Are you planning on pursuing a Master’s program in the UK and looking for funding options?
Then scholarships may be your answer.
The United Kingdom has many prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge with reputed post-graduate programs that are inviting to international students. But a premium UK education comes at a high cost.
To make education affordable and accessible for everyone, the UK Government, many universities, and private organizations offer scholarships at the post-graduate level to talented, meritorious students worldwide.
These scholarships cover the tuition fees, accommodation, daily allowance, and travel costs for the duration of the course.
In this guide, we have listed the best scholarships for master’s in the UK for Indian students, their eligibility criteria, and how to apply for them.
Top Scholarships for Master’s in the UK for Indian Students
Here is a list of the top fully-funded and partly-funded scholarships Indian students can apply to for a Master’s degree in the UK.
1. GREAT Scholarships
The GREAT Scholarship is part of a collaboration between UK universities, the GREAT Britain Campaign, and the British Council, open to students from 18 countries (including India). This scholarship offers a minimum of £10,000 to cover your master’s tuition fees.
Eligibility criteria:
- You must be a citizen of the select 18 countries which includes India.
- The duration of your course is a minimum of one year.
- You must have a valid undergraduate degree.
2. Chevening Scholarships
Another reputed and extremely competitive scholarship, the Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship offered by the UK government for one-year master’s programs in any field. It covers the entire tuition fees for the program, student’s living expenses in the UK, and travel expenses.
Eligibility criteria:
- Applicants who possess great leadership qualities and a strong academic performance.
- Have received an unconditional offer from an eligible UK university.
- Open to citizens of Chevening-eligible countries, which includes India.
- Applicants must hold a UK equivalent undergraduate degree.
- Have at least two years of work experience.
3. Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth scholarship is open to students from low-income Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue a master’s program in the UK. These scholarships are fully funded and include your tuition fees, living allowance, and travel expenses to and from the UK.
Eligibility criteria:
- You must be a citizen or a permanent resident of a Commonwealth country.
- A valid undergraduate degree and a minimum of 60% marks are required.
- Applicants that demonstrate a financial need- showcasing that you cannot study in the UK without monetary support.
4. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
The CWIT is a popular Scholarship that offers financial aid to early or mid-career professionals from India who want to study a short-term (usually 10 months) post-graduate course or research in arts, humanities, or heritage conservation in the UK. These scholarships cover fees, living costs in the UK, and international travel costs (£700).
Eligibility criteria:
- You must be an Indian citizen aged between 28-38 years.
- Have not received a CWIT grant in the last 5 years.
- Have a relevant degree, diploma, or qualification in your specialization.
5. The Rhodes Scholarship India
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to international students. It is a fully-funded scholarship open to exceptional students globally who wish to pursue a master’s degree at Oxford University.
The scholarship includes the full tuition fees at Oxford along with an annual living stipend of £19,800 (for the year 2024-25). It also includes airfare for travel to and from Oxford.
Eligibility criteria:
- You must be an Indian citizen.
- You are aged between 18-23 or are under the age of 27.
- Applicants have undergone 4 of the last 10 years of formal education in India.
- Applicants have completed a first-class honours degree or equivalent.
6. Gates Cambridge Scholarships
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, another in-demand scholarship, is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and supports outstanding and talented students worldwide who want to study at Cambridge University. This scholarship covers the full tuition fees at Cambridge and living expenses of £21,000 per year.
Eligibility criteria:
- You are a citizen of any country outside the UK.
- You are applying to a full-time or part-time PhD, full-time MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course.
- Applicants that possess academic excellence and leadership qualities.
Planning to study abroad? Explore student life, admission requirements, and top universities in top study abroad destinations to make the best choice for your future.
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How to Apply for a Scholarship for Master’s in the UK
Scholarships are a secure way to fund your international studies. However, UK scholarships have a tough selection process and are highly competitive. Here’s how you can plan ahead and apply:
- Most scholarship applications open a year in advance, giving you time to research your top options alongside preparing your university application. You can check the official websites to learn the eligibility criteria and shortlist the ones you can apply to.
- Your application will have a section for a personal statement. Write an authentic, compelling SOP that puts forth your calibre and achievements, and shows the selection committee why you make the best candidate
- Gather all the necessary documents. The documents you will need for most applications are:
- Academic transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- English proficiency scores
- Resume
- Acceptance letter from a university
- SOP / Personal statement
- Proof of residency
- Proof of income
- Once you complete your application and documentation, submit it before the deadlines. Scholarship deadlines are strict, and late applications are rarely considered. So, keep track of all the dates.
Final Thoughts
Scholarships can make your international education worthwhile. With the number of scholarships for master’s in the UK for Indian students, exemplary applicants can study at the best UK universities without any, or minimal cost.
Need guidance with scholarships for Master’s in the UK? Check out ApplyBuds, a smart, data-driven platform that helps you find the perfect program and guides you through the application process. You could speak with the counselling team of ApplyBuds to know your chances for these scholarships and also enroll with them if you need help in applying.
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