In 2024, over 55,000 students from India enrolled in UK universities, making India one of the UK’s largest international student markets. The UK remains one of the top destinations due to excellent career opportunities. However, the cost of studying in the UK can be high, with annual tuition fees ranging between £ 10,000 and £ 38,000 (around INR 10-38 lakh) and living expenses of around £ 12,000- £ 15,000 per year.
Several UK scholarships for Indian students are available, including fully funded government programs and tuition waivers by top universities. This guide will explore the top UK scholarships for Indian students in 2025, including eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
Latest Updates:
Chavening Scholarships- Applications to be closed on 7th October 2025.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships- The nomination deadline is December 2025.
Clarendon Fund (University of Oxford): The Deadline is based on the respective course application dates between December 2025 and January 2026.
Top UK Scholarships for Indian Students- An Overview
Some of the top UK scholarships for Indian students are as follows:
Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship is a fully funded UK government award designed for exceptional students from around 160 countries, including India. It enables recipients to pursue any one-year master’s program in the UK, which fosters future global leaders with academic excellence and leadership potential.
Detail
Information
Offered By
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Level
1 year master’s
Coverage
Full tuition, ~£ 1,300 monthly stipend, airfare, and more
Eligibility
Indian citizen, UG degree, 2+ years of work experience, as well as a leadership record
Application Window
August to Early November
Scholarship Value
₹45- 50 lakh (varies by university and location)
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
It is a fully funded opportunity for students from Commonwealth nations, including India, to study in the UK.
Detail
Information
Offered by
UK FCDO through CSC and India’s MHRD
Level
Master’s and PhD
Coverage
Full tuition
Eligibility
Indian citizen, admission offer, 60-65% marks
Application Window
August-October
Scholarship Value
₹60-₹ 70 lakh
GREAT Scholarships
It is a merit-based UK award funded jointly by the British Council and participating universities.
Detail
Information
Offered by
British Council & 70+ UK Universities
Level
Master’s (1 year)
Coverage
£ 10,000 tuition discount
Eligibility
Indian citizen, strong UG performance
Application Window
January- May
Scholarship Value
Covers 25-50% of tuition fees
Rhodes Scholarship
It is one of the world’s most prestigious postgraduate scholarships, available for exceptional students from select countries, including India, to study at the University of Oxford.
Detail
Information
Offered by
Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford
Level
Master’s or DPhil
Coverage
Full Tuition, £ 19,092 annual stipend, flights, and health
Eligibility
Indian citizens aged 19-25 with a first-class UG degree
Application Window
June-August 2025
Scholarship Value
₹ 70- ₹ 75 lakh for 2 years
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a fully funded international award for pursuing postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge.
Detail
Information
Offered by
Gates Cambridge Trust, University of Cambridge
Level
Master’s or PhD
Coverage
Full tuition, £ 20,000/ year
Eligibility
Non-UK citizen, Indian national, excellent academics
Application Window
September- Early December
Scholarship Value
₹ 70- ₹ 80
Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
The scholarships support early—to mid-career Indian professionals in the arts, heritage, and humanities who wish to pursue short-term study, training, or research in the UK.
Detail
Information
Offered by
CWIT & British Council
Level
Short-term research, fellowships
Coverage
Tuition, airfare, and living costs
Eligibility
Indian citizens aged 28-38 with relevant professional experience
Application Window
September/October- December
Scholarship Value
₹ 8- ₹12 lakh depending on duration and program type
Clarendon Fund Scholarships
It is a fully funded scholarship program at the University of Oxford, offering around 150 new awards annually to academically outstanding students.
Detail
Information
Offered by
University of Oxford
Level
Master’s and DPhil/PhD
Coverage
Full tuition, £18,800/year
Eligibility
Academic excellence in Oxford postgraduate application
Application Window
December- January (dependent on course)
Scholarship value
₹ 60- ₹ 70 lakh overall
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships are merit-based awards emphasizing unique disciplines not widely offered in India.
Detail
Information
Offered by
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
Level
Master’s (specific disciplines)
Coverage
Tuition, living expenses, one-way flight
Eligibility
Indian citizens under 30, first-class UG degree
Application window
January- March
Scholarship
Upto ₹ 83 lakh total
Scotland Saltire Scholarships
The Scotland Saltire Scholarships are based on merit and offered by the Scottish Government in partnership with Scottish universities. They target Indian students pursuing one-year master’s degrees in priority fields, including technology, healthcare, and renewable resources.
Detail
Information
Offered by
Scottish Government & Scottish Universities
Level
One-year Master’s
Coverage
£8,000 tuition support
Eligibility
Indian citizen, Scottish university admission, priority subjects
Application Window
Early Spring- End of May
Scholarship Value
₹ 7 lakh tuition fee coverage
Top University- Specific Scholarships for Indian Students in UK
University & Scholarship
Coverage
Imperial College London- President’s PhD
Full tuition + £ 25,150/ year stipend
Imperial College London- Imperial Excellence (MBA
Partial tuition ( ₹ 10-15 lakh)
London School of Economics- Graduate Support Scheme
Need-based tuition support (up to ₹ 20-25 lakh)
London School of Economics- Undergraduate Support Scheme
Partial tuition living expense grant
University of Warwick- Chancellor’s International
Full tuition + stipend (PhD)
University of Warwick- Global Excellence
Upto full tuition (UG)
University of Manchester- Global Futures
Up to £ 6,000
University of Manchester- Equity & Merit
Full tuition+ living+ travel
Eligibility Criteria for UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2025
Most UK scholarships for Indian students combine academic excellence, leadership, potential, financial need, and English proficiency.
Criteria
Requirements
Academic Qualifications
Strong grades- 85+ for UG, first class for PG/Phd applicants
English proficiency
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 or TOEFL iBT: 90-100+ (varies by scholarship)
University offer
Should hold a conditional/ unconditional offer from a UK university
Work on Research Experience
2-5 years of relevant experience for PG/PhD
SOP
Clear goals, achievements as well as reasons for studying in the UK
LOR
1-3 academic or professional references for highlighting merit and potential.
How to Apply for UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2025?
Shortlist Scholarships: Visit official universities and UK government websites to find scholarships that match your course, university, and academic records.
Apply to a UK university: Most scholarships require a conditional or unconditional offer. Apply early- ideally 9-12 months before intake.
Prepare Essential Documents: Collect your academic transcripts, including SOP, LOR, resume, and English proficiency test scores.
Submit Scholarship Applications: Some scholarships are automatic with university admission offerings, while others require a separate online application.
Attend Interviews (if any): Prestigious scholarships like Chevening include interviews for assessing leadership and goals.
Track Results and Accept Offer: Once selected, promptly confirm the offer, complete admission formalities, and apply for your UK student visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can an Indian student get a scholarship to study in the UK?
Indian students can secure UK scholarships through academic excellence, strong SOP, LORs, meeting English proficiency requirements, and applying to government, university, or foundation-funded programs like Chevening, Commonwealth, or GREAT Scholarships.
Is there a 100% scholarship to study in the UK?
Yes, fully-funded scholarships like Chevening, Commonwealth, Rhodes, and Clarendon cover full tuition, living expenses, airfare, and visa fees for eligible Indian students pursuing master’s or PhD programs.
Which country gives 100% scholarships for Indian students?
Countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia offer 100% scholarships to Indian students through government, university, or private-funded programs based on merit, leadership, and financial need.
What is the 7,000-pound scholarship?
The £7,000 scholarship typically refers to merit-based tuition support offered by some UK universities, including GREAT Scholarships, helping Indian students cover partial tuition fees for postgraduate studies.
Who is eligible for a 48,000 scholarship?
Indian students with strong academic records, leadership skills, and a confirmed UK university offer may qualify for scholarships like Chevening or Commonwealth, which can total approximately £48,000 (~INR 45–50 lakh).
Which country is best for a full free scholarship?
Countries like Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are top for fully-funded scholarships for Indian students, covering tuition, living costs, and offering quality education with minimal financial burden.
Is 20 lakhs enough to study abroad?
Yes, INR 20 lakh (~£20,000) can cover tuition and living for 1–2 years in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, or Germany, depending on university choice and lifestyle.
How can I get a Tata scholarship?
The Tata Scholarship is for Indian students with excellent academics and leadership potential, applying to supported universities like Cornell. Eligibility includes merit, financial need, and acceptance at the university.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates, tips, and success stories.
Fill the details below
Fill the details below to download
How to Avail Scholarship
It is a simple 3-step process
Step 1
Upload supporting document(s)
Step 2
Receive a waiver code within 1 hr*
Step 3
Apply waiver code while filling the enrolment form
1. We will send you a coupon code for the applicable waiver within 1 working
hr* between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.(in case you do not receive any reply, kindly check your
junk and spam folder). Post 7:30 p.m. you will receive the coupon code the next working day.
2. Please apply the waiver code while filling the online enrolment form.
3. Please do not make the payment without applying/availing the coupon code.
If this is not followed, no refund will be provided for the extra fee paid with respect to the
applicable waiver.
4. Waiver policy and Prices are subject to change without prior notice and no
refund will be provided under any circumstances.
5. At any time, you can avail only ONE of the below 5 scholarships.
6. Also, you cannot combine the scholarships with any other offers/ waivers
offered by IMS at the time of enrolment.
7. In case you are eligible for multiple scholarships/offers/waivers at the
same time, the offer that gives you the maximum discount will be considered.
Fill the details below
Your Estimated Score
Note:
Your profile consists of multiple parameters, including academics, aptitude test scores
(GMAT/GRE/SAT), work experience, extracurricular activities (sports, leadership roles), and
statement of purpose
(SOP). Each factor has its own weightage.
Academics is just one of the many factors considered in the overall evaluation.
The above score is an indicative profile score based solely on academic performance and is
not the final score.
The final assessment varies from university to university and program to program.
You can reach out to our expert counselors for a thorough evaluation of your profile.
