August 19, 2025 
One of the most prominent questions for Indian students who want to study in UK is how to keep up with the investment cost incurred. The total cost of studying in UK from India is tuition fee, living cost, accommodation cost, and other expenses. Fortunately, a strong scholarships for Indian students to study in UK is to reduce this amount to a large extent. Government and private-funded scholarships provide assistance to students at different levels of study—from undergraduate to PhD level.
Understanding the range of scholarships to study in UK is crucial so that you make informed decisions on how to fund your studies. The scholarships are established to recognize academic merit, leadership, community engagement, and sometimes fields of specialization. In case you are still wondering why study in UK, having these scholarships helps make the UK a top choice for higher education.
Government Scholarships: Supporting Indian Students to Study in UK
1. Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious UK government scholarships available to Indian students. It offers fully-funded opportunities to pursue one-year master’s degrees in nearly any discipline at any UK university. This scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly stipends for living costs, travel expenses, and additional allowances.
For Indian students looking at study in UK after 12th or postgraduate levels, Chevening is a prime example of government support for academic excellence and leadership. It encourages recipients to contribute to their home countries after completing their studies.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to Indian postgraduate students through the UK government’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. They cover full tuition, airfare, and living allowances for eligible candidates pursuing master’s or doctoral studies.
Many Indian students aiming to study in UK for Indian students through postgraduate courses find Commonwealth Scholarships highly competitive but rewarding. This scholarship focuses on students committed to making an impact in their communities.
3. GREAT Scholarships
The GREAT Scholarship program, a joint initiative by the British Council and UK universities, targets high-demand fields such as business, STEM, and social sciences. It offers partial tuition fee waivers, typically ranging between £10,000 and £15,000, easing the financial pressure on Indian students.
The GREAT Scholarships support the UK’s objective to attract bright international talent and foster academic collaboration. For those considering best courses to study in UK, this scholarship offers a significant financial advantage.
University-Specific and Private Scholarships for Indian Students
Many leading UK universities have their own scholarship programs tailored specifically for Indian students. These scholarships often cover partial or full tuition fees and sometimes include living cost support.
1. University of Oxford India Scholarships
Oxford offers multiple scholarships for Indian students, including the Oxford India Scholarship, which helps cover tuition and living expenses. This scholarship targets students demonstrating exceptional academic results and leadership potential.
This is one of the most sought-after scholarships for Indian students planning to study in UK universities at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
2. University of Cambridge Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is globally recognized and highly competitive. It fully funds postgraduate Indian students, covering tuition, maintenance, travel, and other expenses. It focuses on leadership and academic excellence, supporting students who aim to make a difference globally.
For Indian students questioning why to study in UK, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship represents one of the best financial and academic opportunities.
3. Imperial College London Scholarships
Imperial College offers scholarships such as the Imperial College PhD Scholarship and Undergraduate Global Scholarships, which support Indian students across science, technology, and business disciplines. Awards range from partial to full tuition waivers.
These scholarships align well with popular choices among Indian students seeking top 10 reasons to study in UK, especially in engineering and technology fields.
4. University College London (UCL) Global Scholarships
UCL provides scholarships for international students, including Indians, focusing on rewarding academic achievement and financial need. These scholarships help cover tuition fees and living costs, making UCL an attractive option.
Other Notable Scholarships for Indian Students
- Rhodes Scholarship: Supports Indian postgraduate students at the University of Oxford with full tuition and living expenses.
- Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships: Available for Indian students pursuing research degrees at the University of Edinburgh.
- Manchester India Scholarships: Offered by the University of Manchester, aimed at Indian students undertaking both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- Warwick India Scholarships: Financial aid for Indian students enrolled in Warwick University programs.
- King’s College London India Scholarships: Supporting Indian students in various disciplines with partial to full scholarships.
How to Maximize Your Chances of Getting Scholarships to Study in UK
Applying for scholarships to study in UK requires early planning and dedication:
- Start researching scholarships as soon as you decide to study in UK after 12th or for higher studies.
- Maintain a strong academic record, as most scholarships emphasize merit.
- Prepare a compelling personal statement answering why do you want to study in UK, highlighting your academic goals, career aspirations, and leadership qualities.
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or employers.
- Keep track of application deadlines and eligibility criteria.
- Consider working with experienced study in UK consultants who can provide expert advice on application preparation, document review, and interview coaching.
Why Scholarships Are Vital When You Study in UK
The total cost of learning in UK from India can be high, from the annual undergraduate and postgraduate fees of £10,000–£20,000 to the rest of living costs based on the location. Scholarships offset the cost to some extent, and quality education becomes affordable.
Most of the Indian students are blessed with scholarships which sometimes even enable them to study in UK without IELTS if they fit into some special schemes, or at least lower the economic barrier to cover the cost altogether. Other than that, a scholarship also brings extra sheen to your application, which is useful for enhancing your future professional prospects both in the UK and India.
If you are searching scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK, use the available government as well as the university-granted scholarships. Coupled with professional advice from study in UK consultants, the scholarships become within your reach of dream regarding education in the UK and become reasonable to afford.
