Looking to study in the UK but worried about expenses? Scholarships can make it affordable for Indian students like you to study abroad.
The United Kingdom, with its world-class universities and diverse culture, remains a popular study-abroad destination for Indian students.
However, figuring out what scholarships are available for Indian students and how to get one is not easy.
But don’t worry. In this blog post, we have created a list of the top 10 scholarships for Indian students looking to study in the UK in 2024.
Whether you want to pursue your undergraduate, postgraduate, or research degree, there are numerous UK education funding opportunities available for you to explore.
What UK Scholarships Cover for Indian Students?
Securing funding for your UK education is just the first step. It's also important to understand what expenses your scholarships will actually cover. This allows you to plan and manage your abroad education expenses better.
Most UK scholarships for Indian students will provide funding that goes towards:
Tuition Fees-This covers the cost of your course and university fees. Some scholarships may only partially fund your fees.
Living Costs-Money for accommodation, food, transport, etc. while you study in the UK. The amount varies between scholarships.
Travel Costs-Some scholarships include flight tickets to and from the UK. Others provide a set travel stipend.
Additional Allowances-Funds for buying books, equipment, health insurance, etc. may be offered.
However, UK scholarships rarely cover the full costs. You often still need to arrange some funding on your own.
The amount and types of expenses covered also depend on whether you apply for an undergraduate, postgraduate, or research program.
Therefore, it’s best to go through the coverage details closely before applying for any scholarship.
Top 10 Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students
Here are the top 10 UK scholarships offered to Indian students in 2024.
1. Rhodes Scholarships
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious education scholarships in the world.
It fully funds 2-3 years of study at the University of Oxford and may allow you to pursue a second BA degree, a master's degree, or a DPhil.
As an Indian student, you’d be applying specifically for the Rhodes Scholarship for India, for which up to 100 scholarships are awarded annually.
While it’s very competitive to secure the Rhodes scholarship. But, the opportunity is definitely life-changing if you can demonstrate outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Academic excellence in undergrad studies
- Active in sports and community service
When to Apply:
- July-August for the following October
Funding Details:
- Covers the entire tuition fees, travel expenses, and living costs
2. Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship Program also provides full financial support for Indian students to pursue one-year master's degrees at any UK university.
There are usually around 110 scholarships awarded to Indian candidates each year. Chevening scholars also have access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.
However, you’ll need an outstanding academic background and a commitment to driving positive change to win this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- At least 2 years of work experience
- Leadership abilities
When to Apply:
- August-November for the following September
Funding Details:
- Covers full tuition fees and living costs
- Some travel cost assistance
3.Erasmus Mundus
Erasmus Mundus scholarships are awarded for specific master’s degree programs offered jointly by a consortium of European universities.
There are currently over 140 joint programs, including 35 in the UK. These scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses, and include opportunities for studying abroad.
The competition for this scholarship varies by program. But, on average, Indian students have a good chance of securing funding.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant field
When to Apply:
- October-January for programs starting next August/September
Funding Details:
- Covers tuition fees, living, travel, and insurance costs
4. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) offers about 100 scholarships per year for Indian students pursuing master’s and PhD programs across various UK universities.
These fully-funded scholarships are awarded based on merit and aim to support development research focused on low or middle-income countries.
To apply, you’ll need exceptional academic qualifications, as well as a commitment to contribute to the development of your home country.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian citizenship with an undergraduate degree
- Plan to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK
When to Apply:
- Generally August-November for next September's intake
Funding Details:
- Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel
- Both master’s and PhD scholarships
5. Felix Scholarships
The Felix Scholarships program funds master's degrees in a variety of fields for Indian students at:
- University of Reading
- University of Southampton
- University of Surrey
- University of Bath
- University of Sussex
These scholarships cover full tuition fees, living expenses, flights, and other costs.
To be eligible, you’ll need an outstanding academic background, extracurricular achievements, and a commitment to return and contribute to India after graduating.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian citizenship under 30 years of age
- Accepted to master's program in the UK
When to Apply:
- January-March for programs starting in September
Funding Details:
- Up to £16,000 funding for 1-year master’s study
- Covers living costs and some travel expenses
6. GREAT Scholarships
The UK Government’s GREAT Scholarships program provides partial or full funding for Indian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at UK universities.
These scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government and participating universities. Each university has its own eligibility criteria, but academic merit is the primary consideration.
There are unlimited scholarships available for Indian students, so it’s an excellent option to help fund studies in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian students starting postgraduate programs
- Based on academic merit
When to Apply:
- Generally, March-June before the program starts
Funding Details:
- Minimum £10,000 towards tuition fees and living costs
- Travel stipend may also be provided
7. Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
The Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships provide funding for Indian students to pursue PhD programs at Cambridge University. These high-value scholarships cover all tuition and living expenses for scholars.
To apply, you’ll need an exceptional academic background, especially in economics, as well as a commitment to advancing educational links between India and the UK.
Every year, only 10 scholarships are awarded, so the competition is very intense. But the prestige of being named a Dr Manmohan Singh Scholar makes this scholarship well worth applying for.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian students starting a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge
- Based on academic excellence
When to Apply:
- Opens in December for next academic year
Funding Details:
- Full funding of course tuition fees
- Living and travel stipends are also provided
8. Scotland's Saltire Scholarships
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships support Indian students pursuing taught master’s degrees at Scottish universities in fields that contribute to Scotland’s economic growth.
The scholarships cover tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses up to £16,000. To be eligible for this scholarship, you will need to have an impressive academic profile.
Overall, Scotland has a world-class higher education system, so the Saltire Scholarship program is an outstanding opportunity for Indian students looking to study there.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian students pursuing a one-year master's program in Scotland
- Need to demonstrate leadership qualities
When to Apply:
- November for programs starting next September
Funding Details:
- Provides £8,000 towards tuition fees for one year
9. A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
The A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship offers partial funding for Indian students to pursue full-time graduate programs at UK universities.
These scholarships aim to promote links in education between the UK and countries like India. Financial need is a key criterion for selection along with your academic competency.
The A.S Hornby Trust awards around six scholarships per year specifically for Indian students. This means, the competition is reasonable compared to other UK scholarship programs.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian students below the age of 25
- Accepted to a British university
When to Apply:
- February for programs starting September
Funding Details:
- Up to £5000 funding assistance provided
10. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
Last but not least, the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships provide full or partial funding for Indian students to undertake postgraduate studies and professional training programs in the arts and humanities disciplines at UK institutions.
Every year, up to five scholarships are offered per year covering course fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
To be eligible, you’ll require an outstanding academic record and a commitment to developing your career in India upon completion of your program.
This is an extremely prestigious arts and humanities scholarship opportunity for talented Indian postgraduate students.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian students planning to study arts subjects at the postgraduate level in the UK
When to Apply:
- Opens February annually
Funding Details:
- Covers partial tuition fees and living costs in the UK
- Travel stipend may also be offered
Conclusion
Pursuing higher education in the UK as an Indian student offers immense opportunities - access to world-class universities, enhanced career prospects, and the chance for personal growth.
However, funding your studies can be a major barrier. Thankfully, prestigious scholarships for Indian students can make achieving your UK degree dreams a reality.
As discussed in this article, stellar options exist like the Rhodes Scholarship, Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarships, and more.
In case you’re still confused about how to select the right scholarship program or how to apply, you can consult with Edge International for the same.
We're a leading education consultancy in Vadodara with years of experience helping Indian students secure scholarships and admission to top universities across the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
Our experts can guide you to the best-suited opportunities based on your academic profile and interests. Not only that but we also assist with optimizing applications to boost your chances of success.
