Scholarships for international students wishing to study in the United Kingdom are usually awarded on the basis of merit or need. International students can apply for a variety of scholarships and financial aid from the UK government, including bursaries, fellowships, loans, and grants. Furthermore, universities and private organisations provide overseas students with a variety of financial aid options. Some of the UK's leading institutions have annual endowments of more than a billion pounds.
Over 750,000 international students enrol in UK universities each year as of the 2025 to 2026 academic cycle, with India consistently ranked as one of the top two source countries alongside China. Students enrolled in postgraduate, undergraduate, and research programmes can apply for a wide range of UK scholarships funded by the government, universities, and private trusts.
What Are the Types of Scholarships to Study in UK?
Indian students can apply for three main types of UK scholarships in 2026: merit-based government awards like Chevening and Commonwealth, university-specific scholarships such as Gates Cambridge and Imperial President's PhD Scholarship, and private trust awards like Felix and Charles Wallace. Most cover tuition, with fully-funded options including living stipend and return airfare from India.
International students can apply for a variety of merit-based and need-based scholarships in the United Kingdom. Scholarships provided by the government are very popular among international students. Scholarships granted by other colleges, on the other hand, play a significant role in international students' financial help. International students are also eligible for a number of department-specific scholarships offered by UK universities.
Students from non-EU countries can also apply for country-specific scholarships granted by various universities and private organisations in the UK. The international applicant's home country may also offer a limited number of financial aid opportunities to study in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, a number of non-governmental organisations provide scholarships and other financial aid to deserving international students.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for UK Scholarships?
Eligibility for UK scholarships in 2026 typically requires a strong undergraduate degree (first-class or 65 to 70 percent), proof of English proficiency through IELTS at 6.5 or 7.0, and a confirmed offer from a UK university. Government awards like Chevening also require 2,800 hours of work experience and a return commitment to India for two years.
To apply for scholarships in the United Kingdom, international students must meet strict eligibility requirements. Although each scholarship has its own set of requirements, the following are the most typical requirements for applying to scholarships in the United Kingdom:
Academic Achievements: Applicants must have a strong GPA and excellent academic scores in their previous studies. Although average scores are required for admission to programmes at UK universities, students must have a 60-80% score in their previous academic programmes to be eligible for scholarships in the UK.
English Language Competency: To be eligible for specific scholarships, students with non-English main languages must demonstrate proficiency in English. To be eligible for significant scholarships in the United Kingdom, students must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or comparable in other examinations.
Extracurricular Activities: Students who participate in a variety of extracurricular activities are eligible for a variety of scholarships. Some of the greatest scholarships go to students with leadership experience and significant social welfare activities. Sports and athletic achievements may potentially qualify you for a number of scholarships to study in the United Kingdom.
Which Are the Best Master's Scholarships in UK for Indian Students?
The top Master's scholarships in UK for Indian students in 2026 include the fully-funded Chevening, GREAT (£10,000), Felix, Commonwealth Master's, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann at Oxford, and university-specific awards like UCL Global Master's Scholarship (£15,000) and Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarship. Most cover tuition fees and many include living stipends.
Most Master's scholarships in the UK go to high-merit international students pursuing MSc, MA, MPhil, and MBA programmes in 2026. Below is a snapshot of leading UK universities and their Master's scholarships open to Indian students.
| University | Scholarship (2026) | Eligibility | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University College London | UCL Global Master's Scholarship | First-class undergraduate degree, demonstrated financial need | £15,000 |
| London School of Economics | LSE Master's Scholarships for Indian Students | Graduate Financial Support application, demonstrated need | Up to full tuition |
| University of Manchester | Manchester Master's Bursary | Any Master's applicant with an offer letter | £3,000 to £5,000 |
| University of Warwick | WMG Excellence Scholarships | Self-funded full-time MSc student, strong academic profile | 10 to 50% tuition fee discount |
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh Global Master's Scholarships | Indian nationals with offer for one-year taught Master's | £10,000 |
Which Are the Top MBA Scholarships in UK for Indian Students?
Top MBA scholarships in UK for Indian students in 2026 include the Saïd Business School Foundation Scholarships at Oxford, the Cambridge MBA Beyond Profit Scholarship (£25,000), Cranfield Exceptional Student Scholarship (up to £39,000), and the Birmingham Claire and Sean Henry Scholarship covering full tuition for outstanding Indian applicants with demonstrated need.
An MBA from a top UK business school is one of the most popular postgraduate choices for Indian students. The 2026 cycle offers strong scholarship support across Oxford, Cambridge, Cranfield, Birmingham, and Warwick.
| University | Scholarship (2026) | Eligibility | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | Saïd Business School Foundation Scholarships | Academic excellence, leadership potential, GMAT or GRE score | Variable awards across MBA cohort |
| University of Birmingham | Claire and Sean Henry Scholarship | Outstanding Indian applicant, demonstrated need, strong career trajectory | Full tuition (up to £30,000+) |
| Cranfield University | Cranfield Exceptional Student Scholarship | Academic and professional excellence, GMAT score 730+ | Up to £39,000 (100% tuition) |
| University of Cambridge | Cambridge MBA Beyond Profit Scholarship | Outstanding applicant from non-profit or social enterprise background | £25,000 |
| University of Warwick | Warwick Business School Scholarships | Strong academic and professional record | 10 to 50% tuition discount |
Which Are the Best PhD Scholarships in UK for Indian Students?
The leading PhD scholarships in UK for Indian students in 2026 are the Imperial College London President's PhD Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Clarendon Fund at Oxford, the Royal Society Grants for early-career researchers, and Commonwealth PhD Scholarships funded by the FCDO. Each typically covers full tuition, a generous stipend, and research-related travel.
Apart from the major UK scholarships listed above, Indian students pursuing doctoral study in 2026 can apply to the following PhD-specific awards covering tuition and a research stipend.
- Imperial College London President's PhD Scholarship: full tuition plus £25,000+ annual stipend
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship: full tuition plus maintenance and travel for outstanding applicants
- Clarendon Fund at Oxford: full tuition plus living grant for graduate study
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships: fully funded for Indian researchers via the FCDO
- The Royal Society Grants: research grants for early-career postdoctoral and PhD researchers
- Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
- Wellcome Trust PhD Programmes for biomedical and health research
- King's College London International Hardship Fund and PhD studentships
- Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarship for outstanding doctoral candidates
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine PhD Studentships
- UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships at participating universities
What Are the Top UK Scholarships for Indian Students in 2026?
Top UK scholarships for Indian students in 2026 include Chevening (fully funded Master's), GREAT (£10,000 toward tuition with 25 awards annually), Saltire (£8,000 from the Scottish Government), Charles Wallace India Trust for arts and humanities professionals, the Felix Scholarship, and the Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships for studies at Cambridge.
Several UK government and trust-funded scholarships are open to Indian students in 2026, covering tuition, living costs, and travel. Below are the most prominent options with their key 2026 details.
- Chevening Scholarships: Fully funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; covers tuition, monthly stipend, return airfare, and visa costs. Requires 2,800 hours work experience. ~1,500 awards globally each cycle.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Funded by FCDO for Master's and PhD candidates from Commonwealth countries; covers tuition, stipend (£1,378+/month outside London), return flights, and warm clothing grant. ~800 awarded annually.
- GREAT Scholarships: Joint UK Government and British Council initiative; minimum £10,000 toward tuition for one-year taught Master's. Around 25 spots for Indian students in 2026.
- Saltire Scholarships: Funded by the Scottish Government; £8,000 toward tuition for full-time Master's in science, technology, creative industries, healthcare, and renewable energy.
- Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Grants: Short-term scholarships for arts, heritage conservation, and humanities professionals; covers living costs, accommodation, and international travel.
- Felix Scholarship: 100% tuition + £19,000 living grant + return flight from India to the UK; tenable at Oxford, Reading, and SOAS for full-time Master's or DPhil.
- Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships: Awarded at Cambridge for Indian PhD researchers in subjects aligned with India's development.
Which UK Universities Offer Scholarships for Indian Students?
Most UK universities accepting international students provide scholarships in 2026. Top options include Gates Cambridge (full postgraduate funding), Birmingham International Scholarships (up to £10,000), Imperial bursaries (£1,000 to £54,000), Bristol International Scholarships, Edinburgh Global Scholarships, and Warwick's WMG Excellence Scholarships. Apply through each university's international office portal.
Most UK universities accepting international students offer scholarships for Indian applicants in 2026. Here are some of the leading universities and their main scholarship schemes for international students.
| University | Scholarship (2026) | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Full cost of postgraduate study |
| University of Oxford | Clarendon Fund Scholarships | Full tuition + living grant |
| University of Birmingham | Birmingham International Scholarships | Up to £10,000 |
| Imperial College London | Imperial Bursaries and Scholarships | £1,000 to £54,000 |
| University of Bristol | Bristol Think Big Scholarships | Up to £20,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh Global Scholarships | £5,000 to £10,000 |
| King's College London | King's International Scholarships | Up to £10,000 |
| University of Manchester | Manchester Master's Bursary | £3,000 to £5,000 |
| University of Warwick | Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarship | Full tuition + £15,000 stipend |
| University College London | UCL Global Master's Scholarship | £15,000 |
What International Organisation Scholarships Help You Study in UK?
International organisation scholarships for UK study in 2026 include Euraxess UK, a career platform run with the British Council, and the Royal Society Grants supporting early-career researchers in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and engineering. Erasmus Mundus joint Master's programmes also include UK partner institutions, offering full tuition and a monthly living allowance.
International students can apply for a variety of scholarships from a variety of international organisations to study in the United Kingdom. Some of the most desired scholarships granted by international non-governmental organisations are listed below:
Euraxess UK
This is a career development platform created in partnership with the British Council that provides international students with a variety of funding options. The portal provides access to a variety of funding possibilities across the UK, based on region, programmes, and research topics.
The Royal Society Grants
The Royal Society assists international students who are in the early stages of their research careers and are interested in areas such as research possibilities in the United Kingdom. The Royal Society Grants programme offers overseas students 37 different types of grants and financial aid.
What is the Sir Ratan Tata Postdoctoral Scholarship?
The Sir Ratan Tata Postdoctoral Scholarship is a fellowship for early-career postdoctoral scholars working on South Asian social science research at the London School of Economics. The 2026 award supports a 12-month research stay at LSE Asia Research Centre and covers stipend, research expenses, and a contribution toward international travel.
The Sir Ratan Tata Fellowship is hosted by the Asia Research Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and aims at early-career postdoctoral researchers working on South Asian social science. For the 2026 cycle, the fellowship covers a research stipend, conference travel, and access to LSE library and research infrastructure for a 12-month residency.