The UK is a great place to study abroad for international students. The world class top rated universities are from the UK. Taking a UK education means to have the best education in the world. But every standard thing comes at a price. When you are looking for the best education, you have to pay the standard amount of money to buy that education. On top of that, for international students along with the tuition fees, there comes the burden of living cost too.
In this situation, having some reduction of money from the tuition fees would be a great help. But how does a student get the reduction of money? Quite simply, by having an international scholarship. The UK government has provided many scholarships to study abroad aspirants to study in the UK. These not only provide financial benefits, but are also very prestigious to have. In this article, we will learn about international scholarship to study in the UK.
As an international student, you may think that getting a scholarship is a tough job. But high-performing students are valued by the government and universities worldwide. Many international universities offer scholarships to the talented and brightest minds to give them financial support. Besides, there are many country-based and university-based international scholarships available to study in the UK.
Definition of an International scholarship
The international scholarship is financial support provided by the scholarship sponsor. It is a source of encouragement to the students for their outstanding results and achievement. But to get the scholarship, you have to meet all the requirements given by them. There are two kinds of scholarships for international students available to study in the UK. They are-
- Full scholarship- This scholarship provides all of your tuition and textbook fees. Besides, they might also give the stipend as your living expense. But getting a full scholarship is quite tough and challenging.
- Partial scholarship- It is a smaller amount reduced from your tuition fees. You will get the scholarship according to the admission requirement of the scholarship sponsor or the percentage of your academic score
2. International scholarship vs. grants vs student loans to study in the UK
International scholarships and grants are similar in types. Both are gift aid that reduces a fixed amount of money from the tuition fees to study in the UK.
But scholarship is a reward that a student can earn based on the performance of their academic, athletic, and artistic ability. On the other hand, grants are for young people who cannot afford their studies. It is for the needy.
Moreover, student loans are a kind of financial aid that needs to be paid back with some interest. Any international student can take student loans. But they have to pay it back with interest. The interest rate usually varies from country to country.
3. Eligibility of applying for an international scholarship
Almost every study abroad aspirant can apply for an international scholarship if they meet the academic and English language requirements. Before applying for it, always check if the requirements of an international scholarship matches your eligibility to study in the UK. Moreover, do check if the application deadline is up to date. And always try to learn about the scholarship while applying to a university to study in the UK. Besides, do check if the scholarship is only available for national or international students. Sometimes it is available for both. Here are some general application requirements for international students.
- An application form
- Letter of motivation to justify why you deserve the scholarship
- Letter of recommendation
- Letter of acceptance
- Proof of your poor financial status or low income
- Evidence of your extraordinary academic result or skill
4. Application procedure of an international scholarship to study in the UK
Once you have learned about an international scholarship from a university that matches your eligibility, start preparing your documents. The application procedure of a scholarship for the international student begins with following some process. Such as-
- Fill up the application form to register for the international scholarship.
- Check if you have received the confirmation email.
- Write an original and unique personal statement or letter of motivation.
- Make a translated document of your academic, athletic, and artistic achievements.
- Prepare evidence of your poor financial status.
- Proofread all the documents and send them to the scholarship provider.
- Submit the letter of acceptance from the university that proves your admission to it.
- Lastly, wait for the decision for the international scholarship. If you get it, then congratulations! And if not, try to get it from other universities.
5. How can you find an international scholarship to study in the UK?
You should check the official websites of the chosen university to find a study abroad scholarship. If you couldn’t find anything relevant there, contact a university admission authority to know about it. In addition, you can get the scholarship info on the individual official study abroad page to study in the UK.
Some accessible sources of scholarships are given here to learn about the international scholarship.
- Search through the financial aid office in school or college.
- Federal agencies
- State grant agency
- Ethnicity based organisation
- A high school or trio counsellor
- Search through the country page
6.How would you get the international scholarship money to study in the UK?
The receiving process of an international scholarship money varies from type to type. Usually, the funds will be reduced from the college\’s tuition fees. At last, if there is any amount left, it will be given to you. The scholarship money will be sent to you directly.
7. Types of an International scholarship to study in the UK
There are many types of scholarships available for the UK study aspirants to study in the UK. You should know the types of scholarship that is available for the students. Match your one and go for it.
- International scholarship on Academic result
Academic International scholarships are provided based on deserving students’ high school grade point averages. This scholarship is given to a small group of students who achieve remarkable results. To avail of this scholarship, you need to be a top student in your class or institution. Universities and colleges mainly offer Academic scholarships.
- International scholarship on Research and Achievements-( Athletic, Artistic)
If you are interested in research or have achievements in sports or art, this scholarship is for you. To receive the scholarship, you have to be a quality athlete or artist who has lots of achievements to show. On the other hand, a research scholarship is a kind of fellowship given to the students for the research at their graduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or post-doctoral level.
- International scholarship for financially unstable student to study in the UK
These types of scholarships and grants are very similar to each other. This scholarship is given to a student who is needy but meritorious.
The scholarship authority offers this scholarship to students who cannot pay their tuition fees. Many universities and organisations make a substantial investment for disadvantaged students who can be an asset in the future.
- International Scholarship for an underrepresented group to study in the UK
People of colour, disabilities, lower socio-economic status, non-dominant religion, transgender, or homosexuality are underrepresented. They are financially and socially unstable and need support to grow. That\’s why governments are giving scholarships to an underrepresented group to various countries to study in the UK.
8. What does an international scholarship do for you?
An international scholarship can be a blessing for you if you are from an unprivileged background. Without getting it, many students cannot take a higher degree. Most scholarships are given to the worthy or the needy. So if you are given a scholarship according to your merit, it will motivate you more to take your study seriously and improve your chance to build a promising career.
9. Mistakes that create a barrier for you
As an international student, if you don’t write your essay and apply it at the last moment, it can threaten you. On the other hand, aspirant students tend to copy sentences that are plagiarised from the internet. It shows their unprofessional attitude. When applying for an international scholarship, you should be honest about your achievements, extracurricular activities, and qualifications that reflect your potential. Before submitting an essay, always re-read, spellcheck, and show it to the counsellor or teacher for a final check.
10. Scholarship for an average student
For the average student, getting a scholarship is like building a castle in the air. But the happy news is that there are plenty of scholarships available for which students don’t require an excellent GPA. Universities in the UK often provide a percentage of scholarships to every international student. Besides, there are many country-based scholarships available for study abroad aspirants. So search for scholarship opportunities for an average student and apply to one of them.
11. How do I find an international scholarship to study in the UK?
The dream of studying in the UK has hundreds of benefits. You will get an outstanding quality education with a chance of a successful career. To help international students, the UK government is providing many scholarships, bursaries, and other financial support. So, to find out the eligibility for an international scholarship, visit the UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) website. Moreover, many UK universities offer fully-funded postgraduate studentships.
If you are thinking of a postgraduate degree in the UK but are worried about the fund, you can apply for the GREAT scholarship. Over 300 GREAT scholarships are available for 40 universities in the UK.
Fully funded international scholarship to study in the UK
| Name | Description | Eligibility |
| Chevening Scholarship | Funded by UK government | Chevening-eligible country students can apply |
| Simmons University Kotzen Scholarships | Available for the undergraduate students | Students with a GPA over 3 can apply |
| Gates Bridge Scholarship | Provided by the university of Cambridge | All postgraduate and PhD students are eligible |
| Imperial College London PhD Scholarship | Annually awarded to 10 students | It is a merit-based scholarship |
| University of East Anglia Scholarship | Provided to the Master’s degree students in this university | All students from this university can apply |
| University of Edinburgh PhD Scholarships | Offered to the PhD students annually | It is a merit based scholarship |
| Rotary Peace Fellowships | Only open for the postgraduate and PhD students | Students with a good English score on TOEFL can apply |
| Goldsmiths International Response Scholarships | Funded by the Gold Smith University | Students with a refugee status can apply |
| University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship | Available for all international students | All university students are eligible |
| Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship | 5 annual scholarship for postgraduate and MBA | It is a merit based scholarship |
Government Funded International Scholarship to Study in the UK
| Name | Description | Eligibility |
| Chevening Scholarship | Students from a chevening eligible country can apply | Have at least two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience. Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by 13 July 2023. |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | It is available for postgraduate and PhD students | Students with a good academic score can apply |
| GREAT Scholarship | Open for PG students in the UK | All university level students can apply |
Non-Government International Scholarship to Study in the UK
| Name | Description | Eligibility |
| Castle Smart Scholarship | This scholarship is funded by the Castle smart scholarship | Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory. And an intention to return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended. |
| Royal Society Grants | It is offered by the famous royal society for the UG and PG students | Students with selected discipline can apply |
| Felix Scholarship | The scholarships are awarded to students from India and other developing countries which have been categorised by the World Bank as low-income countries. | Students with a good academic record can apply |
Undergraduate International Scholarship to Study in the UK
| Name | Description | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Formations Entrepreneur Scholarship Program | It is available only for some selected countries | Undergraduate students in Business and entrepreneurship are eligible |
| Mary Trevalyan Hardship Fund | This scholarship is sponsored by the international student house | It is opened for all undergraduate students |
| Transform Together Scholarships | It is a partial scholarship provided by the Sheffield Hallam University | All students admitted in the university are eligible to apply |
| Leeds International Foundation Year Scholarships | It is a partial funding scholarship | All Bachelor’s students of Business, Economics, Management, Finance, & Human Resources are eligible |
| ARU Sports Scholarships | This scholarship is provided by the Anglia Ruskin University | Students in ARU with a good sports record are eligible |
| Kingston University International Scholarship | It is opened for the UG and PG students | All students admitted to the university with a good score are eligible |
International Scholarship to Study Postgraduate Course in the UK
| Name | Description | Eligibility |
| Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant | It gives grants to students | Students pursuing Arts in all universities are eligible |
| Society for Underwater Technology Educational Support Fund | The Society for Underwater Technology provides partial funding | Students of particular disciplines in all universities are eligible |
| NLB Scholarships | The National Library Board, Singapore offers total funding to students of selected universities | Singapore students with excellent academic record & leadership skills are eligible |
| Stuart Hall Scholarship | It is open for students doing their Master’s in Media and Film | Students with a good score in their UG are eligible |
Besides, there are many University given, MBA, and PhD level scholarships also available to study in the UK. If you want to know more about the international scholarship to study in the UK, visit AIMS Education. We are a student consultancy firm that helps students to study in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.Â
