India has consistently been one of Chevening’s largest single-country programs, and that scale is matched by a dedicated Indian scholarship, several Indian philanthropic foundations, and a wide network of Commonwealth-linked funding.
The ten programs below are well established, and pair naturally with the broader list of [fully funded scholarships in the UK](/fully-funded-scholarships-in-uk/).
1. Chevening Scholarship (India Programme)
India runs one of Chevening’s largest country programmes, funding a one-year master’s degree at any UK university for early to mid-career Indian professionals.
2. Felix Scholarships at SOAS University of London
The [Felix Scholarship](/felix-scholarships-soas/) is specifically designed for Indian students, covering tuition, living costs, and return flights for a full master’s degree at SOAS.
3. Commonwealth Scholarship
As a Commonwealth member, India is eligible for the Commonwealth Scholarship, which funds master’s and PhD study in subjects connected to development outcomes.
4. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
Indian students from lower-income backgrounds can apply for this scheme, which splits funding between the UK government and the host university to keep more places available.
5. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
This Indian foundation funds postgraduate study at top global universities, including several in the UK, covering tuition and living costs for exceptionally strong candidates.
6. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
The JN Tata Endowment offers a hybrid loan-scholarship for Indian students admitted to UK postgraduate programs, with part of the award structured as a low-interest loan.
7. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
The [Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme](/weidenfeld-hoffmann-scholarships/) at Oxford has a consistent history of supporting Indian graduate students alongside candidates from other developing economies.
8. GREAT Scholarships India
Delivered through the British Council in partnership with UK universities, GREAT Scholarships India offers tuition reductions specifically to Indian postgraduate applicants each year.
9. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship
This trust specifically funds Indian professionals and postgraduate students in the arts, heritage, and humanities for short research or study periods in the UK.
10. Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship
Indian PhD candidates already enrolled at a home university can use this scholarship to fund a research period at a UK university as part of a split-site doctorate.
Because India’s Chevening and Commonwealth cycles both open and close on fixed annual windows, setting calendar reminders well ahead of each scheme’s opening date helps avoid missing the relatively short application period.
Indian applicants should also be ready to explain clearly how a proposed UK course connects to a specific gap in their home sector, since panels reviewing large applicant pools from India tend to favor candidates with a sharply defined plan over a broad general interest.
Keeping track of separate deadlines for Chevening, Commonwealth, Felix, and any Indian foundation scholarship in one place helps avoid the common mistake of missing one scheme simply because its timeline runs independently of the others.
Reference letters from senior colleagues or academic supervisors who can speak directly to measurable achievements tend to carry more weight with UK scholarship panels than general character references.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Felix Scholarship only for Indian students?
Yes, it was specifically designed for Indian applicants, though a small number of other countries have occasionally been included in certain cycles.
How large is Chevening’s India programme?
India has consistently been one of Chevening’s largest country programmes globally, reflecting strong historical demand and a wide pool of eligible applicants.
Do Indian foundations like JN Tata require repayment?
Yes, part of the JN Tata Endowment award is structured as a low-interest loan that is expected to be repaid after the recipient completes their studies.
Is the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship open to all subjects?
No, it is specifically focused on the arts, heritage, culture, and humanities rather than a broad range of academic fields.
Are undergraduate Indian students eligible for any of these programs?
Most of the schemes on this list are postgraduate only, so undergraduate applicants would need to look at university-specific undergraduate scholarships instead.
Do these scholarships require Indian applicants to return home afterward?
Several, including Chevening and the Commonwealth schemes, carry a development-focused expectation that recipients return home for a defined period after the scholarship ends.
How important is work experience for Chevening applicants from India?
It matters significantly, since Chevening generally expects around two years of relevant work experience from all applicants, regardless of nationality.