UK Scholarships for Foreign Countries (International Students): 2026/27 Apply Guide
Studying in the UK can be significantly more affordable than many students expect because the UK has major scholarship routes specifically designed for international applicants. These awards come from three main sources: the UK government, UK universities, and independent foundations/trusts. Some are fully funded (tuition + living costs + flights), while many others are tuition discounts (partial funding) that reduce your fees but require you to budget for living expenses separately.
This guide explains the most trusted scholarship options, who they’re for, and how to apply in a way that avoids the most common rejection reasons plus a set of official application links at the end.
What are “UK scholarships for foreign countries”?
“UK scholarships for foreign countries” usually means scholarships for students who are not UK nationals (international students). Many programs also focus on applicants from specific eligible countries or regions—often aligned with development goals, leadership, or academic excellence.
Typical costs covered can include:
-
Tuition fees (partial or full)
-
Living/maintenance allowance
-
Flights and visa-related costs (for some fully funded schemes)
-
Research/training support (often for PhD-level awards)
Types of UK scholarships (so you choose the right one)
1) Fully funded scholarships
Best when you need tuition + living costs covered. These are highly competitive.
2) Partial scholarships / tuition discounts
Very common at UK universities. These usually reduce fees by £1,000–£10,000+, but you still fund living costs.
3) Government vs university vs foundation
-
Government-funded (e.g., Chevening, Commonwealth) are structured and competitive.
-
University scholarships vary by institution and course.
-
Foundation/trust scholarships (e.g., Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, Clarendon) are elite and selective.
Top UK scholarships for international students (with what they cover + where to apply)
1) Chevening Scholarships (UK Government) — Master’s
Chevening is one of the most recognized UK government scholarships for future leaders. Applications run in an annual cycle; the official portal lists country pages and whether applications are open/closed.
Chevening also has a clear work-experience requirement (measured in hours).
Apply: Chevening (Apply): https://www.chevening.org/apply/
Chevening (Work experience requirement): https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/who-can-apply/work-experience/
2) Commonwealth Scholarships (UK Government / CSC) — Master’s, PhD, and more
Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at citizens from eligible Commonwealth countries, with many routes focused on low- and middle-income member states.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) runs multiple programs (Master’s, PhD, shared, distance learning, fellowships).
Apply (CSC portal): Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (Apply): https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/
Commonwealth Scholarships (About programs): https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships/
3) GREAT Scholarships (UK Government + British Council + Universities) — Postgraduate (taught Master’s)
GREAT Scholarships provide £10,000 toward tuition for a wide range of one-year taught postgraduate courses, and the British Council lists the eligible countries and participating universities.
Apply (via your country page + participating university instructions): GREAT Scholarships (British Council): https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships-funding/great-scholarships
4) Gates Cambridge Scholarship — University of Cambridge (Postgraduate)
Gates Cambridge offers around 80 full-cost scholarships each year for applicants from outside the UK to study at Cambridge, and it outlines both the scale of awards and what’s covered.
You apply through the University of Cambridge graduate application route, aligned with the Gates Cambridge process.
Apply: Gates Cambridge (Scholarship overview): https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship/
Gates Cambridge (How to apply): https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/how-to-apply/
5) Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford (Postgraduate)
Rhodes is a fully funded scholarship for postgraduate study at Oxford. The Rhodes Trust explains what it covers, including Oxford course fees and a stipend, and notes application status/timelines on the official site.
Apply / check eligibility (by constituency): Rhodes Scholarship (Overview): https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/
Rhodes Scholarship (Applications): https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/
6) Clarendon Scholarships — University of Oxford (Postgraduate)
Clarendon provides fully funded graduate scholarships at Oxford and (importantly) states you are automatically considered if you apply by the relevant Oxford deadline no separate Clarendon application form is required.
How consideration works (official): Clarendon Scholarships (Oxford): https://www.ox.ac.uk/clarendon
Are there UK scholarships for undergraduate (Bachelor’s) international students?
Yes but most are partial tuition awards provided by individual universities (merit-based discounts, country awards, departmental scholarships). Your best approach is:
-
Pick your course/university first,
-
Then check that university’s “Funding/Scholarships for International Students” page.
For undergraduate applications, UCAS is the official admissions route for many UK universities and has an international applicant guide.
How to apply for UK scholarships (step-by-step)
Step 1: Identify your level + target intake
-
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) → plan around UCAS and university deadlines.
-
Postgraduate (Master’s/PhD) → scholarship cycles are often separate from admissions.
Step 2: Shortlist scholarships you actually qualify for
Match:
-
Country eligibility (some are country-restricted)
-
Level (Master’s/PhD vs undergrad)
-
Course type (taught vs research)
Step 3: Apply for admission (many scholarships require an offer)
A large number of scholarships require you to hold an offer (or be in progress with your application) before final scholarship consideration.
Step 4: Prepare documents early (quality matters)
Common requirements:
-
Passport
-
Transcripts + certificates
-
CV (academic + leadership)
-
Personal statement / study plan
-
References (academic/employer)
-
Proof of English (as required by your university)
Step 5: Submit scholarship application via the official portal
Use only official portals (Chevening/CSC/British Council/university sites).
Step 6: Interview/verification stage (if required)
Fully funded scholarships often include interviews, leadership assessment, and verification steps.
Step 7: Student visa planning (don’t leave this late)
UK student visa rules require specific financial evidence and documents, including your CAS and proof of funds if applicable.
The UK government also lists the monthly living-cost amounts used for the financial requirement.
Official “Apply”
UK Student visa (Documents): https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/documents-you-must-provide
UK Student visa (Money you need): https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money
UCAS (International students): https://www.ucas.com/international/international-students
Conclusion
UK scholarships can turn a “too expensive” study plan into a realistic one if you apply with the right strategy and the right expectations. The strongest options (such as Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, and Clarendon) are highly competitive but can be fully funded, while many university scholarships and GREAT Scholarships commonly reduce tuition and make the overall budget more manageable.
To maximize your chances, focus on three priorities: choose an eligible course and university early, apply using only official portals, and prepare a high-quality application pack (strong personal statement, credible recommendations, clear academic records, and evidence of leadership or impact where relevant). Once you receive an offer and/or scholarship decision, treat the visa stage as a separate checklist especially the CAS, financial evidence, and document requirements.
With early planning, accurate eligibility checks, and a well-positioned application, studying in the UK can move from a dream to a clear, step-by-step reality.
