There are hundreds of scholarships, bursaries and grant schemes on offer for students who need extra support to pay for their UK course.
Many institutions offer their own financial assistance, and you should check their websites for more details. Students can receive scholarships to cover the cost of tuition fees and maintenance (living expenses) towards their studies in the UK.
You could get a university scholarship or bursary – these financial awards usually reward high achievement or support students with greater need. Bursaries are usually awarded to students based on their personal circumstances, or if they come from a low-income family. University scholarships usually reward students who are outstanding in their subject, sport or music. They generally (but not always) need to be applied for, and are often competitive.
University scholarships and bursaries are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students as extra financial help. Most awards are for full-time students. There can also be awards specifically for international students. You must meet the criteria, and the money does not need to be paid back.
The UK government offers hundreds of scholarships, bursaries and additional financial support to students from several countries. Many institutions also offer their own financial assistance and fully-funded postgraduate studentships. You can find out more from your chosen academic institution. Below is an indicative of scholarships available to students by various means –
Science and research funding
Global scholarships
You can apply for any of the following scholarships, providing you meet the scholarship programme criteria.
Country-specific scholarships and funding
There are many different scholarships available, and some depend on where you are from.
| Scheme | Funding Opportunity | Open to students or researchers from |
|---|---|---|
| A.S. Hornby Trust Scholarship Programme | Scholarships for English language teachers to develop their English language skills | Selected countries – see website |
| Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships | Scholarships for postgraduate master’s studies in the areas of science, technology, creative industries, healthcare and medical sciences, and renewable and clean energy. | Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Pakistan and USA |
| Young Cell Scheme | Postgraduate master’s studies in the EU | Kosovo |
| International Atomic Energy Agency Scholarships | Fellowships for graduates | Selected countries – see website |
| Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan | Master’s and doctoral courses, plus academic, professional and medical fellowships | Commonwealth countries |
| Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Scholarships | Doctoral studies, research, visiting fellows and Scottish summer school | Pakistan |
| UK-China HE Research Partnership for PhD Studies | Doctoral studies | China and UK |
| GREAT China scholarships | 150 postgraduate scholarships in total value of £1 million. | China |
| GREAT India Scholarships | 70 scholarships at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in total value of £1 million | India |
| Marshall Scholarship | Master’s and doctoral courses at any university in the UK | USA |
| Marshall Sherfield Fellowships | Post-doctoral research in science and engineering at any university in the UK | USA |