Getting an opportunity to study in the UK is almost every student’s dream, especially in Africa, but the estimated cost often causes students to shy away from studying in the country after considering the possibility of having to struggle to keep up with paying up all of their chosen school expenses and traveling costs.
The British governments and some other agencies thus understand the challenges faced by international students who are trying to live their dreams of studying in any part of the UK and have made scholarships, and grants available.
This publication will shine the light on 30+ best Scholarships in the United Kingdom that are beneficial to international students. If you’ve always wished to travel for educational purposes in the UK without expending much cost, then this article is for you.
How does It work?
Aspirants are expected to satisfy some conditions before applying for any scholarship scheme in the UK. This is because those who have all the required documents after matching the eligibility criteria are often more favored compared to those who are negligent of other requirements.
You can’t rely on your academic performance alone when trying to secure admission , you may be required to sit for external exams and pass distinctively, while some scholarship schemes will require you to have your passport or Visa ready before you can be offered admission.
Applicants who can write and converse in English language are also at a higher advantage. Your educational qualification must also be in line with your educational qualification must also be in line with the scholarships you are applying for.
30+ Best Scholarships In the UK For International Students
GREAT Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £10,000
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: Few countries including Nigeria, Bangladesh, India, Ghana & Kenya.
This scholarship initiative supports various universities available in the UK making it easy for international students to make their choice, and examples of institutions that support the adoption of this scholarship program are the University of Manchester, University of South Hampton London, University of York, etc to mention a few.
Applicants must be a citizen of countries like China, Mexico, a few African countries, etc. It is often best to check if your state of citizenship qualifies to receive the grant on the official website.
Applicants must further have good communication skills, and be willing to attend networking events where they can share ideas. In addition, they are expected to portray good ethical behavior and portray the scholarship scheme in a positive light to other beneficiaries that are to come after them.
British Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Varies but fully funded
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Next on the list is a scholarship scheme that’s known for attracting millions of applicants since its launch in 1983. It is dedicated to students who are looking for a fully funded scholarship offer in the UK since the scheme takes care of all their needs without them having to spend a penny.
Presley, a beneficiary of this scholarship initiative, claims she’s never had a reason to spend on books, tuition, and more ever since she was selected to enjoy the benefits integrated with the British Chevening scholarship.
Eligible students from around the world are often advised to jump on this offer because the program accommodates 1000+ people from around the world.
The University of Manchester Humanitarian Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Undisclosed
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate & Master’s
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme is available to virtually all types of international students; however, people seeking to pursue a degree in medicine and other applied science courses are not often welcome to submit their applications.
Only people who have successfully been offered admission by the University of Manchester can apply for this scholarship program, and it is not everyone who gets an admission offer that will be selected to enjoy this grant.
When submitting your application, you can bypass paying the acceptance fee while hoping you are lucky to be selected for the scholarship scheme.
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to £35,000 per scholar
- Eligible Degree: Master’s and Doctoral
- Eligible Countries: Few eligible countries but only women
This scholarship invites women who have previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in any course of study that’s related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and who can demonstrate why they should receive grants.
The founders are dedicated to improving educational development amongst women and causing them to impact the next generations of women to come. You can start checking the website from December 15 to January 15 to see if you can apply.
Eligible beneficiaries get to enjoy monthly stipends and an all-expense paid scholarship program. People who spend on the admission processes such as the IELTS exam will receive a reimbursement which means you won’t have to spend a penny.
Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded. Amount not disclosed as it varies.
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme was launched to help students with their traveling expenses where they’ll be allowed to travel at no cost. In addition to providing free traveling tickets to students, the founders of the scheme also give out a $500 stipend that can be used for stationeries, and tuition, and cover other costs that may pop up daily.
People eligible for this fully funded scholarship scheme are expected to be a citizen of any world bank country. Its main goal is to provide free traveling costs to students but has since been modified into a fully funded scholarship scheme.
Imperial College London Ceres Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Most scholarship schemes will require students to pay an application fee or other types of fee before they stand a chance at receiving a scholarship program, but Imperial College eliminates that cost.
This has made the scholarship scheme more competitive as it is highly sought after by international students who are looking to explore and see if they are eligible enough. Students with high academic performance will mostly be considered for this scheme and must have their documents to back up their claims ready.
Rhodes Trust Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £20,000
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme has been around since the ’90s while fostering educational development among international countries. This scholarship scheme grants international students access to the prestigious Oxford University- an institution that has helped millions of leaders in various industries.
It offers over £20,000 to qualified students that can help cover all their expenses throughout their schooling duration. However, only 95 people are opportune to benefit from this scheme, and the process may be rigorous.
The Rotary Foundation Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: $30,000
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: All countries
The foundation is dedicated to growth and development within its locality, and internationally. If you’re seeking to apply, you should rest assured that the scholarship scheme has spent over 4 billion in achieving its set goals for academic development.
You’re eligible to receive about $25,000 in funding that will help facilitate your research throughout your academic years in the institution of your choosing. The grant can also help relieve financial burdens on other expenses such as visa fees, and other forms of supplies.
APEX Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: $100,000
- Eligible Degree: PhD
- Eligible Countries: All countries
The scheme offers funding for a maximum duration of 24 months. It provides various financial support, including an award of up to £100,000 to fund staff, allowing relief from teaching and administrative duties for the applicant and/or co-applicant. Successful applicants may have the opportunity to apply for an additional £10,000 to support public engagement activities, which can cover expenses such as consumables, equipment, and collaborative travel.
The scheme also allows for the costs of a teaching replacement, if necessary, to alleviate the applicant and/or collaborator from teaching and administrative duties. Although it sounds difficult to pull off, thousands of students have benefited from the APEX award program.
Clarendon Scholarships at University of Oxford
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded, Amount not disclosed
- Eligible Degree: Master’s and Doctoral
- Eligible Countries: All countries
If you’re looking to get into the legendary University of Oxford without having to spend hundreds of Euros, you have a chance at a fully funded scholarship scheme that remains valid throughout your stay in the institution. However, it is only available to Master’s and Ph.D. degree programs who have displayed excellence in their field of study.
There’s no discrimination against any department which means you stand a chance of getting selected for this scholarship scheme even if you did not study professional courses like Medicine, law, etc.
MasterCard Foundation Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded, Amount not disclosed
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s and Master’s
- Eligible Countries: Countries from Africa
The Mastercard company is widely known for offering encrypted fintech services to people around the world, and the company foundation supports international students who are trying to pursue an academic degree in the United Kingdom.
People who are from African countries are the main recipient of this scholarship program where 150+ students will be selected from different parts of Africa from either the undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, the foundation makes provisions for 60 people who are interested in the virtual program.
Academic Excellence Scholarships for EU Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £6,000 per academic year
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: EU
The school provides scholarships of up to £6,000 per year to Students from European Union Countries who meet certain criteria, including achieving AAA at A-Level.
The scholarships are available for undergraduate degree programs lasting more than three years, with additional funding for extra years which is subject to satisfactory progression.
The University of Nottingham Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Partially or fully funded tuition fee
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: Africa, India or one of the selected Commonwealth countries
The University of Nottingham provides grants to transfer students from international countries who’re looking to expand their knowledge academically. The scheme is dynamic since it makes it possible to accommodate hundreds of students who either want a partially or fully funded scholarship.
The university came up with this initiative in 2001 to accommodate scholars from around the world and incite academic discipline in forthcoming students who will love the chance at an all-expense paid scholarship program.
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Undisclosed but fully funded
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship initiative focuses on petroleum-exporting countries such as Iraq, Gabon, etc. It embraces these countries and helps level up their educational standards by raising leaders who will in turn contribute to their state of residence
Beneficiaries of the scheme do not have to pay for anything during their course of studying in the UK. Student health, visa, books, and other expenses are not exempted from this scheme, and you only need to send in your application via a form made available on the official website.
Amber Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to £5,000
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Opened to residents of the UK or immigrants who are planning to school in the United Kingdom and are seeking financial aid in other to achieve great things within and outside the university walls. Students from diverse countries stand a chance of receiving up to £5,000 to help make the academic journey easy.
Beneficiaries of this scheme are people who have a vision that can help benefit the wide populace positively and can present this vision to the scholarship founders through a statement for review. You can also check the official website to see if you match other eligibility criteria set by the founders of the Amber scholarship scheme.
Windle Trust Postgraduate Scholarships
- Windle Trust Postgraduate Scholarships
- Scholarship Amount: Undisclosed
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia
This program offers international students coming to the UK a chance at an all-expense paid fee or a partially paid tuition fee. Some factors may hinder students from getting the fully sponsored package or getting neither of the two, applicants are to cross-check all the eligibility criteria before applying.
Applicants are expected to hail from African citizens. They will receive allowances throughout their course of study which is usually for a year.
Felix Trust Scholarships Developing Countries
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount:
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Underdeveloped & developing countries
The sole mission of this scholarship scheme is to assist top students who reside in the least developed and developing countries. The initiative has helped sponsor various scholars into prestigious universities including the University of Oxford
Although it was primarily set for the people of India, other citizens from underdeveloped countries with similar distinctive traits can also apply for the scholarship program. It hopes to give these scholars a chance at networking, while also experiencing the social and economic amenities in the state.
For example, if you have plans of choosing the University of Oxford, you’ll ensure you’ve bagged a first class at your previous school, and you must therefore visit this link to get more info on how to apply. Generally, you can find additional information on the Felix Scholarship official website, in order to be properly guided
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Not disclosed
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: Some selected countries. See the site for a full list
This scholarship program helps cut down costs for international students by presenting them with an opportunity to travel overseas for studies abroad without spending a penny. Most international students often get discouraged about schooling In the UK if they can’t afford the tuition fee, and traveling costs, amongst others.
Getting to enjoy fully sponsored flight fees can only be possible after you’ve successfully been offered admission, it is also beat to note that this initiative has helped thousands of international students pay off their traveling expenses.
Although you don’t get to have your travel grant approved before you leave your base country, you stand a chance at being reimbursed after meeting all the requirements.
A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition will be covered plus a monthly stipend to meet accommodation, living costs, and travel costs
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Low and middle-income countries
This scholarship is made available for people who are passionate about teaching the English language or have teaching experiences. This scheme aims to raise leaders who can impact the next generation to come with oral and written English.
Eligible applicants are expected to have impacted their society by raising the IQ standards of the children living in underdeveloped countries, and they’re expected to enjoy an all-expense paid by the Hornby Trust Foundation.
Although the school officially starts admitting new students in September, applications for this scholarship program mostly ended by April every year
Westminster International Part Fee Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £3,000 per session
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries especially low and middle-income countries
Westminster International Scholarship is yet another partially funded scholarship that’s targeted at countries where people live below the economic standard of advanced countries. The purpose of this scholarship is to foster growth amongst developing countries.
Simon, one of the beneficiaries of the Westminster scholarship scheme claims the program helped motivate people in his community to be dedicated to their books, with the hopes of someday meeting the requirements to travel on all paid trips to the UK for study purposes.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Eligible countries
The Cambridge Trust international scholarship is made available for postgraduates who have completed their bachelor’s degree program and are looking to further their education by aiming for a master’s degree or a higher level.
The program supports both national and international citizens. However, it favors more of its citizens when compared with people who do not permanently reside in the state, you can stand a chance of being selected to enjoy the benefits embedded in the scholarship scheme.
The University of Sheffield International Merit Undergraduate Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Partially Funded
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This is a partially paid scholarship scheme for international students hosted by the University of Sheffield. Applicants must have been successfully admitted to study any course of their choosing at Sheffield University and have met other eligibility criteria.
Applicants should be willing to pay their tuition fees before waiting for partial reimbursement. The application is usually open from January until April when the best of the best are selected to be presented with the scholarship offer,
Think Big Undergraduate Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Undergraduate students get £10,000 while Postgraduate students get £15,000
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Interested applicants can now apply for the Think Big scholarship scheme while standing the chance to earn up to £10,000 as an undergraduate, and postgraduate students can earn up to £15,000 in their first year respectively. The grant which is hosted by Bristol University is designed to help students pay off their tuition fees and other expenses that may be incurred daily.
If you are studying any pure science-related courses such as medicine, successful applicants will be notified about the status of their application.
Beneficiaries of this award program also stand a higher chance of being selected for other scholarship schemes that may pop up during their course of studying without them needing to apply.
Kingston University International Development Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £5,000
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Next on the list is a very competitive scholarship scheme for postgraduate students since it attracts various scholars from around the world and it only favors the most qualified, and the fastest students who are aiming to enjoy the benefits attached to the Kingston University scholarship program.
Aberystwyth University Entrance Examinations and Merit Awards
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £1,000 per annum
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme provides up to £1,000 cash grants to students who can successfully pass the school entrance examination distinctively. Although the £1,000 is designed to cover tuition fees and other costs, students who perform extremely well can also enjoy the benefits of not paying for accommodation.
You stand a chance of receiving £1,000 in your first year only or to keep receiving the funding every year depending on how well you pass the exam. Luckily, the institution is transparent by allowing students to view and practice the previous year’s past questions in other to know what to expect in real-time.
University of Gloucestershire International Grant Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 50% of the annual tuition fee for the first year of study
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
People who hope to apply for this scholarship program are expected to have been studying at the University of Gloucestershire before they can be considered. This means, the scholarship scheme does not give students the chance to apply at entry level but must have first handled all student’s expenses on their own.
The scholarship scheme is fully funded by the university board without external partners such as the government, and it is expected to last for a year.
University of West London International Ambassador Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to £5,000
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
The University of West London has set numerous programs in place to support international students who need monetary funding to make their academic journey easy. Some of these programs include bursary scheme, ambassador awards, and scholarships.
Applicants who are currently residing in the UK will first be consistent for this scheme which means you must have processed your Visa and bought your ticket by yourself. If selected for the scholarship program, you stand a chance at receiving up to £1,000 as an undergraduate, and up to £5,000 as a postgraduate student.
The University of Nottingham Sports Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: up to £13,500
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Are you passionate about sports and fitness? Do you know you can get an offer to transfer to a school overseas while pursuing your sporting ambitions? The University of Nottingham makes it possible for students to receive monetary support of up to £13,500. These funds are meant to cover all health insurance and to pay off all costs that may be incurred from training to moving from one geographic zone to the other for competition purposes.
Eligible students must be actively involved in sports, and do not necessarily need to wait to be offered admission before they apply for the scholarship scheme.
The University of Glasgow EU Welcome Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: up to £5,000
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: Check for selected countries on the list.
The scholarship program is designed for students and talented individuals who are looking to study at the university. You can get up to £5,000 every academic session if you meet the school board criteria and are exempted from other scholarship programs in the country.
The university partners with various bodies, and startups in delivering this scholarship program to international students with the hope of increasing the bond level among the students and the society at large.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships for Foreign Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £30,000 ~ £60,000 (annual)
- Eligible Degree: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme for international students was introduced less than 3 decades ago and has helped thousands of students from around the world. The co-founder of the first software program on computer devices jointly co-founded this scholarship with his wife (Bills and Melinda Gates).
The foundation has helped thousands of international students who are seeking monetary assistance with the smooth running of their postgraduate programs at the University of Cambridge.
University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £5,000
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate and Master’s
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Students who are eligible for this university scholarship scheme get a minimum of £5,000 every year, and it is only made available to people aiming to bag a bachelor’s degree. The only criterion is that applicants must be able to present excellent grades in their academics and must be exempted from other forms of scholarship programs or schemes.
The yearly fund is enough to meet up with the student’s school fees while they can work towards funding other personal needs on their own.
The University of Leeds Dean’s Business School International Excellence Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 50% reduction in tuition fees for each session
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme helps slash tuition fees into two whereby eligible students only get to pay half of the school tuition fee. The purpose of this is to create innovative leaders and business experts who can impact the nation positively.
Applicants must go through a scheduled assessment and must be academically sound while also having documents to back up their claims.
The University of Reading Vice-Chancellor Global Scholarship Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: £4,000 per annum
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme was introduced in the year 1926, it was launched to create a reform in the educational system amongst international countries while reading world leaders, innovators, and prominent executives
Over 100 different parts of the world stand a chance of receiving up to £4,000 every academic session which is enough to fully fund their academic journey. Find out if your country is eligible for this offer and other requirements on the official website.
University of Bristol Future Leaders Postgraduate Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to £13,000 per session
- Eligible Degree: Master’s
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Here’s another scholarship scheme that focuses on raising world leaders, and it is fully sponsored by the University of Bristol where international students get to receive up to £10,000 or more every academic session
The downside is that the program only seeks to favor only 8 students from around the world who will receive the funding that is made available by the University of Bristol.
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fees & maintenance allowance
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
This scholarship scheme encourages students from underdeveloped countries to stand a chance to receive cash prizes to kickstart their tertiary education journey. It is designed for people who feel limited from pursuing a bachelor’s degree program locally or internationally.
Up to 30 students are often selected for this scheme every year where they’ll get to enjoy all expenses paid by the university body.
In conclusion, we’ve looked at 30+ best scholarship schemes for students aiming to study in the UK, and you get to enjoy these benefits irrespective of your racial background or ethnic group.
