Undergraduate scholarships for international students in UK are offered mainly by individual universities, with awards varying by course, nationality, academic profile and intake year. Funding can range from a partial tuition fee discount to full tuition coverage, while a smaller number of awards may also provide maintenance or other financial support.
Universities such as UCL, the University of Sheffield and the University of Bristol have their own scholarship programmes for eligible international students. However, each award has its own eligibility criteria, application process and deadline, so the scholarship available for one university or course may not apply to another.
This guide covers the main undergraduate scholarships, their funding amounts, eligibility requirements, deadlines and the steps international students need to follow when applying.
Types of Undergraduate Scholarships in UK for International Students
The type of funding available depends on many different things such as university, course, nationality and the student's background, etc. Some scholarships are broad, while others are focused on a particular group of applicants.
University-Specific Undergraduate Scholarships
UK universities often have their own scholarship programmes for international students. These can be linked to academic performance, a particular course, financial circumstances or other achievements.
For example, the University of Sheffield offers some scholarships for international undergraduate students in UK. The current list of Sheffield includes the International Undergraduate Scholarship as well as awards for students connected with specific schools, organisations and programmes.
Always check the university page for detailed information about the scholarships before applying for one.
Government and Organisation Funded Scholarships
Not all funding comes directly from a UK university. Some of the scholarships are provided by governments or organisations within the home country of the student.
The British Council recommends looking at both university funding and third-party sources when searching for undergraduate financial support. It also directs students towards UKCISA and UCAS for more information related to funding for international undergraduate students.
Merit-Based and Need-Based Scholarships
Scholarships can use different criteria when selecting students. Some scholarships focus mainly on academic performance, while others focus on factors like financial circumstances or a combination of factors.
Common types include:
Academic or merit scholarships: These scholarships are aimed at students with strong academic results.
Performance-based scholarships: These might be available to students with excellent ability in sports, music, or performing arts.
Subject-specific scholarships: Usually linked to a particular course or subject.
Equal access or sanctuary scholarships: May provide tuition reductions, waivers or maintenance support to eligible students.
Disability scholarships: Designed to support eligible international students with a disability, long-term mental health condition, learning difficulty or other special needs.
The British Council lists these categories among the types of funding offered by UK institutions.
Top Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students in UK
Scholarship availability changes from one academic year to another, so the options for undergraduate scholarships for international students in UK may also vary by intake. The following scholarships are based on current information published by the respective universities.
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship programme targets international applicants who come from poorer families and wish to pursue an undergraduate course at UCL.
Some awards also include a maintenance allowance and fixed allowance
For Indian students
3 full-tuition scholarships are allocated for Indian students
Application deadline
27 April 2026, 5:00 pm BST
University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship
The University of Sheffield offers scholarships to international students with strong academic results and potential.
Detail
Information
University
University of Sheffield
For
International undergraduate students
Entry year
2027
Scholarship amount
£2,500 (₹3.15 lakh) per year
Maximum value
£10,000 (₹12.60 lakh) for a four-year programme
Renewal condition
Students need to maintain a 60% average
Sheffield also lists other undergraduate awards which include the English Schools Foundation Scholarship, GEMS Scholarship, NCUK Merit Scholarship and several other scholarships for specific student groups.
University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships
The University of Bristol offers Think Big scholarships for eligible international undergraduate students.
The university also has subject-specific Think Big scholarships, including awards for students studying business, economics, policy studies, science and engineering, and veterinary science. Eligibility and available awards can vary by course.
NCUK Merit Scholarship at the University of Sheffield
The NCUK Merit Scholarship 2027 is available to overseas students joining the University of Sheffield after completing an NCUK International Foundation Year or International Year One.
Detail
Information
University
University of Sheffield
For
International students progressing through NCUK
Entry year
2027
Maximum value
Up to £17,500 (₹22.05 lakh)
First-year support
£10,000 (₹12.60 lakh) tuition fee discount
Following years
£2,500 (₹3.15 lakh) in each subsequent year, subject to the conditions
Not eligible
Medicine and Dentistry
University of Sheffield GEMS Scholarship
This scholarship is aimed at eligible international students studying at GEMS schools who plan to start an undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield in 2027.
Detail
Information
University
University of Sheffield
For
Eligible international students from GEMS schools
Entry year
2027
Study level
Undergraduate
First year
Scholarship support is available in the first year
Later years
Eligible students can receive the £2,500 (₹3.15 lakh) International Undergraduate Scholarship, subject to the required conditions
The phrase "scholarship" does not always mean that all study costs will be paid. Before applying, look at exactly what the award includes.
Tuition Fee Waivers and Discounts
Tuition support can come in different forms. A scholarship may:
Reduce the annual tuition fee by a fixed amount.
Provide a percentage reduction.
Cover the entire tuition fee.
Cover tuition fees for the standard length of the programme.
For example, UCL's Global Undergraduate Scholarship includes awards covering full tuition fees, whereas the University of Sheffield has a different approach within its 2027 International Undergraduate Scholarship, and they are offering £2,500 (₹3.15 lakh) per year rather than paying the full tuition fee.
Living Costs and Other Financial Support
Some scholarships go beyond tuition fees. Depending on the award, students may receive support towards:
Living expenses
Accommodation
Travel
Visa-related costs
Other study-related expenses
UCL's Global Undergraduate Scholarship is one example. Ten of its 2026/27 awards cover full tuition fees along with a maintenance allowance and a fixed allowance for additional costs.
The duration of scholarships might differ from one another. Some awards may be offered for one academic year, while others continue for the standard duration of the degree. There can also be academic conditions attached to continued funding.
For example, Sheffield's International Undergraduate Scholarship is subject to maintaining a 60% average.
There is no standard eligibility checklist that applies to every scholarship. The requirements are set by the individual university or provider.
Academic Requirements
Academic performance is one of the most common factors used for undergraduate scholarships.
A scholarship may ask for:
Specific school-leaving grades.
A minimum percentage or grade average.
Evidence of academic achievement.
Evidence of academic potential.
Some universities also set requirements that continue after the scholarship has been awarded. At Sheffield, for example, recipients of the 2027 International Undergraduate Scholarship need to maintain a 60% average.
Nationality and Residency Requirements
Nationality can also affect eligibility. Some scholarships are open to international students from a wide range of countries, while others are created for students from particular countries or regions.
UCL's Global Undergraduate Scholarship is open to candidates from any country outside UK, provided they also meet its other requirements, including overseas fee status and the low-income criterion.
So, being an international student does not automatically make you eligible for every scholarship.
Course and University Requirements
A scholarship may also be linked to:
A particular university.
A specific undergraduate course.
A subject or department.
A particular intake.
Overseas fee status.
A particular study mode.
Always check whether the scholarship applies to the exact degree you want to study in UK. A scholarship listed under a university's international funding page may not necessarily be available for every course.
How to Apply for an Undergraduate Scholarship in UK
There is no single application process that can be applied to all scholarships. Some universities require a separate scholarship form, while others may consider students automatically.
Find Scholarships You Are Eligible For
A good approach in order to start is to check the official funding page of each university you are considering.
The British Council also recommends checking university websites and points international students towards UKCISA and UCAS for information about undergraduate funding.
Before spending time on an application process, first check:
Whether your nationality is eligible
Whether your course qualifies
The academic requirements
Whether you have overseas fee status
Which intake the scholarship covers
The application deadline
Whether you need to apply for university admission first
Prepare the Required Documents
The documents you need will depend on the scholarship. They may include:
Evidence of academic or extracurricular achievements
Do not prepare documents based only on a generic scholarship checklist. Use the requirements given by the university or provider for the particular award.
Submit the Scholarship Application
Once you have checked the requirements, follow the university's application instructions carefully.
For the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, students must have submitted an admission application to UCL. They do not need to have received an offer before applying, but UCL must confirm their fee status. UCL also states that late or incomplete applications are not considered. For 2026/27, the deadline was 27 April 2026 at 5pm BST.
This is why it is better not to leave the scholarship application until the final day.
Undergraduate Scholarship Deadlines in UK
There is no common deadline for all undergraduate scholarships for international students in UK. The date depends on the university, scholarship and academic intake.
Sheffield, meanwhile, publishes scholarship information according to its entry year, with separate opportunities listed for 2026 and 2027 entry.
Here are the deadlines for the scholarships covered on this page:
Scholarship
Entry year
Application deadline
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
2026/27
27 April 2026, 5 pm BST
University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship
2026
10 April 2026, 10 am UK time
University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship
2027
2 June 2027
University of Sheffield NCUK Merit Scholarship
2027
23 April 2027, 1 pm UK time
University of Sheffield GEMS Scholarship
2027
2 April 2027, 4 pm UK time
Do not assume that last year's deadline will remain the same for the next intake. Check the current scholarship page before applying.
How to Find More Undergraduate Scholarships in UK
There is no need to rely on one scholarship list. Checking several official sources can give you a wider picture of the funding available.
Check University Scholarship Portals
Once you have a shortlist of universities, visit their official scholarship and funding pages.
Useful search terms include:
International undergraduate scholarships
Global scholarships
International student funding
Undergraduate scholarships
Tuition fee scholarships
The British Council says many UK higher-education institutions offer their own scholarship programmes.
For example, Sheffield's international undergraduate funding page lists its main International Undergraduate Scholarship as well as several other awards for specific groups.
Search Official Scholarship Databases
The British Council's Study UK website provides information about scholarships and funding and directs students towards its course and scholarship finder. It also recommends resources such as UKCISA and UCAS for undergraduate funding information.
If you find a scholarship through a third-party website, use that information as a starting point. Before applying, confirm the award amount, eligibility requirements, and deadline on the official provider's website.
Conclusion
Applying for scholarships for international students for undergraduate studies in UK will help cut costs while studying abroad; however, each of these scholarships has different criteria, perks, and deadlines. The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, scholarships at the University of Sheffield, and the University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship provide financial aid in varying amounts.
Make sure you visit the university’s official website to know about the latest scholarship amount, eligibility and deadline for applying for these scholarships. Submitting all your required documentation on time and applying for all scholarships that you are eligible for is key to securing financial aid for undergraduate studies in UK.
Can I apply for an undergraduate scholarship at more than one UK university?
Yes. You can explore scholarship options at different universities while applying for undergraduate admission. Each university has its own awards, so the scholarship available at one university may be different from the one offered by another. Check the rules of each scholarship before submitting an application.
Are scholarships available for every undergraduate course in UK?
No. Some awards are open to students across several undergraduate courses, while others are linked to specific subjects or programmes. Before applying, check whether your chosen course is included in the scholarship terms.
Can I get an undergraduate scholarship if I have already received another award?
This depends on the rules of the scholarship provider. Some funding may have specific conditions about other financial support. Read the terms of the award carefully before accepting it.
Are there undergraduate scholarships for international students in UK from specific schools or organisations?
Yes. Some awards are created for particular groups of students rather than all international applicants. For example, the University of Sheffield lists scholarships connected with organisations and specific student groups. This means your school or other background may affect which funding options you can consider.
Can I get a scholarship if my academic results are not the highest?
You may still find funding options, as not every scholarship is based only on academic performance. Some awards consider other factors such as financial circumstances, extracurricular achievements or specific personal backgrounds. The exact criteria depend on the scholarship.
Are undergraduate scholarships in UK available for students with financial need?
Some scholarships take financial circumstances into account. UCL's Global Undergraduate Scholarship, for example, includes a low-income requirement along with its other eligibility conditions. Students should check whether financial need is part of the criteria for the award they are considering.
Can I lose my scholarship during my undergraduate degree?
Yes, some scholarships have conditions that must continue to be met after the award is given. These conditions can include academic requirements or other rules set by the university. For example, Sheffield's International Undergraduate Scholarship includes a minimum academic requirement for continuation.
Can I change my course after receiving an undergraduate scholarship?
This depends on the scholarship conditions. Some awards may be linked to a particular course, subject or study mode, so changing your programme could affect your funding. Check with the university before making any change.
Can an undergraduate scholarship be used at any UK university?
No. Scholarships are normally linked to the university or provider offering them. An undergraduate scholarship in UK for international students listed by one university cannot automatically be used at another institution.
How should I compare full scholarships in UK for undergraduate international students?
Look beyond the headline scholarship amount. Check whether the award covers tuition only or also provides maintenance or other support, how long the funding lasts, and whether there are conditions for renewal. This can help you understand the actual value of full scholarships in UK for undergraduate international students.
What should I check before applying for full undergraduate scholarships for international students in UK?
Start with the official scholarship terms. Look at the eligible nationality, course, intake year, academic requirements, funding coverage and deadline. Also check whether the award covers the full tuition fee or provides additional financial support, as these are not always the same.
How can I find an undergraduate scholarship in UK for international students that suits my course?
Start with the official scholarship pages of the universities you are considering and look for awards linked to your course, nationality or student background. You can also use the funding resources mentioned by the British Council, UKCISA and UCAS to find other opportunities.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |5026 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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