UK Scholarships for International Students

Are you an international student looking to study in the UK but don’t know how to find scholarships? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are five tips to help you find and apply for scholarships! 

Start Early

Scholarship deadlines can be months away, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to research and apply for the ones that are best suited for you. It is also important to remember that most universities have their own application deadlines as well, so make sure those are taken into consideration when planning your timeline. 

While each university had unique deadlines, most applications open very early and close in April with the aim of informing applicants by June/July.

Do Your Research

Make sure to do plenty of research before applying for a scholarship. Look at different types of funding available, read through eligibility requirements, and look at any specific criteria the scholarship might have (i.e., academic standing, type of course and degree, or financial need). This way you can determine which ones are best suited for your needs and qualifications. 

A very useful technique to research these scholarships is to type in ‘University name’ ‘Undergraduate/Postgraduate’ and ‘International Scholarships’.

Utilize Resources

There are plenty of resources out there that can help you find UK scholarships for international students. Take advantage of university websites, online forums (The Student Room), and social media networks such as Facebook groups dedicated specifically to students who are seeking financial aid abroad. You should also reach out to your home university's International Office or Student Services department; they may be able to provide advice or assistance in helping you find potential scholarships. 

Reach Out to Potential Sponsors

It never hurts to ask! Reach out directly to potential sponsors (such as employers) who may be willing to offer financial support towards your studies abroad in the form of a scholarship or grant. This could open new opportunities that weren't previously available and increase your chances of obtaining much-needed financial aid. 

Apply For Multiple Scholarships

Just like with anything else, it's always best practice to diversify your options when it comes to applying for scholarships; this increases the likelihood that one will eventually work out in your favour! Also consider applying for multiple “smaller” scholarships rather than a single large one, since it is usually easier (and quicker) than waiting on a response from a larger organization. 

Scholarships available for UK University Students: 

We can understand, navigating university pages may be difficult so we’ve compiled a list of some potential universities that offer international students' scholarships and the respective links to the pages to find out more. 

Warwick University – The Global Excellence Scholarship, Al Bukhary Scholarship  

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/finance/scholarships/global_undergraduate/ 

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/finance/scholarships/albukhary/ 

UCL – UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship  

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/ucl-global-undergraduate-scholarship 

Exeter – Global Excellence Scholarship 

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4507 

Manchester University – Global Futures Scholarship  

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/finance-and-scholarships/funding/global-futures-scholarship/ 

University of Nottingham – Excellence Scholarship 

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/scholarships/undergraduate-scholarships.aspx 

University of Bristol – Think Big International Scholarships 

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/fees-finance/scholarships/ 

These are only a few examples of the scholarships offered, as mentioned above, doing your own research is key as well!! 

Finding UK scholarships for international students isn't easy but it is possible with some hard work and dedication! Utilize these tips and resources so that you can give yourself the best chance possible at finding the funding necessary for pursuing higher education abroad in the UK! Good luck!