UK Scholarships for Indian Students: A Complete Guide to Fully Funded Opportunities

To pursue your education overseas, especially in the United Kingdom has remained a dream for many Indian students due to their unmatched universities, diverse culture, and internationally acclaimed education system. But the cost of studying especially in the UK can be high hence posing a problem. To make this dream more achievable, all universities, organizations and governments of the UK provide fully funded scholarships for Indian students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In this blog, we will discuss all the different types of possibilities of 100 per cent scholarships and fully funded scholarships for Indian students who would like to pursue undergraduate and Master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. Whether it is the most civilized government scholarships for international students or the best program at individual universities, this guide is going to let you in on all the best options that you have.

Why Study in the UK?

Before diving into the scholarships, let’s explore why the UK remains a top destination for higher education:

1. Global Recognition: UK degrees are internationally recognized, which can significantly boost career prospects.
2. World-Class Universities: Home to institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College, the UK consistently ranks among the top in global education rankings.
3. Diverse Learning Environment: Students in the UK benefit from a multicultural environment that enriches their academic and social experience.
4. Cutting-Edge Research: With access to world-class research facilities and teaching methodologies, students have the opportunity to contribute to leading-edge research.

Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students

1. Chevening Scholarships
 

The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious UK government scholarship that provides fully funded opportunities for Indian students to pursue a one-year master's degree at any UK university. It covers:

• Tuition fees

• Monthly stipend
• Travel costs to and from the UK
• An allowance for arrival
• A homeward departure allowance
• The cost of one visa application

• A travel grant to attend Chevening events

Eligibility:

• Must have an undergraduate degree

• At least two years of work experience

• A strong academic background and leadership potential

This scholarship is highly competitive and is aimed at future leaders who will return to India and contribute to its development.

Website: www.chevening.org

2. Commonwealth Scholarships
 

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers a range of scholarships for students from Commonwealth countries, including India. These scholarships are available for both master's and PhD programs. The Commonwealth Scholarships are fully funded and cover:

• Full tuition fees

• Travel to and from the UK
• Stipend to cover living expenses

• Other allowances (e.g., thesis costs, warm clothing allowance)

Eligibility:

• Must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country (India included)

• Must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) standard or a relevant postgraduate qualification

• Proven academic merit and development potential

The Commonwealth scholarships aim to provide opportunities for talented individuals to acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development in their home countries.

Website: www.study-uk.britishcouncil.org

3. Rhodes Scholarship
 

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarship programs, offering fully funded opportunities to study at the University of Oxford. It covers:

• All tuition fees

• A living stipend (£17,310 per annum)
• Travel expenses to and from Oxford

• Visa fees

Eligibility:

• Indian students between 19 to 25 years old

• Must have completed an undergraduate degree with a first-class or equivalent distinction

• Strong leadership potential and commitment to public service

With an exceptional academic track record and leadership qualities, Rhodes scholars often go on to make significant contributions in their fields.

Website: www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

4. GREAT Scholarships
 

The GREAT Scholarships program offers scholarships to Indian students for a variety of postgraduate courses. Funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and British Council, these scholarships cover up to £10,000 towards tuition fees and are available for various subject areas, including engineering, law, and business studies.

Eligibility:

• Indian students applying for a one-year postgraduate program in a UK university

• Proven academic excellence

• Strong motivation and plans for the future

While not fully funded, the GREAT Scholarships are an excellent opportunity to cover a significant portion of tuition costs.

Website: www.britishcouncil.in

5. Felix Scholarships
 

Felix Scholarships are available for Indian students who wish to pursue postgraduate degrees (master’s or PhD) at universities such as the University of Oxford, University of Reading, and SOAS University of London. The scholarship covers:

• 100% of tuition fees

• Full living expenses

• A return flight from India to the UK

Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian national and domiciled in India

• Should have a first-class degree from an Indian university

• Demonstrate financial need

The Felix Scholarship is aimed at academically gifted students who otherwise could not afford to study abroad.

Website: www.felixscholarship.org

6. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
 

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation offers scholarships to outstanding Indian students to study at top universities in the UK. These scholarships are primarily available for master’s and PhD programs and can cover:

• Full tuition fees

• Living expenses

• One-way travel allowance

Eligibility:

• Indian students under the age of 30

• Must have secured admission to a leading institution in the UK

• Demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities

The Inlaks scholarships are highly competitive and seek to reward students with a proven track record of excellence.

Website: www.cranfield.ac.uk

Other University-Specific Scholarships

In addition to government and foundation scholarships, many UK universities offer fully funded or partial scholarships for Indian students. Some notable ones include:

• University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarship: Open to all applicants for graduate study at Oxford, covering full tuition and a generous living allowance.

• University of Cambridge Gates Cambridge Scholarship: Fully funded scholarship for postgraduate study, covering all costs including tuition, living expenses, and airfare.

• Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a generous stipend to exceptional PhD candidates.

These university-specific scholarships typically require strong academic achievements and may have specific eligibility criteria.

How to Apply for UK Scholarships?

1. Research: To start with, you should find out several scholarships according to the type of scholarship you meet the requirements. Check official websites and university web pages for information.
2. Prepare Documents: These include the Academic Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation and IELTS/ TOEFL scores for most, if not all scholarships.
3. Meet Deadlines: The scholarships provided by UK Universities are very competitive and the timelines for the submissions are generally rigid. It is crucial to submit your applications ahead of time to avoid major problems before the deadline is due.
4. Highlight Leadership and Community Engagement: Most of the UK scholarships look for leadership qualities and community activities as the requirements. These qualities should be brought out as your strengths when applying.
5. Seek Guidance: You can ask mentors, professors or career counsellors who will be in a better position to assist you if you have any questions regarding the application process.

Conclusion 

Overall education in the UK is most beneficial for the students, but the crucial problem that always stands in front of the Indian students is the financial problem. Fortunately, there are so many scholarships awarded to students so that academically talented, leadership, and financially struggling students can fulfil their dreams. When aiming for a specific government grant or a scholarship granted by a particular university, one must work hard and prepare well to succeed at winning a fully funded opportunity to study in the UK.

If you want to pursue education in one of the most popular countries for international students, you shouldn’t worry about the lack of funds. You must utilize these scholarships and get closer to your academic and professional dreams.