one of 19 UK universities.
Eligible Regions: Americas, South Asia, and South East Asia (see website for details).
Global Wales Scholarships for International Students
A range of scholarship opportunities for international students provided by Global Wales.
Eligible Regions: USA, India, Vietnam, and EU countries (see website for details).
Country-Specific Scholarships
Young Cell Scheme
Scholarships for postgraduate master’s studies in the EU.
Eligible Country: Kosovo (see website for details).
Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Scholarships
Funding for doctoral studies, research, visiting fellows, and Scottish summer school.
Eligible Country: Pakistan (see website for details).
Marshall Scholarship
Funding for master’s and doctoral courses at any UK university.
Eligible Country: USA (see website for details).
Science and Research Funding
Marshall Sherfield Fellowships
Post-doctoral research funding in science and engineering at UK universities.
Eligible Country: USA (see website for details).
Euraxess UK
Research placement opportunities in the UK.
Eligible Regions: Global (see website for details).
Royal Society Grants
Funding for postdoctoral science research.
Eligible Regions: Global (see website for details).
Undergraduate Funding
While undergraduate scholarships for EU and international students in the UK are less common than those for postgraduate studies, they are available. These scholarships generally fall into two categories:
- Scholarships offered by UK universities.
- Scholarships provided by third parties, such as governments or organisations in the student’s home country.
Visit the following resources for detailed information on undergraduate scholarships:
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
Explore funding options available for EU and international undergraduate students studying in the UK.UCAS Scholarships, Grants, and Bursaries
Find guidance for EU and international students on scholarships and grants provided by UK universities and third parties.
