UK scholarships for international students: where to start?

I'm an international student dreaming of studying in the UK. What scholarships are out there for us? Are scholarships more common for certain subjects or types of universities in the UK?

Sure, I can help shed some light on this! Firstly, it's important to know that scholarships for international students in the UK typically fall under 3 categories: scholarships offered by specific universities, those provided by the UK government, and those offered by independent organizations and charities.

Many universities in the UK offer scholarships for international students based on academic merit. Schools like University of Oxford and University of Cambridge have quite a few scholarships for international students. Specific scholarships might vary by university and program of study, so the admissions or financial aid pages of individual universities are always a good place to start.

On the other hand, The British Government and UK Universities provide a large number of scholarships for international students who want to study in the United Kingdom. For example, the UK government's Chevening Scholarships are merit-based scholarships for international students in any discipline, but they are highly competitive. There's also the Commonwealth Scholarship which is intended for students from Commonwealth countries.

There are also several charities and independent organizations which offer scholarships. For example, the Aga Khan Foundation provides postgraduate scholarships for students from select developing countries, while the Said Foundation offers scholarships mostly for postgraduate study to students from the Middle East.

In terms of your question about the availability of scholarships for specific subjects or universities, it's often the case that scholarships are more plentiful in fields where there is a greater need for trained professionals, such as STEM fields. Some programs might also have specific scholarships for underrepresented groups in that field, like women in computer science programs. However, every university and scholarship program will have a different focus, so it's important to do thorough research.

One more thing, studying in the UK as an international student is an investment, and winning a scholarship can take a lot of the financial strain off. However, competing for scholarships can also be very challenging, so it's essential to also look at other forms of financial support such as part-time work, financial aid, and tuition fee loans and ensure that you apply for scholarships as early as possible.

Remember, the key is to display your strengths, whether that be academic excellence or other personal achievements and to be thorough in your research and bespoke in your applications. Hope this helps and good luck!