Scholarships for Masters in UK for Indian Students 2026

Look, I know that the dream of studying in the UK often starts with a spark of ambition but quickly meets the reality of financial planning. You must understand that the UK Home Office is exceptionally strict: you simply cannot secure a study visa without proving you can cover your first-year tuition fees (as specified on your CAS) plus living expenses for up to 9 months. For the 2026 intake, with tuition often reaching £35,000 (₹42,76,650) and maintenance requirements at £1,483 (₹1,81,208) per month for London, the total required can be daunting.

This is where the pressure hits missing the mark by even a few rupees or failing the “28-day rule,” where funds must sit untouched in your account for 28 consecutive days, leads to an immediate visa rejection. Don’t let these numbers discourage you; let them drive your strategy. This guide is your roadmap to the most lucrative scholarships for masters in UK available for 2026, from government “full rides” to university bursaries worth up to £26,000 (₹31,76,940), designed to help you bridge that gap and make this dream a reality.

For the 2026 intake, Indian students remain one of the largest groups of international postgraduates in the UK, with 98,014 study visas granted to main applicants in the year ending June 2025. Whether you are seeking a scholarship for master degree in UK or a specific scholarship for MS in UK, understanding the diverse types of funding available from government-backed full grants to university-specific merit awards is your first step toward financial stability.

For the 2026-27 cycle, these awards are tailored specifically to the Indian context, addressing either regional origins or specific professional backgrounds:

• Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships: These are prestigious awards for Indian nationals in the early to mid-stages of their careers. They focus on the arts, heritage conservation, and the humanities. Long-term grants typically cover tuition and living costs for one-year MA programs.
• Felix Scholarship: This is a fully funded opportunity specifically for high-achieving, underprivileged Indian scholars who have not previously studied outside India. It covers 100% of tuition fees, provides a living stipend of approximately £17,894 (₹21.86 Lakh), and includes a return flight.
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships: One of the most significant private awards for Indian passport holders residing in India. It provides up to $100,000 (approx. ₹82.3 Lakh) to cover tuition, travel, and living expenses for courses in various fields, excluding engineering and business.
• Goa Education Trust (GET) Scholarships: Administered by the British Council, this merit-based award is specifically for Indian students, with a preference for those of Goan origin. It covers full or partial tuition fees for postgraduate programs at any recognized UK university.
• Global Wales Scholarships: For the 2026 intake, Global Wales offers awards worth £10,000 (₹12.21 Lakh) specifically for international students from India studying at participating Welsh universities.

If any Indian student pursuing a scholarship for master degree in UK they offer the highest prestige and full financial coverage.

The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s most prestigious global award, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations. Since 1983, it has supported over 50,000 professionals, including nearly 4,000 Indian scholars who have transitioned into high-impact roles as policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

• Deadline for 2026 Intake: Applications typically close on October 7, 2025.
• Critical Rule for 2026: You must have 2,800 hours of professional experience gained after your undergraduate graduation.
• What’s Covered?: Full tuition (MBA capped at £22,000 / ₹26.88 Lakh), a monthly stipend (£917–£1,134 / ₹1.12L–₹1.38L), visa fees, and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The Commonwealth Masters Scholarship is a prestigious award funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). It is specifically designed to support talented individuals who have the potential to make a significant contribution to India’s sustainable development upon their return.

• Application Track: A dual submission is required first via the CSC Online Application System and second through the Indian Ministry of Education’s SAKSHAT portal.
• Eligibility: Must be a permanent resident of India with a minimum of 60% in graduation.
• Nomination: 39 nominations will be made to the CSC for the 2026 cycle.

The GREAT Scholarships are a prestigious joint initiative funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council, in collaboration with participating UK higher education institutions. This program is specifically designed to broaden access to world-class UK education for high-achieving Indian students.

• Reward: Minimum £10,000 (₹12.21 Lakh) applied directly as a tuition discount for one-year taught masters.
• 2026 Allocation: 12 postgraduate scholarships are available for Indian students at institutions like University of Bristol, University of Reading, and Queen’s University Belfast.

Private foundations offer a vital alternative when government schemes are too restrictive, often focusing on high academic potential combined with specific social or professional backgrounds. These trusts are particularly significant for students in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, where government funding can be more limited.

The Inlaks Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and generous private awards for Indian students. It identifies “exceptional talent” and provides a platform for individuals to grow at top-rated universities worldwide.

• Award Value: Provides up to $120,000 (approx. ₹1.46 Crore) to cover 100% of tuition fees, living expenses, health allowance, and a one-way flight to the UK.
• Admission Status: You must have already secured an unconditional offer of admission before applying for the scholarship.
• How to Apply: Applications typically open in mid-January 2026 and close in late March 2026.
• Official Link: Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation – Apply.

The Felix Scholarship enables outstanding students from economically weaker sections in India to pursue graduate studies at three partner institutions: the University of Oxford, University of Reading, and SOAS University of London.

• Award Value: Covers 100% of tuition fees, provides a living stipend of approximately £17,894 (₹21.86 Lakh), and includes one return airfare.
• How to Apply:
  • Oxford: No separate application; you are automatically considered if you apply for your course by the relevant January deadline.
  • Reading & SOAS: You must first apply for admission and then complete a separate Felix Scholarship application form through the university’s student portal.
• Official Timeline: Deadlines for the 2026 cycle generally fall on January 30 or 31, 2026, depending on the university.

The CWIT enables Indians in the early-to-mid stages of their careers to achieve professional and artistic ambitions through time spent in the UK.

• Award Value: Provides grants toward tuition and living costs for long-term awards (usually 10 months) or visiting fellowships for research.
• Application Deadlines:
  • Long-term Scholarship Grants: Close on February 6, 2026.
  • Short-term Research Grants: Close on February 27, 2026.
• Official Link: Charles Wallace India Trust – Scholarships.

If you have a strong academic record, applying directly for institutional merit awards is often a highly successful route for securing a scholarship for ms in uk. These awards are often easier to obtain than national government scholarships because the applicant pool is limited to students of that specific university.

The Think Big program is Bristol’s flagship international scholarship scheme, designed to attract the brightest global talent to its research-intensive community.

This is ideal for proactive students who have already applied to an eligible one-year taught master’s at Bristol. Whether you are in Law, STEM, or Social Sciences, if you can demonstrate how you will contribute to the Bristol community, this award is within reach.

• Award Value: Postgraduate awards for 2026 are offered at £6,500 (₹7,94,235), £13,000 (₹15,88,470), and up to £26,000 (₹31,76,940). These are applied solely as tuition fee waivers.
• Eligibility: You must be classed as an overseas student for fee purposes and have applied to start a full-time, one-year taught master’s at Bristol in September 2026.
• How to Apply: You must first apply for your academic course to receive a Student ID. Then, complete the separate International Scholarships online application form.
  • Official Link: University of Bristol Think Big Application
• Deadline: Applications for the 2026 intake close on April 10, 2026, at 10 am UK time.

Founded in 2001, this flagship program supports students from India and other Commonwealth countries who aim to incite change in their home countries.

• Award Value: Offers 50% or 100% coverage of full-time master’s tuition fees for one year.
• Eligibility: Must be domiciled in India, classed as an overseas student, and hold an offer to start a full-time master’s (including MRes) at Nottingham in September 2026.
• How to Apply: You must first receive an admission offer. Then, apply through the scholarships section of NottinghamHub, the university’s application system.
  • Official Link: Nottingham Developing Solutions Scholarship
• Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Manchester offers more than 330 awards to international students for 2026, totaling over £6 million in funding.

• Award Value: For South Asian applicants (including India), the award is £10,000 (₹12,21,900), provided as a discount on published international tuition fees.
• Eligibility: Must be domiciled in India, be self-funded, and hold a conditional or unconditional offer for a full-time, on-campus master’s starting in September 2026.
• How to Apply: An online application form will be automatically emailed to all eligible offer-holders starting in December 2025.
  • Official Link: University of Manchester Global Futures India
• Deadline: You must hold an offer and submit the scholarship form by April 24, 2026.

The Rhodes Scholarship is perhaps the most famous merit-based postgraduate award in the world, aiming to develop “public-spirited leaders”.

• Award Value: A fully funded award covering all Oxford University course fees and providing an annual stipend—set at £20,400 (₹24,92,676) for the current year alongside visa and IHS costs. Total coverage is valued at over £59,490 (₹72,69,083).
• Eligibility: Must be an Indian citizen aged 18-23 (or up to 27 in specific cases for late graduates) and have completed an undergraduate degree by July 2026.
• How to Apply: You must submit a rigorous online application including a personal statement, CV, and multiple references.
  • Official Link: The Rhodes Scholarship India
• Deadline: For entry in October 2027, the application window typically closes in July 2026. (Note: The 2026 cycle is closed; the checker will update in Spring 2026 for 2027 entry).

The best profile doesn’t always win; the best-prepared profile does.

1. Start Early (12-15 Months Out): Begin your research and document preparation at least a year before your intended intake.
2. Verify Eligibility Rigorously: Don’t waste time on applications where you don’t meet the core criteria (GPA, work experience, or citizenship).
3. Tailor Your Essay to the Mission: Avoid generic “passion” statements; address the specific developmental or leadership goals of each provider.
4. Proofread and Seek Mentorship: Reach out to current scholars on LinkedIn to review your draft and provide feedback on selection committee preferences.
5. Secure High Language Scores Early: Aim for an IELTS 7.0+ to ensure you meet both university and scholarship requirements.
6. Quantify Your Achievements: Use specific data (e.g., “Negotiated a ₹4.2 Crore dispute”) rather than vague claims like “I have leadership skills”.
7. Choose Strategic Referees: Select individuals who can provide detailed, capacity-based examples of your leadership rather than just a general recommendation.
8. Demonstrate Return Intent: For awards like Chevening or Commonwealth, clearly articulate how your UK degree will impact India’s development upon your return.
9. Track Every Deadline: Use a spreadsheet to monitor varying deadlines for university offers, government nominations, and visa requirements.
10. The “Just Go For It” Mindset: Don’t disqualify yourself; many students win scholarships they thought were out of reach.

A scholarship is only part of the equation. As a student in 2026, you must navigate a stricter immigration landscape.

To get your visa, you must show you have enough money to support yourself for 9 months.

• Inside London: £1,529 per month (Total: £13,761).
• Outside London: £1,171 per month (Total: £10,539).

If you apply for your post-study work (Graduate Route) visa before January 1, 2027, you still get 2 years of stay-back rights. However, for applications on or after that date, the duration for Masters graduates reduces to 18 months.

The takeaway? Starting your degree in September 2025/2026 is critical to maximize your UK work experience.

Look, if I were applying for the September 2027 intake, I would treat it like a strategic mission rather than a simple application. Most students wait too long; however, the key to winning is hitting deadlines months before you actually plan to fly.

Start your search early to match your profile with specific awards. This is also the time to take your IELTS/TOEFL, as a high score is often a prerequisite for the heavy-hitters.

Focus on the big government awards first. The Chevening window typically opens on August 5 and closes on October 7, 2026. If you miss this, you’ve lost your chance for a full ride for the entire year.

Apply to your top 3 UK universities to get those offer letters. Simultaneously, handle the dual-track Commonwealth application on both the CSC and Indian SAKSHAT portals before the late November deadline.

With your university offers in hand, apply for trust-based awards like Inlaks (opens Jan) or institutional merit schemes like Bristol’s Think Big (deadline April 10).

Once your scholarship results are out, calculate the remaining gap. Start the 28-day rule process by keeping any additional funds in your bank account for 28 consecutive days to secure your student visa.

Conclusion

Your journey doesn’t end with just finding a scholarship; it’s about the execution. Whether you are aiming for the full-ride prestige of a Chevening award or a £10,000 (₹1,221,900) tuition break from a GREAT scholarship, your success depends on starting now. Remember, with the Graduate Route stay-back rights set to reduce to 18 months for those applying after January 1, 2027, every month of preparation you put in today secures your future in the UK tomorrow.

Don’t let the complexity of portals and visa rules stop your progress. Would you like Leap Scholar expert counselors to help you find the best scholarship matches for your profile? Sign up for a free session today.

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