- Government schemes
- Chevening, Commonwealth, British Council awards
- University awards
- Partial to full fee reductions — apply with admission
- Deadlines
- Often before university offer deadlines — apply early
- Combination
- Multiple smaller awards can be combined in some cases
Key takeaways
- Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are prestigious, fully funded and highly competitive.
- Most universities offer their own international scholarships — apply early, often alongside your admissions application.
- Country-specific partnerships and subject-specific external awards are frequently overlooked and less competitive.
- Missing scholarship deadlines is the most common avoidable error — build a funding timeline early.
The main scholarship routes for international students
UK government-funded scholarships — Chevening (for postgraduate students with leadership potential, funded by the FCDO) and Commonwealth scholarships (for students from Commonwealth countries, for postgraduate and doctoral study) are fully funded and among the most prestigious awards available. GREAT Scholarships (run by the British Council with partner UK universities) offer £10,000+ towards tuition across a range of subjects, and flagship university awards such as the Clarendon Scholarship (University of Oxford) and the Gates Cambridge Scholarship (University of Cambridge) are fully funded routes worth targeting if you are aiming for the most selective universities. All have annual application cycles with strict deadlines and, in some cases, country-specific quotas — check the official programme websites for your eligibility and timeline.
University scholarships — most UK universities offer merit-based scholarships for international students, ranging from partial tuition fee reductions to full awards. These vary enormously between institutions; many are awarded automatically with a strong offer, while others require a separate application. Check the international scholarships page for every university you apply to, and apply as early as possible.
External and country-specific funding — your home government, national development banks, or bilateral agreements between your country and the UK may provide funding. Subject-specific charities and foundations (for example, in law, engineering, medicine or the arts) offer awards that fewer students compete for.
How to build a funding strategy that works
Start your scholarship research at the same time as your university applications — many awards close months before courses begin. Prioritise the awards you are most competitive for: Chevening, for example, values demonstrated leadership and a clear post-study plan, while university merit scholarships reward academic achievement. Keep a simple tracker of deadlines, requirements and status for each funding source. Study UK Now maps every relevant scholarship to your profile, manages your timelines and helps you craft the funding statements and personal development narrative that competitive applications require.
Common mistakes to avoid
Missing the deadline is the single most common error — Chevening and Commonwealth deadlines are typically months before the academic year begins, and late applications are not accepted. Applying to too few scholarships, or only to the most competitive ones, reduces your chances significantly. Failing to tailor your personal statement to the scholarship's specific criteria (leadership, development impact, academic excellence) is another common shortfall. Study UK Now tracks every relevant deadline and tailors your scholarship applications individually, so no opportunity is missed and every statement is pitched correctly.
| Scholarship | Level | Funding | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | Master's | Fully funded (tuition, stipend, flights) | Future leaders, any eligible country |
| Commonwealth | Master's / PhD | Fully funded | Students from Commonwealth countries |
| GREAT Scholarships | Master's (mostly) | £10,000+ towards tuition | Specific countries + partner universities |
| Clarendon (Oxford) | Master's / PhD | Fully funded | Top applicants to the University of Oxford |
| Gates Cambridge | Master's / PhD | Fully funded | Outstanding applicants to Cambridge |
| University awards | All levels | Partial to full fee reduction | Strong applicants — apply with admission |
How Study UK Now helps with this
Get expert, end-to-end help — from university matching to your visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a scholarship and the Student visa at the same time?
Yes — scholarship applications and university admissions run on separate timelines from your visa application. You typically secure your scholarship and university offer first, and then apply for the Student visa once you have your CAS. Study UK Now coordinates all three processes simultaneously so no timeline conflicts arise.
Are there scholarships specifically for students from India, Nigeria or other countries?
Yes — the UK has country-specific partnership scholarships, and Chevening and Commonwealth schemes have country quotas that mean competition is within your home country, not globally. Some universities also offer country-specific bursaries. Study UK Now identifies every country-specific and subject-specific award relevant to your profile as part of the funding strategy.
Sources — verified May 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.