UK Scholarships: The Truth

(With a Complete Scholarship List for Undergraduate + Postgraduate Students)

For years, the idea of studying in the UK on a full scholarship has been sold as far more common than it actually is.

Students apply with hope. Parents plan finances assuming “some scholarship will come through.” Working professionals believe their experience will automatically translate into funding.

Then reality hits.

Yes, UK scholarships do exist. No, they are not as generous or as widespread as in the US. And full scholarships—especially at the undergraduate level—are rare.

This article is not here to sell dreams. It’s here to give you the truth, backed by data, real award structures, and on-ground experience working with UK universities.

You’ll get:

A clear reality check about UK scholarships

A smart strategy to plan finances without nasty surprises

And a complete, curated list of UK scholarships for UG + PG students

If you’re planning to study in the UK, this is the guide most students read after making mistakes. Read it first.

The UK Scholarship Reality Check (Read This Carefully)

Before we talk lists, names, and awards, you need to understand how the UK system actually works.

Full Scholarships in the UK Are the Exception, Not the Rule

Unlike the US, UK universities:

Do not routinely offer full merit-based scholarships

Do not compete heavily on financial aid packages

Expect international students to be largely self-funded

Only a handful of programmes—mostly government-funded postgraduate schemes—cover:

Full tuition

Living expenses

Travel costs

Examples include Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, and a few Oxford awards.

For undergraduate students, full funding is extremely rare.

Partial Scholarships Are Far More Common

Most UK university scholarships fall in the range of:

£1,000–£5,000 (very common)

£6,000–£10,000 (competitive, but realistic)

These awards:

Reduce financial pressure

Do not replace the need for strong family budgeting

Should be treated as bonuses, not foundations

UK ≠ USA (This Comparison Matters)

A hard truth students need to accept:

If scholarships are your primary reason for choosing a country, the UK may not be the best fit.

The Smart Strategy (Used by Successful Students)

Students who study in the UK successfully do one thing right:

They plan to pay full tuition—and let scholarships reduce the burden, not define the plan.

This mindset:

Reduces stress

Prevents last-minute panic

Allows better course and university choices

Complete List of UK Scholarships (UG + PG)

Below is a structured, realistic, and up-to-date list of major UK scholarships, organised by category.

1. UK Government-Funded Scholarships (Postgraduate Only)

These are the highest-value scholarships available for studying in the UK. They are also the most competitive.

Chevening Scholarships

Fully funded: tuition, living expenses, airfare

Master’s programmes only

Requires a minimum 2 years of work experience

Leadership potential is critical

This is the most well-known UK scholarship globally.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Fully funded

For Master’s and PhD programmes

Available to students from Commonwealth countries, including India

Strong academic profile + development impact required

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000 towards tuition

For one-year Master’s programmes

Joint initiative: UK universities + British Council

Country- and subject-specific

One of the most realistic PG scholarships for Indian students.

Scotland Saltire Scholarships

£8,000 award

Eligible countries include India, China, USA, Pakistan, Canada

Focus areas: science, technology, healthcare, engineering, creative industries

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

Full funding

For women pursuing STEM Master’s degrees

Strong emphasis on inclusion and impact

Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT)

Short-term research and professional programmes

Focus areas: arts, heritage, humanities

Ideal for niche academic and creative fields

Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarships

£10,000 towards Master’s tuition

For universities in Wales

2. University-Specific Scholarships (UG + PG)

Most UK scholarships come directly from universities and are partial but valuable.

University of Oxford

Postgraduate

Clarendon Fund (full tuition + living stipend)

Rhodes Scholarship (full funding)

Weidenfeld–Hoffmann Scholarship

Oxford–Pershing Square (MBA + MSc)

Ertegun Scholarship (Humanities)

Undergraduate

Oxford Bursaries (partial)

Reach Oxford Scholarship (rare, full funding for low-income students)

University of Cambridge

Postgraduate

Gates Cambridge Scholarship (full funding)

Cambridge Trust Scholarships

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards

Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Programme

Undergraduate

Cambridge International Bursaries

Cambridge Trust UG Awards

University College London (UCL)

UG

UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship

UCL India Excellence Scholarship

UCL Undergraduate Bursary

PG

UCL Global Master’s Scholarship

UCL GREAT Scholarships

UCL Research Excellence Awards

Imperial College London

President’s Undergraduate Scholarships

Imperial India Scholarships

Faculty-specific awards

GREAT Scholarships (select years)

London School of Economics (LSE)

UG

LSE Undergraduate Support Scheme

LSE India Scholarships

PG

LSE Graduate Support Scheme

Master’s Awards

PhD Studentships

King’s College London (KCL)

KCL India Master’s Scholarship

Undergraduate awards

Sanctuary Scholarships

Health Faculties funding

Hardship funds

Other Major UK Universities (Selected)

University of Manchester – Global Futures, India Alumni Scholarship

University of Edinburgh – Global UG & PG Scholarships

University of Warwick – UG Excellence, Master’s Awards, PhD funding

University of Bristol – Think Big UG & PG

University of Leeds – International Excellence

University of Nottingham – Developing Solutions Scholarship

Durham University – International Excellence

University of Glasgow – Leadership Scholarships

QMUL – Global Excellence Awards

University of Birmingham – Global Master’s & UG Excellence

University of York, Exeter, Sheffield, Southampton, Cardiff, Newcastle – Merit-based international awards

3. Subject-Specific Scholarships

Business & Management

London Business School Scholarships

Warwick Business School MBA Awards

Cambridge Judge Bursaries

Imperial Business School Funding

Engineering & STEM

British Council Women in STEM

Imperial Engineering Scholarships

Newcastle Engineering Excellence

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Chevening (Arts streams)

CWIT Scholarships

University of the Arts London (UAL) PG Scholarships

Health & Life Sciences

King’s Health Faculties Awards

Imperial Faculty of Medicine Funding

Edinburgh Global Health Scholarships

4. Country-Specific Scholarships for Indian Students

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

JN Tata Endowment

KC Mahindra Scholarships

Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship

Goa Education Trust

Rhodes India Scholarship

Commonwealth India Awards

(These often supplement UK university funding.)

5. Undergraduate-Only UK Scholarships (Mostly Partial)

UCL Global UG Scholarship

Bristol Think Big UG

Nottingham UG Excellence

Edinburgh Global UG Award

Leeds UG Excellence

Sheffield International Merit

Warwick UG Global Excellence

Manchester Global Futures UG

LSE UG Support Scheme

6. Postgraduate-Only Scholarships (Many Fully Funded)

Chevening

Commonwealth

GREAT

Gates Cambridge

Clarendon (Oxford)

Weidenfeld–Hoffmann (Oxford)

Rhodes

Imperial PG Research Funding

Edinburgh Global PG Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are full scholarships available to study in the UK?

Yes, but mostly for postgraduate programmes and through government or elite university schemes. Undergraduate full scholarships are extremely rare.

How much scholarship can I realistically expect in the UK?

Most students receive £1,000–£5,000. Larger awards exist but are highly competitive.

Is the UK cheaper than the US after scholarships?

Often yes, because UK degrees are shorter. But US universities offer far more financial aid.

Can average students get UK scholarships?

Yes—for partial merit awards. Full scholarships require exceptional academics, leadership, or impact.

Should scholarships determine my UK university choice?

No. Choose based on course quality, outcomes, and fit. Treat scholarships as secondary benefits.

Final Word: What Smart Applicants Do Differently

Students who succeed in the UK:

Understand the financial reality early

Choose universities strategically

Build strong academic and profile narratives

Apply for scholarships without depending on them

A subtle truth:

The UK rewards clarity, preparation, and realism—not blind hope.

And that’s exactly how strong applications are built.