International students aspiring to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK can seek financial assistance by way of top scholarships like Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, or GREAT Scholarships. These programs are designed to cover the tuition fees and other living expenses in the UK for international students. The UK universities, as well as private organisations, offer scholarships to international students in the country keen on pursuing postgraduate studies. Explore the various scholarship programs for PG courses in the UK and how to apply to them for your higher education dreams in the country.

Types of Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students to Study in the UK

Scholarships for postgraduate students in the UK are generally categorised into government-sponsored, university-specific, and private or other institutional scholarships. The various UK doctoral scholarships for international students are explained below:

  • Government-funded scholarships: As the name suggests, these programs are sponsored by the UK government. Top examples include Commonwealth Scholarships awarded to those students from Commonwealth nations who are unable to afford higher education in the UK on their own. Chevening Scholarships are also popular for one-year Master’s degrees in the UK, and GREAT Scholarships that offer a GBP 10,000 tuition fee award, also for one-year Master’s, in partnership with participating UK universities.

  • University-specific scholarships: Top UK universities like University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford offer their own scholarship programs to international students for postgraduate studies. The Rhodes Scholarship by the University of Oxford is highly popular.     

Top Government-Funded Scholarships to Study PG in the UK

Some of the top UK government scholarships for PG students include Commonwealth Scholarships and Chevening Scholarships. The government of UK fully funds both these programs. In addition to these, there are some other government-funded scholarships, which are equally popular among international students. These include:

  • GREAT Scholarships: One of the most popular government-sponsored scholarships, these are offered in partnership with the British Council. The UK government makes a GBP 10,000 contribution towards the tuition fee for postgraduate courses in the UK. 

  • Chevening Scholarships: A fully sponsored government scholarship program that supports students with a strong academic record and leadership abilities. The scholarships are available for one-year Master’s degree programs in any field at any university in the UK.

  • Commonwealth Scholarships: One of the top UK government scholarships for international students, this program is designed to support students from Commonwealth nations to pursue postgraduate programs. It covers tuition fees, trave,l and other living costs for international students in the UK.

Top Non-Government Scholarships to Study PG Courses in the UK

 Some of the best-known non-government postgraduate scholarships in the UK are the Felix Scholarship, the Rhodes Scholarship for Oxford, and the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship. In addition to government-sponsored scholarship programs, some private organisations and other institutions also fund scholarships for international students to the UK. The top ones include:

  • Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship: This program is designed to offer support to talented students from developing nations to study postgraduate programs in the UK and other countries.

  • Rhodes Scholarship: This is a fully sponsored award for postgraduate programs for students studying at the University of Oxford. It is offered as a recognition of the students’ leadership potential and exceptional academic record. 

  • Felix Scholarship: It offers complete financial assistance to students from developing countries to pursue PG programs at UK universities.     

Top University-Specific Scholarships to Study PG Courses in the UK for International Students

President’s PhD Scholarships by the Imperial College of London, Rhodes Scholarship by the University of Oxford, and the Global Research Scholarship by the University of Edinburgh are some of the popular scholarships for postgraduate students in the UK. These scholarships are specific to various UK universities and offered to international students pursuing PG courses at various study institutions in the country. 

Some of the top UK university scholarships for international students are as follows:

  • UCL Global Scholarships: Offered by the University College London (UCL), these scholarships are offered to international students with financial need, covering tuition fees and a stipend for living costs.

  • Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University: A fully-funded scholarship for postgraduate programs pursued at the University of Oxford by international students, the program covers living costs, tuition fees, and travel fare. 

  • Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships: Full funding is provided for postgraduate research to aspiring international students, focusing particularly on technology, science, and medicine. This is one of the most popular university scholarships for international students.

Departmental Scholarships in the UK 

Several universities in the UK offer their own scholarship programs to international students based on financial need, merit, or specific study departments. A notable example includes the one by the University of Kentucky. The university offers a host of research scholarships to pursue advanced study and research at its various departments, such as Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy.

Eligibility Criteria for Applying for Scholarships to Study in the UK for Indian Students 

The top criteria for eligibility for scholarships in the UK are proof of Indian citizenship, proof of English proficiency, and an excellent academic record. Some other documents are also required as part of the criteria for scholarships in the UK, depending on the university or other institution being applied to. 

Some of the commonly accepted postgraduate scholarship eligibility requirements are listed below:

  • Proof of citizenship 

  • Minimum work experience after graduation at the undergraduate level

  • Proof of application to different and eligible UK university programs

  • Commitment to return to India or your home country for at least 2 years after the end of the scholarship 

  • An undergraduate qualification, at least 2 years before the application deadline 

Related Source: https://www.gov.uk/postgraduate-scholarships-international-students 

Top Tips to Apply for Postgraduate Scholarships in the UK

One of the best ways to get a scholarship to study in the UK is to customise your application to each specific program. Make sure to highlight your achievements and goals in a unique way in every application to convince the institution of your fitness for the award. 

Some of the other helpful tips to obtain a scholarship for pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK are:

  • Research early: Begin your research ahead of time to keep sufficient time to prepare a strong and compelling application. 

  • Check eligibility criteria: Understand the admission requirements of each scholarship program and check if you meet them. 

  • Customise your application: Avoid submitting generic applications for various scholarship programs. Work on tailoring them to suit the specific program requirements and showcasing how you are a suitable fit for it.

  • Draft a compelling application: Make sure that your scholarship application highlights all your academic achievements, make sure to define your career goals clearly, and other desirable skills like leadership potential and community involvement. 

  • Obtain impressive LORs: Request professionals in your field of study, mentors, and other experts to share an LOR highlighting your unique strengths and how you can contribute to your field in your own way. 

  • Seek feedback: Make sure to proofread your application before submitting it and get feedback from your mentors or other experts to ensure that there are no avoidable errors to reduce chances of rejection.

  • Stick to the deadline: Keep a tab on the submission deadline for each scholarship application and make sure to submit it on time to avoid rejection. 

How IDP Can Guide You for PG Scholarships in the UK

IDP Education consultants, one of the finest in the overseas education industry, offers expert assistance to international students in researching and identifying the top scholarships for PG courses in the UK. We also help you understand the eligibility criteria for each scholarship program and check whether you meet them. We then help you shortlist the top programs based on your need and enable you to make an informed decision that best aligns with your careeer goals.

FAQs on Post Graduate (PG) Scholarships to Study in the UK

1. How competitive are postgraduate scholarships in the UK?

Scholarships for postgraduate programs in the UK are generally highly competitive due to the limited funding options and high demand for quality higher education in the country.

2. What is the deadline for applying to UK postgraduate scholarships?

The deadline for each scholarship program may vary from one institution to another. It is best to check with the specific institution at the time of applying.

3. Do UK postgraduate scholarships include health insurance for students?

No, postgraduate scholarships in the UK generally do not provide coverage for health insurance for international students in the country. However, some larger scholarship programs may have some provision for covering the health insurance fee; hence, do check with the provider at the time of application.

4. What is the age limit for applying to UK postgraduate programs?

There is generally no upper age bar for applying to PG courses at UK universities. Every university has its own eligibility criteria for its study programs, so it is best to check the admission criteria for each program at the time of applying.

5. Which postgraduate courses in the UK receive the most scholarship funding?

The most popular PG courses in the UK that receive the highest funding from the government or private universities are programs in Science and Technology and Law and Justice.

6. Are postgraduate scholarships in the UK merit or need-based?

Both merit and need-based scholarships are available in the UK to aspiring postgraduate students. Some institutions may offer either of the two, while some may offer a combination of both.

7. Do postgraduate scholarships in the UK require work experience?

Some PG scholarships in the UK may require applicants to show prior work experience. It may depend on the specific scholarship program applied for.

Updated on Sep 22, 2025

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