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Scholarships for international postgraduate students

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'There are many sources of funding available to you for studying in the UK – particularly if you are a postgraduate student. The British government and other UK organisations offer a range of international student scholarships and awards. We’ve put together some information below on the main UK scholarship schemes for international postgraduate study - you can also search and apply for scholarships in the scholarship finder. '

EdUK_postgrad_scholarships_article_lead_image_420x220 British Chevening Scholarships

The British Chevening Scholarship scheme aims to bring future leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers to the UK for a period of postgraduate study. To be eligible, you should have a proven record of success and have the potential to rise to a position of power and influence in your chosen career.

Chevening awards are given annually to students from a wide variety of countries. They cover all or part of the cost of a one-year postgraduate course in the UK. Once you have completed the course, you will be expected to return to your home country.

You can find out more and apply online at the Chevening website.
 
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

The CSFP is aimed at Commonwealth citizens who can make a significant contribution to their home country after studying in the UK. If you are from a developing country in the Commonwealth, your chosen area of work is expected to contribute directly to development objectives. If you are from a developed Commonwealth country, you should have the potential to become a leader in your chosen profession.
 
CSFP Scholarships are usually for between one and three years. They cover the cost of travel to and from the UK, tuition fees and living expenses. In some cases an allowance is paid to help with the cost of maintaining your spouse and family in the UK.

Professional Fellowship awards are typically for three months. They provide opportunities for people working in developing Commonwealth countries to spend a short period of professional updating in the UK. Academic Staff Fellowships offer opportunities for a six-month period of postdoctoral research. These are available to Commonwealth citizens holding or returning to a teaching appointment in a university in the developing Commonwealth.

Information on these and other funding opportunities is available at the CSFP website.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme assists students from developing Commonwealth countries who would benefit from higher education in the UK. If you are unable to study in the UK for financial reasons and are outside the scope of other British government support schemes, you may be eligible.

To apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship you should be:
  • of high academic calibre
  • intending to study subjects of developmental relevance to your home country
  • under 35 years old at the time your course starts
  • able to speak fluent English
  • not employed by your government or an international organisation
  • resident in a developing Commonwealth country.
You can find further information on the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme at the CSFP website. 

Royal Society Fellowships

The Royal Society offers incoming fellowships for researchers from North America and Asia. The aim is to attract outstanding postdoctoral scientists to undertake high-quality research at a UK laboratory.

The fellowships are available for up to two years for postdoctoral researchers in the USA and Canada and up to one year if you are from Asia. The Asian countries included are:
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Brunei
  • Burma
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia
  • Laos
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

The research undertaken must relate to a subject within the natural sciences. Awards are not granted in the areas of the social sciences or clinical medical research.

To find out more and apply for a fellowship visit the Royal Society website. 

Scotland's Saltire Scholarships

Under Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships scheme, 200 awards are available to postgraduate master’s students from Canada, China, India and the USA. This is part of the Scottish government's continuing support for the 'brightest and best' students to come and study in Scotland.

The Saltire Scholarship scheme highlights academic excellence in the Scottish university sector:

  • Eighty six per cent of academic research in Scottish institutions has been judged to be internationally excellent, according to the latest independent and globally-regarded Research Assessment Exercise.
  • Scotland has also increased its share of the UK’s world-class research.
  • In a recent report commissioned by the British Council, 86% of university students surveyed would recommend the Scottish experience to others and 91% of international students think Scotland is a good place to be.

You can find out more and watch videos of international students talking about their experiences in Scotland and apply online at the British Council Scotland website.

You can also search for postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships in the scholarship finder.

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'There are many sources of funding available to you for studying in the UK. Here's a round-up of the main UK scholarship schemes.'

Scholarships, grants, bursaries and financial awards help to support students financially through their studies.

UK schools, colleges, universities, government and other organisations in the UK offer a range of international student scholarships and awards.

On this website, you can search through over 3000 scholarships using the ‘Search’ tool. This is on the top right hand side of the website. There are three tabs – ‘Courses’, Institutions’ and ‘Scholarships. Select the ‘Scholarships’ tab and see what you can find.
 
This tool is not a fully comprehensive list of all the UK scholarships available, but it is a good place to start. You can also look on the websites for the schools, colleges and universities you are interested in, plus perhaps organisations in your country offer scholarship schemes. Have a look on the internet to see what schemes operate in your country.

Here is a brief look at some of the major scholarships and awards.

Scholarships for independent schools

In 2012, almost a third of students at independent schools were in receipt of a scholarship or some kind of financial assistance. These scholarships are often offered for excellence in an academic subject or for skills and talents in other fields such as music, sport or drama.

The Independent Schools Yearbook lists a wide range of scholarships. You can use their tool here.

Alternatively, you may find other scholarships listed on the websites of individual schools.
 
British Chevening Scholarships 

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarships programme. These scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one-year Masters’ degrees – for students with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers.

Chevening Scholarships are for talented people who have been identified as potential future leaders across a wide range of fields, including politics, business, the media, civil society, religion, and academia.

Chevening Scholarships are currently offered in approximately 110 countries, in most regions of the world. In the current academic year, there are over 700 Chevening scholars at universities across the UK.

You can find out more and apply online here.

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

The CSFP is aimed at Commonwealth citizens who can make a significant contribution to their home country after studying in the UK. If you are from a developing country in the Commonwealth, your chosen area of work is expected to contribute directly to development objectives. If you are from a developed Commonwealth country, you should have the potential to become a leader in your chosen profession.
 
CSFP Scholarships are usually for between one and three years. They cover the cost of travel to and from the UK, tuition fees and living expenses. In some cases an allowance is paid to help with the cost of maintaining your spouse and family in the UK.

Professional Fellowship awards are typically for three months. They provide opportunities for people working in developing Commonwealth countries to spend a short period of professional updating in the UK. Academic Staff Fellowships offer opportunities for a six-month period of postdoctoral research. These are available to Commonwealth citizens holding or returning to a teaching appointment in a university in the developing Commonwealth.

You'll find more information on these and other funding opportunities is available at Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
 
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
 
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme assists students from developing Commonwealth countries who would benefit from higher education in the UK. If you are unable to study in the UK for financial reasons and are outside the scope of other British government support schemes, you may be eligible

You can find further information on the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme at Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).

Royal Society Fellowships

The Royal Society offers incoming fellowships for researchers from North America and Asia. The aim is to attract outstanding postdoctoral scientists to undertake high-quality research at a UK laboratory.

The fellowships are available for up to two years for postdoctoral researchers in the USA and Canada and up to one year if you are from Asia.

The research undertaken must relate to a subject within the natural sciences. Awards are not granted in the areas of social sciences or clinical medical research.

To find out more and apply for a fellowship go to the Royal Society.

UNESCO Fellowship Bank Scheme
 
If you are planning to study education, the natural sciences, the social sciences, humanities, culture, communication and information or informatics, you can apply for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) grant through your local national commision.
 
There are also country specific, charity specific and institution specific awards available. Websites such as KnowUK can help you find a grant suitable for you.

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'Studying in the UK can cost less than you think. The course fees you pay include all the benefits that UK study brings - better English, work experience, developing career-relevant skills, living in a culturally diverse society, and making new friends and contacts. A UK education is a unique experience that you can’t put a price on.'

International student course fees vary depending on what you are going to study in the UK and for how long. We’ve put together some information on the average cost for each type of UK course (please note: these are indicitive costs only - you should check with institutions directly for their exact fees):

UK undergraduate and postgraduate course fees

You'll get great value for money from a UK education no matter where you choose to study. The figures below show approximately what you can expect to pay, but course fees vary considerably between UK institutions.


Average undergraduate UK course fees per year:

  • Foundation courses: £4,000 to £12,000
  • Arts courses: £7,000 to £9,000
  • Science courses:  £7,500 to £22,000
  • Clinical courses: £10,000 to £25,000
Average postgraduate UK course fees per year:
  • Arts and humanities courses: £7,000 to £12,000
  • Science courses: £7,500 to £25,000 
  • Clinical courses: £10,000 to £33,000
  • MBA: £4,000 to more than £34,000
You can find fees for most UK undergraduate and postgraduate courses in our course finder.

Your UK course fees don’t just cover lectures, seminars and practicals. You’ll also have access to:
  • college libraries and data archives
  • extensive research resources
  • modern computer facilities
  • science and practical laboratories
  • workshops equipped with state-of-the-art equipment
  • fantastic sports facilities
  • personal tutors and experienced, professional support services 
  • leading thinkers, practitioners, academics and researchers
  • music rooms, film and drama studios, animation suites and other creative facilities
As an international student in the UK, you’ll also benefit from a modern, independent and multicultural learning environment.

English language course fees for international students

The fees you pay for an accredited English language course vary considerably. It depends on the type of course you study and the English language school you study at.

For a week’s English language course you could pay anything from under £200 to over £1,000. It depends on where the course is, what additional benefits it includes, and whether it is for general English or something more tailored. You can find fees for most English language courses in our course finder. (internal link to ELT course search)

Some non-accredited English language schools offer courses at very low prices. However, you will make more progress learning English in the UK on a high-quality accredited course. The British Council will only show you details of accredited English language courses.

UK independent school fees for international students

Independent school fees in the UK cover your course fees, accommodation and some extra-curricular activities. You should check exactly what is included with the school. You may be asked to pay extra for English language tuition.

Fees vary from school to school and are at the discretion of the UK institution. You should expect to pay a minimum of £8,000 per year and fees can be as high as £28,000.

You can find details of UK independent school fees in our institution finder.

UK career-based and pre-university course fees

As with any UK course, the fees you pay for career-based and pre-university courses vary considerably. The figures below show the average course fees per year:
  • AS and A-levels: £4,000 to £17,000
  • BTECs and other vocational: £4,000 to £6,000
  • HNC/HNDs: £5,000 to £10,000
  • Foundation Degrees: £7,000 to £12,000
  • International Foundation courses: £4,000 to £17,000
You can find fees for most UK career-based and pre-university courses in our course finder.

Guardians for children under 16
 
All international students under the age of 16 should have a guardian. This should be someone resident in the UK, normally over the age of 25, who can care for you if you are suddenly ill, or during vacations, half terms and at weekends if you cannot go home. Most schools insist that a guardian is appointed. However, in Scotland, this is a requirement in all schools. 

More information on guardianship can be obtained from the Independent Schools Council website.

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'Thinking about a UK education? Budget planning is crucial.'

Before you apply to study in the UK, you will need an idea of how much it is likely to cost you, so that you can plan properly.

You can find out about how much courses in the UK typically cost here.

Your day-to-day living costs will vary depending on your place of study - for example if you are a child coming to a boarding school, your school will normally provide meals, laundry, accommodation etc as part of your fees. Or if you are coming to study at a university and living in a hall of residence, your hall may provide you with meals.

It is therefore worthwhile checking with the school, college or university what is included in the fee.

But for a general idea of living costs for UK students, have a look at the International Student Calculator. This online tool will help you work out how much your living costs are likely to be, how to manage your money and build a budget for living and studying in the UK.

Starting your UK education will mean thinking about how to budget. Using the International Student Calculator, it’s a good idea to plan a weekly ‘living cost’ budget. Include food, study equipment, leisure activities and travel as well as things like gym membership and a mobile phone bill if necessary.

It’s a good idea to try and get a student card too – you’ll find that there are lots of student discounts available. Visit the National Union of Students (NUS) for more information.

Utility bills for international students

If you share a house or a flat with other students, you will probably have to split the cost of utility bills between you. How much you pay for gas, electricity and water varies depending on your supplier and where you live in the UK. As a rough guide, these would be typical utility bills for four people sharing a four-bedroom house in London in August 2011:
  • Gas £1044 a year (each person pays £261)
  • Electricity £578 a year (each person pays £144.50)
  • Water £372 a year (each person pays £93).
Source: uswitch.com, Thames Water.

As an international student in the UK, you have the same payment options as everyone else. The best and cheapest way to pay utility bills is to set up Direct Debits (automatic payments from your bank account on a fixed date each month) as most companies will offer you a discounted rate. The amount and date of the debits are usually decided by your utility provider, although some allow their customers to choose.

Alternatively you can pay your utility bills by setting up payment plans with utility providers, or buying pre-payment cards that you insert into your gas and electricity meters. It can be easier to plan your budget with these cards, but they are generally more expensive than direct debit.

You can compare utility prices from different UK providers on the Uswitch website.

International student household costs in the UK

If you are over 18 and come to live and study in the UK, you may have to pay Council Tax. This is a charge for local community services such as police, fire brigade, refuse collection, street lighting and leisure facilities. How much you pay depends on where you live in the UK.

If you share UK accommodation with other students or live in halls of residence you shouldn't have to pay Council Tax. To find out more about Council Tax visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website.

If you own a TV in the UK you must pay an annual TV Licence of around £145. One licence will cover all televisions in a private shared student house or flat, so you can split the cost with your housemates.
More information is available on the TV Licensing website.

Buying equipment for your UK education

When you begin your UK education, your place of study will provide a list of recommended books and equipment. Study materials can be expensive so check what is essential for your course or degree.

Many textbooks or pieces of equipment will be available second-hand, so look on campus notice boards or check out auction websites. And if you don't see what you need, it's worth putting up your own notice on the campus notice board in the hope that students moving into their next year will want to sell the textbooks that you're looking for.

Shopping and groceries on a student budget

Before you set off to the UK, it's a good idea to browse the websites of UK supermarket and department stores. This will help you to find out what you'll find in UK shops and how much things cost.

You'll find that it's usually cheaper to buy food in bulk at large supermarkets in the UK, but don't forget to try the local shops near your place of study to get a taste of traditional UK culture. For clothes, household goods and electrical equipment you can go to your local high street shops, supermarkets or specialist superstores. Most stores have bargains available during their seasonal sales at least twice a year.

If you're looking for fresh food and cut-price clothing, your nearest town or city will probably have an outdoor market. And it's worth browsing in the charity shops on your local high street to find cheap second-hand clothes, books and music. Supermarkets and coffee shops offer loyalty cards for regular customers which can save you money over time.

Useful links

International Student Calculator: international.studentcalculator.org.uk
National Union of Students (NUS): www.nus.org.uk
For deals, vouchers and advice: www.moneysavingexpert.com
What Price - www.whatprice.co.uk
Uswitch - www.uswitch.com
Citizens Advice - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
TV Licensing - www.tvlicensing.co.uk
 

 

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'The International Student Calculator helps you plan your UK study budget.'

Female student shopping © Mat Wright
How do you work out how much money you're going to need when you're planning to come to study in the UK?
 
You can start by using the International Student Calculator, a free online tool developed by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and national education charity Brightside.
 
The calculator is quick and easy to use, and will help you to:
  • build a budget for your studies
  • discover the real cost of living in the UK
  • read money saving tips from other international students
  • get advice on banking, accommodation and finding a job.
Case studies
 
To find out how other international students are managing their money, Brightside and UKCISA spoke to them and asked whether they have any advice for other students coming to the UK. You can read all of their recommendations in full on the International Student Calculator website.
 
Hoa, 24, from China is studying in London for a BSc in Mathematics. She says: 'I think that planning your finances before you arrive in the UK is the most important thing. When you are budgeting make sure you allow for an emergency fund. There will be costs that you didn’t plan for and transferring money often takes time.'
 
Sally, who is 25 and comes from the USA, is very clear about why she chose to do her Master's in Economic Policy in the UK: 'My Masters here takes one year. In the US it would take two. This has helped me justify the cost so it's been worth it.'
 
She also recommends internet banking, so that you can check your balance whenever you want. Sally's top tip? Use PayPal to transfer money from other countries - it's quick and saves money.
 
Alejandro, aged 30, is Argentinian. He planned his PhD studies for two years before coming to the UK. 'The planning has really helped me cope as I ensured I budgeted for all the costs I'd need to pay to come here, including visas and travel to the UK,' he says. 'Internet calls like Skype are a great way to stay in touch with friends and family back home, and it's very cheap!'
 
And Ayumi, 17, from Japan who is studying National Certificate in Travel and Tourism sums it up: 'Find out how much things like food cost before you come here. Some things may be cheaper or more expensive than you are used to. It is good to know what to expect so that you can budget.'

 

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