Top UK Government Scholarships for International Students
The United Kingdom offers a variety of government-funded scholarships to support international students pursuing higher education. These scholarships aim to attract talented individuals from around the world, providing financial assistance and fostering global collaboration. Below is a summary of some prominent UK government scholarships:
| University Name | Scholarship Name | Amount | Scholarship For | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any UK University | Chevening Scholarship | Fully covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs | Master’s degree programs | Open to international students demonstrating leadership potential and academic excellence |
| Various UK Universities | Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | Fully covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs | Master’s degree programs | Citizens of Commonwealth countries with a relevant undergraduate degree |
| Various UK Universities | Commonwealth PhD Scholarships | Fully covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs | PhD programs | Citizens of Commonwealth countries with a relevant master’s degree |
| Participating UK Universities | GREAT Scholarships | £10,000 towards tuition fees | One-year master’s programs | Students from 18 specified countries with an undergraduate degree |
| Various UK Universities | Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships | Fully covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs | PhD candidates to conduct research in the UK | PhD candidates from Commonwealth countries enrolled in a home country PhD program |
| Selected UK Universities | Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Fully covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs | Master’s degree programs | Citizens of least-developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries |
Table of Contents
List of UK Government Scholarships
Here is the top 6 list of UK Government Scholarships for international students in 2025-2026.
1. Chevening Scholarship
Chevening Scholarships offer fully funded opportunities for outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK. Recipients are selected based on leadership potential and academic excellence.
- Scholarship For: Master’s degree programs
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Official Link: Chevening Scholarship
Pros and Cons:
| What I Like (Pros) | What I Don’t Like (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Fully covers tuition, living expenses, and travel costs | The application process is lengthy and detailed |
| Access to a global network of professionals | Requires a commitment to return to home country for at least two years after study |
| Opportunity to study at any UK university | Application process is lengthy and detailed |
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
These scholarships are for candidates from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, aiming to pursue a full-time master’s degree in the UK. They cover tuition fees, living allowance, and return airfare.
- Scholarship For: Master’s degree programs
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Official Link: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Pros and Cons:
| What I Like (Pros) | What I Don’t Like (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive financial support | Limited to citizens of Commonwealth countries |
| Focus on development impact and leadership | Requires a commitment to return to home country after study |
| Opportunity to study at various UK universities | Application process can be complex |
3. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Designed for candidates from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, these scholarships support full-time doctoral study at a UK university. They cover tuition fees, living allowance, and return airfare.
- Scholarship For: PhD programs
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Official Link: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Pros and Cons:
| What I Like (Pros) | What I Don’t Like (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Full financial support for doctoral studies | Restricted to Commonwealth citizens |
| Emphasis on high-quality research with development impact | Obligation to return to home country upon completion |
| Access to UK’s research facilities and expertise | Highly competitive with limited slots |
4. GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships offer £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year master’s program in the UK, available to students from 18 countries. They are jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with participating UK higher education institutions.
- Scholarship For: One-year master’s programs
- Scholarship Type: Partially Funded
- Official Link: GREAT Scholarships
Pros and Cons:
| What I Like (Pros) | What I Don’t Like (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Significant financial contribution towards tuition | Does not cover full tuition or living expenses |
| Available across various UK universities | Limited to students from specific countries |
| Encourages cultural exchange and diversity | Requires additional funding to cover remaining costs |
5. Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships
These scholarships support PhD candidates to spend up to 12 months at a UK university as part of their doctoral studies in their home country, fostering collaboration and access to resources. They cover tuition fees, living allowance, and return airfare.
- Scholarship For: PhD candidates
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Official Link: Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships
Pros and Cons:
| What I Like (Pros) | What I Don’t Like (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Provides access to UK research facilities and academic networks | Limited to PhD students already enrolled in a home-country university |
| Fully funded with travel and living expenses covered | Requires strong institutional collaboration between home and UK universities |
| Encourages academic collaboration between home and UK universities | Application process is complex and requires multiple approvals |
6. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships program is for talented students from least-developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK. It covers tuition, living allowance, and travel costs.
- Scholarship For: Master’s degree programs
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Official Link: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Pros and Cons:
| What I Like (Pros) | What I Don’t Like (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Fully covers tuition, living, and travel expenses | Only for students from specific low-income Commonwealth countries |
| The selection process is highly competitive | Requires a commitment to return to the home country after study |
| Enhances career prospects through UK qualifications | Selection process is highly competitive |
Conclusion
The UK government provides several scholarship opportunities for international students, particularly those from Commonwealth nations. These scholarships offer substantial financial support, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs. However, many come with obligations, such as returning to the home country after graduation.
For students seeking fully funded master’s or PhD programs in the UK, the Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarships, and GREAT Scholarships are excellent options. Each scholarship has its eligibility requirements and benefits, so applicants should carefully review them before applying.
These scholarships not only help students achieve their educational goals but also contribute to global development through leadership and research opportunities. If you are an international student looking for funding to study in the UK, these government-funded scholarships could be your best chance.
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