The UK remains one of the best places to attend university in the world. From its prestigious Russell Group to institutions older than certain countries, it consistently ranks high in the global university league tables. It’s also one of the most popular choices for international students and offers a variety of highly valued scholarships to study in UK for international students that have turned out world leaders, figures in the arts and popular culture, and influential individuals from all over the world.
UK University Scholarships for International Students
Having a good number of scholarships is a common desire for every international student. Before applying for the scholarship, you should have the offer letter in hand. It is important to know what scholarships you may be eligible for before applying. You should apply for several scholarships to study in the UK as early as you can. If you want to secure more than one scholarship or increase your chances of securing at least one of the many you have applied for, then the earlier the better. You need to do your research and find out the requirements and deadlines.
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You need to dedicate most of your free time to searching for possible scholarships. You can apply for scholarships to study in the UK. All the initial effort you put into looking for various scholarships and applying for them will be worth it in the end when you’re catching your flight to the UK.
Choose the Scholarships that Suit Your Interests
When you’re searching for scholarship opportunities, you need to select them based on your interests and profile. You won’t select an engineering scholarship when you’re interested in the arts, right?
What if I don’t know what I want to Study?
You should first do career counselling with an expert to choose the right subject for you as a part of your long-term career. In that case, we recommend opting for open scholarships. Open scholarships allow you to select the program you’re interested in studying. They’re not limited to just a certain type of program. If you’re undecided, an open scholarship could also be your best bet for scholarships to study in England.
Where should I look to Find Open Scholarships?
We recommend looking at national-level scholarships to find open scholarships. Your community and school are a good starting point to look for them as well. Your guidance counsellor or anyone designated to help to graduate seniors can provide you with several scholarships available for seniors. You may also contact the UK University representatives. Most of the information you may also get on the University website is the same.
Do You Know the Universities in the UK you Want to go?
Most universities in the UK offer scholarships to international students. Most probably, you’ll have your dream university and then two backup choices. If you do, you can visit their website to learn about the different types of scholarships they’re offering and then apply for one of them. Now, you need to apply for a scholarship to study in the UK. The same as in – “A,” University “B,” and University “C.” If you secure one out of three scholarships, that’s a big achievement. If you secure two or even all three scholarships, the ball is in your court, and the decision is solely yours.
What should I do Once I have Found Several Suitable Scholarships?
It’s simple; you apply. Scholarship applications can take several weeks to months to process depending on the type of scholarship you’re applying for and the university you plan on attending in the UK. If you plan to start university at the start of the year, applying early is your best bet. With scholarships, there’s a lot of competition, which is why it can take time. By applying early, you also increase your chance of receiving the scholarship. Once you have found the different scholarships, you need to start preparing the rest of the paperwork the university will need you to submit with it.
Types Of Funding
Scholarships mean that you are being awarded money for your course of study, and you do not need to pay it back. Most people think that only those who have consistently excelled in academics are the ones who can qualify for a scholarship to study in the UK. But it is not valid. Here are a few types of scholarships that people can be awarded:
● Música Scholarships
● Financial need
● Academic Excellence
● Personal Circumstances
● Industry Scholarships
● Sports Scholarships
● Grants/ Bursaries
● Marketing Led Scholarships
The Application Process for Scholarships in the UK University
The application process for scholarships to study in the UK is relatively straightforward. The application deadline is usually months and months before the course officially starts, so you need to apply for a program at your university of choice before you apply for scholarships. Here is how you can search for scholarships at UK Universities- After you have done our research and chosen your university of choice, you can visit their website and then search through the scholarships to get offered for international students. Then, you can apply depending on which scholarship requirements you fulfil.
Getting a Head Start on the Scholarship Application Process
Here’s what we want you to do next:
● You Need to Prepare Your Financial Information
Your acceptance into a scholarship or bursary program may also depend on your household income. You’ll need to provide your financial information to the university. Since the information relates to the number of people in your household, you’ll need to ask your parents or legal guardians to provide you with the financial information you need to complete the application. You should get all the financial paperwork that you need to submit with the application ready beforehand, so you don’t stress yourself in meeting the deadline if it’s not ready due to an unexpected delay.
● You Need to Tailor Your Application
You want to impress the university and secure as many scholarships to study in the UK. If you want to succeed in doing so, you need to meet the unique requirements set by each scholarship and bursary. You need to read the entire application form, not once, but twice to ensure you understand everything. If there’s something you don’t understand, feel free to reach out to the university for clarification. Once you have read the application, you need to tailor your answers.
Since you plan to apply to more than one scholarship, keep in mind that it may take you a lot of time, as most require you to write a personal essay. Although it can be a lengthy and time-consuming process, we recommend taking the time to understand the application and its requirements and then answer each question as best as you can to increase your chance of acquiring funding for your program.
● You Need to Speak to Formal Applicants
Thanks to the internet, you can find several community groups on social media where you can easily find people who had previously applied for the scholarship, got it, and have graduated since then. You can ask them for advice, and most of them will be more than happy to help you. You can use the tips they provide you to fill out the application that’s more likely to get noticed by the university’s admission department.
UK Government Scholarships
The government of the UK actively works to enable deserving students to realize their dream of studying there. For instance, they provide the Chevening Scholarship through their initiative. This is a global scholarship award that all international students can apply for. The eligibility criteria are that students must apply for at least three-degree studies in the UK with scholarships. Another excellent initiative from the UK government is the Commonwealth scholarship award.
Those candidates who reside in a commonwealth country such as Bangladesh are eligible for it. The Commonwealth scholarship is awarded to students who are looking to study for a postgraduate degree. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) is responsible for the provision of funding. This is likely to cover a number of variable costs like tuition fees, exam fees, cost of flights as well as a personal maintenance allowance and an initial arrival allowance too.
UK University Scholarships
The other option available to students is that they carry out extensive research and find out if the institutes they want to study at are offering scholarships. The vast majority of universities in the UK offer a variety of scholarship awards to students. The amount may vary but the idea is the same: scholarships help ease the burden on students and their families.
For example, The University of Nottingham has coined the Developing Solutions Scholarship award. If a student is from the continent of Africa, India or a number of other developing Commonwealth countries and they want to return to their country after completing their postgraduate degree, then they are eligible for this award. The university seeks out deserving candidates who have the desire to help in improving their own country. There are over a hundred slots available annually and 30 of these cover the entire tuition fees of students while the remaining one subsidises 50% of the fees.
Yet another example of scholarships to study in UK is the University of Westminster International Scholarships. Similar to the aforementioned award given by The University of Nottingham, Westminster also gives scholarships to students who come from developing countries and want to study for a master’s degree. Those who are successful can enjoy free tuition, accommodation, flights as well as living costs! Studying in the UK with scholarships is a dream for students from around the world.
However, realizing that dream can take many years. Also, there are several variables in the equation. Given the costs attached to UK universities, it is no wonder that students seek scholarship opportunities. We will take a look at the scholarships to study in UK below-
Denys Holland Scholarship (University College London)
Fortunately, universities aim to facilitate deserving international students by granting them scholarships to study in the UK. One such institute is the prestigious University College London. They have established the Denys Holland Scholarship award for undergraduate students. International students who cannot afford to study in the UK without additional financial support are given this scholarship. The only requirement for the university is that these students maximize their potential and use all the opportunities they are given at UCL. The scholarship is worth an astonishing 9000 pounds per annum and essentially covers the bulk of the tuition fees for the year.
Chancellor’s International Scholarships (University of Sussex)
Another excellent opportunity for brilliant students exploring scholarships to study in the UK is called the Chancellor’s International Scholarship. This is awarded at The University of Sussex and is available at the vast majority of schools there. Naturally, students must meet the usual prerequisites of having an excellent prior academic performance. The recipients are always non-EU candidates who are eligible for and garnered a full-time postgraduate taught degree at The University of Sussex.
Think Big Scholarships (Bristol University)
Another scholarship award that is specific to a university is called the Think Big Scholarship and is given to those who study at Bristol University. In 2019, the university committed a staggering 500,000 pounds to the noble cause of helping the best and brightest international students who seek admission at the University. The Think Big scholarship is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students who will enrol this year. In addition, the tuition fee awards start from 5000 pounds and may go up to 20000 pounds.
International Ambassador Scholarships (University of West London)
The International Ambassador Scholarship is awarded in recognition of outstanding students who travel from all around the world to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom. They are provided financial support regardless of whether they study an undergraduate or postgraduate course. The scholars are then designated as international ambassadors for The University of West London. In total, up to 50 scholarships are available with each one being worth 5000 pounds.
Chancellor’s Scholarship (University of West England)
Another excellent opportunity for prospective students is called the Chancellor’s Scholarship at The University of West England. Situated in the city of Bristol, the institute offers more than a hundred thousand pounds worth of scholarships for international students on an annual basis. Recipients are required to participate in an internship at the International Development Office and other departments in order to acquire the scholarship award. Once they do so, they can obtain the award which covers their full tuition for one academic year.
Popular Scholarships to Study in the UK
These are some popular scholarships to study in the UK you can apply for include:
The Chevening Scholarships
One of the best-known scholarships award that student can acquire is called the Chevening Scholarships. These awards are offered directly by the UK government and are typically given to students with an extraordinary academic performance. In addition, these candidates must exhibit other qualities like excellent leadership skills to attain the Chevening Scholarship. British Embassies worldwide are involved in the process since they personally select the recipients of this prestigious award.
Each year, there are more than 1500 slots up for grabs under this title for those looking for UK scholarship options. For instance, the Chevening Award offers brilliant students a chance to pursue a postgraduate degree at any of the UK’s best universities. Therefore, if you’re looking for a UK scholarship, then the Chevening Scholarship is well worth a look.
Euraxess UK
The British Council provides the Euraxess UK scholarship to national and international researchers. The program provides researchers with support at all three levels— postgraduate level, postdoctoral level, and post-doctorate level over six years.
The Commonwealth Scholarships
The British Empire ruled over many countries once upon a time. A remnant of their ascendancy was that the countries they controlled are now regarded as Commonwealth countries. An advantage of that in the modern day is that UK scholarships are available under the name of Commonwealth Scholarships. In simple terms, students who reside in Commonwealth countries may be eligible for the award, assuming they meet the prerequisites. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is a designated body that selects recipients of scholarships and fellowships for higher education.
Typically, those who are chosen must have excellent academic history and the CSC also evaluates their potential to earn and help those back home. In addition, the award also includes the price of airfare. Besides travel, it also covers the tuition and exam fees, as well as a personal allowance, dissertation grants, an initial arrival compensation and various other costs too.
Rhodes Scholarships
Considered particularly impressive in the world of academia, a Rhodes scholarship is offered to students studying at the postgraduate level hoping to attend the University of Oxford. This particular scholarship is designed for ‘exceptional’ students and so can be tougher to obtain, but is well worth it if you are successful. Students from all over the world can apply for this scholarship and previous Rhodes scholars include former US President Bill Clinton, journalist Rachel Maddow and film director Terrance Malik.
Fulbright Scholarships
The Fulbright Scholarship is specifically for students from the United States (US) hoping to study in the UK with scholarships and gives financial support to any American students wanting to study at one of the United Kingdom’s prestigious institutions, including UCL, LSE and St Andrews. Merit-based, program is usually associated with certain universities and open to postgraduate students and doctoral candidates with exceptional skills in their area of study.
The Royal Society Grants
The Royal Society is a fellowship that awards UK scholarships to students. It is comprised of the world’s most pre-eminent scientists and is in fact the oldest science-oriented academy in the region. This independent academy is responsible for the promotion of excellence in the field of science, which is why they provide scholarships for many impressive and promising students from around the world.
The Global Study Awards
This particular award is the result of a partnership between Study portals, ISIC and the British Council. It is designed to encourage promising students to study overseas so that they can explore new countries and cultures and exploit wonderful opportunities to maximize their potential. Typically, a UK scholarship worth 10000 pounds is on offer twice a year to international students. This is also done in a bid to expand intercultural integration and allow these students to broaden their horizons by studying in the UK with scholarships.
The Different Types of Scholarships
It is important to note that even need-based scholarships do take an individual’s educational qualifications into mind before allocating them a scholarship to help. Universities offer scholarships of their own, however, it is always recommended to look into other types of scholarships. Scholarships are usually applied for at the time of course registration or after you have successfully registered. As scholarships are usually offered early in the year, it is important to start all your research on this subject carefully and ahead of time. The different types of scholarships that are offered include:
Part Scholarships
Part scholarships can either help to pay off a small portion of your tuition fees or even cover your total tuition fees. These types of scholarships do not usually cover dorm or living costs.
Full Scholarships
Most international students strive to qualify for a full scholarship. Full UK scholarships cover not only your tuition fees but also living costs. They are extremely difficult to get as you need to be one of the top-performing students in order to qualify for a full scholarship.
Country-Specific
These scholarships differ according to the country you belong to. For example, Saltire Scholarships are applicable for students applying from the US, Pakistan, India, Canada, China and Hong Kong. If you do your research, you will find a variety of the best scholarships for international students available to students from various countries.
Course-Specific External
Apart from country-specific and university-specific scholarships, many NGOs, governments and even individuals offer to sponsor students from their country, so it is advised to search for such entities who offer to do if you need.
Scholarship Applications have Deadlines
Just like universities have application deadlines, so do scholarships. There are many scholarships available for prospective students to apply. So, applicants are advised to apply for scholarships in the UK University. At the start of the year, at the earliest. International students from all around the world are eligible for scholarships of different kinds. However, most undergraduate universities need you to submit your A-level results with your scholarship application. You can also be eligible for individual scholarships only after you have completed a specific amount of time, such as two or three years, so do look out for that.
Award type of UK scholarships
● Academic Excellence Awards
● Access Funding
● Disabled Students’ Allowance
● Further Education Funding
● Hardship Grants
Scholarships in the UK without IELTS
There are numerous universities in the United Kingdom where you can study without having to take the IELTS exam. Approximately 3,240 scholarships are now available in the United Kingdom, and they are all fully funded. Why should you study in the United Kingdom? Universities in the United Kingdom have received international recognition. With so many World-Class Degrees available in the United Kingdom.
You will be able to study at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK. Scholarships are available for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The competition is open to students from around the world. Who wouldn’t want to receive a full scholarship to study in the United Kingdom? Over 50,000 degree programs are available in UK universities. It’s important to note that there isn’t any application fee.
UK Universities without IELTS
Study in the UK Without Taking the IELTS
Applicants must have an English Proficiency Certificate to apply. The English Proficiency Certificate can be obtained from the applicant’s prior university. It should be indicated in the university letter that the candidate has completed all of his courses in English. Instead of the IELTS certificate, you can use the letter form from that university.
Studying in the UK with scholarships can be an arduous task when it comes to the management of finances. The studies itself and the cost of living can be quite exorbitant at times. Not to forget that for some international students, their local currency may be depreciating continually thus making the pound sterling more expensive to obtain. Once you have applied to the maximum number of scholarships, you can sit back, relax, and have fun as you wait to find out how many scholarships you were able to secure. If you are interested in finding out more about which option could work best for you, Give us a call or drop us an email today.
-FAQ's
How can I get a scholarship to study in the UK?
After you have done our research and chosen your university of choice, you can visit their website and then search through the scholarships that are offered for international students. Then, you can apply depending on which scholarship requirements you fulfill.
How can I get a full free scholarship in the UK?
Your guidance counsellor or anyone designated to help graduating seniors can provide you with several scholarships available for seniors. You may also contact the UK University representatives. Most of the information you may also get on the University website is the same.
Who can sponsor me to study in the UK?
The government of the UK actively works to enable deserving students to realize their dream of studying there. For instance, they provide the Chevening Scholarship through their initiative. This is a global scholarship award that all international students can apply for.
How hard is it to get a scholarship in the UK?
It’s simple; you apply. Scholarship applications can take several weeks to months to process depending on the type of scholarship you’re applying for and the university you plan on attending in the UK. If you plan to start university at the start of the year, applying early is your best bet. With scholarships, there’s a lot of competition, which is why it can take time.
Can I get a scholarship without IELTS in the UK?
Applicants must have an English Proficiency Certificate to apply. The English Proficiency Certificate can be obtained from the applicant’s prior university. It should be indicated in the university letter that the candidate has completed all of his courses in English. Instead of the IELTS certificate, you can use the letter form from that university.
