Top 10 UK Scholarships for Indian Students

Are you looking for scholarships for Indian students? The United Kingdom is one of the most popular study destinations due to its cultural heritage and top-notch education quality. The universities here like Oxford University, Imperial College London, King’s College London, etc. are recognised worldwide. Getting a UK degree can turn your career to blossom. However, the cost of higher education in the UK is high, so it’s always ideal to study in the UK with scholarships. This guidance aims to help you find the best UK scholarships for Indian students.

What do the UK scholarships cover?

Most UK scholarships for Indian students give a discount on tuition fees, but some also help with things like living costs, plane tickets, and visa fees. These scholarships are given to students who do well academically and have a good background. The British Council and other groups manage these scholarship programs and other kinds of financial help.

Popular intakes to study in the UK

The intake to study in the UK can be classified into two categories. Such as-

• Major Intake
• Minor Intake

Major Intake	Minor Intake
September	January, February, March, July and November

What are the eligibility criterias for a scholarship in the UK for Indian students?

Though different scholarships require different eligibility criteria for international students, here are some basic eligibility criteria for UK scholarships for Indian students.

You need to do sufficient research on the university and program you want to go to. Look for scholarships and grants offered by your country or the government. Scholarships based on how well you do in school are very hard to get, so apply early. You should have better-than-average grades and a really good overall profile. Start your application 8 to 12 months before the scholarship deadline.

10 best UK scholarships for Indian students

If you’re an Indian student who really wants to study more in the United Kingdom, you’re in the right place online. UK scholarships for Indian students can be given based on how well you’ve done in school if you need the money, or if it’s for a specific student or course. Here are the 10 best UK scholarships for Indian students. 

• Chevening Scholarships
• Felix Scholarships
• A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship
• Rhodes Scholarships
• Commonwealth Scholarship
• Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
• Inlaks Scholarships
• British Council GREAT Scholarships
• Goa Education Trust Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarship is a program by the UK Government that helps people from other countries study in the UK. It’s paid for by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other groups. This scholarship gives money to cover expenses for a one-year Master’s degree in the UK. It’s worth up to £18,000 (which is about INR 17.8 lakh) and helps with things like tuition fees, visa costs, and living and travel expenses. It is one of the most popular UK scholarships for Indian students for master’s.

Eligibility criteria for Chevening scholarships

• To get the Chevening Scholarship, you must be from a country or place that’s eligible for it.
• You also need to finish your bachelor’s degree and have worked for two years.
• You have to apply to three different universities in the UK that qualify for the scholarship and get accepted into at least one of them.

Felix Scholarships

The Felix Scholarship helps smart students from poor backgrounds in India and other developing countries study for a master’s degree in the UK. You can only get this scholarship if you’re going to study at one of three universities: Oxford University, Reading University, or the School of Oriental and African Studies (part of the University of London).

Eligibility criteria for Felix scholarships

• If you’re from India, you need to have a really good bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university. 
• If you’re not from India or a European country, you also need a top-notch bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, and your chosen university has to recommend you.

A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships

The Hornby Scholarship Program started in 1961 to celebrate A.S. Hornby, who made the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. This program gives scholarships to English Language Teaching (ELT) professionals from developing countries who want to do their master’s degree in the UK.

Eligibility criteria for A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships

• To apply, you need to have finished university and worked as an English teacher for three years full-time. 
• You also need to be good enough at English as required by the university.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters program is made by universities around the world working together. It’s for students who are doing their master’s degree. This UK scholarship for Indian students pays for things like tuition fees, books, labs, living expenses, and other small costs.

Eligibility criteria for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship

• To apply, you need to have finished your bachelor’s degree or be in your final year and graduate before starting your postgraduate studies. 
• If you have learning equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, you can also apply, but it has to be officially recognized.

Rhodes Scholarships

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest UK scholarships for Indian students, starting in 1902. It supports bright students from everywhere to study at Oxford University by giving them a fully paid opportunity for postgraduate studies.

Eligibility criteria for Rhodes scholarship

• You must be an Indian citizen
• You need to have gone to school in India for at least 4 to 10 years. 
• You also need to be within the age limit set by the Rhodes Trust.

Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth scholarships are really popular in the UK. They’re offered by the governments of 53 countries in the Commonwealth to students from those countries. These scholarships started in 1959, and they’ve helped over 3000 students so far. This is one of the most popular UK scholarships for Indian students.

Eligibility criteria for Commonwealth Scholarship

• You must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country. 
• You also need to be under 40 years old and attend an interview in New Delhi if you’re chosen as a finalist.

Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships

The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship is started by St. John’s College at the University of Cambridge. It’s given to smart students who want to do a PhD in subjects like economics, science, technology, and social sciences. It is one of the most prestigious UK scholarships for Indian students in PhD programs.

Eligibility criteria for Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships

• You must be aged below 35. 
• You need to have a master’s degree from a known university in India, with excellent grades. 
• You should show leadership skills through your job experience and what you write about yourself. 
• You also need to have good speaking and writing ability in English.

Inlaks Scholarships

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Fellowship is one of the best UK scholarships for Indian students. This scholarship is awarded to students who want to pursue master’s, M. Phil, or doctoral degree courses in the UK or USA.

Eligibility Criteria for Inlaks Scholarships

• You must be younger than 30 years old. 
• You need to have top grades from a known university in India. 
• Also, you should have lived in India for the last six months when you apply for the scholarship.

British Council GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT scholarship is supported by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council. Next year (2023-24), 25 scholarships will be given to Indian students by UK universities for their chosen courses. Each scholarship is worth at least £10,000, which covers tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course. 

Eligibility criteria for British Council GREAT Scholarships

• Applicants should be an Indian citizen.
• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree with some work experience.

Goa Education Trust Scholarships

This UK scholarship for Indian students is specially for merit-based master’s students. This scholarship is a great opportunity for students from Goa to get their master’s degrees or research fellowships in any UK university. The Indian British Council manages this scholarship, and they pick students based on their qualifications and how well they do.

Eligibility criteria for Goa Education Trust Scholarships

• Applicants must be an Indian citizen and aged under 30.
• Applicants must hold an Indian undergraduate degree.

Can Indian students get a fully funded scholarship in the UK?

Yes, Indian students can potentially secure fully funded scholarships to study in the UK. Fully funded scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes other costs such as travel and health insurance. Chevening scholarship is one of the fully funded UK scholarships for Indian students. This scholarship gives money to cover expenses for a one-year Master’s degree in the UK.

How to get scholarships to study in the UK from India?

The United Kingdom provides different scholarships for Indian students. Here are some tips to get UK scholarships for Indian students.

• Get started early: Begin looking into scholarship options before the deadline. Often, applications open before the admission process. Check if you meet the requirements.
• Score well: Doing well in your studies is crucial for getting a scholarship. Aim for at least 80-85% in your Bachelor’s degree. Work hard to build a strong academic record.
• Apply to many scholarships: There are numerous scholarships available in the UK, and you might qualify for some of them. Apply to as many scholarships as you can. You might receive at least one scholarship.
• Understand the rules: Make sure you understand the procedures and requirements for the scholarship programs you’re interested in. Follow the guidelines carefully when applying.

Final words

We’ve provided a list of UK scholarships for Indian students. You can pick the best option for you. These scholarships cover various programs like Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, and PhD. We’ve also included some tips to help you secure these scholarships as an Indian student. However, if you face any difficulties in choosing the best scholarship, you can always contact AIMS Education.

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