Scholarships in UK For Indian Students: In-Depth Guide for 2023

UK Scholarships for Indian students offer plenty of opportunities for ambitious and talented young minds from India to study abroad. The British High Commission revealed recently that it granted 1.27 lakh student visas to Indians in the year ending September 2022, an increase of 273% over the same period in 2019.

Last year, India surged ahead of China to become the UK’s main source of international students. An astonishing 161,000 pupils and 33,240 dependents came from India for education in the UK. Out of all the individuals granted a Graduate Route visa in 2021, 41% were Indian nationals, as illustrated by recent UK immigration figures.

Studying in the UK is a highly ambitious choice for students from India- and rightly so as the UK offers premier learning opportunities, high-quality education standards, and incredible cultural diversity. Aspiring to study abroad comes with a hefty price tag and many times, it’s hard for students to make their dream a reality without external financial aid or assistance.

MBA scholarships, academic awards, and fellowships offered by UK universities are good ways to fund tuition fees. That’s why it’s important to understand the scholarship options available in the UK for Indian students. In this article, we’ll go over the different types of international student scholarships available for students who want to study in the UK, as well as how to apply for them.

Table of Contents

• What are the general eligibility criteria for scholarships in the UK for Indian students?
• What are the types of scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK?
• Government Scholarships For International Students
• What are the university-specific scholarships for Indian Students?
• Institution-Specific Scholarships
• Apply to universities in UK with TC Global

The UK has a range of scholarships for students who want to pursue their studies in the country. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must hold Indian citizenship
• Must be in receipt of an offer to study on a full-time course at a UK university/college
• Must have the required financial resources to pay fees and living costs in the UK

Additionally, students must demonstrate their academic excellence, research potential, and extracurricular activities. Some merit and need-based scholarships may also require students to be enrolled in a specific subject or course.

Indian students can apply for a range of merit and need-based scholarships to finance their studies in the UK. These include:

• Government Scholarships – Funded by the UK government, these are typically fully- funded scholarships offered to international students including those from India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other eligible countries.
• University-Specific Scholarships – These need-based and merit scholarships are offered by individual universities in the UK for international applicants demonstrating exceptional academic and/or research potential.
• Institution-Specific Scholarships – Organisations, such as trusts and societies, offer need-based and merit scholarships to international students studying in the UK.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these master’s and undergraduate scholarships to study abroad.
Note: List the different types of scholarships in a single image
Indian Students can access the following three types of scholarships to pursue their dream education:

• Government Scholarships
• University-specific Scholarships
• Institution-Specific Scholarships

To attract more international students to the UK, the British government offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid.

Chevening is one of the most popular UK government scholarships that provide awardees with a fully funded, one-year master’s degree course in the United Kingdom. Financed by both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other partner organisations, this fantastic opportunity has enabled many individuals to further their education abroad.

Brief Intro

Chevening scholars come from a variety of countries, backgrounds, and cultures but all display the enthusiasm, ambition, and abilities necessary to create a better world. Selected students experience numerous unparalleled advantages such as full funding for their tuition fees, monthly stipend, access to higher education programs, and exclusive networking possibilities with over 50,000 global alumni. Moreover, students can also explore the rich culture of the United Kingdom.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria are as follows

• Citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
• Return to your home country for a minimum of two years immediately after you complete your course.
• You must have finished an undergraduate degree with all elements that will qualify you to be accepted into a postgraduate program at universities in the UK when submitting your application.
• Have at least two years or 2,800 hours of work experience.
• Apply to only three different eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer by the given deadline.

How to Apply?

To apply, students must

• Submit their education documents, references, and one unconditional UK university offer.

The deadlines for the required documents are available on the official website. The applications for 2024/25 will open in August 2023 and will be announced on the official website.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) of the United Kingdom offers UK scholarships for Indian students that are developed with international development objectives at their core.

Brief Intro

As part of the larger Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, these international scholarships aim to attract talent from diverse backgrounds who display leadership potential. By combining sustainable development with the national interests of the United Kingdom, this strategy unlocks the potential for international partnerships and collaboration.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for the Commonwealth Scholarship are as follows:

• Citizens and individuals who have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country
• All British Protected Persons
• Permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• An individual who will start their course in September 2023
• By September 2023, you must have achieved a minimum upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or alternatively hold a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) plus postgraduate qualifications such as a Master’s Degree.
• Financial need or the inability to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship
• All supporting documentation in the required format

How to Apply?

To be considered for the CSC, potential candidates must submit an application to both the nominating agency and the Commission itself. Agencies will submit the chosen candidates to the CSC for consideration. Applying directly to the CSC for these scholarships is not an option. The national nominating agency of India is:
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Ministry of Education
West Block -1, Wing -6, 2nd Floor
R.K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066
India
Tel: +91 11 261 72917
Email: santoshkumar73@nic.in | es3.edu@nic.in
Website: www.education.gov.in/en/scholarships

UK Universities offer a wide variety of scholarships to Indian students. These university-specific scholarships are often targeted toward students with strong academic merit and can provide generous funding to help with tuition fees. Some of the most popular university-specific scholarships are:

Source: Cambridge University 

 Brief Intro

The University of Cambridge was granted an unprecedented donation of $210 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in October 2000 which launched the inception of the esteemed Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme. As a part of the university scholarships program, 2000 students are awarded Master’s and Ph.D. scholarships to students from over 100 countries including India.

Eligibility

To receive the Gates Cambridge Scholarship grants, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
• Pursue a Ph.D. (full-time or part-time), MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course (full-time) at the University of Cambridge:

How to Apply?

In order to be considered for admission into a course, college, and a part of the Gates Cambridge funding program, students must fill out all necessary sections of the application form. As a part of the application, students are required to explain why they are applying for the scholarship and how they meet the application criteria set by the university.

Source: Oxford University

Brief Intro

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the top scholarships which offers an opportunity for ambitious and talented individuals from around the globe to gain a prestigious, full-time postgraduate education at the University of Oxford. This distinguished award covers all associated costs, allowing recipients to focus their energies on furthering their studies without distraction. The Rhodes Scholarship Program provides an amazing opportunity for graduates to further their higher education with two or more years of study at Oxford University. With this program, students can apply to nearly any postgraduate course offered by the institution.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for Indian students to apply for this international scholarship are as follows:

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Must have completed a school leaving exam or are in the final year of, or have completed an undergraduate degree at a university in India
• As on 1 October 2022, the student must be at least 18 years of age and have not completed 24 years OR as on 1 October 2022, you must not have completed 27 years of age and meet academic requirements for completing your first undergraduate degree,

How to Apply?

Eligible candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship:

• Visit this  link for registration
• Submit the required documents (official transcripts, CV, etc.)
• Submit a persuasive Personal Statement that explains why you are the deserving recipient of this scholarship in a maximum of 1,000 words,
• This letter of recommendation must contain the details of at least six referees, three of which must be able to speak directly about your academic ability after having formally taught you.

Source: London School of Economics

Brief Intro

The Margaret Basu Scholarship is one of the unique grants aimed at attracting talented Indian students to one of the most prestigious higher education institutions like the School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The Margaret Basu Scholarship is offered to Indian students who have displayed a commitment to their academic ambitions.

Eligibility

• Being a citizen of India is the sole criterion of this scholarship. Successful students receive UK scholarships for Indian students up to £4,000 annually.

 How to Apply?

• On completion of your application to your desired course, a student must fill out the Graduate Financial Support Application Form via the Graduate application tracker.

Source: SOAS

Brief Intro

The International Postgraduate Scholarship offered by one of the top universities provides a £5,000 fee waiver to promising new 2023 postgraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for the International Postgraduate Scholarship are as follows:

• Potential candidates must possess outstanding academic credentials, with a minimum of a 2:1 degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university. They must be classified as an overseas fee-paying student from India
• The student must submit a 500-word supporting statement.
• They must have applied for an on-campus Postgraduate taught degree for September and must have received an offer by 31st May 2023.

 How to Apply?

Eligible students can:

• Apply via an online form before 31st May 2023.

Source: The University of Nottingham

Brief Intro

The University of Nottingham offers the South Asia Postgraduate Excellence Award – an amazing opportunity for international students hailing from South Asian countries. Successful candidates receive UK scholarships for Indian students ranging between £4,000 and £8,000 towards full-time tuition fees for those who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement as well as a genuine passion in their chosen field of study.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this Masters’s scholarship, a student:

• Must be a resident of developing countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka
• Should be an overseas student for fee purposes
• Should receive an offer to pursue a full-time Master’s in any subject area at the University of Nottingham UK

 How to Apply?

To apply for this Masters’s scholarship, a student:

• On receiving an offer, the student can apply through the Master’s scholarships section of the application system i.e. NottinghamHub.

If you have received an offer for an MRes course, you must email the scholarships team at scholarship-assistant@nottingham.ac.uk to receive further details for your scholarship application.

Institution-specific scholarships are available both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These may be non-government scholarships or trust or corporation-sponsored ones which provide monetary assistance to students who demonstrate excellent academic ability and are genuinely passionate about their chosen field.

Brief Intro

The Felix Scholarship is one of the international student scholarships offered to driven Indians. It presents a unique opportunity to pursue their graduate studies in any field at some of Britain’s most renowned universities: Oxford, Reading, and SOAS. Initiated in 1991, this remarkable scholarship is an incredible chance for talented individuals to achieve academic excellence with a world-class education.

This master’s program scholarship will provide full tuition coverage and a grant of around £16,164 to cover your living expenses while in the UK. Additionally, you’ll receive one round-trip flight.

Eligibility

Felix Scholarship has the following eligibility criteria:

• India’s academically gifted citizens who come from an underprivileged background and possess a Bachelor’s degree with first-class honours or its equivalent, conferred by any certified Indian university.
• This education funding is open to academically gifted and financially disadvantaged individuals from outside India or the European Economic Area who hold a first-class Bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.

How to Apply?

Students can apply for the Felix Scholarship only in one institution. The application process for the three universities is as follows:

The University of Oxford

Candidates for the Felix Scholarships at Oxford do not have to submit a separate application. The details can be found below here:

Reading

At Reading, candidates should follow the application procedures detailed here

SOAS

Candidates for the Felix Scholarship at SOAS should follow the procedure outlined here:

Brief Intro

Since its inception in 1976, Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships are presented to deserving Indian students looking for opportunities to pursue a full-time Master’s, MPhil, or Doctoral programme at some of the most prestigious universities across the USA, United Kingdom, and Europe.

Students receive bursaries up to USD 100,000 towards their tuition fees and living expenses, health coverage, and one-way airfare during their academic year. This one of the most popular fully funded scholarships.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for Inlaks Scholarship are

• The scholarship is open to all residents of India at the time of application.
• Candidates are required to hold a good first degree from a recognised university in India.
• For Indian passport holders who studied for their undergraduate degree abroad in a recognized university, two years of continuous residency and/or employment within India after completion of the program is essential.
• Unfortunately, those who possess a postgraduate degree (such as a Master’s or Ph.D.) from an overseas institution are not eligible to send in their applications.
• The Foundation requires applicants to have been admitted into their preferred institution and course before submitting an application. Otherwise, applications will not be considered.
• Before applying for education funding, all candidates who have an English language certification specified in their offer letters are required to obtain said certification.
• Students applying for Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture and similar subjects at a recognized university/institution must have a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA of 6.8 or GPA of 2.6.
• For Mathematical, Scientific, Environmental, or related subjects students must attain an academic grade of 70%, a CGPA of 7.2 or a GPA of 2.8.

How to Apply?

For a successful application, a candidate must:

• Have a valid Indian passport
• Submit two required letters of reference which includes one from an academic referee. It’s important to include official email addresses for both referees to move forward with the process.
• Only one application per candidate will be accepted.

For almost 40 years, the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships have opened many doors for young Indians eager to study postgraduate courses in arts, heritage, and humanities at prestigious UK universities. With 3,000 alumni throughout India and successful partnerships with British institutions, this is one of the non-government scholarships that continues to provide invaluable opportunities for growth and development.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a student must:

• Be an Indian citizen living in India aged between 28 and 38 years.
• Have not received a CWIT grant within the last five years
• Have a first degree, diploma or professional qualification in their specialization. CWIT prefers applicants with significant working experience.

How to Apply?

To apply, students require

• A Statement of Purpose that concisely explains which course they are interested in studying, why they want to study it in the UK, and how this knowledge will benefit India after they return.
• An IELTS Certificate
• An indication of total approval for the program, training course, internship or attachment you applied to or evidence that you are making progress towards such acceptance.
• A portfolio, including online links or uploaded images and documents where applicable.

TC Global can provide Indian students with all the necessary resources to help them secure education funding for their studies abroad. We understand that the application process for a scholarship can be tedious and challenging, so our experts are here to help every step of the way. Contact us today for more information about the undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. scholarships and embark on a journey of self-development and growth.

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