Being one of the choicest study destinations, the cost of studying in the UK can cause a hole in the pocket for some of us. On average, it can be estimated at around GBP 15,000, which can go up to GBP 38,000 or more for international students. However, studying in the UK can be affordable if you plan well in advance for the September 2024 intake and apply to those UK universities that offer guaranteed scholarships to international students. Read on to know more!
This Blog Includes:
UK Universities That Offer Guaranteed Scholarship
International students can apply for a variety of guaranteed scholarships given by British universities and colleges These scholarships can be partially or fully funded, based on the criterion, course, and university of course. Here are some guaranteed scholarships offered by UK universities:
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett University is a public university in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was originally known as Leeds Metropolitan University and before that as Leeds Polytechnic. This UK university houses more than 2,900 staff members and over 28,000 students belonging to 100 countries across the world. The university values the diversity that international students bring to Leeds Beckett and hence offers various guaranteed scholarships to all eligible Indian students
International Foundation Year | GBP 1,500 to first-year students only |
Undergraduate Courses | GBP 1,000 per year |
Postgraduate Courses | GBP 3,000 to first-year students only |
Research Courses | GBP 1,500 per year |
To be eligible for the scholarship discount, students must:
- Be classified as having a residence status of ‘Overseas / Non-EU.’
- Be assessed to pay the international fee.
- Must have full-time enrollment in the necessary course.
- Must be enrolled in a qualifying course.
- Must be a self-funded student who has paid the entire course cost for that year (those students who have their tuition fees paid by a third-party sponsor, employer or government agency will not be eligible).
- Must be studying that level of the course for the first time (i.e. not repeating any level during that year)
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University of Essex
Next up on our list of top UK universities that offer guaranteed scholarships to international students is the University of Essex. Situated in one of the oldest recorded towns of London, this university boasts to welcome international students from over 140 different countries across the world. Hence, it is always on the list of Indian students who are seeking to pursue quality education abroad. The university offers the following guaranteed scholarships to Indian students:
Indian sub-continent Regional Scholarship scheme | GBP 4,000 | The scholarship is offered to undergraduate students from India. |
Academic Excellence International Masters Scholarship scheme | GBP 3,000 – 5,000 | The scholarship is offered to high-achieving master’s students from India. |
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter, in collaboration with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, offers guaranteed scholarships worth GBP 10,000 to seven Indian students who apply for eligible postgraduate taught programmes in Politics, Law, or Education / Sports and Health Sciences or Geography / Renewable Energy. To meet the following requirements to be considered for this guaranteed scholarship given by the University of Exeter, the applicant must:
- Be an Indian citizen/passport bearer (and therefore classed as an International student for fee purposes).
- Hold a bachelor’s degree that will allow you to enrol in a postgraduate (taught) programme at a UK institution (for this scholarship at the University of Exeter, typically the equivalent of a UK upper second class degree).
- Be intellectually and academically capable of pursuing postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
- Engaged in the field with job experience or a demonstrated interest in the subject.
- Satisfy the UK university’s English language requirement.
- Be willing to embody the UK Higher Education experience by attending lectures and tutorials and participating in extracurricular activities, as well as serving as an ambassador for UK Higher Education by advocating the benefits of studying at a UK HEI.
- Be willing to develop a relationship with the UK as a scholar, reflect the high standards of the GREAT brand via personal and academic fulfilment, and become a champion for scholarships.
- Be willing to attend a networking event with all UK-based GREAT scholars to share experiences and record views of studying in the UK.
Brunel University
Based in the heart of the UK, London, Brunel University London is one of the few UK universities that offer guaranteed scholarships to Indian international students. The university is home to over 14,000 students from 150 countries. Brunel students are a part of a lively, vibrant and strikingly international community where they meet people from all over the world. Brunel University London provides a distinguished scholarship programme for overseas students. The scholarship plan is only available to students who are entirely self-funded and is judged on overall academic performance and professional experience. Indian students are also eligible for the scholarship. The eligibility criteria to avail of this scholarship are as follows:
- According to UK government requirements, the candidate must be classified as an Overseas Fee-Paying Student and be self-funded (not sponsored). Applicants who are unclear about their fee status should be aware that Brunel utilises the information given in their application form to assess fee status against UK government rules.
- All applicants must meet all conditions of their offer by the time they are due to register at Brunel.
Also, explore NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship here!
Anglia Ruskin University
Anglia Ruskin University, located in East Anglia, has its early roots in Cambridge. It was originally known as the Cambridge School of Art, and it was founded in 1858 by William John Beaumont. Recognizing that pursuing a degree programme is a significant financial commitment, Anglia Ruskin University has created a series of guaranteed scholarships and bursaries to help foreign students study abroad. This university provides the following guaranteed scholarships to international students:
International Merit Scholarship | Between GBP 1,000 – 2,000 | The scholarship is offered to international students applying for an undergraduate, postgraduate or research degree. Students will automatically receive an International Merit Scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria. |
International Alumni Scholarship | GBP 3,000 | If you’re already an undergraduate student at ARU and want to move on to a postgraduate course, you may be eligible for our International Alumni Scholarship. The students will automatically receive an International Alumni Scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria. |
International Early Payment Discount | GBP 400 up to GBP 1,000 | The scholarship is available to international students who are taking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course, and studying full-time. There is no need for the applicants to apply for this scholarship. Those who will pay their tuition fees early will have the advantage of avail of the discount. |
Full Scholarships for International Students in UK
Following is the list of scholarships for international students:
- British Chevening Scholarships for International Scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship
- GREAT Scholarships
- A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
- Felix Scholarships
- Rhodes Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
- Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)
- Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
- Inlaks Scholarships
- Scotland Saltire Scholarships
- Goa Education Trust Scholarships
- Queen Mary University Scholarships
- University of Westminster Scholarships
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Cheapest UK Scholarships for International Students 2024
Several UK universities offer low-cost degree programs to international students. Each of the universities featured here has a beautiful campus and provides students with high-quality education, infrastructure, and services. Want to know the cheapest university to study at in the UK? As per the average annual tuition fees, here are the cheapest universities in the UK:
Cheapest Universities in the UK | Average Estimated Tuition Fees in GBP |
University of Greenwich | GBP 14,100 |
Anglia Ruskin University | GBP 14,000 |
University of Chester | GBP 12,950 |
University of West London | GBP 13,250 |
Leeds Beckett university | GBP 14,000 |
University of Wolverhampton | GBP 13,950 |
Coventry University | GBP 16,500 |
Student Visa in UK
Here are the two main types of UK Student Visas you can choose from to study in the UK:
Tier 4 Student Visa | Short-term Student Visa |
This is for those who are 16 years of age or above and have enrolled in a course exceeding more than 11 months. | This type of visa is for those students who want to enrol in a short-term course |
You will have to collect your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) or letter of acceptance from the institution where you have applied to study. | The duration of such courses doesn’t exceed 11 months |
Want to Know About Intakes in UK: September, January, May Intakes
Popular Intakes in UK
The following are the popular intakes in UK:
Intake | Starting Months | Application Deadlines |
Fall/ Primary Intake | September | June- July |
Winter/Secondary Intake | January/February | August-September |
Summer/Least Intake | April/May | October-January |
January 2024 Intake in UK
Here is a timeline and activities for the January 2024 intake in the UK. Some of these steps should have begun from the previous year. Moreover, if you wish to go for the January 2025 intake, the previous year would change to the present year.
August 2023 | Start researching universities and courses |
September 2023 | Prepare and take necessary standardized tests (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) |
October 2023 | Begin application process: submit applications to universities |
November 2023 | Submit scholarship applications and other funding options |
December 2023 | Receive and respond to offer letters; apply for student visa |
Early January 2024 | Arrange accommodation and finalize travel plans |
Mid-January 2024 | Arrive in the UK, attend orientation programs |
Late January 2024 | Begin classes and settle into academic routine |
September 2024 Intake in UK
Here is a timeline and activities for the September 2024 intake in the UK. September intake requires you to begin researching your college from the beginning of the year. However, it is not too late for the upcoming intake.
Sep 2023 | Research universities and courses |
Oct 2023 | Attend university fairs and open days |
Nov 2023 | Prepare for standardized tests (IELTS/TOEFL) |
Dec 2023 | Start application process |
Jan 2024 | Complete application forms |
Feb 2024 | Submit applications (UCAS deadline) |
Mar 2024 | Await responses from universities |
Apr 2024 | Attend interviews (if applicable) |
May 2024 | Receive offer letters |
Jun 2024 | Apply for scholarships/loans |
Jul 2024 | Arrive in the UK and attend an orientation |
Aug 2024 | Apply for visa and accommodation |
Sep 2024 | Arrive in the UK and attend orientation |
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FAQ
While there’s no single UK university offering 100% scholarships to all students, several well-known institutions provide fully-funded scholarships for exceptional candidates. Notable examples include the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and the Clarendon Scholarship, also at Oxford.
These are extremely competitive and awarded to a limited number of students each year based on academic excellence and other criteria.
Yes, you can get a full scholarship to university in the UK. Several well-known scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes even travel costs. However, these scholarships are highly competitive and require you to have exceptional academic achievements. Moreover, you can claim many funding options to go for international students.
Chevening Scholarship, GREAT Scholarships, Cambridge Scholarship and fellowship are the top three choices of study abroad students to get scholarships in UK.
So these were the top 6 UK universities that offered guaranteed scholarships to Indian and international students. To secure a spot at one of these universities or any other university in the UK 2023 intakes, reach out to our Leverage Edu experts at 1800572000 right now!