Scholarships and financial 2014 support 2014
Scholarships, grants, bursaries, financial awards, loans… there are many financial support options for international students who wish to study on a UK course. Here are some tips for you:
- On this Education UK website, you can search through thousands of scholarships using the Find your UK education tool at the top of this page. Choose 'Scholarships' from the menu, then select your subject area. This tool doesn't list all UK scholarships, but it is an excellent place to start.
- Demand for scholarships is always greater than supply. To maximize your chances, apply as early as you can.
- In addition, have a look at the websites for the schools, colleges and universities you are interested in. They may have a scheme that is not listed here.
- There are a number of scholarship schemes run by governments, charities and other organisations. Ask your Ministry of Education, your local British Council office or your teacher if they know of any schemes for students in your country. Here are a few global schemes you may want to have a look at: Chevening UK government scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, Erasmus Scholarships and Royal Society grants.
- In 2012, around 33% of pupils at UK independent schools received financial assistance. Visit the Scholarship Search tool at the Independent Schools Yearbook to get searching.
- Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a loan or financial support from the UK government. Visit the UKCISA website for more details.
- Postgraduate studentships can be found via a number of websites, including Postgraduate Studentships and Scholarship Programs.
Evaluating costs
Even with financial support, it is likely that you will have to pay some costs yourself. You may have to pay for travel, accommodation and part of the course fee yourself. Find out what is and isn’t covered by your scholarship or financial support scheme.
Financial difficulties
The right time to look for financial support is before you enrol on your course. It can be very hard to find funding, particularly mid-way through the academic year.
If you experience financial difficulties during your course, please visit UKCISA’s website. They offer lots of detailed information and a student advice telephone service.
Also, talk to staff at your school, college or university – for example, your student welfare or Students' Union officers.
