'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. '
Federal Student Aid
Did you know that you can use your Stafford or PLUS loans to pay for UK tuition costs?
There are more than 100 UK universities and colleges approved by the US Department of Education for participation in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs.
Learn more from Stafford Loans or from the International Student Loan Center.
The largest U.S. international exchange program, the Fulbright offers opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
Full cost scholarships for students from outside the UK to pursue graduate study and research at Cambridge University.
Founded by a 1953 Act of Parliament, and named in honor of US Secretary of State George C Marshall, the Marshall Scholarships award up to 40 outstanding American college graduates each year a two-year scholarship for a graduate program in any field at the UK institution of their choice.
Named to honor of U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the Mitchell Scholarship is awarded to twelve students between the ages of 18 and 30 annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Rhodes Scholarship pays for complete tuition and living expenses for two years of study at Oxford University.
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.
Study Abroad
If you’re currently receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a US college or university, you’re eligible to receive up to $5,000 to study abroad with the Gilman Scholarship.
