Top 5 UK Scholarships for International Students in 2021-22

Due to the reputation of its universities globally and the quality of education they offer, the UK is considered one of the most desirable study destinations among international students.

Among others, international students aiming to pursue their studies in the UK can benefit from numerous scholarships, provided by both the government and universities itself, Erudera reports.

According to Study International, one in four leaders in the world has completed his/her studies in the United Kingdom, including 58 out of 377.

Here’s a list of some UK scholarships offered to students for the academic year 2021-22:

1. Chevening Scholarships

The UK government’s global programme, otherwise Chevening scholarships, are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and are granted to excellent students along with partner organizations.

The group of receivers is chosen by the British embassies across the world. More than 50,000 professionals have pursued studies in the UK through Chevening Scholarships.

Grants are mainly given for a one-year master’s degree, and the scholarship covers tuition fees, living allowance, a return airfare to the United Kingdom as well as additional funding to cover the essential costs.

 2. Scotland Saltire Scholarships

Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships are provided from the Scottish government, in cooperation with the Scottish universities. Students who can benefit from these scholarships are mainly nationals of Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan and USA and who are interested in studying a full-time Master degree at Scottish universities.

The awards are provided for the following majors:

• Science
• Technology
• Creative industries
• Healthcare and Medical sciences
• Renewable and Clean energy

The amount of scholarship is worth £8000 and covers tuition fees for 1-year full-time studies.

3. Commonwealth Scholarships

Since 1960 when the first group of 175 scholars arrived in the UK, a total of 27, 800 people have benefited from the Commonwealth Scholarships so far.

These scholarships which are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) are provided to applicants from developing commonwealth countries who are interested in pursuing master studies in the UK as the scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses, PhD or other.

Every scholarship covers the travel costs to and from the UK, tuition and examination fees, personal allowance, arrival allowance and a thesis grant if it is applicable.

Awards are mostly offered to students who are enrolled in the following majors:   

• Engineering and Technology  
• Theoretical and Applied Science
• Agriculture
• Humanities
• Social Sciences

4. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

These types of scholarships are offered by the University of Cambridge, which is known as one of the best universities worldwide for those who are interested in enrolling in full-time postgraduate study at the university.

Every year, the Gates Cambridge provides a total of 80 full costs scholarships to the best applicants from countries outside the United Kingdom who want to pursue a postgraduate degree in any major offered by the University of Cambridge.

Two-thirds of these scholarships will be granted to PhD students, with a total of 25 awards during the US round and 55 during the international round.

5. Rhodes Scholarship

Founded in 1902 and known as the oldest scholarship worldwide, the Rhodes Scholarship is provided to postgraduate students interested in studying at the University of Oxford.

100 exceptional students benefit from these scholarships every year, which cover all tuition fees and return airfare to the UK.

Scholarships are provided in 22 designated Rhodes constituencies aiming to build on scholar qualities through retreats during the first two years, conferences, workshops, social and discussion events held at Rhodes House.