International students looking to study in the UK have access to various university scholarships to fund their education. With top ranking universities and great post-study work opportunities, the UK remains an attractive study abroad destination. However, the high cost of international tuition fees can make affording a UK education difficult. Fortunately, many UK universities offer generous scholarships and financial aid options to high achieving international students. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the many university scholarships for international students hoping to study in the UK.

UK University Scholarships for International Students – An Overview

Over £200 million worth of university scholarships for international students are available in the UK every year. These scholarships help offset the cost of international tuition fees and living expenses. We cover the major types of UK university scholarships for international students available, including:

  • Merit-based scholarships – Needs-based financial aid
  • Athletic scholarships
  • Subject-specific scholarships
  • Country/region specific awards
  • University-funded awards
  • External private donor and organizational scholarships

International students should thoroughly research all possible university scholarships when applying to UK universities. Many universities in the UK offer prestigious and generous scholarship awards with stipends up to £22,000 per year available. Thousands of international students benefit from these scholarships annually.

In this guide, we analyze the top university scholarships for international students hoping to study in the UK.

Merit-Based UK University Scholarships for International Students

The most common type of university scholarships for international students in the UK are merit-based awards. These scholarships aim to attract high achieving students to specific university programs. Award amounts vary greatly, but often reduce international tuition fees by 25-100%.

Merit considerations when awarding university scholarships for international students usually include:

  • Academic grades and exam scores
  • Extracurricular achievements
  • Personal essays and references
  • Interview performance (for some awards)

Examples of top merit-based university scholarships for international students include:

  • Cambridge International Scholarship Scheme
  • University of Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship
  • Imperial College London President’s Scholarship
  • University College London Scholarship for International Students
  • University of St Andrews International Ambassador Scholarships

Many other UK universities offer prestigious merit-based scholarships up to £5,000-£15,000 per year for deserving international applicants. Thoroughly researching university offerings can uncover generous funding.

Needs-Based University Scholarships for International Students in the UK

International students facing financial difficulties can also qualify for needs-based university scholarships and bursaries. These non-repayable awards help disadvantaged but deserving students fund their studies.

Considerations when awarding needs-based university scholarships for international students often include:

  • Family financial situation
  • Personal socio-economic hardship

Examples of leading UK university scholarships for international students based on financial need include:

  • University of Bristol International Student Hardship Funds
  • King’s College London Refugee Scholarships
  • University of York Human Rights Scholarships
  • SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

By submitting detailed financial statements and essays, international students can qualify for partial or even full tuition coverage. Needs-based aid makes an excellent university education possible for deserving students from all backgrounds.

UK University Athletic Scholarships for International Students

Many UK universities also offer generous athletic scholarships to recruit top student athletes. These awards allow gifted athletes to fund their studies while competing for university sports teams.

Popular university sport scholarship offerings include:

Football

Rowing

Rugby

Tennis

Golf

Swimming

Basketball

Cricket

Lacrosse

Field hockey

Netball

Badminton

Athletics (track and field)

Sailing

Squash

Athletic scholarship amounts vary greatly by sport and university. Awards fund partial to full tuition plus accommodation, textbooks, sports travel, coaching, meals, academic tutoring, and more.

Subject-Specific UK University Scholarships for International Students

Some UK university scholarships for international students apply to specific subjects and degree programs. By pursuing certain high priority fields, international students can benefit from these generous subject-specific scholarships.

Examples include:

  • Imperial College London Scholarship for International Students in Engineering
  • University of Edinburgh Business School Scholarships
  • University of Liverpool Mathematical Sciences International Scholarships
  • UCL Engineering Excellence International Scholarships
  • King’s College London Dickson Poon School of Law Scholarships

Other common subjects with university scholarship offerings include computer science, life sciences, economics, public health, development studies, and more. International students should identify leading schools in their desired field and explore any subject-specific scholarship offerings.

Country and Region Specific University Scholarships in the UK

Some UK universities offer scholarship programs for students from specific countries or world regions. These awards aim to encourage study abroad and cultural exchange for key partner regions. By applying from one of these target countries, international students can access special funding support.

Examples of country specific university scholarships for international students include:

  • University of Nottingham ASEAN Scholarships
  • University of Strathclyde Sub-Saharan Africa Scholarships
  • University of Birmingham Hong Kong Scholarships
  • University of East Anglia North America Scholarships
  • Coventry University Nigeria Scholarships

Other target regions like Latin America, the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe also have special university scholarship offerings for inbound students.

University Funded UK Scholarships for International Students

Alongside large externally sponsored awards, many UK universities provide special scholarships for international students funded directly by the school. These university-specific awards help the schools attract global talent with fewer restrictions than external scholarships.

Leading examples include:

  • SOAS Master’s Excellence Scholarships
  • Goldsmiths International Scholarships
  • University of Glasgow Master’s Scholarships
  • Queen Mary University of London Elite Athlete Friendly Scholarships
  • University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarships
  • University of Bradford Peace Scholarships for Developing Countries

By considering university funded scholarships, international students can benefit from the schools’ own philanthropic budgets to support their studies.

External UK University Scholarships for International Students

Beyond direct university offerings, many private donors, non-profits, trusts, foundations, and corporations offer scholarships for international students to study in the UK. These external awards help specific groups like women, minorities, refugees, low income populations and other underrepresented demographics.

Leading examples include:

  • Chevening Scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarships
  • Fulbright Scholarships
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships
  • Rhodes Scholarships
  • Marshall Scholarships

Carefully exploring external scholarship providers can help international students secure generous funding from third party organizations with shared interests.

The UK offers many prestigious and generous university scholarships for international students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels of study. By achieving academic excellence, demonstrating financial need, pursuing high priority fields, or belonging to target demographics, international applicants can reduce the cost of earning a UK degree significantly. We highly recommend all prospective international students explore every possible university scholarship opportunity to make their UK studies more affordable. Follow the guidance above and check university websites thoroughly to unlock the UK university scholarships available to fund your degree.