Types of Scholarships in UK for Indian Students
There are various types of scholarships in UK available for Indian students, so they can avail the scholarship for their academic performance, financial condition, nationality, course and professional experience.
- Merit-based Scholarships: Given to students who have an outstanding academic record, leadership experience or outstanding achievements.
- Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are given to a student based on financial need as well as academic standards.
- Government-Funded Scholarships: They are financed by governments or government organizations and may be given a substantial amount of money.
- University-Specific Scholarships: Provided by universities according to academic achievement, nationality, financial status and selected courses.
Selection of the right scholarship in UK for Indian students is dependent on the academic level, course selected, university, and eligibility.
Suggested Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in UK
Undergraduate Scholarships in UK for Indian Students
Undergraduate scholarships can help Indian students reduce the cost of bachelors in UK. Most opportunities consider academic performance, financial circumstances, nationality or a combination of these factors.
Reach Oxford Scholarship
The Reach Oxford Scholarship is for highly achieving students from low income countries who could not otherwise afford to study at Oxford at undergraduate level.
- Eligibility Requirements: Open to students from eligible low-income countries, including eligible Indian applicants, who receive an offer for an eligible undergraduate course at Oxford.
- Academic Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate high academic ability and meet the entry requirements of their chosen Oxford course.
- Work Experience: No work experience is required.
- Funding Coverage: Covers course fees, provides a living-cost grant and includes one return airfare to UK each year. The scholarship normally lasts 3 or 4 years, depending on the course.
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship is offered to students from outside of UK, from lower income backgrounds who require financial assistance to undertake undergraduate study.
- Eligibility: International students from low income backgrounds who have applied to an eligible full-time undergraduate program at UCL.
- Academic Requirements: Admission requirements for the program must be met, as well as those of UCL.
- Work Experience: No work experience is required.
- Funding Coverage: Provides full tuition-fee scholarships for selected students. For 2026/27, three full-tuition awards are specifically available to students from India.
Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship
This is an Oxford Scholarship for students from eligible countries with an excellent academic record and financial needs and studying a course in the Humanities.
- Eligibility Requirements: Available to students ordinarily resident in eligible countries, including India, applying for eligible Social Sciences courses at Oxford.
- Academic Requirements: Selection considers academic merit and financial need, alongside the requirements of the chosen course.
- Work Experience: No work experience is required.
- Funding Coverage: Covers course fees and provides a grant towards living costs for 3 or 4 years, depending on the course. One scholarship is available for 2027 entry.
Students should research scholarships for Indian students to study in UK well before applying because undergraduate awards can have limited availability.
Castle Smart Scholarship
A very unconventional "open tier" award run by a private UK estate agency and a much more novel way of assessing personality than through the traditional academic board exams.
- Eligibility: Applicable to undergraduate students from any country (including India) studying full-time at a recognised UK University.
- Selection Based: Applicants must make and upload a video on YouTube that portrays their study journey, passion and future career plan, which is to be compelling and creative.
- Funding Coverage: A direct grant to the student to assist with living/study expenses of GBP 6,000 (approximately INR 7.67L) per year.
Postgraduate Scholarships in UK for Indian Students
Various scholarship for masters in UK for Indian students with full/partial funding are available. Others may be interested in academic achievement, leadership, experience, consideration of financial need, and future career aspirations.
Chevening Scholarship
This is a prestigious UK government scholarship scheme for future leaders which is especially appropriate for those with years of experience in their field, who wish to undertake a masters degree.
- Eligibility Requirements: Open to Indian citizens applying for an eligible one-year master's program in UK.
- Academic Requirements: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for admission to a UK postgraduate program.
- Work Experience: Applicants need at least 2,800 hours of eligible work experience.
- Funding Coverage: Chevening Scholarship covers full tuition fees, monthly living expenses, return travel to UK and other applicable allowances.
GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships provide financial support to international students pursuing eligible one-year taught master's programs at participating universities in UK.
- Eligibility Requirements: Available to Indian students applying for eligible one-year taught master's programs at participating UK universities.
- Academic Requirements: Students must satisfy the academic and admission requirements of their selected university and course.
- Work Experience: There is no universal work experience requirement; conditions vary between universities and programs.
- Funding Coverage: Provides GBP 10,000 (approximately INR 12.74L) towards tuition fees. For 2026/27, more than 140 scholarships are available across 60+ UK universities.
For students comparing a scholarship for masters in UK for Indian students, GREAT Scholarships can provide a significant contribution towards tuition fees.
UCL India Excellence Scholarship
The UCL India Excellence Scholarship is awarded to students from India, who are applying to a suitable postgraduate program at University College London (UCL).
- Eligibility Requirements: Open to students permanently domiciled in India who pay overseas fees and apply for an eligible full-time taught master's program at UCL.
- Academic Requirements: Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an institution ranked in the Top 100 of India's NIRF rankings and a qualification equivalent to a UK first-class degree.
- Work Experience: No general work experience requirement.
- Funding Coverage: Provides GBP 5,000 (approximately INR 6.37L) for one year, with up to 33 scholarships available for 2026/27.
This award is another option for students looking for a scholarship for masters in UK for Indian students with a strong academic profile.
Allan & Nesta Ferguson Trust Scholarships
A grant that is given to specific partner institutions on an inside-the-firm basis for sustainable progress in developing countries based on trust.
- Eligible Requirements: International students from developing countries (such as India) who are applying to selected masters degree courses at partner universities including the University of Birmingham and Sheffield University.
- Academic Requirements: A strong undergraduate degree (minimum UK upper second class) is required.
- Work Experience: No work experience requirement.
- Coverage of funding: Usually an agreement with the individual university will cover 100% of tuition fees, and a monthly stipend will be given to cover living expenses.
PhD Scholarships in UK for Indian Students
Doctoral funding can significantly reduce the cost of PhD in UK for Indian students. A number of university scholarships will pay for tuition and living expenses, and some will offer research or study allowances.
Clarendon Scholarship
The Clarendon Scholarship is one of Oxford's major graduate funding schemes and supports academically outstanding students across many subjects.
- Eligibility Requirements: Open to applicants of any nationality, including Indian students, applying for an eligible new graduate program at Oxford University.
- Academic Requirements: Applicants need an excellent academic record and strong academic potential. Selection is highly competitive.
- Work Experience: No specific work experience is required.
- Funding Coverage: Covers full course fees and provides an annual living-cost grant. The grant was at least GBP 20,780 (approximately INR 26.48L) in 2025/26 for full-time scholars.
Clarendon is among the leading PhD scholarships for Indian students in UK, particularly for applicants with excellent academic and research profiles.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is open to all outstanding students with strong academic and research ability, who are outside of UK and the Commonwealth and are studying at University of Cambridge, and who meet their selection criteria for postgraduate study.
- Eligibility: Open to applicants of the University of Cambridge, who want to apply for admission to their postgraduate courses and are eligible to apply.
- Academic Requirements: Excellent academic record, good intellectual ability and good research potential.
- No work experience requirement: Work study experience or work experience relevant to the scholarship may be relevant.
- Funding Coverage: Provides the full University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance and additional funding for eligible study-related expenses.
Those exploring PhD scholarships for Indian students in UK can also consider other university-funded doctoral studentships.
Imperial President's PhD Scholarship
Imperial's President's PhD Scholarship provides substantial financial support to exceptional doctoral applicants from around the world, including eligible Indian students.
- Eligibility Requirements: Open to candidates worldwide, including Indian students, applying for a new PhD at Imperial College London.
- Academic Requirements: Designed for candidates with an exceptional academic record and strong research potential.
- Work Experience: No specific work experience requirement.
- Funding Coverage: Provides full tuition fees, a GBP 26,500 (approximately 33.77L) annual stipend for 2026/27 and a GBP 2,000 (approximately INR 2.54L) annual consumables fund for the first three years. Funding is provided for 3.5 years, with 50 scholarships available.
Students researching PhD scholarships for Indian students in UK should also check doctoral funding offered directly by universities and research departments.
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships
These core studentships are offered in the university of Edinburgh to enable outstanding international researchers in all divisions of the department.
- Eligibility Requirements: New PhD scholars from abroad interested in joining the program (including Indian candidates who are eligible to join PhD program).
- Academic Requirements: Requires an outstanding academic record, excellent references and an interesting fit with an Edinburgh research group.
- Work Experience: There is no requirement for work experience.
- Funding Coverage: The funding level is full, which includes both international tuition fees and an annual living stipend to cover the entire cost of attendance (including tuition) during the 3.5-year period.
Eligibility for Scholarships in UK for Indian Students
Some of the conditions for each of the scholarships vary, but the majority will require academic and admission qualifications, nationality and course requirements. Leadership and/or financial need may be additional criteria in some competitive awards.
- Indian Citizenship/Residency: There are scholarships that are targeted explicitly for Indian residents or citizens.
- Academic Achievement: Some awards do require a first class degree or equivalent; many do require high grades.
- English Language Proficiency: Applicants must meet the program/universities requirements for English language proficiency. Exams may include IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- University Admission: Some Scholarships will require you to apply for admission into an eligible course at the University or be a student of the University.
- Work Experience: It may be required to complete some awards, and for others it is not required.
- Leadership: Leadership and activities outside of the classroom, including volunteering and social impact.
- Financial Need: Financial aid awards may require proof of need.
- Course Requirements: Some scholarships are restricted to particular subjects, universities or degree levels.
These conditions are important when comparing scholarships for Indian students to study in UK, as meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee selection.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare their documents in advance because scholarship applications often require multiple academic, personal and supporting documents.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language test scores, if required
- University offer or admission letter
- Statement of purpose or personal statement (Check the correct SOP Format)
- Letters of recommendation (Check the correct LOR Format)
- Updated CV or resume
- Research proposal for PhD applications
- Work experience certificates, where applicable
- Passport or identity document
- Financial documents for need-based scholarships
How to Apply for a Scholarship in UK for Indian Students?
While there are scholarships available within UK, the application process for them can be a bit tricky. Some institutions requiring pre-university acceptance before an application can be made, others having the application process separate from university, documentation, interviews, and deadlines.
- Shortlist Scholarships: Look for awards that correspond to your level of study, program, university and country of origin.
- Check Eligibility: Go through all academic, financial, nationality and work experience requirements with increased diligence.
- Pick Universities & Courses: Make a list of universities and courses for which the Scholarship is applicable.
- Prepare Documents: Organize transcripts, recommendations, personal statements, CVs and other necessary documents
- Apply for University Admission: Submit the university application before the deadline for the respective university.
- Complete Scholarship Application: Send out your application to the scholarship provider/university, following their instructions.
- Submit Before Deadline: Be sure to check all requirements and submit the completed application before the deadlines.
- Attend an Interview: If a candidate is shortlisted, he or she may be asked to attend an interview (which may be online at times).
- Decision: The scholarship provider reads over the applications and informs you of their results.
- Accept and Enrol: Accept the scholarship and university offer and complete enrolment process.
When research starts for scholarships for Indian students to study in UK well in advance of their intended intake date, they will find it easier to know how to get a scholarship.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship in UK?
Selection for scholarships is based on competitive criteria and applicants should possess a good profile, high academic standards, experience relevant to the scholarship, achievements and leadership qualities and vision for future plan.
- Meet the Good Academic Standing requirements: Earn good grades for all work completed.
- Gain Relevant Experience: Internships, research exposure, volunteering and/or work experience as appropriate.
- Demonstrate Leadership: Give specific instances of leading projects, teams and community efforts.
- Highlight Measurable Achievements: Share the outcomes of academic and/or professional work, support received, and impact it has had on you.
- Write a Strong Personal Statement: The foundation of your achievements and reasons for your selection to study in UK with scholarships.
- Select a Relevant Course: Link the program you have chosen to previous learning and future career aspirations.
- Early Application: Complete documents and applications ahead of the scholarship deadline.
- Communicate Effectively: Ensure all items are addressed in original documents in correct format.
So, if your accomplishment and future plans are very similar to that of the scholarship goals, then these steps can improve your chances of getting granted a scholarship in UK for Indian students.
Conclusion
UK offers funding opportunities for Indian students at undergraduate, master's and PhD levels. Depending on the award, scholarships can cover full tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs or provide partial financial assistance.
Students should compare eligibility requirements, academic criteria, work experience, funding coverage and deadlines before applying. Starting early and submitting a well-prepared application can improve your chances of securing financial support for studying in UK.
If you need help comparing costs, finding suitable funding, or planning your study abroad journey, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's study abroad experts today!
