What scholarship options are available for a Master's in the UK?

You can explore several scholarships as an Indian student planning a master's in the UK for the 2026 - 27 academic year. Key options include the GREAT Scholarships, which offer at least £10,000 towards tuition for one-year postgraduate courses; the Chevening Scholarships, which provide full funding for a one-year master’s including tuition, living expenses, flights, and visa fees, subject to eligibility; and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, which cover tuition, airfare, and living allowance. Many UK universities also offer their own merit-based scholarships for Indian students, with criteria and amounts varying by institution. For further details and support with the application process, please reach out to your LeapScholar counsellor.

Tuition fees for a master's degree in the UK typically range from £16,000 - £35,000/year for international students, depending on the university and course. Specialized programs like MBAs can cost more, sometimes exceeding £45,000/year.

Several scholarship options are available:
- University scholarships: Many UK universities offer automatic or application-based scholarships, such as £3,000 - £7,000 tuition waivers.
- Government scholarships: Options include Chevening (fully funded, requires 2 years of work experience), Commonwealth, and GREAT Scholarships (up to £10,000 towards tuition).

Living expenses are usually £12,000 - £18,000/year. All fees and scholarships are subject to change.

To explore scholarships that match your background, contact your LeapScholar counsellor for personalized guidance.

You can apply for several scholarships in the UK that cover tuition fees, with some also including living expenses. Scholarship amounts vary widely:

- Chevening Scholarships: Full tuition fees plus living allowance (approx. £1,347/month) and return airfare.
- Commonwealth Master's Scholarships: Full tuition fees plus living allowance (approx. £1,652/month in London) and travel.
- GREAT Scholarships: £10,000 towards tuition fees for one-year master's programs.
- University-specific scholarships: Many UK universities offer merit-based awards, typically ranging from £1,000 - £2,000 or more.
- Other major awards: Some, like Felix or Inlaks, can cover full tuition and substantial living costs (up to £77,700).

Scholarship availability, amounts, and deadlines are subject to change each year. For tailored guidance on your options and next steps, connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.

Yes, scholarships are available in the UK for international master's students, including those from India. These scholarships can help reduce your overall study costs.

- Partial scholarships typically range from £1,000 to £10,000 and are offered by universities and external organizations.
- Competitive scholarships can be between £10,000 and £16,000, often requiring a separate application.
- Fully funded scholarships (such as Chevening and Commonwealth) cover full tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs, but are highly competitive.

Eligibility, application process, and deadlines vary by scholarship and university.

Yes, you have multiple scholarship options for a UK master's, ranging from fully funded government awards to partial university tuition discounts. Your best combination usually depends on your work experience, academic profile, and target course.

Major scholarships available to Indian students

How to improve your chances

• Apply early: major scholarships like Chevening often close months before university enrolment even opens.
• Build a strong personal statement: highlight academic achievements, leadership, and clear career goals tied to the UK course.
• Apply to multiple sources: combining a university scholarship with an external award like GREAT is a common strategy.

My Advice

Do not wait for your university offer before you start scholarship applications, since several major scholarships open 6 to 12 months ahead of your intake and require their own separate documents. Also check department or faculty-level scholarships at your shortlisted universities, since these are often less competitive than the big national names but can still meaningfully offset your tuition.