Top 10 Fully Funded UK Scholarships for Indian Students

Did you know that 94,149 Indian students are currently pursuing their master’s degrees in the UK?

That’s not just a statistic — it’s a testament to the growing appeal of the UK’s world-class education. But here’s the catch, with tuition fees averaging over INR 40L (GBP 38K) annually, studying in the UK often feels like a dream out of reach. That’s where scholarships step in.

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Scholarships for MBA in the UK are often merit-based, need-based, or country-specific, catering to students with exceptional academic records, leadership skills, or financial constraints.

These opportunities open doors to top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London, making world-class education accessible.

This blog will cover everything you need to know about pursuing an MBA in the UK, including admission requirements, scholarships, and career prospects. Dive in!

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students

Are you aware that the UK is home to over 446 thousand international students, with a significant number coming from India​​?

Scholarships in UK for Indian students don’t just cover tuition fees — they often include living expenses, travel costs, and more, ensuring you can focus entirely on your academic journey.

Here is an overview of some of the best scholarships in the UK for Indian students.

Explore these scholarships in depth so you can choose one that is perfect for you!

1. Chevening Scholarships

The UK government funds Chevening Scholarships, which are awarded to individuals who demonstrate leadership potential and a strong academic background.

These scholarships enable students to pursue a one-year master’s degree in any subject at any UK university.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, such as India.
• Return to your country of citizenship for at least two years after your scholarship ends.
• Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry into a postgraduate program at a UK university.
• Possess at least two years of work experience.
• Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from one of these choices by the specified deadline.

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2. Commonwealth Scholarships

Offered by the UK Department for International Development, Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at students from developing Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. These scholarships cover master’s and PhD programs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year.
• By September of the year of award, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a master’s degree).

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Established by a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, these scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
• Applying to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study at the University of Cambridge: PhD, MSc/MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course.

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4. Rhodes Scholarships

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship program, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of India.
• Have reached your 19th and not have passed your 25th birthday on 1 October of the year of application.
• Have completed (or will have completed by the following July) an undergraduate degree with a first-class or equivalent.

5. Clarendon Fund Scholarships

The Clarendon Fund offers around 140 new scholarships every year to academically excellent graduate students at the University of Oxford.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants for graduate study at the University of Oxford are eligible.
• Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and potential across all graduate degree-bearing subjects at the University of Oxford.

6. Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships

Named after the former Prime Minister of India, this scholarship enables academically outstanding Indian students to pursue doctoral studies at St. John’s College, University of Cambridge.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be an Indian national with a valid Indian passport.
• Be below 35 years of age at the time of application.
• Hold a master’s degree from a reputed Indian institution.
• Have a first-class honours degree and a master’s degree from a reputed Indian university.
• Not have had significant exposure to UK education or received UK government funding.

7. University of Exeter PhD Scholarship

The University of Exeter offers fully funded PhD scholarships for international students across various disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria

• Meet the entry requirements for a PhD program at the University of Exeter.
• Demonstrate academic excellence and research potential.
• Fulfil English language proficiency requirements.

8. Cranfield University Athena Scholarship

Cranfield University offers the Athena Scholarship to support female students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing the Thermal Power and Propulsion MSc.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a female student from an underrepresented background.
• Hold a first or upper second class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• Demonstrate financial need.

9. Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme

This program invests in undergraduate students to develop strong leadership skills through research and leadership training.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be an undergraduate student at a participating university.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to research.
• Fulfil any additional criteria set by the participating institution.

10. GREAT Scholarships

Funded by the British Council and UK universities, GREAT Scholarships offer financial support to students from selected countries, including India, to pursue a one-year postgraduate course in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of an eligible country, such as India.
• Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry into a postgraduate program in the UK.
• Be motivated and academically able to follow a UK postgraduate course.
• Fulfil the English language requirement of the UK university.

Undergraduate UK Scholarships for Indian Students

Many Indian students aspire to pursue an undergraduate degree in the UK. To support this ambition, several fully funded scholarships are available, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and more.

Scholarships Overview

UK Master’s Scholarships for Indian Students

With the rising cost of tuition, fully funded scholarships can be the key to achieving your master’s dream in the UK. Beyond covering expenses, these scholarships open doors to networking opportunities and academic excellence at the world’s best institutions.

Scholarships Overview

Types of Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students

Pursuing higher education in the UK comes with significant costs, with tuition fees for international students ranging up to INR 40L (GBP 38K) annually for undergraduate and master’s programs.

When you factor in living expenses, which average around INR 16L (GBP 15K) annually in London, the financial burden can seem daunting​​.

Scholarships become essential in bridging this gap, offering financial relief and making the UK’s world-class education accessible to Indian students. Here’s a simple breakdown.

• Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded to students with exceptional academic achievements or outstanding extracurricular records. Examples include the Rhodes Scholarships and the Clarendon Fund Scholarships.

• Need-Based Scholarships: Designed for students facing financial hardships, these scholarships ensure equal access to quality education. Examples include the Reach Oxford Scholarships and the Felix Scholarships.

• Course-Specific Scholarships: Focused on particular areas of study, these scholarships support students in specialised programs. An example is the Cranfield University Athena Scholarship (Thermal Power and Propulsion MSc).

• Country-Specific Scholarships: These scholarships foster international academic exchange exclusively for Indian students or those from developing countries. Examples include Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

• University-Specific Scholarships: Offered directly by institutions, these scholarships aim to attract top talent from around the world. Examples are the UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship and the University of Exeter PhD Scholarship.

Intakes for Scholarships in the UK

Understanding the application timelines is crucial to securing a UK scholarship. Most scholarships align with university admission intakes, which generally follow two primary cycles in the UK: September (Fall/Autumn) and January (Winter/Spring).

Some scholarships may also have rolling deadlines or be tied to specific courses. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the intakes and their significance.

Tips for Securing Scholarships Based on Intake

• Start Early: Begin your research 12–18 months before your intended intake.
• Track Deadlines: Use calendars or reminders for key scholarship dates.
• Prepare Documents: Ensure you have all required documents, like academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and English proficiency test scores, ready well before the deadline.

Tips to Get a Scholarship in the UK for Indian Students

Did you know that applying for scholarships in the UK for Indian students can take anywhere from three to six months, depending on the scholarship’s requirements and deadlines?

This includes time to research opportunities, gather documents, write compelling essays, and complete interviews.

Applying for scholarships in the UK for Indian students can be a straightforward process if you follow these steps.

1. Research Scholarships: Identify scholarships that match your academic profile and goals. Focus on merit-based, need-based, and course-specific scholarships available for Indian students.
2. Check Eligibility: Review the specific requirements, including academic scores and English language proficiency.
3. Prepare Documents: Gather essential documents like academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.
4. Submit Applications: Complete the application form on the scholarship’s official portal. 
5. Ace Interviews (if applicable): Some scholarships, like Chevening, may require an interview.

At Leap Scholar, we believe your dreams deserve the best opportunities. From uncovering the perfect scholarships in the UK for Indian students to guiding you through a seamless application process, we’re with you at every step. Ready to turn ambition into achievement?

Join hands with Leap Scholar today and start your journey toward academic excellence in the UK!

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