Costs and funding
UK scholarships for Indian students: a realistic guide
Scholarship information online is often outdated or exaggerated. This guide focuses on major schemes with official sources and explains how to decide where your effort is best spent.
- Written by
- Devanka Pathak
- Reviewed by
- Devanka Pathak
- Published
- Last reviewed
Quick answer
Can Indian students get scholarships for a UK Master's?
Yes, but most scholarships are partial and competitive. University scholarships commonly reduce tuition by a fixed amount, while a small number of national schemes such as Chevening and Commonwealth Master's Scholarships can cover much more but select very few candidates. Plan a budget that works without a scholarship, then treat any award as a bonus.
Last reviewed: 11 September 2026. Fees, visa rules and deadlines change. Check the official sources listed below before making decisions.
Key facts
- Chevening
- Two years' work experience (2,800 hours) and a commitment to return home for two years
- Commonwealth Master's
- India is eligible; applications go through nominating bodies
- GREAT Scholarships
- £10,000 towards tuition for selected one-year taught courses (2026–27)
- University awards
- Usually partial tuition discounts with their own criteria
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government's international scholarship programme for one-year Master's study. According to Chevening's eligibility criteria, applicants must be citizens of an eligible country, hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK Master's, have at least two years' work experience (equivalent to 2,800 hours) and commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after the award. Applicants must apply to three eligible UK courses and hold an unconditional offer from one by the programme deadline.
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK offers Master's scholarships for citizens of eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, and India is on the list. The CSC does not accept direct applications: candidates apply through a nominating body. For awards starting in September 2027, the CSC lists benefits including approved return airfare, full tuition fees and a monthly stipend of £1,712 (£2,000 in London), and requires at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent and that candidates could not otherwise afford UK study.
GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and participating universities. For 2026–27, awards for Indian students provided £10,000 towards tuition fees for one-year taught postgraduate courses at a set list of universities. The participating universities and subjects change each year, so check the British Council's current page before planning around a GREAT award.
University scholarships
| Type | How it typically works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic discount | Applied to eligible international students who meet criteria | Whether it requires an early deposit or a minimum grade |
| Merit scholarship | Competitive, based on academic record and sometimes an essay | Deadline, selection criteria and award value |
| Subject or department award | Linked to particular courses or research areas | Whether you must apply separately |
A sensible scholarship strategy
- Build a budget that works without any scholarship.
- Identify the one or two national schemes you are genuinely eligible for, and invest properly in those applications.
- Check university awards for every course on your shortlist and note their deadlines.
- Never pay anyone to apply for a scholarship on your behalf, and be wary of promises of guaranteed funding.
Frequently asked questions
Do scholarships cover living costs?
Most university scholarships only reduce tuition. Fully funded schemes such as Commonwealth Master's Scholarships include a stipend, but they are highly competitive.
Can I use a scholarship as evidence of funds for my visa?
Official financial sponsorship can count towards the funds requirement in some cases. Check GOV.UK's current rules on money and financial sponsorship before relying on it.
Sources
- Chevening Scholarships: eligibility — Chevening, checked 11 September 2026
- Commonwealth Master's Scholarships — Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, checked 11 September 2026
- GREAT Scholarships India — British Council, checked 11 September 2026
- Student visa: money you need — GOV.UK, checked 11 September 2026
How this guidance was written
Written by Devanka Pathak. Devanka holds a PhD in Creative Computing from Bath Spa University, an MPhil in Gravitational Physics from Cardiff University and an MSc in Physics from Tezpur University, and has taught in UK higher education. Facts are checked against the official sources listed above and reviewed before publication. This page is general guidance, not immigration or legal advice, and does not guarantee any admission or visa outcome. Read our editorial standards.
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