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