UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2023 – A Guide

UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2023 for Indian Students 2023

Comprising only 1% of the world’s population, yet responsible for 8% global scientific publications, the UK stands as a prominent leader in various areas of education. The United Kingdom is indeed a top choice for education, a tough contender to the USA. If you decide to study in UK, you are definitely setting yourself up for an enriched future and an accelerated career trajectory.

On the other hand, While the idea of pursuing education from the UK seems promising, the financial aspects can pose a challenge. Scholarships can significantly alleviate this burden by reducing tuition fees, thereby easing emotional and mental pressures. However, receiving a scholarship to study in the UK is not an easy task due to the strict criteria that must be met to be eligible for the award. 

Fortunately, the growing number of scholarship programs are being provided by the government and universities of the UK, thus opening doors to new possibilities. With numerous scholarships available to study in the UK, it’s important to understand how you can avail these options effectively, easing the process of gaining higher education from the UK and relieving the financial load off your shoulders. 

Reasons why you should study in UK?

Globally renowned universities: UK houses world’s top 2 universities out of three and some of the top 200 universities are found in the United Kingdom. Completing your post graduation from UK universities is globally recognised and adds value. Most of the universities in the UK hold a significant global ranking and recognition. 

  • Quality of teaching: The British education system is said to be challenging for students that in turn makes the students push to their best of abilities.
  • Excellent work opportunities: Students in the UK have the opportunity to work part time or do internships to learn new skills while also earning money during the course. Working part time or as an intern will add to your competitive edge.  
  • Cultural diversity: Being the second most popular country for overseas education, the UK thus attracts quite a lot of international students making itself a culturally diverse spot, adding on to the students learning curve. 
  • Financial benefits: Unlike other countries, studying to pursue a masters degree from the UK is a one-year affair (unless you are in medical or research fields). This means your costs will marginally reduce compared to a two-year course. Besides, the universities in the UK provide financial aid like scholarships, bursaries and grants to students pursuing their PG or even UG. Also, the living costs are marginally lower compared to the US. 
  • Work post-graduation: The government of UK has enabled the opportunity of post-study visa for students who graduate from universities in the UK.

Qualifying for scholarships to study in the UK as an Indian Student:

Generally, students must have the below qualifications in order to be eligible for a scholarship to study in the UK: 

  • You must be an Indian national in order to apply for scholarships meant for Indian students
  • Earlier education from an English medium institution
  • Good academic scores
  • In order to be eligible for certain scholarships, you may be required to provide an essay and other documents while some scholarships are good to go with just the application. 
  • Some scholarships may require students to have participation in extracurricular activities and social initiatives also. 

Above points can be helpful but researching about each scholarship you want to apply for is important to know the requirements.

Intakes for UK Scholarships

Every year, the country opens its doors to intake international students in January or September. This is applicable for regular and scholarship scenarios. Some universities have the option for May intake in case you miss the first two. Deciding which intake you must go for depends on the course and scholarship availability. 

The below table can give you an idea of the intake and application period:

INTAKE DURATION APPLICATIONS OPEN
September or Fall Intake
September to December
December to July
January or Winter Intake
January to April
September to November
May Intake or Spring Intake
May to August
October to November

Scholarship opportunities in UK

Many universities in the UK including certain private and public organisations provide scholarship opportunities to aspiring students. However, your eligibility to get a scholarship offer depends on merit, needs, course and/or student-specific grants. 

Sometimes, universities may also provide a concession on the tuition fee if the initial deposits to the universities are made in time. Scholarships are given to students who successfully pass through the competitive application assessments set by these educational institutions.

There are different categories of Scholarships to study in the UK, viz — UK Government-Specific Scholarships for International Students, UK University-Specific Scholarship,s and UK-Institution Specific Scholarships.

Read on to know the many scholarships that fall under each category.

UK Government Scholarships to Study in UK

Learn about the UK government specific scholarships to study in the UK. Some of these scholarships are funded in collaboration by the UK government and the British Council.

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS ELIGIBILITY

Chevening Scholarships

  • A prestigious and competitive scholarship program that is organised by the UK government’s Global Scholarship program. 
  • Usually given for a one year master’s program.
  • Covers complete tuition fees, economy class return airfare to the UK, accommodation for the student and other important living expenses.
  • Students should be from Chevening-eligible countries.
  • Minimum two years of work experience to apply for this scholarship.
  • Return to your home country for at least two years after the course ends.

CommonWealth Scholarship & Fellowship

  • Managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
  • Offered to students who wish to pursue Master’s in the UK
  • Scholarship covers the the entire tuition fees, return airfare and other essential allowances
  • Students must be citizens of the Commonwealth countries.
  • Has the ability to contribute positive change at a global stage.

Great Scholarships

  • Jointly funded by the Great Britain Campaign and the British Council
  • 13 postgraduate scholarships are offered for Indian students
  • The scholarship takes care of 1 year PG tuition fee.
  • Applicants must be a citizen of any of the following countries viz. Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam.
  • Must fulfil the English language requirement

Scotland Saltire Scholarships

  • Scholarship provided by the government of Scotland in collaboration with the Scottish universities.
  • These scholarships reward a minimum of 50 awards
  • Each reward is valued at £8000 towards the tuition fees for any one-year full time postgraduate program.
  • Open to citizens from Canada, China, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the USA.
  • A conditional or unconditional offer from any Scottish University is a must.
  • Applicants should not have studied in Scotland or received this scholarship in the past.
  • Meet the required language criteria.

University-Specific Scholarships to Study in UK

Aside from the scholarships offered by the government of the UK, there are numerous scholarships that have been designed by higher education institutes and universities of the UK. Let us briefly know about some of the prestigious scholarships if you are looking to pursue a postgraduate degree from the UK. 

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY DETAILS

Rhodes Scholarships

  • A fully-funded scholarship for students aspiring to pursue a full-time postgraduate award to study at the University of Oxford. 
  • Rhodes scholars come to the UK for 2 years or more. 
  • Applicants can study full-time postgraduate courses offered by Oxford University.
  • Applicable to students coming to study in the UK for the first time.
  • Applicants must be 26 years old or below when applying.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

  • A supremely competitive scholarship that was established by a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge.
  • Offers 80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding students from outside of the UK.
  • Pursue a postgraduate degree in any available subject at the University of Cambridge.
  • Intellectually outstanding
  • Purpose of choosing the course
  • Leadership quality
  • Strong commitment to making a difference to society.

Coventry University India Excellence Scholarships

  • High achieving individuals who want to pursue an Undergraduate degree, Masters degree and Postgraduate in research can apply at Coventry university.
  • Value of scholarships varies by program. For instance, a research student may receive scholarship to the full value of the University fee I.e £12000, while other undergraduate or postgraduate applicants may receive anywhere between £1000 to 5000 depending on the subject.
  • Although students from all subject areas are welcome, higher interest is in students who want to study in fields like cyber systems, energy, water, food, automotive engineering etc. 
  • Academic excellence is considered, especially need to meet 2 of 3 A-levels at grade A or equivalent qualifications.

Scholarships at University of Nottingham

  • A flagship master’s scholarship offered by the University of Nottingham for students from Commonwealth Countries. 
  • Tailored for students who are ready to contribute to the development in areas like the economic structure, social, political or environmental structures of their home country.
  • Domiciled India, Africa or one of the Commonwealth countries. 
  • Qualifies as an overseas student
  • Has an offer to start a full-time masters at the University of Nottingham.
  • Not eligible to current students of Nottingham university or has studied outside of their home country  or currently living in the UK.

Institution-Specific Scholarships to Study in UK

Aside from the scholarships offered by the government of the UK, there are numerous scholarships that have been designed by higher education institutes and universities of the UK. Let us briefly know about some of the prestigious scholarships if you are looking to pursue a postgraduate degree from the UK. 

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS ELIGIBILITY

Felix Scholarship

  • A scholarship that was established for the academically bright, but disadvantaged students from India and other developing nations.
  • Each year, the Felix Scholarship Trust provides a maximum six scholarships to the students to pursue their postgraduate education at the University of Reading & School of Oriental, the University of Oxford and African Studies.
  • Academically outperforming
  • Underprivileged Indian nationals
  • Have attained a first-class in their bachelor’s
  • Non-EEA/Indian nationals should also have the same qualifications while being recommended by their preferred universities.

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

  • Encourages Indians in the early-mid stage of their careers to spend time in the UK, who are in the fields of arts, humanity or heritage conservations.
  • This scholarship will help students to build new connections in the UK and expand their skills while studying.
  • Must be an Indian citizen
  • Aged between 28-38
  • Have not received a CWIT grant within the last five years
  • Have a first degree, diploma or professional qualification in their specialisation. CWIT prefers applicants with significant working experience.

Erasmus Mundus

  • Esteemed scholarship jointly designed by higher education institutes. 
  • Includes periods of study, research, traineeship, thesis preparation and defence. 
  • A masters scholarship for 1-2 years
  • Masters may also offer full-scholarships to the brightest students from across the globe. 
  • Covers participation cost and contributes to travel, visa, living allowance.
  • Must have a bachelor’s degree (first degree), or be in your last year of bachelor studies.
  • Graduate before the master’s programme starts.

While we have listed some well-known scholarships and their criteria, it is always advisable to check out the website of each scholarship to get detailed clarity. 

Ternien Edu's Expert Assistance with UK Scholarships

The primary goal of the team at Ternien Edu is to guide and support every student at each step of their educational odyssey, including the crucial task of securing scholarships. Our aim is to ensure that our students are fully informed about scholarship opportunities and equipped with effective strategies to obtain them.

We understand that each student profile is unique, which is why our consultation approach contains a personalised touch. We will recommend scholarships that align with your profile and eligibility criteria. Moreover, we will keep you well-informed about all the essential information needed before applying. Our team ensures that you submit your applications on time, have all necessary paperwork prepared, and slide through the entire process seamlessly.

Leveraging our extensive experience and expertise, you can significantly enhance your chances of securing scholarships and elevating your academic journey. Through the guidance of Ternien Edu, one of the best overseas education consultants in India, you can create a prestigious profile that stands out among the competition.



Frequently Asked Questions About UK Scholarships

  • Is it possible to get a full scholarship to study in UK?
    • Yes, you can get full scholarship to study in the UK. However, it depends on the scholarship you apply. As some scholarships are fully-funded while a few are partially funded. 
  • What is the eligibility criteria for scholarship in UK as an Indian?
    • In most cases, the general eligibility criteria for Indian students to apply for a scholarship in the UK is:
      • Good academic scores and background
      • Must be a citizen of India
      • Must have completed tertiary education in English medium 
  • What is the qualifying percentage to get a scholarship to  study in UK?
    • If you are going for a Master’s program, minimum 65% is required in your Bachelor’s. Although, you should read the detailed eligibility criteria of the scholarships you apply for. 
  • Which university offers the most scholarships in the UK?
    • University of West London offers generous scholarship programmes in the UK. Many schools within this university offer different scholarships, so you may have a higher chance to be eligible.  Although there are certains conditions and criterias to meet. 
  • Can I apply for multiple scholarships at a time to study in the UK?
    • Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships unless the terms and conditions of a particular scholarship program states otherwise. Applying to many scholarships can increase your chances of being awarded. However, be sure to read the terms of each scholarship thoroughly before applying. 

Conclusion

Allow yourself to experience new opportunities and expand your skills. Meet us over a consultation call to explore possible avenues to study in the UK based on your profile. Drop us an email now and we will get in touch with you for the next steps. 

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