Scholarships For Indian Students in the UK: Types, Eligibility & Application Process

UK universities offer two major intakes - Fall and Spring - but some also offer Summer intakes. A high GPA is a key eligibility criterion for UK scholarships. Chevening Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarships, and Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships are popular programs for Indian students. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, Chevening Scholarship, and GREAT Scholarships are offered to Master’s applicants. Top undergraduate scholarships include the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and University of Strathclyde Excellence Scholarship. Popular MBA scholarships include GREAT Scholarships, University of Bath International MBA Merit Scholarships, and Aston University MBA Scholarships. 

Intakes for UK Scholarships

Colleges and universities in the UK offer two major intakes, but a few universities also offer Summer intakes. The major intakes available in the UK are:

Intakes 

Duration 

Autumn/Fall Intake

September to December

Spring Intake

January to April

Summer Intake

April to June

What are the Criteria for Applying for Scholarships to Study Abroad?

At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and a strong academic record are key UK scholarship eligibility criteria for Indian students. Additionally, applicants must submit required IELTS scores, along with a compelling Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation (LORs), as part of the scholarship application.

Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the UK

Chevening Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarships, and Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships are among the best scholarship programs for Indian students to study in the UK.

Here are some popular government scholarship programs you can apply to study in the UK as an Indian student:

Scholarship 

Benefits 

Chevening Scholarship

Fully-funded tuition cost

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship

Tuition fees and living allowance 

GREAT Scholarship

GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees for a 1-year PG program 

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)

10 months of tuition cost for artists aged 28-38 years and a contribution of GBP 700 towards international travel fare

Scotland Saltire Scholarships

GBP 8,000 towards tuition fees for a 1-year PG program at any of Scotland's universities

Related sources: https://www.chevening.org/faqs/what-does-a-chevening-scholarship-cover/
https://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/scholarships/commonwealth-scholarships
https://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/scholarships/great-scholarships
https://www.charleswallaceindiatrust.com/scholarships
https://www.scotland.org/study/scholarships

*This is an indicative list; speak with your IDP Education counsellor for details and best available options suited to your profile.

UK Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students

Top UK scholarships for international undergraduate students include the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, the University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and the University of Strathclyde Excellence Scholarship. 

University 

Scholarships

Amount

Leeds Beckett University

UG Scholarship

GBP 1,000 per study year 

University of East Anglia

The Difference Undergraduate Scholarship

GBP 15,000 

Lancaster University

UG International Regional Scholarship

GBP 3,000 fee reduction 

Kingston University

International Success Support Award

GBP 2,500 towards tuition cost 

University of Leicester

International UG Merit Scholarship

GBP 5,000 per year

Related sources: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/international-students/scholarships/india-scholarships/
https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships/undergraduate
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries/ug-international-regional-scholarship/
https://www.kingstonisc.com/how-to-apply/scholarships
https://le.ac.uk/study/undergraduates/scholarships-bursaries-discounts/international-undergraduate-merit-scholarship

Check out all undergraduate scholarships.

MBA Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students

GREAT Scholarships, University of Bath international MBA merit scholarships, and Aston University MBA Scholarships are popular programs offered at UK business schools for Indian students.

University

Scholarships

Amount

Leeds Beckett University

MBA Scholarship

GBP 3,000 for the first year

Lancaster University

Management School MBA Scholarships

50% tuition fee reduction for exceptional women in business

Aston University

Full-Time MBA Scholarships

Gold Scholarships - GBP 12,500

Silver Scholarships - GBP 6,500

University of Bath

MBA Scholarships

Up to GBP 15,000

Related sources: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/scholarships/international-general-scholarship/
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries/mba-scholarship/
https://mba.bath.ac.uk/fees-and-scholarships/

Check out all MBA scholarships.

How IDP Education Can Help You Apply for Scholarships

IDP Education, one of the best study abroad consultants in India, helps Indian students apply for scholarships to study in the UK. We provide professional guidance to assess individual student profiles and match them with relevant study abroad scholarship programs.

FAQs on Scholarships for Indian Students in the UK

1. How can Indian students prepare a strong UK scholarship application?

To prepare a strong UK scholarship application, customise it to showcase leadership, community service, or volunteer projects, and clearly align your study program with your future career goals.

2. What are some tips to improve your chances of getting a UK scholarship?

To boost your chances of securing a scholarship to study in the UK, maintain a consistently high academic record, customise your application for each program, and apply on time to avoid missing deadlines.

3. What are the key documents required to apply for UK scholarships?

Key documents for UK scholarship applications include official academic transcripts, an SOP, and a valid passport.

Updated on 27 October, 2026