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UK Scholarships for Indian Students: Overview, Eligibility and More

Oct 05, 2024

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The United Kingdom is a sought-after study destination, currently hosting over 180,000 Indian students across various institutions. Indians who demonstrate strong academic performance and determination, a wealth of scholarship opportunities exists. These scholarships provide more than just financial support, they pave the way for world-class education, invaluable global connections, and transformative experiences that can significantly impact your future.

While obtaining a scholarship at one of the UK’s top universities can be competitive, it is certainly possible with a standout profile. This article will explore the most sought-after scholarships for Indian students. We will provide you with essential details on eligibility criteria, the value of these scholarship awards and more.

Come along as we explore how to bring your dream of studying in UK to life. We'll start by diving into the list of these generous scholarships!
 

List of Popular Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students 

Various universities, government bodies, and private organizations offer scholarships for Indian students aiming to study in the UK. Most of these scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, or both. However, a few can be exceptions. 

Given below are some of the best options available for you:

  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarships
  • Chevening Scholarship
  • British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
  • Inlaks Scholarship
  • Oxford India Center Scholarship
  • The Rhodes Scholarships India
  • GREAT Scholarship India

With this list of scholarships in UK, let us examine their details and check how they can contribute to your academic journey!

Firstly, we will start with one of the most competitive yet exciting & generous scholarships for Indian students. 
 

1. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)

  • Scholarship Type: Merit-based
  • Level of Study: Masters
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded including living cost; a contribution of £700 towards the travel expenditures
  • Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025-26 academic year will open soon

Each year, CWIT offers two long-term awards to aspiring artists. Due to this scholarship’s competitive nature, the grants panel has a tough job shortlisting deserving students. It is available for artists and heritage professionals between 28 and 38 years of age.
 

Eligibility Criteria

If you are considering applying for this scholarship, you must follow the criteria outlined below:

  • You must be a citizen of India.
  • You must possess a first degree, diploma, or professional qualification in your chosen specialization. Keep in mind that CWIT prioritizes working professionals.
  • You shouldn't have gotten a CWIT grant in the past five years.
     

2. Commonwealth Scholarships

  • Scholarship Type: Need-based
  • Level of Study: Masters
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded
  • Application Deadline: Applications for the next academic year, 2025-2026, will open soon

Every year, around 700 students get to study for a Master’s Degree in UK Universities with Commonwealth scholarships in UK. This scholarship is for students who require financial help to study in the UK. By funding their Masters studies in different study formats, this scholarship facilitates future innovators and leaders. 
 

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for the scholarship, ensure you fulfill the below-mentioned criteria:

  • You must be a permanent citizen of a Commonwealth country, this includes India. You will still be eligible if you are an immigrant or a British-protected individual.
  • You must possess an honors degree in bachelors or upper second class (2:1).
  • You need to demonstrate the need for this scholarship.
     

3. Chevening Scholarships

  • Scholarship Type: Merit-based
  • Level of Study: Masters
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded
  • Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025-26 academic year are open till 5th November 2024

Chevening is an international scholarship program offered by the UK Government. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Officer and partner organizations fund it. Along with financial support, this scheme provides exclusive networking opportunities to help Indian students to live in the UK efficiently. 
 

Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must first fulfill the criteria listed below:

  • You must belong to a Chevening-eligible country.
  • You must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant program.
  • You should have at least 2 years of working experience.
  • You must have received an unconditional offer letter from at least one of your three applied universities.
  • You must return to your home country for at least 2 years after the end of the scholarship.
     

4. British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

  • Scholarship Type: Need-based
  • Level of Study: Masters
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded
  • Application Deadline: Applications for the academic year 2024-25 are closed. It will soon open for the 2025-26 session.

If you are a woman with a bachelor’s degree in STEM and wish to continue your education, you can check out this fully funded scholarship the British Council offers. This opportunity is available for women in need of financial support. It aims to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers and create a more diverse professional environment.
 

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the eligibility criteria to follow:

  • You must commence your studies in September/October.
  • You need to show that you need this scholarship to support yourself financially.
  • You must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree.
  • You should actively participate in your chosen field and have relevant work experience.
  • You must be passionate about your studies and willing to become a committed alumni for this scholarship.
     

5. Inlaks Scholarship

  • Scholarship Type: Merit-based
  • Level of Study: Masters, MPhil, Doctoral
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded up to USD 100,000 
  • Application Deadline: Applications for the upcoming academic year, 2025-2026, will commence soon.

The award value covers tuition fees, living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare. Only students applying for a Masters, MPhil, or Doctoral degree from selected universities are considered.
 

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements below and make sure you meet them:

  • You must be a citizen of India and reside in the country during the time of the application.
  • If you studied your bachelor’s from abroad then must have resided, been employed, or studied in India for at least 2 years after completing your degree.
  • You must meet the academic conditions set by the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation.
     

6. Oxford India Center Scholarships (OICD)

  • Scholarship Type: Merit-based
  • Level of Study: Masters, DPhil
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded
  • Application Deadline: Follow the application deadline for your course, and you will be automatically considered for this scholarship.

OICD offers a range of scholarships to support graduate students working on complex sustainable development challenges in India. There are various scholarships under this scheme for Indian students, including Oxford Indira Gandhi Scholarship, Oxford Indira Gandhi Radhakrishnan Scholarship, and more. 
 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must first meet the criteria listed below:

  • You must be a citizen of India.
  • You must hold a relevant degree from an Indian higher education institution.
  • You should demonstrate exceptional academic merit in your previous studies.
     

7. The Rhodes Scholarships India

  • Scholarship Type: Merit-based
  • Level of Study: Masters
  • Scholarship Value: Fully funded
  • Application Deadline: The application window for the 2025-2026 academic year will open soon is upcoming

This scholarship allows talented young people worldwide, including Indians to study at the University of Oxford. Its primary purpose is to develop public-spirited leaders and promote international understanding among scholars. Due to the high demand for this scholarship, the competition is tense.
 

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the scholarships, you must first ensure that you fulfill the following general conditions:

  • You need to have an Indian passport or another document that shows you are an Indian citizen.
  • You must be aged between 18-23.
  • You must possess a relevant bachelor’s degree from an Indian university (Applicants with a first-class honors degree have a higher chance of successful admission).
     

8. GREAT Scholarship India

  • Scholarship Type: Merit-based
  • Level of Study: Masters
  • Scholarship Value: £10,000  
  • Application Deadline: The deadline varies according to each University

If you have a Bachelor’s degree and wish to continue your studies, applying for a GREAT scholarship could be an excellent option. For the 2024-25 academic year, 26 postgraduate scholarships were available in the UK’s top universities. These scholarships are funded by the UK government’s GREAT British Campaign and the British Council in collaboration with higher education institutions. Scholarship awards for the 2025-26 academic year will be announced later in 2024.
 

Eligibility Criteria

When applying for a GREAT scholarship, keep the below eligibility in mind:

  • You must be a citizen of India.
  • You should possess a bachelor’s degree and be keenly interested in the course you are applying for.
  • You must meet the English language requirement of your chosen UK university.
  • You must maintain contact with the British Council and their Universities and be a representative of GREAT scholarships.

The above sections briefly outline the top UK scholarships for Indian students. To learn more, please visit the scholarships and funding section for Indian students on the British Council website or explore the individual scholarship websites.

As you consider these scholarship options, remember that each has unique requirements and benefits tailored to different aspirations. However, to apply for these scholarships, you first need to have an offer letter from the university you've applied to. That’s where KC Overseas Education comes in. We assist with university admissions, student visas, and even provide scholarship guidance!

With our experts’ personalized support and deep knowledge of the UK education landscape, your dream of studying in the UK as an international student can transform into reality!

Need guidance? Let us help you.

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