Funding Your UK Studies: Scholarships Available to International Students in 2026
Studying in the UK is a significant financial investment, but there is more funding available to international students than most applicants realise. From prestigious government-funded schemes to university-specific bursaries, this guide covers every major source of funding available in 2026 — and what you need to do to apply for each.
UK Government Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government's flagship international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It awards fully-funded master's degrees at UK universities to emerging leaders from around the world.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, monthly living allowance, return economy flights, and arrival allowance
- Eligibility: Must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, have at least 2 years of work experience, hold an undergraduate degree, and demonstrate leadership potential
- Application deadline: November each year for the following September intake
- Competition level: Highly competitive — thousands of applications per country, typically 100–200 awards globally per country
- Countries eligible: Over 160 countries, including Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, and most of the developing world
Chevening is one of the most prestigious scholarships available and carries significant career cachet. Apply even if you are not certain you will win — the application process builds valuable skills.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK government and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). They are available to students from Commonwealth member countries for postgraduate study at UK universities.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, flights, and study materials
- Eligibility: Citizens of low and middle income Commonwealth countries. You must apply through your country's nominating agency — not directly to the CSC
- Programmes: Master's scholarships, PhD scholarships, split-site PhD (studying partly at a UK university)
- Nominating agencies: In Nigeria — the Federal Scholarship Board; in Ghana — the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat; in India — the Association of Indian Universities
British Council Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships are funded by the British Council and the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign, delivered in partnership with UK universities. They provide a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for one year of postgraduate study.
- Currently available to students from: China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and other selected countries
- How to apply: Apply directly to participating UK universities — each university manages its own GREAT Scholarship applications
- Application timing: Typically opens January–March each year for September intake
University-Specific Scholarships
Most UK universities offer their own international scholarships, ranging from partial fee discounts to full funding. Here are notable examples:
University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships
Edinburgh offers a range of scholarships for international students, including awards of £5,000 towards tuition fees. The Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship provides full funding for PhD students from developing countries.
University of Manchester Merit Scholarships
Manchester offers merit-based scholarships ranging from £3,000 to £5,000 for high-achieving international postgraduate students. Awards are competitive and based on academic excellence.
University of Warwick Chancellor's Scholarship
The Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarship covers full fees and living costs for PhD students from outside the EU. One of the most generous university scholarships available.
Mid-Tier University Scholarships
Universities such as Coventry, Sunderland, and Derby offer international scholarships of £1,000–£4,000 that are significantly more accessible — useful for students who do not meet the competitive profile for Chevening or Russell Group awards.
Home Country Government Scholarships
Nigeria: PTDF Scholarship
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) provides scholarships for Nigerian postgraduate students to study at UK universities in oil and gas, engineering, and related technical fields. Applications are made through the PTDF portal.
India: ICCR Scholarship
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers scholarships for Indian students to study abroad, including at UK universities. Applied for through the ICCR scholarship portal.
Ghana: GETFund
The Ghana Education Trust Fund provides scholarships for Ghanaian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad. Applications are submitted through GETFund's scholarship division.
Bank Education Loans
Several international and local banks offer education loans specifically for students studying abroad. Key considerations:
- Indian students can access education loans from SBI, Punjab National Bank, and HDFC Credila — loans of up to £40,000 are common
- Nigerian students can approach banks such as Zenith Bank and GTBank for education loan facilities
- UK student loan guarantors such as Future Finance offer loans to international students once admitted to a UK university
Always compare interest rates, repayment terms, and currency risk before taking on an education loan denominated in a foreign currency.
Part-Time Work Allowance
Your UK Student Visa permits you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university vacation periods. At the UK National Living Wage (currently £11.44/hour), 20 hours per week generates approximately £910/month before tax — or roughly £800/month take-home. Over a 1-year master's degree with approximately 30 weeks of term time, this amounts to approximately £6,000–£8,000 in part-time earnings to offset your living costs.
Popular part-time jobs for international students include customer service, food delivery, retail, campus jobs, and tutoring — particularly in subjects aligned with your degree.
Gangal Education Scholarship Guidance
Gangal Education can advise you on which scholarships you are most likely to qualify for based on your nationality, academic profile, and chosen course. We help students identify university-specific awards during the application process at no additional cost. Apply through Gangal and we will flag all available funding options as part of your application.