Top UK Scholarships for International Students Abroad

1. Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarship is one of the UK’s flagship government-funded scholarships for international students aiming to pursue a master’s degree in the UK. This fully funded award covers tuition fees, living stipend, airfare, and additional allowances. It’s highly competitive and seeks students with strong leadership potential and a clear vision for positive impact after graduation.

2. Commonwealth Scholarships

Offered by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Scholarships support students from eligible Commonwealth countries for master’s and PhD degrees in the UK. These fully funded scholarships include tuition, living allowances, airfare, and thesis grants — making them ideal for students from developing countries.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, supports outstanding postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge. It covers the full cost of study and provides additional funding for academic development. This highly competitive scholarship is open to students from all countries.

4. Rhodes Scholarships

Rhodes Scholarships are among the oldest and most prestigious postgraduate awards in the world. They fully fund postgraduate study at the University of Oxford and are awarded based on exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and character.

5. Clarendon Scholarships (University of Oxford)

The Clarendon Fund offers generous scholarships to international students applying for master’s or doctoral studies at Oxford. All applicants to Oxford are automatically considered for Clarendon, which covers tuition and provides a generous living stipend.

6. GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships programme is a partnership between the UK government and selected universities. It offers partial tuition fee support (e.g., £10,000 grants) to international students from specific countries pursuing one-year master’s programs in the UK.

7. University-Specific Scholarships

Many UK universities offer their own awards for international students, such as:

• Goldsmiths International Response Scholarships – full tuition + living support
• Global Excellence Scholarships (University of Dundee) – tuition reductions
• UCL Research Excellence Scholarships – for PhD candidates
• International Regional Scholarships (Lancaster University) – fee discounts

How to Maximise Your Chances

• Start scholarship research early
• Prepare a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Recommendation Letters (LORs)
• Keep a document checklist ready, including proof of finances showing you can cover tuition + one year of living costs

If you need help with scholarships, admissions, or visas, ECC Hive’s experts can guide you step by step toward your dream of studying in the UK.

References

1. Chevening Scholarship – https://www.chevening.org/ Wikipedia
2. UK Scholarships Overview (Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes) – https://www.ukscholarships.uk/ LCI Group
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gates_Cambridge_Scholarship Wikipedia
4. Rhodes Scholarship – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodes_Scholarship Wikipedia
5. Clarendon Scholarship & GREAT Scholarships – https://www.universityliving.com/blog/student-finances/fully-funded-scholarships-in-uk/ University Living