UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2026: Complete Guide 

UK has numerous prestigious scholarships for Indian students. Apart from the very well-known names such as Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT, many more university-specific scholarships are also available for Indian students. Finding the right kind of scholarship in the UK that matches your course of study and academic goals is important. Understanding the scholarship options in the UK helps you to evaluate them thoroughly. Also, several need-based scholarships cover the complete cost of study in the UK for academically bright students. The list goes on and on. In this article, we have mentioned the detailed information on different scholarships in the UK for 2026, including application deadlines, eligibility, and benefits. Check these out. 

Scholarships in UK 2026: Overview

• The UK offers many partially funded and fully funded scholarships that can help international students manage their finances while studying there. 
• It can range from merit-based, need-based, subject-specific, government-offered, university-offered, and privately offered scholarships. 
• The top scholarships for Indian students in the UK include the Commonwealth, Chevening, Gates Cambridge, GREAT, etc.
• To be eligible, you need an offer letter, an excellent academic record, leadership qualities, and more (varies). 
• To improve your application for the scholarship in the UK, avoid a generic one and tailor it to your strengths and detailed achievements. Write a compelling SOP and submit good LORs. 

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK for Indian & Global Students

Types of Scholarships to Study in the UK

Studying in the UK requires Indian students to invest lakhs of money for tuition and living expenses. Scholarships are an opportunity for students to reduce their overall cost of studying there. Understanding these scholarships in the UK helps you to explore funding options, either fully paid or partially covered, that you have for higher education. Different types of scholarships are offered in the UK for Indian students, and we have mentioned them through the headings below: 

Merit-Based Scholarships

There are many scholarships that offer tuition discounts, monetary awards, or funding for education for students who demonstrate excellent academic records in their previous studies, leadership qualities, and other meritorious achievements. 

Need-Based Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are awarded to students with financial constraints. These are need-based scholarships in the UK that are awarded based on the financial situation of the academically bright student to ensure that they can pursue education without economic barriers

University-Based Scholarships

Many universities and colleges in the UK offer international students scholarship programs. Although the eligibility differs for the scholarships depending on the university chosen and the course field, these are generally based on academic merit or ny other criteria. 

Government-Funded Scholarships 

The government of the UK also offers many scholarship programs to promote cultural exchange, attracting international students from all over the world. These scholarships are typically fully funded, supporting students’ tuition fees at UK universities, living expenses, and airfare. 

Subject-Specific Scholarships

Some scholarships are offered for specific fields of study such as Science, Technology, Business, and Arts. So, students who study one of the subjects are offered the scholarship based on their academic performance in their previous studies and their motivation and potential to do more in the field in the future.  

Top Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students 

There are many scholarships in the UK that are renowned in the world for offering fully funded awards for students. The majority of these scholarships are fully funded are covers the tuition fees, living costs, travel costs, and many more. Other partially funded scholarships are often helpful to reduce the tuition fees at UK universities. We have mentioned a list of some of the best scholarships for Indian students in the UK in 2026: 

• Chevening Scholarships
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
• GREAT Scholarship
• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
• India-Specific Scholarships (University of Cambridge)
• Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship
• Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)
• Clarendon Fund Scholarship
• Erasmus Mundus
• Clarendon Scholarships (University of Oxford)
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship
• Felix Scholarships

Also Read: Study in UK: International Students House & London Met Postgraduate Scholarships Open for Indian Citizens 

Best Government-Funded Scholarships in the UK

The UK government offers international students awards and grants that are trusted and mostly fully funded to support bright scholars. Check out a few of the prestigious government scholarships in the UK for Indian students in 2026:

Chevening Scholarships 2026-27

Chevening Scholarships are one of the most prestigious scholarships offered by the UK government for international students. It is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as well as some partner institutions. Students need to understand that the applications for Chevening for Indian students for 2026-2027 are already closed. If you are interested, you need to target the next academic cycle of 2027-28 for the scholarship, with application deadlines tentatively in October to November 2026. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates must be citizens of a Chevening-eligible country. They must have a bachelor’s degree with good academic scores. They also need at least 2 years of relevant work experienceEnglish proficiency.
Course Level	Master’s courses of 1 year in any subject
Benefits	Tuition fees at the university in UK Airfare Living expenses and allowances Visa application costs Travel grants during studies.
Fields of Study	All fields
Application Deadlines	Closed for 2026, not released for the next academic year
Official Website	https://www.chevening.org/

Commonwealth Scholarships 2026

Commonwealth Scholarships are one of the oldest and most reputable scholarships in the UK for international students that have supported more than 31,000 students since 1960. There are around 7 commonwealth scholarship schemes, which are mainly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). These scholarships support students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, offering them an opportunity to study without financial restrictions in areas like healthcare, sustainability, peace, and more. 

These scholarships in the UK are mainly for postgraduate and PhD courses and are quite competitive for international students. Although the application deadlines for the Commonwealth Master’s scholarships 2026 are now closed, you can target the next academic year, tentatively in September to November 2026. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates must be citizens of Commonwealth countries They must demonstrate excellent academic recordsThe qualification can vary depending on the specific scheme.
Course Level	Master’s and PhD courses in the UK
Benefits	Full tuition fees at the universityStipend to cover living expensestravel allowances and airfare,Thesis grants, if there are any (It can also vary)
Fields of Study	All fields
Application Deadlines	Closed for 2026, not released for the next academic year
Official Website	https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/

GREAT Scholarships

These scholarships are offered by the British Council in association with the UK government for academically excellent international students who are planning to study a postgraduate course from selected countries, which include India. For 2026-27 GREAT Scholarships, there are 12 master’s scholarships available under the scheme, with each one at least GBP 10,000. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates must be citizens of an eligible country They need to have a strong academic profile They are interested in studying a 1-year taught master’s programme
Course Level	Taught Master’s (1 year only)
Benefits	Minimum GBP 10,000 as a scholarship award
Fields of Study	All fields (It can vary as per the institution).
Eligible Universities for 2026-27	Anglia Ruskin University Norwich University of the Arts Queen’s University Belfast Royal College of Art Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Royal Northern College of Music University of Bristol Trinity Laban University of Dundee University of Reading University of Surrey UWE Bristol
Application Deadlines	It may vary for individual institutions
Official Website	https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships-funding/great-scholarships

Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships

It is one of the prestigious scholarships offered by the Scottish Government, partnered with Scottish colleges in the country. The scholarship is offered to international students from certain countries, including India, the US, Canada, and more, based on their merit. These are mainly offered for courses in healthcare, science, tech, and more. The awards are offered to over 50 recipients each year, each with GBP 8,000 for tuition fees. The application deadlines for Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships 2026 have already passed. You can target the next academic year, tentatively in May 2026.

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates must be citizens of eligible countries. They intend to study a full-time master’s course in one of the Scottish institutions. They have a strong academic record.
Course Level	Master’s degree (taught)
Benefits	GBP 8,000 towards the tuition fees
Fields of Study	Healthcare, Science, Technology, Creative Industries, Medical Studies, Renewable Energy, and more
Application Deadlines	Closed for 2026, not released for the next academic year
Official Website	https://www.scotland.org/study/scholarships

Also Read: LSE Acceptance Rate for International Students 2026

Best University-Specific Scholarships in the UK 

Along with the government-based grants, many prestigious universities in the UK also offer scholarships for Indian students. These scholarships cover some part of the tuition fees and help students reduce their overall cost of studying in the UK. Check some of the top UK scholarships for Indian students: 

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are one of the most reputed fully funded awards for international students planning their studies at the University of Cambridge. However, these are among the most competitive scholarships inthe  UK for students. These scholarships are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support highly academic international students. Each year, around 80 full scholarships are awarded, but the Gates Cambridge Scholarship applications for the 2026 academic year were already closed in January 2026. Now, you can expect to appear for the interview by March 2026. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates must be under 30 years old and from outside the UK. They need a first-class or high second-class bachelor’s degree.
Course Level	PhD, MLitt, MPhil, LLM, or any other 1-year PG program. Exceptions include MBA, MFin, etc.
Benefits	Full tuition fees Allowance  Travel expenses  Visa costs Additional support
Fields of Study	All subjects at the University of Cambridge except for some.
Application Deadlines	Closed for 2026 on January 7, 2026. For the next year, 2027-28, applications will open in September 2026.
Official Website	https://www.gatescambridge.org/

University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship

The Think Big Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship in the UK for international students planning to study undergraduate or postgraduate courses at the University of Bristol. The scholarship committee evaluates students on their academic profile, personal achievements, extracurricular activities, and their potential for the future. To apply for the University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship in 2026, you can download the application form from the scholarship page and then submit it online at the redirected portal. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	International students applying for full-time master’s or bachelor’s courses at the University of Bristol.
Course Level	All UG courses except medicine, dentistry, and veterinary. Master’s taught courses
Benefits	Undergraduate award: GBP 6,500 and GBP 13,000 for up to four years Postgraduate award: GBP 6,500, GBP 13,000 and GBP 26,000 for the first year
Fields of Study	All fields except some at the medical school of the university
Application Deadlines	10 April 2026
Official Website	https://www.bristol.ac.uk

University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships

Another scholarship in the UK, known as one of the most prestigious university-based awards for international students, is the Global Futures Scholarship offered by the University of Manchester. It is a merit-based scholarship, which is available for over 300 students admitted to the university in undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses. 

For the 2026 University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships, students can apply directly on the university’s website. The application deadlines vary as per the student’s country of residence. We have mentioned the information about the scholarship for Indian students below in the table. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	International students with a valid University of Manchester offer letter who are from certain countries. They must be self-funded and not sponsored
Course Level	Bachelor’s and taught Master’s courses
Benefits	Undergraduate courses: Upto GBP 10,000, with GBP 10,000 per year offered for 3 years. Postgraduate courses: Discount of GBP 10,000 in tuition fees.
Fields of Study	All fields
Application Deadlines	Undergraduate courses: 26 March 2026Postgraduate courses: 24 April 2026
Scholarship Result	Undergraduate courses: 1 May 2026.Postgraduate courses: 1 June 2026
Official Website	https://www.manchester.ac.uk/

University of Birmingham Scholarships

The University of Birmingham offers a wide range of scholarships to support international students, with a total of over GBP 10.5 million available in scholarship awards. There are many scholarships offered at the university for Indian students, and the award amount, eligibility, as well as applications ealdines vary depending on the scholarship. All information about the University of Birmingham Scholarships in the UK for Indian students is available through the table below: 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates need to be citizens of India. They need an offer letter from the university Any other requirements depend on the scholarship
Course Level	Undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD courses at the university.
Benefits	GBP 5,000 – GBP 10,000 as per the scholarship
Fields of Study	Generally, all fields can vary as per the scholarship
Scholarships for Indian Students	Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship Future Skills Scholarship High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships for India Postgraduate Chancellor’s Scholarship for India
Application Deadlines	Varies as per the scholarship: Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship: 29 May 2026 Future Skills Scholarship: 30 April 2026 High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships for India: 30 June 2026 Postgraduate Chancellor’s Scholarship for India: 31 May 2026
Official Website	https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/

Also Read: Undergraduate Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students (Guide)

Private Funded Scholarships in the UK 

There are many trust and organisations that also works to support international students from certain underdeveloped countries or academically strong students with financial restrictions. Check out some of the top scholarships in the UK offered by private organisations for Indian students in the headings below: 

Felix Scholarships

Felix Scholarships are one of the most prestigious scholarships in the UK for Indian students that are offered by the Felix Scholarship in partnership with the three top universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and SOAS University of London. Felix scholarships are known as one of the best postgraduate fully funded scholarships in the UK; however, they are extremely competitive. 

The selection is done based on the academic merit as well as the financial needs of the applicant. It is an opportunity for underprivileged students from underdeveloped countries, like India, to pursue education at a premier university in the UK. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Candidates need to be below 30 years of age They must hold a bachelor’s degree Academic excellence and financial need
Course Level	Full-time master’s or doctoral courses
Benefits	Full tuition fees Living allowance  Airfare allowance Additional grants for academic travel
Fields of Study	All fields except medicine
Eligible Universities	University of OxfordUniversity of Reading SOAS University of London
Application Deadlines	March 2, 2026
Official Website	https://www.felixscholarship.org/

Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships

Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships are fully funded scholarships, as grants and fellowships for Indian nationals to study PG courses mainly in arts, humanities, heritage, research, etc., in UK universities and colleges. It is quite competitive, and students are selected basedon their potential to upskill in India. The trust supports a maximum of 1-year studies and is not eligible for 2-year studies at the universities. 

Factors	Details
Scholarship Eligibility	Indian students who either just started their career in a relevant field or are at the middle stages.
Course Level	Master’s degree (1-year)
Benefits	Full tuition fees at the university in the UK  Living costs covered International travel allowance of around GBP 600 to GBP 700.
Fields of Study	Certain fields in the arts, humanities, and heritage conservation.
Application Deadlines	Varies as per the grant
Official Website	https://www.charleswallaceindiatrust.com/

UK Scholarship Amount And Coverage

The scholarship amount in the UK depends on the chosen scholarship and what it covers as part of the scheme. Each scholarship offers different monetary awards, where some, such as Chevening and Erasmus, are fully funded, that covers tuition fees, living expenses, and additional costs. On the other hand, some scholarships are partially covered, such as university-based scholarships. These can further reduce the tuition fees. On average, the scholarship amount can vary from GBP 1,500 to GBP 10,000, or fully covered grants. Here is the table with numerous top scholarships to study in the UK, as well as their benefits:

Scholarships	Reward Amount
Chevening Scholarships	Fully covered (tuition fees+living expenses+allowances)
Commonwealth Scholarships	Fully covered (tuition fees+living expenses+allowances)
Felix Scholarships	Fully covered (tuition fees+living expenses+allowances)
Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships	Fully covered (tuition fees+living expenses+allowances)
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Fully covered (tuition fees+living expenses+allowances)
GREAT Scholarships	GBP 10,000
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships	GBP 8,000 tuition reduction
University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship	Undergraduate: GBP 6,500 and GBP 13,000 for up to four years Postgraduate: GBP 6,500, GBP 13,000 and GBP 26,000 for the first year
University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships	Undergraduate: Upto GBP 10,000, with GBP 10,000 per year offered for 3 years.  Postgraduate: Discount of GBP 10,000 in tuition fees.
University of Birmingham Scholarships	GBP 5,000 to GBP 10,000

Application Process & Deadlines For UK Scholarships

It is crucial for international students planning their studies in the UK to be aware of the application process as well as the deadlines of the targeted scholarships to apply before the last dates. Here is the table that includes the application deadlines as well as the application portal where they can apply for these scholarships. Check these out: 

UK Scholarships	Application Deadlines	Where to Apply?
Chevening Scholarships	October to November	https://www.chevening.org/
Commonwealth Scholarships	September to November	https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/
Felix Scholarships	March 02, 2026	https://www.felixscholarship.org/
Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships	Differs as per the scheme	https://www.charleswallaceindiatrust.com/
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Septemeber 2026	https://www.gatescambridge.org/
GREAT Scholarships	It may vary for individual institutions	https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships-funding/great-scholarships
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships	May	https://www.scotland.org/study/scholarships
University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship	10 April 2026	https://www.bristol.ac.uk
University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships	Undergraduate: 26 March 2026Postgraduate: 24 April 2026	https://www.manchester.ac.uk/
University of Birmingham Scholarships	Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship: 29 May 2026 Future Skills Scholarship: 30 April 2026 High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships for India: 30 June 2026 Postgraduate Chancellor’s Scholarship for India: 31 May 2026	https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/

Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students

Although the academic qualification as well as other requirements vary as per the scholarship you are targeting, here are some common eligibility criteria for UK scholarships to keep in mind. You must be aware of these beforehand. Generally, here’s what UK scholarship programs look for:

• Strong academic record: Most of the scholarships in the UK require high grades from your previous academic studies.
• English language proficiency score: There might be a requirement to achieve a certain score in IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE to be eligible, unless you have studied the English language in previous years of studies. 
• Admission letter: This is a crucial requirement mainly for university based scholsrhsips, but many other scholarships offered by the UK government or private foundations and trust aso ask for the admission letter. 
• Nationality restrictions: Some UK scholarships are reserved for selected countries only, including UK scholarships for Indian students.
• Low family income: Some UK awards are meant to support students from low-income backgrounds only.
• Personal motivation: You should be able to clearly communicate your purpose and explain why you want to study in the UK.
• Additional requirements: Candidates might also need to submit the LORs from their professors or employers, SOP, scholarship essays, resume, and more. 

Documents Required for Scholarships in UK 

Each university or organisation requires a set of documents to evaluate your profile for scholarship and grants. To be considered for these scholarships in UK, you are required to submit the right documents, which might vary depending on the chosen scholarship. We have mentioned a common documents checklist for scholarships in UK for Indian students below. 

• Academic Transcripts 
• Merit Certificates
• Personal Statement 
• SOP
• Essay
• LORs
• Curriculum Vitae (CV
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Passport
• Financial Documents
• Research Proposal
• University Offer Letter
• Portfolio
• ATAS Certificate

It is not important that the scholarship you are applying for in the UK asks for all these documents. There might be chances that the required documents are fewer than these. The above-mentioned are just the common documents required for the majority of the scholarships in UK. 

Also Read: Top 5 Law Scholarships in the UK for International Students

How to Apply for Scholarships in the UK?

Some scholarships in the UK need no separate application, and students are considered automatically for the scholarship. However, several scholarships require you to apply separately. For university-based scholarships, candidates are required to apply at the defined portal online at the official website. On the other hand, government scholarships and privately funded grants require you to apply at their official website. Check the common steps to apply for scholarships in the UK. 

• Do thorough research and shortlist scholarships that align well with your course of study and career goal. 
• Check these scholarship eligibility criteria in the UK and make sure that you meet them before applying. It can be either academic excellence, financial need-based, or any other. 
• Gather out the required documents, such as academic transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, language proficiency scores, and more. 
• Next, fill out the application form and apply before the scholarship application deadline. 
• If there is an interview, prepare for it and be ready to explain your academic and professional goals and how the degree is relevant to them. 

Tips to Improve Your Scholarship Application

Some scholarships in UK are quite competitive, given that they offer fully funded studies in universities and colleges. It is crucial for students to submit a complete profile that standsout from other applicants. We have mentioned some of the tips for Indian students to improve their scholarship applications below. They can increase their chances of getting in by following these steps. 

• Thoroughly check the eligibility requirements and comply with them fully as per academic qualifications and financial requirements if it is need-based. 
• Draft an SOP that defines you, not the general one. So, mention all your academic achievements, leadership qualities, volunteering, or any other extracurricular activities in it in a personalised way. Do not use templates. 
• Support your application with relevant documents that can improve the credibility of your work. 
• Review twice before submitting to avoid any mistakes or errors.

UK offers numerous scholarship opportunities for international students that range from fully funded options to partially funded ones. With the right approach, you can get the scholarship to study in UK. However, if you are targeting popular scholarships in UK, such as Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT, you need to stand out from the crowd as these arequite competitive. 

Also Read: Get to Study at Oxford University for Free with Rhodes Scholarships 

FAQs

Related Read: 

23+ UK Masters Scholarships for International Students	How to Get Into LSE London With a Scholarship
SOP for UK Student Visa: Format, Samples & Tips	INSEAD Scholarships: Your Complete Guide to Eligibility, Application & Funding
Public Universities in UK	CAS Letter for UK

I hope you have understood the options you have if you are considering applying for scholarships in UK in 2026 through this blog. Keep learning and stay connected to Study Abroad with Leverage Edu and for more helpful and student-friendly blogs.