UK tuition fees for international students can run well above local rates, especially at research-intensive universities, but the country also hosts some of the world’s best-funded scholarship schemes. Government bodies, charitable trusts, and individual colleges all sponsor students who might otherwise be priced out.
The ten programs below cover tuition, living costs, and often flights for successful applicants, spanning everything from short master’s courses to full doctorates.
1. Chevening Scholarship
Funded by the UK government, the Chevening Scholarship pays for a one-year master’s degree at any UK university, along with flights, a monthly stipend, and a travel grant. It targets early to mid-career professionals with leadership potential rather than recent graduates with no work experience.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship
Administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, this award funds master’s and PhD study for students from Commonwealth countries, with priority given to development-focused subjects such as public health, agriculture, and governance. Funding covers tuition, a living allowance, and return airfare.
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
This fully funded award covers any postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge for applicants from outside the UK, paying tuition, a maintenance allowance, and additional grants for discretionary costs like conference travel. Selection weighs intellectual ability, leadership capacity, and a genuine commitment to improving others’ lives.
4. Rhodes Scholarship
One of the oldest international scholarships in existence, the Rhodes Scholarship funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, covering tuition, a living stipend, and travel. Each country or region has its own selection committee and quota of places awarded annually.
5. Clarendon Fund Scholarship
Also based at Oxford, the [Clarendon Fund Scholarship](/clarendon-fund-scholarship/) covers full tuition and a generous living stipend for graduate students across nearly every department at the university. Applicants are automatically considered for it simply by applying to an eligible Oxford graduate course and meeting the funding deadline.
6. Marshall Scholarship
The [Marshall Scholarship](/marshall-scholarship-uk/) funds American citizens for postgraduate study at any UK institution, covering tuition, living costs, and travel for up to two years. It was established by the UK government as a gesture of gratitude following the Marshall Plan and remains limited to US nationals.
7. Felix Scholarships at SOAS University of London
The [Felix Scholarship](/felix-scholarships-soas/) supports students from India and a handful of other eligible countries studying at SOAS, covering tuition fees, a living stipend, and return flights for the length of the degree. Preference goes to candidates who show a clear intention to apply their studies back home.
8. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Based at Oxford, the [Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme](/weidenfeld-hoffmann-scholarships/) funds graduate students from developing and emerging economies, pairing full financial support with a structured leadership curriculum alongside normal coursework.
9. Reach Oxford Scholarship
Aimed at undergraduate applicants from low-income countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK, the [Reach Oxford Scholarship](/reach-oxford-scholarship/) covers tuition, accommodation, and living costs for the full length of an Oxford undergraduate degree.
10. A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
This scholarship funds a master’s degree in English language teaching or applied linguistics at a UK university for experienced teachers and teacher trainers from eligible developing countries, covering tuition, a stipend, and travel.
Deadlines for most UK scholarships fall surprisingly early, often eight to twelve months before the course start date, so applicants should check each scheme’s calendar well in advance rather than waiting until a university offer is in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can applicants apply to more than one UK scholarship at a time?
Yes, in most cases, though some schemes ask candidates to confirm they are not simultaneously holding another full scholarship offer once an award is made.
Do these scholarships require a UK university offer first?
Policies vary. Clarendon and Reach Oxford require an application to the relevant university alongside the scholarship, while Chevening and Commonwealth allow candidates to apply before holding a confirmed offer.
Is work experience required for Chevening?
Chevening generally expects at least two years of work experience, which is one of the features that sets it apart from scholarships aimed at recent graduates.
Are undergraduate students eligible for any of these programs?
Reach Oxford is specifically for undergraduates, while most of the others on this list, including Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, and Clarendon, are postgraduate only.
How competitive is the Rhodes Scholarship?
It is widely regarded as one of the most selective scholarships in the world, with a small number of places awarded per country or region each year.
What subjects does the Commonwealth Scholarship favor?
Priority areas include public health, education, governance, agriculture, and engineering, though other subjects are still considered depending on development relevance.
Do these scholarships cover family members or dependents?
Generally no. Most UK scholarships fund the student alone, though a few, including some Chevening awards, offer limited allowances for accompanying dependents in specific circumstances.