UK Scholarships for Indian Students: Types, Eligibility and more

One of the most popular destinations for studying abroad is the United Kingdom, second only to the United States. This is hardly surprising given its rich academic heritage, world-class universities, and a wide range of UK scholarships that attract students from all over the world. Studying abroad can be costly for international students, especially those from India. However, government departments and specific institutions offer numerous scholarship schemes, which can help alleviate this financial pressure.

You may like to read: Glasgow MBA Scholarship: A Pathway to Excellence

Table of Contents

Different Types of Scholarships in the UK

There are several types of UK scholarships available, each catering to different needs:

Merit-based Scholarships: For students with excellent academic records.
Need-based Scholarships: For students who need financial support.
Student-specific Scholarships: Targeted at specific groups, such as students from certain countries or underrepresented backgrounds.
Course-specific Scholarships: For students enrolling in specific programs or fields of study.

Most UK Universities also have reduced tuition fees if students pay their initial deposits before a deadline. Merit-based scholarships are competitive and require excellent applications and a compelling purpose statement. The number of university-specific scholarships available in the UK varies depending on a person’s profile, ranging from £1,000 to £6,000. In many cases, Ph.D programs in the UK are fully funded, providing monumental financial relief for doctoral aspirants.

Eligibility for Indian Students

For Indian students, the basic eligibility criteria for UK scholarships usually include:

Being an Indian citizen.
Having completed tertiary education in English.
Maintaining a strong academic record with high grades.

When to Apply for UK Scholarships

UK scholarships for Indian students are available during several intakes:

Major Intake: September
Minor Intakes: January, February, March, July, November

UK Government Scholarships for International Students

Chevening scholarship: This is a prestigious scholarship given by the United Kingdom government to students who have performed excellently in their exams. These scholarships often pay tuition fees, travel costs, accommodation, and other expenses for a one-year Master’s program. Annually, there are 1500 Chevening scholarships available.
Commonwealth Masters scholarships: The UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) awards these grants to applicants from poor Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. courses. They provide airfare, school fees, and pocket money.
Commonwealth Fellowship Plan: This scheme provides support to Commonwealth students intending to make a significant impact in their home country after finishing their studies in the UK. It pays tuition fees and travel fares.

University-Specific Scholarships in the UK

Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships: This set of scholarships honors Dr. Manmohan Singh and is given by St. John’s College to academically brilliant Indian students who intend to study at the University of Cambridge, with a special focus on Science & Technology, Economics, and Social Sciences.
The Global Study Awards: The British Council, in collaboration with Study Portals and ISIC, grants this scholarship value of £10,000 to encourage overseas pupils to choose to study in the UK.
Goa Education Trust Scholarships: These scholarships enable Goan students to pursue their chosen subjects in the UK by paying full or part of the tuition fees.
Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships: Hosted annually for international students are 10 long-term awards by these fellowships that cater for accommodation costs, living expenses, and academic dues.
British Council Great Scholarships for Indian Students: In partnership with 40 universities from the United Kingdom, the British Council provides up to 198 scholarships each year covering fields from arts & design to engineering, law, and management.
Inlaks Scholarships: The Inlaks Foundation sponsors Indian nationals who get admissions into regular courses or certain programs at institutions in America, Europe, and Britain, thereby meeting fee-inclusive requirements.
Felix Scholarship: This scholarship supports academically exceptional and deprived students from India and other developing countries below the age of 30, with six scholarships awarded annually for postgraduate studies at the University of Reading, the University of Oxford, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.
Erasmus Mundus: This scholarship promotes collaboration between European institutions and those from around the globe. The amount varies depending on the level of study, length of course, and nationality of the student.

Notable Scholarships from Universities

University of Westminster: Provides various scholarships, including a waiver on 50% tuition for undergraduates and fully funded Master’s programs.
Coventry University: Allocates £1 million every year in scholarships, which include awards up to £1500 each for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Rhodes Scholarships at the University of Oxford: These highly-regarded scholarships cover full tuition fees, health insurance, and airfare to Indian students who possess outstanding intellectual ability, moral stature, firm character, and leadership qualities with good standing service records.
Queen Mary University: Offers extensive scholarships and competitive bursaries worth more than £25 million to support international students.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships: These grants provide total financial support to students studying at Cambridge.
Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships: They offer 30 scholarships for Ph.D. students in any discipline.
University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarships: This pays 50% off tuition fees for up to one year on most courses at Sussex.
UAL Vice-Chancellor’s Postgraduate International Scholarships: The goal is to aid ten low-income country students with full-time Master’s.
Bristol University International Office Scholarships: They give five awards towards £8,500 in tuition fees and living expenses for undergraduate studies.
University of West London International Ambassador Scholarships: They offer 50 yearly scholarship sums of £5,000 each, which will be available for the best-performing students pursuing their first degree or master’s programs on a full-time basis
Developing Solutions Scholarships at the University of Nottingham: There are 105 scholarships for Master’s students, including thirty tuition fees funded scholarships and seventy-five half-payment waivers.

Final Thoughts

The United Kingdom is still one of the most popular destinations among international students who want to choose prestigious universities that offer cultural diversity and other advantages, including many bursaries. For Indian students, these scholarships allow them to pay their way through top-class studies, helping them recognize their ambitions on both educational and professional levels in life. This article will guide you on how to achieve your dream of studying in the United Kingdom by identifying your available options for getting a UK scholarship.

FAQs

Can I get a completely free scholarship to study in the UK?

Yes, but it will depend on how fierce the competition is. An excellent academic background coupled with extracurricular activities is imperative.

Do Indian students have access to UK scholarships?

Yes, there are various programs, such as those offered by Charles Wallace India Trust and Commonwealth.

Is it possible to study in the UK for free?

Although not completely free, scholarships can pay for the tuition or all costs.

Is there any way for an Indian student to get a UK scholarship?

There are numerous scholarship opportunities for UK students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.

How can Indian students obtain full UK scholarships?

By applying with strong academic credentials, Indian students can receive full scholarships either through government-funded schemes or university-specific programs.

What does it take to get a scholarship in the UK?

Eligibility requirements differ but are generally associated with English proficiency ability, acceptance into an accredited institution, and outstanding academic/research background.