Do PhD scholarships in the UK pay for anything beyond my tuition as an Indian student?
10 Nov 2026 · Answered by Swathi Boppana · 2 min read
Quick Answer
verified
Yes. UK PhD scholarships for Indian students can also cover a living stipend, research expenses, travel allowance, health surcharge support and extras such as visa fees, child allowance and conference funding. What you receive depends on the award, so check each scholarship page.
Many students think a PhD scholarship in the UK only pays fees, but better scholarships can also cover your rent, your research and sometimes your flight. The exact package varies from one award to another.
What PhD Scholarships May Cover
| Funding benefit | What it may cover |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full international fees, or home fees only under UKRI |
| Living stipend | GBP 21,805 to 27,036 (approx INR 27.50 to 34.10 L) a year |
| Research expenses | GBP 5,000 (approx INR 6.31 L) at University of Warwick, GBP 2,000 (approx INR 2.52 L) a year at Imperial College London |
| Travel allowance | Return flights with Gates Cambridge and Felix, one-way with Inlaks |
| Health or insurance support | Health surcharge of GBP 776 (approx INR 97,869) a year, paid by Gates Cambridge |
| Other benefits | Visa fees, child allowance and conference funding |
Extra Benefits to Look For
- Research grants: GBP 5,000 (approx INR 6.31 L) at University of Warwick, and GBP 5,000 (approx INR 6.31 L) every year with Hinduja.
- Conference funding: Gates Cambridge offers GBP 750 (approx INR 94,590) to GBP 4,000 (approx INR 5.04 L) for conferences and short courses.
- Family support: Gates Cambridge gives up to GBP 12,793 (approx INR 16.13 L) a year for one child.
- Visa and health: Gates Cambridge also meets your visa fees and the health surcharge.
- Tuition: UKRI covers home fees of GBP 5,238 (approx INR 6.61 L), and the university may or may not cover the rest.
My Advice
Do not judge a scholarship on tuition alone. Compare the stipend, research money, travel and health support side by side, and confirm the amounts on each official page for your 2027 or 2028 start.
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