University of Bath Has Announced £9.2 Million in Scholarships for International Students

Most UK universities are cutting costs and raising fees. But the University of Bath just went the opposite direction. They've launched a £9.2 million scholarship fund specifically for international students—and Indian students have direct access.

We're not talking about token awards. These are serious scholarships: up to £24,000 (around ₹29 lakhs) per student. At a time when studying in the UK feels financially out of reach for many, Bath is essentially saying: "We want you, and we're willing to invest in you."

The timing matters. With Graduate Route visa changes and rising living costs, many Indian students are reconsidering the UK. Bath's move is a direct response. Here's everything you need to know about these scholarships for September 2026 entry.

Understanding the £9.2 Million Fund

Bath has committed up to £9.2 million for high-achieving international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a global outlook. This is strategic: as Bath approaches its 60th anniversary, they're using this investment to boost their international profile and attract diverse talent.

Here's the scale:

• Up to 300 undergraduate scholarships worth £24,000 each (over 3 years)
• Up to 250 postgraduate scholarships worth £10,000 each
• Additional support through the Bath Diamond Scholarship

With this volume of awards, your chances of securing funding are substantially better than at most UK universities.

What You Can Actually Get

As an Indian student, you have access to four distinct scholarship opportunities:

Bath International Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate)

Worth £24,000 (₹29 lakhs) spread over 3 years. Up to 300 scholarships available.

Eligibility:

• Indian citizens explicitly eligible
• Must hold an offer for a full-time undergraduate course
• Strong academic background (typically high percentage in Class XII)
• Must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and global outlook

Bath Global Excellence Scholarship (Postgraduate)

Offers £10,000 (₹11.9 lakhs) for full-time taught Master's programs in Science, Engineering & Design, Humanities & Social Sciences, or Management. Up to 250 scholarships available.

When you're looking at fees between £20,000 and £32,000, a ₹11.9 lakh reduction changes the conversation with your parents.

Eligibility:

• Indian citizens explicitly eligible
• Must hold an offer for an eligible Master's course
• Strong academic background required
• Must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and global outlook

Bath Diamond Scholarship (Postgraduate)

An additional scholarship scheme for postgraduate students. While exact amounts vary, this represents another funding avenue for Master's students beyond the Global Excellence Scholarship.

Bath India Master's Scholarship

Exclusively for Indian residents:

• Value: £5,000 (₹5.9 lakhs)
• Volume: Around 40-50 scholarships annually
• Strategy: Smaller than the £10,000 awards but easier to secure because competition is limited to Indian applicants only

Your strategy: Apply for the high-value awards (£10,000-£24,000) but count on the Bath India Master's Scholarship as your backup.

How to Apply

Step 1: Get an Offer First

Apply for admission early. You cannot apply for scholarships without an offer.

Step 2: Use the Application Tracker

Once you receive your offer, apply through Bath's Application Tracker portal where scholarship applications open.

Step 3: Complete the Scholarship Form

Answer specific questions about:

• Why you deserve the scholarship
• How Bath's program aligns with your career goals
• Your academic achievements and leadership experience
• How you demonstrate a global outlook

What Bath Looks For: Academic excellence is baseline. They want students who demonstrate leadership potential and a global outlook—students who will contribute to Bath's community.

Critical Deadlines: Scholarship applications typically close in early February 2026 for September 2026 entry.

Why Bath Is Worth Considering

Strong Academic Reputation

Bath consistently ranks in the UK's top 10. Their Engineering, Management, and Science programs are respected globally.

Strong Employment Track Record

Bath focuses on getting you job-ready, not just teaching theory. This matters more than rankings when calculating ROI.

The Graduate Route: 18 Months Confirmed

Master's graduates starting in January 2027 will receive 18 months of post-study work rights in the UK. With a scholarship reducing your upfront costs, those 18 months become about building your career, not just recovering investment.

Location That Works

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City—safe, student-friendly, and significantly cheaper than London. But you're still close enough to major cities for internships and jobs.

Who Actually Wins These Scholarships

With up to 300 undergraduate and 250 postgraduate scholarships available, Bath is awarding more funding than most UK universities. But competition is still significant.

Your grades matter—high GPA and strong test scores are baseline requirements. But Bath explicitly looks for three qualities:

• Academic Excellence: Strong grades and test scores
• Leadership: Evidence of taking initiative, leading projects, or impacting your community
• Global Outlook: Understanding of international perspectives or cross-cultural experiences

Your scholarship essay isn't the place for "I've always dreamed of studying abroad" statements. They want specifics:

• Why Bath specifically?
• What will you do with this degree in 5 years?
• What leadership experience proves you're worth investing in?
• How do you demonstrate a global perspective?

Generic essays get rejected. Specific stories with concrete examples win scholarships.

The Timeline for September 2026

September-November 2025: Apply for admission to Bath

December 2025-January 2026: Receive admission offers (if applied early)

Early February 2026: Scholarship application deadline

March-April 2026: Scholarship decisions announced

September 2026: Program starts

Pro tip: Apply for admission as early as possible. The faster you get your offer, the more time you have to prepare a strong scholarship application.

Is the UK Still Worth It?

With the confirmed 18-month Graduate Route and rising costs, many Indian students are reconsidering the UK.

Here's the honest analysis: at full price, some UK programs are questionable value. But with £5,000 to £24,000 knocked off your fees? The calculation changes substantially.

For Undergraduate Students: The £24,000 scholarship reduces your total costs by ₹29 lakhs. With 300 scholarships available, your chances are realistic with strong academics and leadership. Combined with 18 months of post-study work rights, Bath becomes competitive with other destinations.

For Master's Students: With £5,000-£10,000 scholarships and 250+ awards available, Bath is making Master's education accessible. 18 months of UK work experience remains valuable in the Indian job market.

Bath's £9.2 million fund exists to address the cost barrier directly. They're removing it for hundreds of students who qualify.

What You Need to Do Next

Bath's £9.2 million scholarship fund represents one of the largest commitments to international students from a UK university recently. While others are pulling back, Bath is competing hard with up to 550 scholarships across both levels.

If you're a high-achieving student considering the UK for September 2026, Bath deserves evaluation. The scholarships are substantial, the volume is impressive, and as an Indian applicant, you have access to four distinct funding opportunities.

But act early. Applications starting September-October 2025 give you the best position for scholarship consideration.

Ready to Apply? Here's How to Stand Out

With 300-250 awards available at each level, your chances are better than at most UK universities. But your application needs to show academic excellence, leadership, and global outlook.

Get personalized guidance with Leap Scholar. We'll help you:

• Identify which Bath scholarships match your profile
• Craft scholarship essays that demonstrate leadership and global outlook effectively
• Navigate the Application Tracker system and meet all deadlines
• Build a complete funding strategy across all four scholarship opportunities

Start your preparation now. Early applications for September 2026 intake should begin by September-October 2025. The earlier you begin, the better your chances of securing funding from Bath's £9.2 million scholarship pool.