Top 10 UK Scholarships for Indian Students in 2026

Overview of Scholarships in UK for Indian Students

To begin with, do you know as per recent data on Gov.UK statistics, in the year ending June 2025, Indian students received 24% of all Sponsored Study Visas? This amounts to approximately 98,014 students.

What’s even more impressive is that nearly 40% of these students received some form of scholarship to study in UK. And when you analyse this data, you will understand that there is a growing availability of scholarships for Indian students to study in UK. These can help in significantly easing their financial burden, especially now that both the cost of living and tuition fees in the UK are increasing.

But much more than this, these scholarships give access to prestigious UK universities like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London to talented students who may otherwise not be able to afford them.

Top 10 Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in UK

Now the main part, scholarships to study in UK. Do you know that the UK offers thousands of scholarships every year in order to attract top talent from around the world? In fact, the total value of scholarships and bursaries awarded to international students in the UK is believed to exceed £500 million annually.

These scholarships for Indian students to study in UK are generally offered based on academic merit and financial need for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. And as an Indian student, you will be able to study in UK with scholarship that can not just cover your tuition, but also your living expenses. Some popular ones include:

Government Funded Scholarships in the UK

The UK offers a range of prestigious and fully funded government scholarships. These are provided in order to support its international development goals and promote UK higher education and global partnerships. Some of the popular government scholarship in UK for Indian students include:

1. Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening is one of the fully funded scholarships for Indian students in UK and is offered by UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other partner organisations. The main aim behind this scholarship is to provide international students with opportunities to pursue a one-year master's degree at any UK university.

2. Commonwealth Scholarships

The next on our list of scholarships for Indian students to study in UK is the Commonwealth Scholarships. It is managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and funded by the FCDO. Ever since it was started in 1959, the CSC has awarded over 31,000 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships to students from across the world.

3. GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships are offered by the British Council in partnership with the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign and over 60 UK universities. It is one of the top scholarships to study abroad and is given to students from selected countries, which includes India as well. The programme is aimed at attracting high-potential postgraduate students from selected countries to pursue one-year taught master’s courses at UK universities.

4. Scotland's Saltire Scholarships 

Last but not least in our list of government-funded scholarships for Indian students is Scotland's Saltire Scholarships. It is given by the Scottish Government to students from specific countries, including India, in order to help them pursue a one-year master's degree at a Scottish university. This scholarship in UK for Indian students offers up to 50 awards in a given year and provides £8,000 toward tuition fees.

University-specific scholarships

Apart from various government-funded UK scholarships for Indian students, you can also apply for various university-specific scholarships (if the university you are applying to has them). Most of these scholarships automatically consider students based on their admission application and cover partial to full tuition. Some popular University-specific scholarship for Indian students in UK include:

5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and generous awards given to international students who want to study at the University of Cambridge. This is one of the fully funded scholarships for Indian students in UK, but it is highly competitive. Each year, the programme offers roughly 80 full-cost scholarships and has established a substantial global alumni network with over 1,700 alumni worldwide.

6. University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship

This is a merit-based and competitive scholarship given to international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the university has committed up to £5–6 million in Think Big scholarship funding. In addition to this, as per sources, the university has offered 200 scholarships and out of the selected ones, 25% got an award of £13,000.

7. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships

The next on our list of scholarships for Indian students to study in UK is the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship. It is a merit-based award which is given to outstanding international students from specific countries, including India. This scholarship has more than 300 individual awards and has a total value of over £6 million for 2026.

8. University of Birmingham Scholarships

Lastly, the University of Birmingham also offers a range of scholarship in UK for Indian students. In fact, as per the university, there are more than £7.5 million in scholarships available for international students at any given time. This includes the £10,000 Postgraduate Chancellor's Scholarship for India, the 125th Anniversary Scholarship, and the High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarship.

Private Scholarships

As a student from India, you can study in UK with scholarship from private organisations. These scholarships give more than just monetary help; they can give you invaluable networking opportunities. You can get access to a network of mentors, alumni, and special events, which can be invaluable for career development. Below are private UK scholarships for Indian students that you can apply to:

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

These private Indian scholarships to study in UK are given to talented Indian students who are pursuing their postgraduate studies at a top UK university. It provides funding of up to USD $100,000 and helps young individuals of exceptional talent, character, and motivation. It was first founded in 1976 and has supported over 1,300 students.

Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships

The Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) is a top scholarship for Indian students in UK and is available for early to mid-career Indian citizens to pursue studies, research, or professional development. CWIT has been active for over 40 years and has supported more than 3,300 Indian artists, scholars, and heritage professionals with study, research, residencies, and professional development in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships in the UK

Wondering how to get scholarship in UK? Check out the basic eligibility criteria for them below:

• Strong academics: You usually need good grades, such as the equivalent of a UK upper second-class degree.
• English proficiency: Tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE may be required unless your previous degree was taught in English.
• University offers: Many scholarships only consider you if you already have an offer from a UK university.
• Citizenship rules: Some scholarships are open only to students from certain countries.
• Financial need: Some awards specifically support students from low-income backgrounds.
• Personal statement: A clear, well-written essay explaining your goals is often required.
• Recommendations: Academic or professional reference letters are usually needed.

How to Apply for Scholarships to Study in the UK

Wondering how to get scholarship in UK? Well, once you find a scholarship, you can follow the steps below to apply for it: 

1. Research Scholarship Options: Look for scholarships for Indian students to study in UK in your field and check their requirements. Use resources like the British Council, EURAXESS, and university websites.
2. Check Your Eligibility: Make sure you meet the criteria, including your nationality, grades, field of study, and any special requirements.
3. Gather Your Documents: Prepare everything you need, academic records, recommendation letters, a personal statement, English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL), and your research proposal.
4. Write a Strong Personal Statement: Explain your goals, achievements, and why you want to study in the UK. Customise it for each scholarship.
5. Submit Your Application: Fill out the form carefully and send all documents before the deadline. Double-check everything.
6. Follow Up: Watch your email and the scholarship portal for updates or requests for more information. Respond quickly if contacted.
7. Prepare for the Interview: If shortlisted, you may be asked to interview. Learn about the scholarship’s goals and practice common interview questions. Be ready to discuss your application in detail.

Conclusion

Summing up, the above scholarships for Indian students to study in UK are going to give you the highest return on your investment. You will not only get financial help, but also support that can play a big role in your career development. To find more such scholarships, you can either use our scholarship finder tool or directly connect with our expert study abroad consultants who can guide you through the entire application process and help you choose the best options for your goals.

FAQs

1. Can I Get a Scholarship to Study in The UK Without IELTS?

IELTS is not a mandatory requirement to get a scholarship in the UK. So, yes, you can get a scholarship to study in the UK without IELTS. However, you will have to demonstrate your English language proficiency through other tests like TOEFL and PTE, or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate.

2. Can I Apply for Multiple Scholarships to Study in The UK?

Students can apply for multiple scholarships to study in the UK. In fact, it is a great strategy because it can increase your chances of securing funding. However, it’s important to review the terms of each scholarship, as some may have restrictions on receiving multiple awards.

3. What are the Best Scholarships to Study in The UK for International Students?

Some top scholarships for international students in the UK include:

1. Chevening Scholarships
2. GREAT Scholarships
3. Felix Scholarship
4. Commonwealth Scholarships
5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
6. Erasmus Mundus

4. Where to Check the Scholarships to Study Abroad?

To find a scholarship for studying abroad, you can either check your destination country's government portals or university-specific websites. Additionally, you can also use Gradding’s Scholarship Finder Tool, which is made to help students find and explore different scholarship opportunities for their overseas education.

5. Do UK Scholarships Cover Full Tuition and Living Expenses?

There are many fully funded scholarships in the UK, especially the prestigious ones like Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships, which cover full tuition as well as living expenses. However, the amount of support varies a lot, as there are many UK scholarships which only cover part of the tuition fees.