Study Masters in UK for Free 2025 - Top Scholarships & How to Apply

Studying a Master’s in the UK is a big dream for many students, but the cost can be quite high. The good news is you can study in the UK for free or at a very low cost if you plan smartly. Many UK universities and government programs offer fully funded scholarships that cover your tuition fees, living costs, and even travel expenses.

These UK scholarships for Indian students are given based on things like academic marks, leadership skills, or financial background. Candidates who are not able to get a complete sponsorship can look for other ways, like studying in low-cost universities or working part-time during their course to manage their expenses.

In this article, we will explain how to study MS in UK for free, top scholarships, cheap universities, eligibility, and other tips to save money during your studies in the UK.

Is it Possible to Study Masters in UK for Free?

Yes, it is possible to study Master’s in UK for free. Many UK universities and government organisations offer full scholarships to international students that help them to get a free education in the United Kingdom. These scholarships are provided based on the merit and financial background of candidates.  

Candidates who don’t get full funding can still reduce their study costs by applying to low-cost universities in UK. Many students opt for part-time work opportunities in UK to manage their study costs in the country. 

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students for 2025

Top Scholarships to Study Masters in UK for Free

If you want to study Master’s in UK for free, applying for fully funded scholarships is one of the best options. Many UK government scholarships, university scholarships, and international programs help Indian and other international students by covering tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and more.

Below is a simple list of top scholarships for Indian students to study in UK:

Chevening Scholarships

This is one of the most famous UK government scholarships for Indian students who want to study a master’s degree in the UK. Know more about Chevening Scholarship 2025: Fully Funded UK Study.

Feature	Details
Funded by	UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
Covers	Full tuition fees, monthly stipend, economy-class airfare, visa fees, travel costs
Eligibility	- Indian citizen - Minimum 2 years of work experience - Strong academics and leadership skills
Course Level	Master’s in any subject at any UK university
Official Website	www.chevening.org

Commonwealth Scholarships

This scholarship is for students from developing Commonwealth countries, including India, who cannot afford UK education.

Feature	Details
Funded by	UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Covers	Full tuition fees, living allowance, and airfare
Eligibility	- Indian national - Strong academic performance - Financial need
Offered For	Full-time Master’s degree programs
Official Website	www.acu.ac.uk

GREAT Scholarships

This is a partnership scholarship between the British Council and UK universities for Indian and other international students. Know more about Great Scholarship: Eligibility, Application & Selection

Feature	Details
Funded by	British Council + UK Universities
Amount	£10,000 towards tuition fee
Eligibility	- Indian student - Bachelor’s degree - Meet English requirements
Fields Available	Engineering, Law, Science, Public Health, etc.
Official Website	www.study-uk.britishcouncil.org

Felix Scholarships

This scholarship supports students from India and other developing countries who want to study at top UK universities. Know more about Felix Scholarship - Eligibility, Deadline, How to Apply

Feature	Details
For	Indian and developing country students
Covers	Full tuition fee, living cost, airfare
Top Universities	University of Oxford, University of Reading, SOAS
Eligibility	- First-class degree - Indian nationality - Financial need

University-Specific Scholarships

Many UK universities offer fully funded scholarships for bright students from India and other countries.

Scholarship Name	University	What It Covers	Who Can Apply
Rhodes Scholarship	University of Oxford	Full tuition, living costs, travel	Indian students with strong academics and leadership
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	University of Cambridge	Full tuition, stipend, airfare	Outstanding students from outside the UK
MasterCard Foundation Scholarship	University of Edinburgh	Full funding (mostly for African students, sometimes Indians too)	Financially weak but talented students
Westminster Scholarships	University of Westminster	Full tuition waiver	High-scoring students from developing countries

Low-Cost Universities in UK for Indian Students

Students who are planning to do your Master’s in the UK can apply to many affordable universities in the UK that offer good quality education at lower costs for Indian students.

Some of these universities offer master’s courses starting from just £9,000 per year, which is much cheaper compared to famous universities. These low-cost universities are also recognized and provide chances to work part-time and apply for scholarships.

Here is a list of cheap universities in the UK for master’s courses:

Low-Cost UK Universities for Master’s Courses (2025)

University Name	Average Tuition Fees/Year	Location
University of Suffolk	£10,000 – £12,000	Ipswich, England
University of Chester	£11,000 – £12,450	Chester, England
Leeds Trinity University	£11,000 – £12,500	Leeds, England
University of Bolton	£9,000 – £12,000	Greater Manchester
Teesside University	£11,000 – £13,000	Middlesbrough
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)	£7,000 – £12,000	Scotland
University of West London (UWL)	£13,250 – £14,250	London
Wrexham University (formerly Glyndŵr)	£11,750 – £12,500	Wales
London Metropolitan University	£12,000 – £13,500	London
Staffordshire University	£12,000 – £13,500	Stoke-on-Trent

How to Study Masters in UK for Free

Doing a master’s in the UK is a dream for many students, but it can be expensive. The good thing is, there are some ways to study MS in UK for free or at a very low cost. If you plan smart and apply to the right places, you can reduce most or even all of your study expenses.

1. Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships

The best way to study MS in UK for free is through fully funded scholarships. These scholarships pay your tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even airfare.

Some top UK scholarships for international students are:

• Chevening Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship
• GREAT Scholarships
• Rhodes Scholarship
• University-specific Scholarships

2. Study at Tuition-Free or Low-Fee Universities

While most UK universities charge fees, some offer low-cost programs or waive tuition for students with strong academic backgrounds.

Examples:

• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• Some colleges under the University of London group

Tip: Check for department-specific funding or fee waivers directly on the university website.

3. Apply for Assistantships or Research Jobs

Some MS courses in the UK allow students to work as teaching assistants or research helpers. These roles may give you a stipend, fee discounts, or on-campus job salaries.

4. Use Student Discounts and Work Part-Time

Even if you don’t get a full scholarship, you can save money through:

• Part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during term)
• Student discounts on travel, food, clothes, etc.
• Shared housing or university hostels

5. Choose 1-Year MS Programs

Most UK master’s degrees are just 1 year long, which already saves you time and money compared to 2-year programs in other countries.

Also Read: A Scholarship for MS in the UK- Your Guide

Eligibility for Free Education in UK

To be eligible for free education in the UK, an individual must fulfill specific criteria. While these eligibility criteria often differ between institutions, certain standards remain consistent. The general guidelines for scholarship and financial aid applications are as follows:

• Acceptance letter from a UK university
• Proof of English Language proficiency
• Strong academic background
• Must be from a country eligible for the scholarship
• Proof of current financial status (especially for low-income grant applications)

Once an applicant has applied for financial aid or a grant, the institution screens the application. If the applicant fulfills all the listed criteria and the institution deems them worthy of a scholarship, then the institution grants aid. However, whether the applicant will receive UK free education for international students is subjective and decided by the application reviewing committee.

Also Read: Top Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students 2025

Universities in UK Offering Scholarships to Indian Students

Many top universities in the UK offer scholarships to Indian students to help them study MS or master's courses at low or no cost. These UK scholarships for Indian students are given based on things like academic marks, leadership skills, or financial need.

If you apply early and meet the requirements, you can get part or full help with tuition fees, and sometimes even living expenses.

List of UK Universities Giving Scholarships to Indian Students

University Name	Popular Scholarships for Indians	Scholarship Benefits
University of Oxford	Rhodes Scholarship, Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship	Full fees, living cost, travel
University of Cambridge	Cambridge Trust Scholarships	Tuition + monthly stipend (some are fully funded)
University College London (UCL)	UCL Global Masters Scholarship	Up to £15,000 towards tuition fees
University of Edinburgh	Edinburgh Global Scholarships	Covers part or full tuition fees
University of Warwick	Chancellor’s International Scholarships	Tuition + living allowance (for research degrees)
Imperial College London	Imperial India Foundation Scholarships	Full or partial tuition fee support
The University of Manchester	Global Futures Scholarship	Up to £8,000 discount on tuition fees
King’s College London	King’s India Scholarships	Around £5,000–£10,000 fee reduction
University of Bristol	Think Big Scholarships	Up to £20,000 for tuition fees
University of Glasgow	University of Glasgow Indian Excellence Scholarships	Tuition fee discounts for high-achieving Indian students

How to Get These Scholarships

• Apply early: Some scholarships close before the main admission deadline.
• Good academic marks: Most ask for high scores in a bachelor’s degree.
• Write a strong SOP: Statement of Purpose (SOP) is important. Tell your story well.
• Check each university website: They mention full details like last dates, eligibility, and how to apply.
• Some need a separate application: Not all are automatic—some scholarships need a separate form.

Work Opportunities to Support Your Studies

If you are doing your MS in the UK, you can also work part-time to support your living costs. The UK government allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.

Popular Part-Time Jobs for Students in the UK

• Retail jobs 
• Waiter/Waitress 
• Library assistant or campus support staff
• Tutoring or freelancing
• Internships 

On average, students earn £10–£15 per hour, which can help you manage accommodation, food, and travel costs.

Conclusion

Studying a master’s in the UK for free is possible if you secure a fully funded scholarship, such as the Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT, or university-specific awards. 

These scholarships can cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes even travel costs, but they are highly competitive and require a strong academic and extracurricular profile. 

Research all available options, apply early, and tailor your application to each scholarship’s criteria. 

If you need help finding the best scholarships or preparing a standout application, connect with upGrad experts; they will guide you step by step to make your dream of studying in the UK a reality!