A one-year master’s degree in the UK is shorter, and often cheaper overall, than equivalent programs elsewhere, but the tuition for international students can still be steep. A strong set of scholarships exists specifically to close that gap.
These ten programs are reliable year after year and collectively cover a wide range of subjects, nationalities, and university choices.
1. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship funds a one-year master’s degree at any UK university for early to mid-career professionals, covering tuition, flights, and a monthly living allowance.
2. Commonwealth Masters Scholarship
The [Commonwealth Masters Scholarship](/commonwealth-masters-scholarship/) supports students from eligible Commonwealth countries pursuing a master’s degree in development-relevant subjects, with funding covering tuition, a stipend, and return airfare.
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Open to any postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge, the [Gates Cambridge Scholarship](/gates-cambridge-scholarship/) pays full tuition, a living allowance, and discretionary funding for research-related travel.
4. Felix Scholarships at SOAS University of London
The [Felix Scholarship](/felix-scholarships-soas/) funds eligible students, mainly from India, through a full master’s degree at SOAS, covering tuition, living costs, and flights.
5. Clarendon Fund Scholarship
The [Clarendon Fund Scholarship](/clarendon-fund-scholarship/) covers tuition and a generous stipend for graduate students across most departments at the University of Oxford, with eligibility assessed automatically through the standard course application.
6. Marshall Scholarship
Reserved for US citizens, the Marshall Scholarship funds up to two years of postgraduate study, including master’s degrees, at any UK university, covering tuition, living costs, and travel.
7. A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
This scholarship funds a specialist master’s in English language teaching or applied linguistics for experienced teachers from eligible developing countries, covering tuition, a stipend, and travel costs.
8. Rotary Global Grant Scholarship
Rotary clubs sponsor individual candidates for one-year master’s study in the UK tied to one of the organization’s areas of focus, with funding covering tuition and living costs.
9. University of Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship
This award reduces tuition significantly for international postgraduate research students at Edinburgh, often combined with a university-wide tuition discount to bring the overall cost closer to the home-student rate.
10. LSE Graduate Support Scheme
The London School of Economics runs this needs-based scheme for postgraduate students who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship, offering awards ranging from partial tuition support to a full package covering fees and living costs.
Most of these scholarships close well before the UK university application cycle ends, so checking each scheme’s own deadline separately from the course deadline is essential.
UK scholarship committees generally read a personal statement closely for evidence of concrete goals, not just academic strength, so applicants benefit from explaining precisely how a chosen course connects to their career plans back home.
Reference letters also carry real weight in UK applications, and asking referees several weeks ahead of the deadline, rather than at the last minute, usually produces a stronger and more specific letter.
Funding bodies also tend to favor candidates who show a track record of community involvement or early leadership roles, so applicants with a thinner work history can still strengthen an application through volunteer work or campus societies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chevening require an unconditional university offer?
No, applicants can apply to Chevening before receiving a university offer, though they must hold unconditional offers from eligible universities by a later stage in the process.
Is the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship open to all subjects?
It prioritizes subjects connected to development outcomes, such as public health, agriculture, and governance, though other fields are considered depending on relevance.
Can international students apply to the LSE Graduate Support Scheme?
Yes, it is open to international as well as home students, with awards based primarily on demonstrated financial need.
How many Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded each year?
The number varies annually and is limited, making it one of the more competitive postgraduate scholarships at Cambridge.
Is work experience required for Chevening applicants?
Generally yes, Chevening typically expects at least two years of relevant work experience from applicants.
Do Rotary Global Grant Scholarships cover any master’s subject?
No, funding is tied to one of Rotary’s recognized areas of focus, so the proposed course of study needs to connect clearly to one of those themes.
Are UK master’s scholarships typically renewable for a second year?
Most one-year taught master’s scholarships are not renewable since the course itself is only a year long, though some two-year research-based master’s awards do renew annually.