For decades, the United Kingdom (UK) has been one of the top choices for international students who aspire to gain a world-class education. The UK is a home to various legendary institutions like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University of Edinburgh, offers degrees that are globally recognized and open doors to career opportunities across the world.
The UK provides not just education but a cutting-edge research facilities to a multicultural environment,complete academic and cultural experience. However, studying Master’s degree in the UK can be very expensive for many international students.
Tuition fees for Master’s programs can range from £15,000 to £35,000 per year, and when you add living expenses in cities like London, the cost becomes overwhelming. This financial burden often forces talented students to either give up on their dream or take heavy student loans.
That’s where fully funded scholarships in UK for masters come in as a life-changing opportunity. Every year, the UK government, various leading universities, and many international organizations offer hundreds of scholarships that cover:
- Full or partial tuition fees
- Monthly stipends for living costs
- Accommodation charges
- Travel allowance & airfare
- Health insurance and other essentials
Another advantage of choosing the UK for your Master’s degree is the shorter duration of programs. Most Master’s courses in the UK are just one year long, compared to two years in many other countries. This means you save both time and costs, while still earning a degree that is highly respected worldwide.
Additionally, if you study in UK you will receive offers exposure to diverse cultures, access to global research facilities, and countless opportunities to build international networks.
In this article, we’ll explore the top fully funded scholarships in UK for masters, their benefits, eligibility, and the application process to help you start your academic journey in the UK with confidence.
Let’s first understand why students choose to study in UK for higher studies.
Why Choose the UK for Higher Studies?
Choosing where to pursue higher education is one of the most important decisions in a student’s life. It will shape your future career. The United Kingdom (UK) consistently ranks among the top destinations for international students because of its academic excellence, global recognition, cultural diversity, and career opportunities.
Here are the key reasons why studying Master’s in the UK is a smart investment for your future:
World-Class Universities and Academic Excellence
The UK is home to some of the oldest and most respected universities in the world, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), and the University of Edinburgh.
These institutions consistently rank among the top 10–50 in global university rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.
Globally Recognized Degrees
A Master’s degree from a UK university is recognized and respected globally.
Shorter Duration of Degrees
One of the biggest advantages of studying in the UK is the shorter course duration compared to many other countries.
Master’s degrees are usually 1 year (instead of 2).
This means students save both time and money while still receiving a high-quality education.
Apart from that UK universities more other benefits like:
- Cutting-Edge Research
- Diversity & Global Exposure
- Rich Cultural and Historical Experience
- Access to Prestigious Scholarships
List of fully funded scholarships in UK for masters
The United Kingdom offers a wide range of fully funded scholarships for Master’s degrees every year, helping talented students from around the world achieve their academic and professional dreams. These scholarships are designed to remove financial barriers by covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other allowances, making it possible for international students to study at some of the UK’s most prestigious universities.
Here is the list of top fully funded scholarships in UK for masters degree study:
Chevening Scholarship
- UK Government’s flagship scholarship for future leaders to pursue a one-year Master’s.
- Eligibility: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries, Bachelor’s degree, 2 years’ work experience, commitment to return home.
- Level: Master’s (1 year)
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, visa, allowances.
- Institution: Any eligible UK university
- Apply Link: Chevening Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for exceptional international students.
- Eligibility: Non-UK citizens applying to Cambridge for Master’s/PhD; academic excellence & leadership required.
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage: Tuition, £21,000 stipend, airfare, visa, health surcharge, family allowance.
- Institution: University of Cambridge
- Apply Link: Gates Cambridge
Clarendon Scholarship (Oxford University)
- Prestigious scholarship for graduate students at Oxford, awarded on academic excellence.
- Eligibility: International & UK students applying to Oxford for Master’s or DPhil.
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition, generous living stipend.
- Institution: University of Oxford
- Apply Link: Clarendon Oxford
Commonwealth Scholarship (Queen Elizabeth)
- Description: UK Government program for students from Commonwealth countries.
- Eligibility: Must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country, strong academic record.
- Level: Full-time Master’s Degree (2 Years)
- Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living allowance, study travel grant.
- Institution: Selected UK universities
- Apply Link: Commonwealth Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford University)
- One of the world’s oldest and most prestigious scholarships for exceptional students.
- Eligibility: International students (specific countries), aged 18–28, strong academics & leadership.
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage: Tuition, living stipend (£18,180/year), airfare.
- Institution: University of Oxford
- Apply Link: Rhodes Scholarship
Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship
- Fully funded scholarship for high-achieving international PhD students.
- Eligibility: Outstanding academic record, applying for full-time PhD at Imperial.
- Level: PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition, £25,150 stipend/year, consumables fund.
- Institution: Imperial College London
- Apply Link: Imperial PhD Scholarship
University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships
- Description: Scholarships for international students at the University of Edinburgh.
- Eligibility: Non-UK citizens, academic excellence, admission to Edinburgh.
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage: Full/partial tuition + living support (varies by program).
- Institution: University of Edinburgh
- Apply Link: Edinburgh Global Scholarships
Bristol University Think Big Scholarships
- Description: University of Bristol initiative for outstanding international students.
- Eligibility: Non-UK citizens, applying for undergraduate or postgraduate study at Bristol.
- Level: Undergraduate & Master’s
- Coverage: £5,000–£20,000 tuition fee waiver.
- Institution: University of Bristol
- Apply Link: Think Big Scholarships
University of Westminster International Scholarships
- Description: Full scholarships for students from developing countries.
- Eligibility: International students from developing nations, financial need, academic merit.
- Level: Undergraduate & Master’s
- Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, living costs, flights.
- Institution: University of Westminster
- Apply Link: Westminster Scholarships
Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship
- Fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing a Master’s or MBA at the University of Oxford. Only five scholarships awarded each year.
- Eligibility: International students with admission to Oxford Master’s/MBA programs; strong academics and leadership.
- Level: Master’s / MBA
- Coverage: Full tuition + £15,285/year living allowance
- Institution: University of Oxford
- Apply Link: Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship
General Documents Required for UK Master’s Scholarship Applications
- Official records of transcripts from your previous studies (Bachelor’s degree).
- Degree Certificates as proof of completion of your undergraduate degree.
- Updated CV / Resume by highlighting academic achievements, work experience, and extracurricular activities.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Motivation Letter
- Recommendation Letters
- Research Proposal required only for research-based programs (mostly PhD or some specialized Master’s).
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Valid international passport for identification purposes.
- Portfolio / Work Samples (if needed)
Things you need to keep in mind
Applying for UK scholarships requires careful planning. Follow these steps:
- Find scholarships that match your academic goals and according to your university interest.
- Each scholarship has unique requirements. So check each of their eligibility properly.
- Prepare Documents as required for the application as mentioned above.
- Some scholarships require IELTS/TOEFL, while others waive it.
- Always apply before Deadlines because the late applications are not accepted.
- Some scholarships like Chevening require interviews. So prepare for the interview also.
Final Thoughts
In this blog post, we shared almost 11 fully funded scholarships in UK for masters that you can choose. Each of them has different timeline of application and their application process is also different. So prepare accordingly.
Pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK is a life-changing opportunity, and fully funded scholarships make it possible for talented international students to achieve this dream without financial stress.
From prestigious government programs like Chevening to top university awards like Clarendon and Oxford Pershing Square, there are numerous options to support your academic journey.
Just you have to show more dedicated and focused while prepareing for these scholarships. These can open the door to world-class education, global exposure, and a brighter career future.