Top 10 scholarships in the UK for international students
Ten UK scholarships for international students, from Chevening, Gates Cambridge and Rhodes to Clarendon, Reach Oxford, Warwick, Edinburgh and St Andrews, checked on official pages.
British universities are among the most expensive in the world for international students, which is exactly why their scholarships matter. Alongside the famous national awards, many universities fund their own scholarships for the students they want most.
These ten UK scholarships mix government awards and university scholarships, each checked on its official page.
The list at a glance
| # | Programme | Where | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevening Scholarships | United Kingdom | Not announced yet |
| 2 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | United Kingdom | December 8, 2026 |
| 3 | Rhodes Scholarship | United Kingdom | Not announced yet |
| 4 | Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | United Kingdom | Not announced yet |
| 5 | University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships | United Kingdom | Not announced yet |
| 6 | University of Oxford Reach Oxford Scholarship | United Kingdom | Not announced yet |
| 7 | University of Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarships (Faculty Chancellors) | United Kingdom | December 10, 2026 |
| 8 | University of Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships | United Kingdom | November 16, 2026 |
| 9 | University of St Andrews Postgraduate Research Scholarships | United Kingdom | January 20, 2027 |
| 10 | LSE Graduate Support Scheme | United Kingdom | Not announced yet |
1. Chevening Scholarships
UK government award for a one-year master’s at a UK university. It pays tuition fees, economy return travel, the visa application cost, arrival and departure allowances and a monthly living stipend.
- Who can apply: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries with an undergraduate degree, at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, and three eligible UK course applications. You must return home for at least two years after the award.
- Deadline: The official timeline shows the 2027/28 round opened in August 2026 and closed in October 2026 (11:00 UTC, exact date on each country page). Dates for the next round are not yet published.
- Funding: Fully funded
2. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge paying the full composition fee, a maintenance allowance (GBP 23,152 a year at the 2026/27 rate), one economy airfare at the start and end of the course, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Who can apply: Applicants from any country outside the UK applying for a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject at Cambridge. Selection looks at intellect, choice of course, commitment to improving others’ lives and leadership.
- Deadline: For applicants outside the US round, the deadline is 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the Course Funding Deadline shown for your course in the University Course Directory. The US-resident round closed on 14 October 2026.
- Funding: Fully funded
3. Rhodes Scholarship
Fully funded postgraduate scholarship for full-time study at the University of Oxford. It pays course fees, a stipend of GBP 20,400 a year (2025/26), visa and health surcharge costs and two economy return flights.
- Who can apply: Open only to applicants from specific Rhodes constituencies (countries or regions), each with its own age, citizenship and academic rules. The Global Rhodes Scholarship for other countries is currently suspended.
- Deadline: Applications are closed. The official page says they reopen in 2027 for entry in 2028, with deadlines set by each constituency.
- Funding: Fully funded
4. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
UK-funded scholarship for a one-year taught master’s at a UK university, covering tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend.
- Who can apply: Citizens and residents of eligible Commonwealth countries with at least a 2:1 degree who could not otherwise afford UK study; applications go through a nominating agency.
- Deadline: Next deadline not announced yet. The 2027/28 round closed on 20 October 2026; next round dates not yet published.
- Funding: Fully funded
5. University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
Covers course fees and a living expenses grant for the full period of fee liability, for DPhil and master’s study.
- Who can apply: No restrictions on nationality, residence or subject; full-time and part-time graduate courses qualify; selection on academic merit and potential.
- Deadline: No separate application: you are considered if you apply for your course by the December or January deadline. Exact 2027 to 28 dates are on each course page.
- Funding: Fully funded
6. University of Oxford Reach Oxford Scholarship
Covers course fees, a grant for living costs and one return air fare per year for 3 or 4 years; around 2 to 3 awards per year.
- Who can apply: Nationals of countries receiving OECD DAC official development assistance applying for an Oxford undergraduate degree.
- Deadline: The page only lists 2026 entry dates (scholarship application closed 12 noon UK time on 4 February 2026); 2027 entry dates are not yet given.
- Funding: Fully funded
7. University of Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarships (Faculty Chancellors)
Full academic fees (UK or international), a UKRI-rate stipend for 3.5 years, a 5,000 GBP Research Training and Support Grant and, for eligible international applicants, help with UK visa costs.
- Who can apply: Any nationality or fee status; apply for an eligible Warwick research degree starting October 2027. Current postgraduate research students are not eligible.
- Deadline: Scholarship applications close 10 December 2026 at 16:59 GMT; the course application deadline is 7 December 2026.
- Funding: Fully funded
8. University of Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships
Covers University tuition fees plus a UKRI-rate stipend (21,805 GBP in 2026 to 27) for three to four years, for PhD study starting in 2027 to 28.
- Who can apply: Open to UK and overseas students applying for a PhD at Edinburgh with a first or 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent; nationality and finances are not considered.
- Deadline: Deadlines vary by School: for example 16 November 2026 (Biological Sciences), 11 January 2027 (Chemistry), 14 January 2027 (Engineering) and 2 February 2027 (Business School, Divinity, Economics, Edinburgh College of Art), all at 23:59 UK time.
- Funding: Fully funded
9. University of St Andrews Postgraduate Research Scholarships
Up to full tuition fees plus an annual stipend (full stipend 20,467 GBP in 2026 to 2027); amounts vary by scholarship.
- Who can apply: Overseas applicants eligible with no geographic restriction; apply for a research degree (MPhil, PhD, MSc(Res) and others) starting between August 2027 and May 2028.
- Deadline: Application period closes Wednesday 20 January 2027. Results expected in the week of 29 March 2027.
- Funding: Fully funded
10. LSE Graduate Support Scheme
Need-based awards of 5,000 to 20,000 GBP for diploma and taught master’s students, decided within 24 hours of submitting the financial support application.
- Who can apply: Home and Overseas applicants to LSE diploma and taught master’s programmes (some modular, executive and fully funded programmes excluded); you need an offer of study.
- Deadline: LSE says the Graduate Financial Support Application deadline for 2027/28 entry will be confirmed shortly; the application is expected to open in late November 2026.
- Funding: Partly funded
How we ranked them
This is an editorial selection, not a formula. We looked at how much each award pays (full funding ranks above fee reductions), how open it is to international applicants, and whether the official page is clear and current. Every detail was checked on the official page on October 30, 2026. No university or funder paid to be included.
Other UK university awards in our listings include Bristol Think Big, UCL Global Master’s and Glasgow World Changers.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK scholarships are fully funded?
On their official pages, Chevening, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships describe full funding, and so do several university awards such as Clarendon. Many other university awards are partial.
Do UK scholarships have age limits?
Some do and some do not. Chevening and the Commonwealth scholarships set no upper age limit, while Rhodes has age rules by constituency. See scholarships with no age limit.
Before you apply
Read how to write a scholarship motivation letter, check which English test you need in IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo, and see every upcoming date in the scholarship deadline calendar.