Scholarships in the UK at a glance
Quick read
- Fully funded UK awards such as Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships exist, but they are very competitive and mostly for master's students with work experience.
- Most Indian students who get help receive a partial award: £10,000 GREAT Scholarships, or university awards such as Glasgow's £10,000 Global Leadership Scholarship and Manchester's Global Futures Scholarship.
- Many university scholarships need an offer first, so apply for your course early in the cycle.
- Indian trusts like Inlaks, K.C. Mahindra, J N Tata and Narotam Sekhsaria fund study abroad too, usually with deadlines between January and April.
- No scholarship is guaranteed. Budget for the full cost and treat any award as a bonus.
Studying in the UK is expensive, so a scholarship can make a real difference. The good news is that funding comes from several places: the UK government, individual universities, the British Council and Indian charitable trusts. The catch is that each one has its own rules, forms and deadlines, and most are partial awards rather than full funding.
Below are real scholarships that Indian students can apply for, with values and deadlines as published for 2027 entry. We explain who each one suits so you can spend your time on the ones you have a fair chance of winning.
Types of scholarships in the UK
- 01
UK government scholarships
Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission fund full master's degrees for future leaders. They look for work experience, leadership and a clear plan to return and contribute to India.
- 02
GREAT Scholarships
Run by the British Council with UK universities. Each award is worth £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year master's, and each university picks its own winners.
- 03
University scholarships
Merit awards, often £2,000 to £10,000 or a fee discount, offered by most universities. Some are automatic once you have an offer; others need a short form or essay.
- 04
Indian trusts and foundations
Inlaks, K.C. Mahindra, J N Tata and Narotam Sekhsaria offer grants or interest-free loan scholarships for postgraduate study abroad.
All scholarships in one table
| Scholarship | Type | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships (opens in a new tab)UK government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) and partners | Government | One-year master's | Full tuition, a monthly living allowance, return economy flights and the visa fee |
| Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (opens in a new tab)Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK | Government | Master's | Full tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend (£1,712 a month, or £2,000 in London, at current rates) |
| GREAT Scholarships (India) (opens in a new tab)British Council, UK government and participating UK universities | Government | One-year taught master's | £10,000 towards tuition fees |
| Global Futures Scholarship (opens in a new tab)The University of Manchester | University | Bachelor's and master's | Partial merit awards; more than 350 awards worth more than £6 million in total for September 2027 entry |
| Global Leadership Scholarship (opens in a new tab)University of Glasgow | University | One-year master's | £10,000 off tuition for one year; 350 awards |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships (opens in a new tab)Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | Foundation | Master's, MPhil and PhD | Up to US$120,000 towards tuition, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs and a health allowance, depending on the course |
| Felix Scholarships (opens in a new tab)Felix Trust with the universities of Oxford and Reading and SOAS | Foundation | Master's and PhD | Funding for postgraduate study; check the current award with each university |
| Charles Wallace India Trust awards (opens in a new tab)Charles Wallace India Trust | Foundation | Arts scholarships, visiting fellowships and short research grants | Amounts not published on the trust's site; they vary by award |
| Rhodes Scholarship (India) (opens in a new tab)Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford | Foundation | Postgraduate (master's and DPhil) at Oxford | Oxford course fees, a stipend of £20,400 a year (2025-26), the student visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, two economy flights and a settling-in allowance; five scholarships for India |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship (opens in a new tab)Gates Cambridge Trust, University of Cambridge | Foundation | PhD, MLitt and one-year postgraduate courses at Cambridge | Full University Composition Fee, maintenance of £23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 rate), one economy airfare each way, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarship (opens in a new tab)Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust (Tata Trusts) | Foundation | Master's | A gift towards part of the tuition fee, about ₹3 lakh to ₹6 lakh depending on the interview |
| National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) (opens in a new tab)Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India | Government | Master's and PhD | Tuition, maintenance and other allowances, paid through Indian Missions abroad; amounts are in the scheme guidelines |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad (opens in a new tab)K.C. Mahindra Education Trust | Foundation | Master's and PhD | Interest-free loan scholarship of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and up to ₹5 lakh for others |
| J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship (opens in a new tab)J N Tata Endowment (Tata Trusts) | Foundation | Master's, PhD and postdoctoral | Loan scholarship; the amount is decided case by case after an interview |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship (opens in a new tab)Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Foundation | Master's | Full or part scholarships given as repayable, interest-free financial assistance (amount not fixed) |
Values are as published by each provider on the date of our research. Most awards are competitive and limited in number, so none of them is guaranteed.
Government scholarships in the UK
- GovernmentOne-year master's
Chevening Scholarships
UK government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) and partners
- Value
- Full tuition, a monthly living allowance, return economy flights and the visa fee
- Who can apply
- Indian citizens with work experience, an undergraduate degree, and offers from UK universities. Strong leadership and networking evidence matters. Check the official eligibility page for the required work-experience hours.
- Deadline or window
- The 2027/28 round has closed. Check the official page for when the next round opens
- GovernmentMaster's
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
- Value
- Full tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend (£1,712 a month, or £2,000 in London, at current rates)
- Who can apply
- Indian citizens nominated through an approved national nominating body, for subjects linked to development.
- Deadline or window
- The CSC deadline for 2027/28 was 20 October 2026 and is now closed; nominating bodies set earlier dates
- GovernmentOne-year taught master's
GREAT Scholarships (India)
British Council, UK government and participating UK universities
- Value
- £10,000 towards tuition fees
- Who can apply
- Indian students with an offer for an eligible one-year master's at a participating university. Each university chooses its subjects and winners.
- Deadline or window
- Set by each university. The official page gives no single date; check each university for the current intake
- GovernmentMaster's and PhD
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Value
- Tuition, maintenance and other allowances, paid through Indian Missions abroad; amounts are in the scheme guidelines
- Who can apply
- Low-income, meritorious students from the Scheduled Castes, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans. 125 awards a year, 30% for women. Income, age and marks limits are in the scheme guidelines.
- Deadline or window
- Apply on the NOS portal (nosmsje.gov.in) when the yearly call opens; check the official page
Get a scholarship shortlist for your profileShare your marks, test scores and budget, and our counsellor will match you to the UK scholarships you can realistically win.
University scholarships in the UK
- UniversityBachelor's and master's
Global Futures Scholarship
- Value
- Partial merit awards; more than 350 awards worth more than £6 million in total for September 2027 entry
- Who can apply
- Students living in listed countries, including India, who hold an offer for a full-time, on-campus course starting September 2027. Award levels and criteria vary by country.
- Deadline or window
- Eligible offer holders are emailed the application form; ask the International Office for the India deadline
- UniversityOne-year master's
Global Leadership Scholarship
- Value
- £10,000 off tuition for one year; 350 awards
- Who can apply
- International fee payers with grades equivalent to a UK first-class degree and an offer for an eligible full-time, in-person one-year master's starting September 2027.
- Deadline or window
- Rolling; decisions within about six weeks. The closing date is not yet confirmed and is usually in late August
Trusts and foundations (including Indian trusts)
- FoundationMaster's, MPhil and PhD
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
- Value
- Up to US$120,000 towards tuition, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs and a health allowance, depending on the course
- Who can apply
- Indian passport holders resident in India, born on or after 1 January 1996, with a degree from a recognised Indian university. Excluded: business and finance, computer science, most engineering (except some at Imperial College), MBA, medicine and dentistry, and some other fields.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026 round is closed (applications closed for 2026). Check the official page for the next round
- FoundationMaster's and PhD
Felix Scholarships
Felix Trust with the universities of Oxford and Reading and SOAS
- Value
- Funding for postgraduate study; check the current award with each university
- Who can apply
- Indian nationals with a first-class bachelor's degree from a recognised university who show outstanding merit and financial need.
- Deadline or window
- Set by each partner university. Check the official page for dates
- FoundationArts scholarships, visiting fellowships and short research grants
Charles Wallace India Trust awards
Charles Wallace India Trust
- Value
- Amounts not published on the trust's site; they vary by award
- Who can apply
- Indian citizens in the arts, heritage conservation and the humanities: two 10-month scholarships for artists each year, about 3-month visiting fellowships at named UK universities for academics, writers and translators, and about 20 short research grants a year. Not for full degree fees.
- Deadline or window
- Varies by award; check the official page
- FoundationPostgraduate (master's and DPhil) at Oxford
Rhodes Scholarship (India)
Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford
- Value
- Oxford course fees, a stipend of £20,400 a year (2025-26), the student visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, two economy flights and a settling-in allowance; five scholarships for India
- Who can apply
- Indian candidates applying for a full-time postgraduate course at Oxford, selected on merit and leadership. Age and degree conditions are in the India 'Information for Candidates' document on the official page.
- Deadline or window
- The India round for 2027 entry ran from 1 June to 23 July 2026 and is closed; the next round is expected in mid-2027 for 2028 entry
- FoundationPhD, MLitt and one-year postgraduate courses at Cambridge
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust, University of Cambridge
- Value
- Full University Composition Fee, maintenance of £23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 rate), one economy airfare each way, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Who can apply
- Citizens of any country outside the UK, including India, applying for a full-time PhD, MLitt or one-year postgraduate course. MBA, PGCE, MASt and undergraduate degrees are not considered.
- Deadline or window
- 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course's funding deadline (11:59pm UK time)
- FoundationMaster's
Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarship
Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust (Tata Trusts)
- Value
- A gift towards part of the tuition fee, about ₹3 lakh to ₹6 lakh depending on the interview
- Who can apply
- Indian women graduates of a reputed university with a strong academic record, studying in the US, UK or Europe, with a focus on issues affecting women and children (for example social work, public health, psychology, law, education, health policy or human rights). Two years of relevant paid work experience is preferred.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026–27 round closed in April 2026 (link requests closed on 30 March); expect a similar window in early 2027
- FoundationMaster's and PhD
K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
K.C. Mahindra Education Trust
- Value
- Interest-free loan scholarship of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and up to ₹5 lakh for others
- Who can apply
- Indian citizens with a first-class degree (or equivalent diploma) from a recognised university, starting a postgraduate programme at an overseas university. Final-year students can apply with proof of a first class before the end of June. At least 50 awards a year.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026 round closed on 30 April 2026; the next round usually opens early in the year
- FoundationMaster's, PhD and postdoctoral
J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
J N Tata Endowment (Tata Trusts)
- Value
- Loan scholarship; the amount is decided case by case after an interview
- Who can apply
- Indians who have completed their undergraduate studies at a recognised Indian university, going abroad for higher studies. Selection is on merit only.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026–27 form window ran from 5 January to 29 March 2026; expect a similar window in early 2027
- FoundationMaster's
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
- Value
- Full or part scholarships given as repayable, interest-free financial assistance (amount not fixed)
- Who can apply
- Merit-based, for Indian students of academic excellence going on to postgraduate study in India or abroad. Check the official page for fields and other conditions.
- Deadline or window
- Applications are closed for now; check the official page for the next call
Scholarship calendar for 2027 entry
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| August to October 2026 | Chevening and Commonwealth rounds for 2027/28 (now closed). Note them for next year if you plan a 2028 start. |
| October 2026 to January 2027 | Apply for your courses. Many university scholarships need an offer before you can apply. |
| January to April 2027 | Check the deadlines for the Indian trusts: J N Tata, Narotam Sekhsaria, K.C. Mahindra and Inlaks. Prepare essays and references early. |
| Spring 2027 (check each university) | GREAT Scholarships and university award deadlines are set by each university. Results usually follow within a few weeks. |
| May to August 2027 | Rolling university awards such as Glasgow's Global Leadership Scholarship; accept your award in writing and update your budget. |
Eligibility and documents
What selectors usually look for
- Strong academic results: many merit awards look for 70% or a first-class degree; the most competitive ones want more.
- An offer, or an application in progress, for an eligible course.
- A clear statement of why you chose the course and how it fits your career plans in India.
- Leadership, community work or professional achievements, especially for Chevening and Commonwealth awards.
- English test scores that meet the course requirement.
- For need-based awards, proof of family income.
Documents to keep ready
- Offer letter or application number
- Transcripts, mark sheets and degree certificate
- IELTS, PTE or TOEFL score report
- Scholarship statement or essay
- Two references
- CV with work experience and achievements
- Income documents for need-based awards
- Passport copy
How to apply, step by step
- Shortlist courses and check which scholarships each university offers to Indian students.
- Apply for the course early; many awards need an offer or a student ID first.
- Read each scholarship's rules and note whether it is automatic or needs a separate form.
- Write a focused scholarship statement for each award, not one generic essay.
- Ask referees early and give them your CV and statement.
- Submit before the deadline and keep copies of everything.
- Accept any award in writing and check whether it can be combined with others.
Want help with your scholarship essay?Our counsellor will review your statement and references so they match your course application.
Tips to improve your chances
- 01
Start a year ahead
The biggest awards close in the autumn before you start, so the best time to plan is around 12 months before your intake.
- 02
Apply early for the course
University awards are often limited and given as offers come in. An early application gives you a better chance.
- 03
Match the award's purpose
Chevening wants leaders, GREAT wants good ambassadors for UK study, trusts want academic merit. Shape each essay to that goal.
- 04
Show impact with numbers
Say what you achieved: a project you led, people you helped, results you improved. Specific examples beat adjectives.
- 05
Plan for no award
Arrange an education loan or family funding for the full amount. If a scholarship comes through, you simply borrow less.
Scholarships in the UK: FAQs
Can Indian students get a fully funded scholarship in the UK?
Yes, through Chevening, Commonwealth scholarships and a few trusts such as Inlaks, but places are very limited. Most students receive partial awards.
Is the GREAT Scholarship available for bachelor's degrees?
No. GREAT Scholarships for India are for one-year taught master's courses at participating universities.
Do I need an offer before applying for a UK scholarship?
For most university awards, yes. Chevening asks you to apply to UK courses and hold an offer by a set date in the following year.
Can I hold more than one scholarship?
Sometimes. Many university awards cannot be combined with each other, but some can be combined with external funding. Check the rules of each award.
Are there scholarships for MBA students?
Yes, most business schools offer MBA scholarships, and Chevening covers some MBAs. MBA awards are usually separate from the university's general scholarships.
Do scholarships cover living costs?
Government awards like Chevening and Commonwealth do. Most university awards only reduce tuition, so you still need to show living-cost funds for the visa.
Sources
- Chevening: India (opens in a new tab)
- CSC: Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- British Council: GREAT Scholarships India (opens in a new tab)
- University of Manchester: Global Futures Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- University of Glasgow: Global Leadership Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Felix Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- K.C. Mahindra Education Trust (opens in a new tab)
- J N Tata Endowment (opens in a new tab)
- Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (opens in a new tab)
Researched on 26 Oct 2026. Scholarship values, eligibility and deadlines change every year; always confirm on the official page before you apply.