The United Kingdom offers one of the most generous scholarship ecosystems for international students anywhere in the world. Funding comes from three main sources: the UK government (through programmes such as Chevening and Commonwealth), the British Council (through GREAT Scholarships), and individual universities (through merit-based, need-based, and subject-specific awards).
Government-funded scholarships tend to be fully funded — covering tuition, living costs, and travel — but are highly competitive and usually limited to postgraduate study. University scholarships are more widely available and can range from partial tuition fee discounts of a few thousand pounds to fully funded packages at institutions like Cambridge and Oxford.
Understanding which scholarships you are eligible for, when they open, and how to apply strategically is essential. This guide covers every major option available to international students planning to study in the UK.
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s flagship international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. It enables outstanding emerging leaders from around the world to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university.
| Component | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Fully paid (invoiced directly to the Chevening Secretariat) |
| Monthly stipend (London, within M25) | Approximately GBP 1,516 per month |
| Monthly stipend (outside London) | Approximately GBP 1,215 per month |
| Return economy airfare | Fully covered |
| Arrival allowance | One-off payment on arrival |
| Homeward departure allowance | One-off payment before departure |
| Visa application fee | Cost of one UK visa application |
Source: Chevening (chevening.org — What does a Chevening Scholarship cover?). Stipend rates are for the 2025/26 cycle and are subject to annual review.
Chevening applications typically open in August and close in early November each year for courses starting the following September/October. The selection process involves an initial application review, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates (usually between February and April), and final results announced around June.
Source: Chevening (chevening.org — Scholarships, Eligibility Criteria, Planning Your Finances).
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). They support students from Commonwealth member states who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
| Programme | Level | Duration | Target Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | Master’s | 1 year (taught) or 2 years (research) | Citizens of least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries |
| Commonwealth PhD Scholarships | Doctoral | Up to 3 years | Citizens of least developed and vulnerable Commonwealth states |
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Master’s (taught) | 1 year | Citizens of least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries; jointly funded with UK universities |
| Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships | PhD (split between home and UK) | Up to 12 months in UK | PhD students registered at a university in a Commonwealth country |
Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk — Scholarships).
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Fully paid |
| Monthly stipend (outside London) | Approximately GBP 1,452 per month |
| Monthly stipend (London) | Approximately GBP 1,781 per month |
| Warm clothing allowance | GBP 522 (one-off) |
| Return economy airfare | Fully covered |
| Visa costs | Fully covered |
| Spouse allowance (PhD scholars) | GBP 313 per month |
| Child allowance (PhD scholars) | GBP 313/month (first child); GBP 154/month (second and third child under 16) |
Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk — Financial Allowances). Rates are subject to annual review.
Nepal is a Commonwealth member state, which means Nepali citizens are eligible for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Applicants must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard (or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) and demonstrate that they are unable to afford UK study without the scholarship.
Applications are typically submitted through the nominating body in your home country. In Nepal, the nominating body is the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST).
Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk — How to Apply; Eligibility).
GREAT Scholarships are a joint initiative between the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and participating UK universities. They provide financial support for postgraduate taught study (one-year master’s programmes) in the UK.
GREAT Scholarships are available to students from the following 14 countries: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
Note for Nepali students: Nepal is not currently listed among the eligible countries for GREAT Scholarships. Nepali students should focus on Chevening, Commonwealth, and university-specific scholarships instead.
Source: British Council (study-uk.britishcouncil.org — GREAT Scholarships).
Beyond government-funded programmes, many UK universities offer their own scholarships for international students. These range from partial tuition fee discounts to fully funded packages at the most prestigious institutions.
| University | Scholarship Name | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | Gates Cambridge Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | Fully funded (tuition, stipend, airfare) |
| University of Oxford | Clarendon Fund Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | Fully funded (tuition + generous living allowance) |
| University of Oxford | Rhodes Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | Fully funded (tuition, stipend, airfare, health insurance) |
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh Global Scholarships | Master’s / PhD | GBP 5,000–10,000 tuition discount |
| University of Bristol | Think Big Scholarships | Undergraduate / Postgraduate | GBP 6,500 to GBP 26,000 |
| University of Sheffield | International Undergraduate Scholarship | Undergraduate | GBP 2,000–5,000 tuition discount |
| University of Leicester | International Tuition Fee Waivers | Undergraduate | 30 fee waivers per year (from 150 over 5 years) |
| Various Russell Group | Global Excellence Scholarships | Postgraduate | GBP 5,000–10,000 tuition discount |
Source: Individual university scholarship pages (cam.ac.uk, ox.ac.uk, ed.ac.uk, bristol.ac.uk, sheffield.ac.uk, le.ac.uk). Values are for 2026/27 entry where published.
Tip: Always check the specific scholarship page on your target university’s website. Many universities update their scholarship offerings each academic year, and some have early-bird deadlines that close well before the main admissions deadline.
| Scholarship | Funder | Level | Value | Covers Living Costs? | Nepal Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK FCDO | Master’s (1 year) | Fully funded | Yes (stipend + allowances) | Yes |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK FCDO / CSC | Master’s | Fully funded | Yes (stipend + allowances) | Yes |
| Commonwealth PhD | UK FCDO / CSC | PhD | Fully funded | Yes (stipend + family allowances) | Yes |
| Commonwealth Shared | UK FCDO / CSC + university | Master’s (taught) | Fully funded | Yes (stipend) | Yes |
| GREAT Scholarships | British Council + universities | Master’s (taught) | Min GBP 10,000 | No | No (14 countries only) |
| Gates Cambridge | Gates Foundation | Master’s / PhD | Fully funded | Yes | Yes (all non-UK) |
| Clarendon (Oxford) | University of Oxford | Master’s / PhD | Fully funded | Yes | Yes (all nationalities) |
| Rhodes (Oxford) | Rhodes Trust | Master’s / PhD | Fully funded | Yes | Varies by country |
| University merit awards | Individual universities | UG / PG | GBP 2,000–26,000 | Usually no | Yes (most) |
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships in the UK are rare for international students. Most government-backed programmes (Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT) are exclusively for postgraduate study. However, several options exist:
Strategy: If you are seeking undergraduate funding, focus on individual university scholarship pages. Apply to multiple universities and compare their financial aid packages before accepting an offer.
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| June – July (previous year) | Begin researching scholarships; prepare English test (IELTS/PTE); draft personal statement |
| August – September | Chevening applications open; Commonwealth applications open; start university applications |
| October – November | Chevening deadline (early November); GREAT Scholarship deadlines begin; submit university applications |
| December – January | Commonwealth deadline (varies by nominating body); university scholarship deadlines begin |
| February – April | Chevening interviews for shortlisted candidates; university offers and scholarship decisions arrive |
| May – June | Chevening results announced; accept scholarship offer; begin visa application |
| July – August | Receive CAS letter from university; apply for Student visa; arrange accommodation |
| September | Arrive in the UK; begin studies |
Source: chevening.org (application timeline); cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk (application cycle); study-uk.britishcouncil.org (GREAT Scholarships cycle).
Start with your “why”. Every strong application connects your past experience, your chosen course, and your future career plan into a coherent story. Scholarship panels want to see that you have a clear purpose and that studying in the UK is the logical next step.
Show leadership and impact. Chevening, in particular, looks for emerging leaders. Demonstrate how you have influenced your workplace, community, or sector — with specific examples and measurable outcomes wherever possible.
Research the course thoroughly. Do not write a generic statement that could apply to any university. Mention specific modules, faculty members, research centres, or opportunities at your target institution that align with your goals.
Get strong references. Choose referees who know your work well and can speak to your leadership potential, academic ability, and suitability for the specific programme. Brief them on the scholarship’s criteria so their letters address the right qualities.
Proofread meticulously. Grammatical errors and inconsistencies undermine your credibility. Have at least two people review your application before submission.
Meet all administrative requirements. Submit before the deadline, ensure your English test scores are valid and meet the minimum requirement, and provide all requested documents in the specified format. Many applications are disqualified on technicalities alone.
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The Chevening Scholarship, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is widely regarded as the most prestigious. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance (approximately GBP 1,516 in London, GBP 1,215 outside London), return airfare, visa costs, and arrival/departure allowances for a one-year master’s degree at any UK university. (Source: chevening.org)
Yes. Nepal is a Commonwealth member state, so Nepali citizens are eligible for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships and Commonwealth PhD Scholarships. These are fully funded and cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend (approximately GBP 1,452, or GBP 1,781 in London), return airfare, and visa costs. Applications are submitted through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) in Nepal. (Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk)
GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and participating UK universities. They offer a minimum of GBP 10,000 towards postgraduate tuition fees at over 60 universities. Eligible countries are: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. Nepal is not currently eligible. (Source: British Council, study-uk.britishcouncil.org)
No. You may apply to both programmes, but if you are awarded one fully funded scholarship, you must decline the other. Recipients are usually allowed to hold only one fully funded government scholarship at a time. (Source: chevening.org; cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk)
Yes. Many UK universities offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Examples include the University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships (GBP 6,500 to GBP 26,000), Gates Cambridge Scholarships (fully funded at the University of Cambridge), Clarendon Scholarships (University of Oxford), and various Global Excellence Scholarships worth GBP 5,000 to GBP 10,000 in tuition fee discounts. Always check individual university scholarship pages for the most current offerings. (Source: individual university websites)
Most UK scholarship cycles open 12 to 18 months before the course start date. Chevening typically opens in August and closes in early November. Commonwealth Scholarships usually open in September or October. University-specific deadlines vary, but many fall between November and March for a September start. Start researching and gathering documents at least one year before your intended intake. (Source: chevening.org; cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk; study-uk.britishcouncil.org)
Yes, though they are less common than postgraduate scholarships. The University of Bristol offers Think Big Scholarships for undergraduates (GBP 6,500–13,000 per year), the University of Leicester offers tuition fee waivers, and Sheffield has an International Undergraduate Scholarship. Most government-funded scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT) are for postgraduate study only. (Source: university websites; study-uk.britishcouncil.org)
Official Sources Referenced:
Chevening Scholarships: chevening.org/scholarships
Chevening Eligibility: chevening.org — Eligibility
Chevening Finances: chevening.org — Planning Your Finances
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk — Scholarships
Commonwealth Financial Allowances: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk — Financial Allowances
GREAT Scholarships (British Council): study-uk.britishcouncil.org — GREAT Scholarships
British Council Funding Overview: study-uk.britishcouncil.org — Scholarships and Funding
