Student Visa: How to get into UK University: Opportunities for International Students

If you truly want to get Fully Funded scholarship to study abroad, please, read everything here and apply for these open scholarships.

Why Choose the UK for University Studies?

Even though we explained this better in our previous article, which you can find here: Why choose the UK, and how to apply and study in the UK, I still think it makes a lot of sense to look at a few points.

Note: If you are not convinced about studying in the UK, you can read this: Reasons to apply and study in the UK as an international student.

The UK is such a top destination for international students because:

The country is home to the best institutions in the world, like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London.
There is no program you won’t find in the UK – whatever you want to study, the UK has an institution that offers it. From arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, and business.
As a student in the UK, you will get access to post-study work opportunities under the Graduate Route Visa.
You will find students from all over the world in this country.
UK institutions are known for their strong research infrastructure, and they are globally recognised.

And with a good scholarship, you can enjoy all of these benefits without breaking the bank.

Types of UK University Scholarships Available

There are many types of scholarships for international students in UK, and each comes with its own eligibility requirements.

If you are low on budget, you need a fully funded scholarship.

Here’s a breakdown of each scholarship to study in the UK:

1. Fully Funded Scholarships in UK

This is the type of scholarship that covers your entire tuition fee, living expenses, airfare, visa costs, and sometimes even research funding or family allowance.

Examples of this are:

Chevening Scholarship

If you are familiar with scholarship in UK, you will know the Chevening Scholarship. It is one of the most popular UK university scholarships for international students.

It is fully funded by the UK government. The scholarship covers your tuition fees, airfare, accommodation, and even a monthly stipend.

If you’re looking to pursue a scholarship for Masters in UK, this is one of the best options out there.

It is offered in over 160 countries, and it allows you to study for any one-year master’s degree at a UK university with scholarship.

For more information, click the Chevening Scholarship here.

Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship in UK, paid for by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

It is meant for students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who can’t afford to study in the UK on their own.

The good thing about this scholarship is that it covers both Master’s and PhD programs.

It’s a great option if you’re looking for UK university scholarships for international students, especially for those interested in fields like science, education, development, and more.

Many UK universities take part in this program.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

From the name, you can guess who is behind this scholarship. It is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

And, just like the rest, it is open to international students who are going for full-time postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge.

If you’re targeting elite UK university scholarships that are fully funded, this one ranks among the most generous. You should go for it!

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and arguably one of the most popular international scholarship programs in the UK.

Just like the others we mentioned here, Rhodes is a fully funded scholarship in UK, meaning that it covers all your tuition fees, travel expenses, living allowance, and even visa fees.

Originally, this scholarship was for students from Commonwealth nations, but it has now expanded to many other countries.

It’s the right scholarship for students pursuing a scholarship to study in UK at master’s or second bachelor’s level.

2. Partial Scholarships

These types of scholarships cover a portion of your tuition or living expenses.

Most UK universities that offer scholarships to international students also have this as an option for interested students.

3. Merit-Based Scholarships

This is the type of scholarship that is only awarded to students who have outstanding academic achievements, leadership experience, or special talents.

4. Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships focus on students who need financial help to achieve their academic dream of studying in the UK.

5. Program-Specific Scholarships

These are scholarships that are tailored for specific fields like engineering scholarships, scholarships for law students, or medicine scholarships in UK.

Fully Funded Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students in UK

If you are looking for a fully funded undergraduate scholarship in UK, here are some reasonable options:

Reach Oxford Scholarship: This scholarship is for students who are from low-income countries, and it covers all your tuition, return airfare, and living allowance.
University of Nottingham – Developing Solutions Scholarship: This particular one covers up to 100% of your tuition (it’s called a tuition fee waiver), and it is for students from Africa, India, and selected Commonwealth countries.
University of Westminster Undergraduate Scholarship: This one is not different; it covers your full tuition fee, plus accommodation and living costs.
GREAT Scholarships: This scholarship is offered in collaboration with the British Council for students from selected countries.

These are some of the top options among UK university scholarships for international students at the bachelor’s level.

Top rated Scholarships for Masters in UK

If you’re going for a postgraduate degree, there are also plenty of UK masters scholarships for international students that are available for you to apply for.

We have the:

Chevening Scholarships (Fully funded, government-sponsored, for any one-year master’s degree)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (For low- and middle-income countries, fully funded)
University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships
University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships
University of Leeds Master’s Scholarships.

These are excellent choices if you want a scholarship for masters in UK. You can click on each scholarship, read all the necessary information about it, and submit your application.

Excellent MBA Scholarships in UK

If you are a Business student, you will be thrilled to know that business schools in the UK are not just among the best globally, but also have scholarships for their MBA programs.

Here are a few options:

Most MBA scholarships UK are awarded based on your academic excellence, leadership potential, and relevant work experience in your field.

Medicine Scholarships in UK for International Students

Have you met a medical student in the UK before? If you have, they will tell you that studying medicine in the UK can be expensive.

But, thanks to a few universities and foundations, there are medicine scholarships UK to help ease the burden.

Some are:

Spoiler alert: These scholarships are highly competitive, but if you’re determined, why not? They are worth applying for.

Top UK Universities that offer scholarships to international students

On the other hand, if you are looking for universities in the UK with scholarship opportunities that are best for international students, here are those that top the list.

University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
University of Edinburgh
University of Manchester
University of Birmingham
University of Leeds
University of Glasgow
Durham University
University of Bristol
King’s College London.

These are some of the most generous UK universities offering scholarships to international students.

These scholarships are open to students who are going for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

How to Apply for Scholarship in UK

Now that you know the options available, here’s how to apply for scholarship in UK successfully:

You need to start early: One mistake most students make is starting late. If you want to stand a good chance, then you must start your search at least 9–12 months before your program starts.
Search for Scholarships by Course and University: Each university has its list of available scholarships. Go to the website of each school (under the “Fees and Funding” section), and check the scholarships that they have.
Always have your documents ready: To apply for scholarship in UK, you will submit documents like:
- - Your academic transcripts
  - Reference letters
  - Personal statement
  - English language test (IELTS or TOEFL)
  - CV or resume
  - Proof of financial need (for need-based scholarships)
Apply to the University first: Most scholarships in the UK (and this is from my experience) only open after you’ve secured admission.
Apply for the Scholarship Separately (if needed): Submit your scholarship application along with all required supporting documents.
Track deadlines and Follow-up: For no reason should you miss the deadline of any scholarship you are applying for. Missing deadlines is one of the most common reasons students lose out.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a fully funded scholarship in UK, a scholarship for Masters in UK, or support to study medicine, there are countless opportunities out there.

If you are genuinely serious and apply early, you could win a scholarship to study in UK at one of the world’s top universities.

Don’t just dream, take action, check out the UK university scholarships we listed above and apply for the ones you qualify for.

Take your academic future into your own hands. If you need help preparing your scholarship applications or finding the right university, feel free to contact us.

As a Visa and Immigration Firm, we help students achieve their dream of studying abroad. Get in touch with us today, let’s get you started.