The UK runs one of the most structured systems of government-funded international scholarships in the world, spread across the Foreign Office, the Department for Business and Trade, and semi-governmental bodies working closely with UK universities.
The ten programs below represent the backbone of that system for the 2027 academic year.
1. Chevening Scholarship
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Chevening Scholarship pays for a one-year master’s degree at any UK university for early to mid-career professionals.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship
Funded through UK aid and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, this program supports master’s and PhD study for students from Commonwealth countries in development-relevant fields.
3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
This variant funds master’s study for students from lower-income Commonwealth countries, with costs shared between the UK government and the host university, keeping places affordable to run at a larger scale.
4. GREAT Scholarships
Run jointly by the UK government and the British Council in partnership with individual universities, GREAT Scholarships offer tuition reductions to students from a changing list of eligible countries each year.
5. Newton Fund Fellowships
Delivered through the Royal Society and other UK national academies, Newton Fund fellowships support early-career researchers from partner developing countries working on research with a UK institution.
6. UKRI Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships
Funded through UK Research and Innovation, these studentships cover tuition and a stipend for PhD students at partner universities, with a defined share of places open to international applicants.
7. Scotland Saltire Scholarships
Funded by the Scottish Government, Saltire Scholarships provide a fixed award toward tuition for international students starting an eligible postgraduate or final-year undergraduate degree at a Scottish university.
8. Marshall Scholarship
Established by the UK government for US citizens, the Marshall Scholarship funds up to two years of postgraduate study at any UK institution as a gesture tied to the historical Marshall Plan.
9. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship
This scheme funds Commonwealth students completing a distance-learning master’s degree through a UK university without needing to relocate, covering course fees for the length of the program.
10. Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship
Aimed at PhD candidates already enrolled in their home country, this scholarship funds a period of research time spent at a UK university as part of a split-site doctoral program.
Because each scheme sets its own country eligibility list and development priorities, checking the current year’s list directly on the relevant scheme’s website is essential before investing time in an application.
Applicants weighing several of these schemes at once should pay close attention to whether a program expects a return to the home country afterward, since this development-focused condition shapes both eligibility and the kind of research or coursework that gets prioritized.
Alumni networks connected to schemes like Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are often active well beyond graduation, providing ongoing professional connections that can matter as much as the degree itself for long-term career plans.
A well-prepared reference letter from a current or former employer, written specifically for the scheme.’s stated priorities rather than reused from a generic job application, tends to carry noticeably more weight with selection panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chevening open to every country in the world?
No, Chevening operates through a defined, though extensive, list of eligible countries that is reviewed and can change from year to year.
What is the difference between the Commonwealth Scholarship and Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
The standard Commonwealth Scholarship is fully funded by UK aid, while the Shared Scholarship splits the cost between the UK government and the host university, allowing more places to be funded overall.
Do these programs require applicants to return home after graduating?
Many, including Chevening, do carry a requirement to spend time in the home country after the scholarship ends, reflecting their development-focused purpose.
Is Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship only for Scottish universities?
Yes, it specifically funds study at a university within Scotland rather than the UK more broadly.
Can PhD students access government funding without relocating permanently?
Yes, the Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship is designed exactly for that, funding a research period in the UK while the student remains primarily enrolled at home.
Are these scholarships need-based or merit-based?
Most combine both factors, weighing academic merit and leadership potential alongside a genuine need for financial support to study in the UK.
Does GREAT Scholarships fund an entire degree?
No, it typically provides a partial tuition reduction rather than full funding, intended to make a UK postgraduate degree more affordable rather than entirely free.