UK scholarships for international students?

I’m an international student hoping to study in the UK and need advice on securing scholarships. What are the best options available, and how should I begin the application process? Any past experiences would be great to hear about!

There are several scholarship options available to international students wishing to study in the UK. Here are a few key ones:

1. Chevening Scholarships: These are for students looking to do a Masters in the UK and are quite prestigious. The scholarship covers university tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs to and from the UK, and an arrival allowance.

2. Commonwealth Scholarships: These scholarships are for students from developing Commonwealth countries. They are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Similarly to Chevening, they also cover full tuition fees, living expenses, airfare to and from the UK.

3. GREAT Scholarships: These are for international students from select countries (China, India, Turkey, and a few others). The awards are given for undergraduate and postgraduate study and they vary in amounts.

4. University-Specific Scholarships: Apart from these, each university usually has scholarships that they offer to international students. These scholarships vary from one university to another in terms of the criteria, composition of aid, size of the award, etc.

In terms of applying, each scholarship will have its own application process and eligibility requirements. You usually need to have an offer of a place on a course at the UK university you are wishing to attend before you can apply for the scholarship. It's a good idea to start researching early and marking down deadlines to ensure you don't miss any opportunities.

In terms of past experiences, many students have found success in securing scholarships by carefully tailoring their applications to match the criteria and values of the scholarship. For example, Chevening places a high value on leadership and influencing skills, so highlighting your experiences with these would be beneficial. Similarly, for Commonwealth scholarships, demonstrating the potential to contribute to sustainable development in your home country can strengthen your application.

Finally, remember to use reliable sources to find scholarships, such as the official university websites or the UK government’s online scholarship search.

Good luck with your scholarship search! It can be a bit of work, but the payoff can be quite significant.