UK Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025: Eligibility & Deadlines

The cost of studying in the UK can go up to GBP 40,000 (INR 46 lakhs) a year in the UK, when you add up tuition and the costs of living. As this is quite significant, the dreams of many students to study in the top universities in the UK remain unfulfilled. Recognising the need to rectify this, many institutions provide scholarships to worthy students to help them ease their financial burden.

There are many types of scholarships for international students in the UK, with amounts ranging from GBP 1000 to GBP 19,800 (INR 1.15 - 22.77 lakhs). On average, 40-60% of tuition amounts are covered, depending on the student's profile and the degree they are pursuing. To know more, keep reading!

Key Highlights:

• Scholarships in the UK for international students start at GBP 500 (INR 57,500) per year and can cover full tuition and living costs, based on the scholarship and your course.
• Tuition fees in the UK range from GBP 9,000 to 30,000 per year, while living expenses cost about GBP 14,000 to 22,000 (INR 15.8 lakh to 25 lakh) per year.
• The best scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK include the Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, and Rhodes Scholarships.

The UK offers 3 types of scholarships to international students. These are Government-funded UK scholarships, UK university scholarships, and other types of, offered by private institutions. 

Government-funded UK Scholarships

These scholarships are highly competitive, especially for students from Commonwealth countries. Most scholarships offer significant tuition fee coverage, and some even go beyond to cater to living and travel costs. The GREAT scholarships are specifically very popular among Indian Master's students.

UK University Scholarships

Many UK universities offer merit-based and need-based scholarships according to level of study and course specifications. The most popular institutional scholarships are the Clarendon Fund (University of Oxford), Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and Imperial College London President’s Scholarships.

Other Scholarships

Several private bodies, such as the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship, Rhodes Trust, and Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, offer significant financial support to International Students. The specific focus is on short-term research, professional training, and artistic projects.

Some of the best scholarships for international students in the UK are the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and Royal Society Grants. The following are a mix of university scholarships, government-funded scholarships, and others for international/Indian students to finance their UK education.

• Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship
• Kingston University London Scholarship
• Bristol University Scholarship
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship
• University of Westminster Scholarships
• Flex Scholarship
• Castle Smart Scholarship
• Royal Society Grants
• Scotland's Saltire Scholarship
• Chevening Scholarships
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
• GREAT Scholarship
• Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)
• Clarendon Fund Scholarship
• Erasmus Mundus 
• Weidenfeld‑Hoffmann Scholarship & Leadership Programme

Let’s discuss each of these scholarships in detail:

Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship

The University of Edinburgh offers only 30 scholarships to international students who are willing to pursue a PhD/Master's program at the university. These UK scholarships for Indian students 2025 cover only partial tuition fees for a particular course.

Kingston University London Scholarship

All international undergraduate or postgraduate students at Kingston University are eligible for the scholarship. This scholarship is available to students starting their first year of study in September or January. The January 2023 intake dates will begin later this year in October 2024.

Bristol University Scholarship

The University of Bristol offers five international office scholarships for students to pursue their undergraduate/postgraduate degrees. This scholarship award is worth GBP 8,500 for tuition fees and living expenses for one academic year.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship applies to international students from any country who are willing to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject offered at the University of Cambridge. These undergraduate scholarships for international students in the UK not only cover the full cost of studying but also offer additional flexible funding. Its application for 2024-23 will begin in September 2024.

University of Westminster Scholarship

The University of Westminster offers a scholarship to international students looking to enroll in a master’s/postgraduate program in the UK. This scholarship covers accommodation, tuition fees, living expenses, and flights from and to London.

Felix Scholarship

Felix Scholarships are available to underprivileged students in India and other developing countries to continue their postgraduate studies in the UK. These are offered at three universities - the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and the University of London. It covers tuition fees and certain other expenditures of the students. Therefore, you can choose these full scholarships for international students in the UK without any second thoughts!

Castle Smart Scholarship

It is an undergraduate scholarship offered by Castle Smart Estate to international students in the UK who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. This scholarship is accessed by video rather than by an essay. To apply, a student must create a video covering the required points per the course chosen to qualify. Let’s check its other features!

Royal Society Grants

These grants and scholarships are offered by the Royal Society, an independent and the oldest scientific academy. The society offers scholarships that aim to promote excellence in science. These are provided for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Scotland's Saltire Scholarship

These are master's scholarships UK offered by the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities. The scholarship is offered to citizens from India, Canada, Japan, the USA, Pakistan, and China.

Chevening Scholarships

This is one of the best fully funded scholarships in the UK for master's for Indian students. These scholarships are offered by the UK government to outstanding students from Chevening-eligible countries around the world.

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship

Another popular master's Scholarships UK, offers fellowships and scholarships to students from Commonwealth countries. The scholarship is funded by the UK Department for International Development.

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

CWIT scholarships offer different kinds of grants. These include long-term scholarships, grants for short research and professional visits, visiting fellowships in certain subjects, and grants for doctoral study. It does not support 2-year courses.

Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)

The Rhodes scholarship is extremely prestigious, and gives you a platform to engage with the Oxford Community at the Rhodes house if you secure a spot. The scholarship typically covers at least 2 years of study.

Clarendon Fund Scholarship

The Clarendon Fund Scholarship pays full fees and gives a substantive stipend for living costs to cover the full length of graduate study (usually 1-3 years) at Oxford. Highly sought after, it is known for the lively and interdisciplinary Clarendon community that organises privileged academic and social events for scholars.

Erasmus Mundus 

Renowned worldwide for providing financial aid to deserving candidates, this scholarship covers costs for up to 2 years of study. Such is the renown of Erasmus awardees, that the tuition fee for students at the University of Glasgow is completely free. 

Weidenfeld‑Hoffmann Scholarship & Leadership Programme

This scholarship offers complete freedom from financial woes for up to 2 years, when it comes to course fees, for students at the University of Oxford. It is special because of the diverse leadership program it provides to its students through collaborative mentorship programs.

The UK has many scholarships for undergraduate students as well. Some include the Undergraduate scholarships offered by Leeds and Beckett University, and Kingston University in London. They are offered to Indian students, with other varying eligibility criteria. 

The list of the most highly sought-after undergraduate scholarships offered by UK universities can be found below:

Most universities in the UK offer scholarships for Master’s programs. Some of them are the Vice Chancellor Scholarships offered by Cardiff University and the Global Scholarships for PG Courses by Lancaster University. 

These are some highly sought-after master's scholarships offered by UK universities:

An MBA in the UK costs about GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year. Most MBA programs last one year, but this can still be costly for many Indian students. To help with expenses, UK business schools offer MBA scholarships like the ones below:

Applying for a scholarship in the UK requires careful research and attention to detail. Different universities, government bodies, and private organizations offer various options based on your merit, need, and subject of study. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

• Research: Look into scholarships offered by UK universities, the government, and third-party organizations that match your course and nationality.
• Check Eligibility: Read the criteria closely. Some scholarships are merit-based, while others depend on financial need or chosen subject.
• Prepare Documents: Academic transcripts, a personal statement, reference letters, and proof of English proficiency.
• Note Deadlines: Scholarship deadlines often differ from university application dates, so plan accordingly.
• Secure Admission First: Many scholarships require you to have an offer from a UK university before applying.

Securing a fully funded scholarship in the UK is highly competitive, and you need more than just strong academic performance. These scholarships typically cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs. Hence, they are very selective with the candidates. 

To get a fully funded scholarship to study in the UK, follow these steps:

• Academic Excellence: Strong grades are the baseline for receiving a fully-funded scholarship. An outstanding academic performance with a high GPA is essential to even be considered for top-tier scholarships.
• Build a Standout Profile: Go beyond academics. Demonstrate your leadership roles, extracurricular achievements, and meaningful community service to show well-rounded potential.
• Target the Right Scholarships: Approximately 70,000 applicants vie for about 1,500 awards, resulting in a selection rate of around 2%. So choose the right one. Each scholarship has its own criteria and mission, so tailor your approach accordingly.
• Preparation Timeline: Given the competitive nature of fully-funded scholarships in the UK, it's advisable to start your application process well in advance. This gives you ample time for gathering documents, writing essays, and seeking recommendations from mentors and professors.
• Highlight Future Contribution: Many universities want to know how you’ll give back post-graduation, professionally, socially, or through leadership in your home country or community. Make sure to create a well-knit application.

The cost of studying in the UK can be around GBP 11,000 to GBP 30,000 per annum. This definitely does not come cheap. A scholarship, whether it’s partially or fully funded, makes it much easier to take care of your education, without struggling financially. Here are a few benefits of a scholarship in the UK for international students:

• Less financial struggle: Without financial stress that scholarships usually cover in the UK, you will be able to concentrate on your studies. 
• Elite Schools: Scholarships provide you with a chance to study at renowned universities like Oxford and Cambridge, which would normally be outside your budget. 
• Career Development: Being a scholarship awardee means you are motivated, successful, and able to thrive in an international pool of applicants. Having a competitive scholarship adds a boost to your CV.
• Networking: Scholarship holders often get great chances to improve their network through mentorship, leadership activities, and alumni connections. Subsequent applications to study further also become easier. 

When it comes to studying in the UK, securing a scholarship can make all the difference. Through Yocket Premium, students have consistently accessed some of the most competitive scholarships offered by UK universities, trusts, and government bodies. In fact, Yocket students have collectively received over USD 30 million (INR 120 crores) in scholarships, an average of USD 15,000 (INR 12.5 lakhs) per student.

From prestigious awards like the Chevening Scholarship and Commonwealth Scholarship to university-specific merit-based grants, Yocket alumni like Amritpal Singh and Ajinkya Dhainje have succeeded across the board. What set them apart wasn’t just academic excellence, it was the strategic application guidance, profile building, and documentation support provided by Yocket Premium. Many students have even reported securing scholarships that covered up to 100% of tuition fees, significantly reducing their financial burden.

In this blog, you get all the information for UK scholarships, from categories and best picks to applying and landing fully funded scholarships. Whether you're looking at an undergraduate, master's, or MBA course, we've dissected it to assist Indian and international students alike. The Alumni Insights section also provided a glimpse into the lives of winners. 

If you’re planning a trip to the UK,  Yocket Premium will assist you every step of the way, from shortlisting scholarships, revising SOPs, monitoring deadlines, to providing guidance to ace interviews. With professional advice and personalised assistance, we convert study abroad aspirations into actual admits.

Let's get you one step closer to studying in the UK, both stress-free and perhaps even cost-free.