Scholarships for Masters in UK

Scholarships for Indian students in the UK are broadly categorized into five key funding tracks. Each track targets different student profiles, degree levels, and career goals. Understanding these categories will help students identify the most relevant opportunities for their academic and professional journey in 2025–2026.

5 Scholarship Tracks in 2025

Scholarships for Indian students in the UK are broadly categorized into five key funding tracks.

1. Government-Funded Scholarships

• Target Audience: High-achieving Indian graduates with leadership potential or underprivileged backgrounds
• Funders: UK Government, Indian Government, Commonwealth Secretariat
• Notable Scholarships (2025):
  • Chevening Scholarship: Fully funded by the UK FCDO, covers full tuition, stipend (~£18,000+), and airfare
  • Commonwealth Shared Scholarship: Supports students from low-income backgrounds for specific master's programs
  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship: For mid-career professionals in arts and heritage fields

These are often competitive, require strong academic records, and are tied to return-to-home conditions or development impact goals.

2. University-Specific Scholarships

• Target Audience: Students with an offer from a UK university
• Funders: Individual UK universities and their departments
• Notable Scholarships (2025):
  • Oxford Clarendon Fund: Fully funded for all courses; no separate application needed
  • University of Bristol Spärck AI Award (2026 cohort): For MSc AI students, covers full tuition + £15,000 living costs
  • University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships

These may be automatically awarded based on merit or require an additional application. Some are specific to certain faculties or countries (e.g., India-only scholarships).

3. Industry-Sponsored Scholarships

• Target Audience: Students entering high-demand fields such as technology, sustainability, fintech, or public health
• Funders: Corporates, foundations, industry bodies
• Notable Scholarships (2025):
  • Google DeepMind Scholarship: Full fees + stipend for AI/ML courses at select UK universities
  • HSBC Women in Technology Scholarship: Supports female STEM postgrads with tuition + £15,000 grant
  • BP STEM Scholars Program (new in 2025): Focused on sustainability and energy transitions

These often come with mentorship, internship placements, or employer branding benefits. They align well with career-oriented students.

4. Research-Council Scholarships (UKRI & others)

• Target Audience: PhD, MPhil, and research-based master’s applicants
• Funders: UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), ESRC, EPSRC, BBSRC, AHRC, etc.
• Notable Scholarships (2025):
  • UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training Studentship: Full tuition + £19,237 tax-free stipend
  • EPSRC DTP Scholarships: Engineering and physical sciences funding
  • ESRC South Asia Centre PhD Awards: For social sciences, India-focused research

These scholarships are often tied to research centres or supervisor-led projects and require a strong research proposal and faculty endorsement.

5. Subject-Specific Scholarships

• Target Audience: Students entering niche or priority disciplines (STEM, arts, humanities, health)
• Funders: Trusts, foundations, government bodies, or university-department partnerships
• Notable Scholarships (2025):
  • Rhodes Scholarship: Fully funded master’s at Oxford; humanities and leadership focus
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarship: For all fields, strong research/impact profile
  • Wellcome Trust Biomedical Scholarships: For life sciences and public health

These awards target academic excellence in particular disciplines and are often globally recognized, improving career prospects and networking access.

These prestigious scholarships offer full financial coverage including tuition fees, living stipends, travel expenses, and additional allowances for eligible Indian students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in the UK.

Note: The amount may vary depending on the courses & currency exchange rate.

Did you know that cheese rolling is a sport in the UK? Ready to experience this fun activity among the others? Sure, but first, you must choose the right scholarship based on your field. 

Here are the best scholarship options for master’s specialisations in the UK. 

Note: The amount may vary depending on the courses & currency exchange rate.

Applying for a UK scholarship as an Indian student involves planning ahead, identifying the right opportunities, and preparing a compelling application. Below is a step-by-step guide tailored for the 2025–26 academic cycle.

Step 1: Start Early (June - August 2025)

Research universities, courses, and eligible scholarships

• Identify target UK universities and shortlist relevant Master’s programs
• Use university portals, scholarship databases (like British Council, UKCISA, or Chevening), and course-level funding pages
• Make a scholarship tracker spreadsheet with application deadlines and eligibility

Step 2: Secure University Admission (August - December 2025)

Apply for a Master’s course - many scholarships require a conditional or unconditional offer

• Most scholarships (e.g. Clarendon, Gates Cambridge) only consider admitted students
• Prioritize universities that offer automatic or program-linked scholarships (e.g., GREAT, Commonwealth)
• Prepare your academic transcripts, CV, SOP, and LORs in advance.

Step 3: Apply for Scholarships Separately (Sept 2025 - March 2026)

Apply to all relevant scholarships (some require a separate portal)

• Popular UK scholarships for Indian students:
  • Chevening Scholarship: Apply via chevening.org (Deadline: ~Nov 2025)
  • Commonwealth Scholarship: Via university nomination
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarship: Via university application + Gates section
  • GREAT Scholarship: Via university websites
• Tailor your statement of purpose or leadership essay to each scholarship’s mission
• Collect recommendation letters in the required format

Step 4: Prepare for Interviews (January - April 2026)

Make a strong impression if shortlisted

• Some scholarships (e.g. Chevening, Rhodes) have panel interviews
• Practice answering questions about leadership, impact, goals, and how the UK degree will help India
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame answers

Step 5: Accept Scholarship + Begin Visa Process (May - July 2026)

Finalise funding, CAS letter, and apply for UK Student Visa

• Confirm scholarship award and submit any final documents
• Universities will issue a CAS letter mentioning your funding
• Apply for your student visa (Tier 4) and prepare for your move

Documents Required for UK Scholarship Applications for Indian Students in 2025-2026

With all the information given to you above, you may feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry! 

Here are some essential tips on how to get a scholarship for a master’s in the UK:

Receiving a UK scholarship is a big deal, but maintaining it is equally important. Scholarships for Indian students studying in the UK usually include stringent conditions related to academic performance, visa status, moral behaviour, and course participation. These scholarships have the potential to be withdrawn if they are broken, putting the student in danger both academically and financially.

Here are the most common reasons scholarships are withdrawn in the 2025-2026 academic year:

1. Failure to Maintain Academic Progress
Many scholarships (e.g., Chevening, Clarendon, Gates Cambridge) require recipients to maintain a minimum academic standard — often a 2:1 equivalent or pass grades in all modules.

Examples:

• Failing compulsory modules or exams
• Dropping below the expected GPA (for university-monitored awards)

How to Avoid?
Attend classes regularly, seek academic support early, and stay in touch with your course supervisor.

2. Violation of Scholarship Terms or Conditions

Each scholarship has a unique contract that must be signed. Violations like switching courses, universities, or study levels without approval can result in automatic withdrawal.

Examples:

• Changing from an MSc in AI to an MSc in Business without approval
• Exceeding working hours (Student Visa + Scholarship often limited to 20 hours/week)

How to Avoid?
Carefully read the T&Cs and always consult the scholarship coordinator before making academic or visa changes.

3. Misrepresentation in the Application

Providing false information during your application process, especially related to academic grades, financial need, or work experience, can lead to revocation, even after arrival in the UK.

Examples:

• Fake letters of recommendation
• Inflated CV accomplishments
• Misstated financial background for need-based awards (e.g., Felix or Commonwealth Shared)

How to Avoid?
Be 100% honest and verifiable in your documents. Most top UK awards conduct background and reference checks.

4. Breach of UK Visa Regulations

Your scholarship is often linked to your Tier 4 (Student) visa status. Any visa breach, such as overstaying, illegal work, or not attending classes, can trigger both visa cancellation and loss of scholarship.

Examples:

• Working more than 20 hours/week during the term
• Failing to register with the university
• Not maintaining satisfactory attendance (monitored via biometric logs)

How to Avoid?
Comply strictly with UKVI visa rules and your university’s attendance requirements.

5. Ethical Misconduct or Disciplinary Action

Scholarships are merit- and character-based. If a student is found guilty of misconduct, academic or behavioural scholarships can be withdrawn.

Examples:

• Plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty
• Harassment or violation of the university’s code of conduct
• Criminal charges or arrests

How to Avoid?
Follow institutional and legal norms. Attend university orientation to understand conduct policies.

6. Withdrawal or Dropout from the Program

Withdrawing from the course, deferring without permission, or changing to a non-eligible program will typically void the scholarship.

Examples:

• Leaving your degree mid-term
• Transferring to a university not covered by the award
• Switching from full-time to part-time mode without notification

How to Avoid?
Consult both your academic advisor and scholarship provider if your circumstances change.

7. Breach of Bond/Return Agreement (for some scholarships)

Some scholarships, like Commonwealth Shared or Inlaks, may require students to return to India for 2 years post-graduation. Breaching this can trigger legal and financial penalties.

Examples:

• Accepting a job in the UK without fulfilling the home return clause
• Applying for PR or the Graduate Route without disclosing terms

How to Avoid?
Check your scholarship’s post-study requirements and align with your career goals.