Top Scholarships for Indian Students in UK

| Updated On - Oct 19, 2024

Highlights

Top Choice: Over 50% of Indian students abroad choose the UK for its prestigious universities and scholarship opportunities.
Major Funding: Scholarships like Chevening and Commonwealth offer substantial support, covering tuition and living expenses.
Flexible Intakes: UK universities have three intakes—Autumn, Spring, and Summer—providing options for students.
University-Specific Aid: Many UK universities offer additional scholarships ranging from £1,500 to £8,000 for postgraduate students.
Early Applications Matter: Growing competition makes early planning essential for securing scholarships.

The United Kingdom remains a top choice for Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education, celebrated for its prestigious universities and rich cultural heritage. In 2024, more scholarships in UK for Indian Students have become available, making it easier for students to study in the UK. Recent statistics reveal that over 50% of Indian students studying abroad prefer the UK, largely due to the diverse array of scholarships designed to ease financial burdens. As tuition and living costs rise, scholarships like Chevening and Commonwealth have become popular, providing support for tuition, living expenses, and travel. This landscape encourages aspiring students to act swiftly, as competition grows fiercer and early planning becomes crucial to securing these invaluable resources.

Intakes for UK Scholarships

Colleges and universities in the UK offer two major intakes, but few of the universities also offer summer intakes. The three intakes available in the UK are:

Intakes	Duration
Autumn/Fall intake	September to December
Spring intake	January to April
Summer intake	April to June

Top 10 Most Popular Scholarships:

S.No	Name of the Scholarship	Description
1	Chevening Scholarship	Fully funded scholarships for talented professionals showing leadership and exceptional performance in their respective fields. Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and airfare for one year. Scholarships are available for 12 months, extendable under special circumstances. Every year, 1500 scholars from 160 countries are awarded the Chevening Scholarship. Offering Department: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Eligibility Criteria: Must have an undergraduate degree, 2 years of work experience, and an unconditional offer from a UK university. Award: Up to £18,000 (~19.75 lakhs INR)
2	Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship	Provides international students from Commonwealth countries opportunities to pursue postgraduate degrees in the UK. Includes Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Split-site Scholarships, Shared Scholarships, Distance Learning Scholarships, and Professional Fellowships. Offering Department: UK Department for International Development (DFID) Eligibility Criteria: Must have an upper second-class degree (2:1) and demonstrate financial need. Award: Fully funded, typically covering tuition fees, airfare, and living expenses, approximately £10,000 to £15,000 per year (~11.00 to ~16.50 lakhs INR)
3	GREAT Scholarship	Jointly funded by the UK Government's GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council, offering 99 postgraduate scholarships across 36 UK universities. Minimum award of £10,000 for postgraduate tuition fees. Offering Department: UK Government and British Council Eligibility Criteria: Must meet academic and English language requirements set by UK HEIs. Application deadlines vary by institution. Award: Minimum £10,000 (~10.53 lakhs INR)
4	Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships	Provides grants to Indian students in early or mid-career stages, focusing on arts, humanities, and heritage conservation. Types include long-term grants, short research grants, and funding for final year doctoral study in the UK. Offering Department: Charles Wallace India Trust Eligibility Criteria: Work experience preferred; candidates currently residing in India. Award: Varies; includes a travel grant of £700 (~76,849 INR) for international travel costs.
5	Scotland Saltire Scholarships	A scholarship program by the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities, offering up to 50 awards of £8,000 for one-year postgraduate programs in fields like creative industries, technology, science, medical sciences, healthcare, and renewable energy. Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be from outside the EU; must meet academic criteria for chosen course. Award: £8,000 (~8.80 lakhs INR)
6	Rhodes Scholarships	Prestigious scholarships for exceptional students to study at the University of Oxford, focusing on leadership, academic excellence, and character. Offering Department: Rhodes Trust Eligibility Criteria: Aged 18-24; demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. Award: Full tuition, living expenses, and travel (typically valued at over £60,000 per year, ~65.92 lakhs INR)
7	Erasmus Mundus	Collaborative program offering scholarships for international students pursuing joint master's degrees across multiple countries, covering tuition and living costs. Offering Department: European Commission Eligibility Criteria: Varies by program; generally requires a bachelor’s degree. Award: Varies; typically covers tuition and living costs, usually around €24,000 (~20.88 lakhs INR) (Source: Erasmus Mundus)
8	Felix Scholarships	Aimed at Indian students for postgraduate studies in the UK, covering tuition fees and living expenses. Focuses on academic excellence and potential. Offering Department: Felix Scholarships Trust Eligibility Criteria: Indian citizen with a strong academic record. Award: Up to £50,000 (~54.94 lakhs INR) total, covering full tuition and living expenses (Source: Felix Scholarships)
9	Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships	Supports Indian students for postgraduate studies at UK universities, emphasizing leadership, academic merit, and community service. Offering Department: UK High Commission Eligibility Criteria: Indian citizens with strong academic records; preference for those demonstrating leadership. Award: Varies; typically covers tuition and living expenses (Source: UK High Commission)
10	Inlaks Scholarships	Provides financial support for Indian students to pursue courses at top universities in the UK and the US. Covers tuition, living expenses, and travel costs. Offering Department: Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Eligibility Criteria: Indian citizen with a strong academic record. Award: Up to £100,000 (~1.10 crores INR) total.

UK University Specific Scholarships

Many Universities in the UK provide scholarships for pursuing a master’s degree, here are the popular ones offered by some of the top universities in the UK::

University	Scholarships	Amount
Leeds Beckett University	Postgraduate Scholarship	£3,000
University of East Anglia	UEA India Award	PG - £ 4,000 - £ 5,000 (Guaranteed)
Lancaster University	Global Scholarship for all PG courses	£5,000
University of Greenwich	PG Scholarship	Up to £ 1,500 GBP
Cardiff University	Vice-Chancellor Scholarship	£2,000
Leeds Beckett University	MBA Scholarship	£ 1,500 /Year
Lancaster University	MBA Scholarship	£8,000
Aston University	MBA Dean Award	50 % of Tuition fees
University of Bath	MBA scholarship	£ 10,000 or £ 15,000

Also Check: Student Guide to Study in UK

With numerous scholarship opportunities available, aspiring Indian students should research and apply early to maximize their chances of funding. Monitoring application deadlines and preparing strong submissions can significantly enhance prospects. Additionally, leveraging university-specific scholarships can further ease financial burdens. Stay updated on scholarship offerings and utilize resources to navigate the application process effectively.

FAQs

Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for Chevening Scholarships?

Ans. The Chevening Scholarship requires an undergraduate degree, a minimum of two years of work experience, and an unconditional offer from a UK university.

Ques. Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Ans. Yes, students can apply for multiple scholarships, but they must ensure that the terms and conditions of each scholarship do not conflict.

Ques. Are scholarships available for undergraduate programs in the UK?

Ans. While this article focuses on postgraduate scholarships, there are also scholarships available for undergraduate programs. Students should check individual university websites for details.

Ques. What documents are typically required for scholarship applications?

Ans. Most scholarship applications require academic transcripts, a CV, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and proof of English language proficiency.

Ques. Can I work while studying on a scholarship in the UK?

Ans. Yes, many student visas allow part-time work during studies, though the specific hours may depend on the terms of the scholarship and visa regulations.

Ques. Are there scholarships specifically for STEM fields in the UK?

Ans. Yes, many scholarships, including the Scotland Saltire Scholarships, specifically support students in STEM fields. It's essential to check eligibility for each scholarship.