Popular UK Scholarships for Indian Students in 2026

Both the UK government and UK universities offer an extensive range of scholarships to students coming to study in the UK. These scholarships are open to all students who come to pursue a full-time degree-level course in the UK. This article lists the most popular UK scholarships for Indian students. 

Studying in the UK is very expensive for Indian students, with the average tuition costs ranging from £11,000 to £38,000 for UG courses and £9,000 to £30,000 on average for PG courses. However if you plan well and in advance, studying in the UK can become affordable for many of you. So this is when you apply for popular UK scholarships. The UK scholarships are open to all meritorious students irrespective of their nationalities. It must be noted that many Indian firms like the Tata Group also offer specialised UK scholarships for determined Indian students willing to study in the UK. The Indian government also work alongside the UK government to offer several such specialised scholarships to Indian students. Note that some UK universities like Oxford University offer their own scholarships to students as well. 

Scholarships to study in the UK are offered to international students on merit, need and course basis. Depending on the course and university, these scholarships are either fully-paid or partially paid. Some of the most famous UK scholarships are the Commonwealth Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships, Saltire Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, etc. This article provides details on the top 10 UK scholarships that are also very famous among students. 

If you wish to study in the UK, we recommend reading this guide - Study Guide to UK for Indian Students

Eligibility Criteria of UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2026

One of the most important criteria to apply for most scholarships is a good academic score. However there are several other factors that are responsible for granting scholarships to students. Students must work on their overall profile development as well. Indian students who are looking to apply for UK scholarships must keep factors like country, university and course in mind. To apply for scholarships, meeting the eligibility requirements and submitting a timely application would do. The general requirements for getting a UK scholarship are-

1. Many scholarships require a good academic record, which includes getting a minimum of 60% of marks in Class 12th examinations. However for high-demand courses, the required academic threshold may be higher.
2. Applicant must have been accepted by at least one university in the UK
3. The course the applicant has applied to must match with their previous academic journey and should also align with their future goals
4. There must be a dedication in the applicant towards  completing the chosen course with merit
5. If the most weighted selection criteria of a scholarship is merit, need or other factors, then the same must be proved by the applicant in their application
6. Applicant must be in possession of complete required documents for the scholarship 

You may also check the following related scholarships for the UK as well- 

• PhD Scholarships in the UK 

• British Council Scholarships for Indian Students 

What do UK Scholarships Cover?

Generally scholarships offer a deduction on the total tuition fee, but some scholarships award other forms of aid like living expenses, airfare and visa fees based on the applicant's academic excellence and background. These scholarship programs and other types of financial aid are managed by the British Council and associated organisations. So, your UK scholarship covers one or more of the following:

• Tuition fees (part or whole - based on the type of scholarship earned)
• Cost of living including accommodation
• Monthly stipend, rare but possible
• Application fee
• English exam fee
• Visa fee
• Both-side travel airfare - arrival and departure
• Health insurance
• Additional benefits - like travelling, attending workshops & seminars of the scholarship and interacting with scholarship alumni - free of cost  

Top 10 UK Scholarships for Indian Students in 2026

Given below is the list of popular scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK. 

• Chevening Scholarships for Indian and International Students - The global scholarship program of the Government of the United Kingdom (UK), the Chevening Scholarship aids academically outstanding students who have shown prior leadership skills and exceptional performances in their respective fields. It covers the tuition fee, flight fare and living expenses of students. Students who want to pursue a one-year master’s program in the UK can apply for this scholarship. Also, note that these scholarships are fully funded. The following courses are not eligible for this scholarship: part-time, distance learning, less than 9-months in duration, more than 12 months in duration, PhD or DPhil and taught with more than one month of study outside the UK. Applications for Chevening Scholarships 2026-27 are closed and the applications received within the stipulated deadline are under assessment by independent reading committees. You may also check - How to Get Chevening Scholarship to Study in the UK? 
• Rhodes Scholarships - The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded, full-time, postgraduate award that allows talented young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Rhodes Scholars come to the UK for two or more years. These scholars can apply to full-time postgraduate courses offered by Oxford University. This scholarship covers course fees at Oxford University and an annual stipend. With the help of the stipend, scholars can pay their living expenses, including accommodation. For the year 2026-27, the stipend was £20,400  per annum or £1,700 per month. After the selection of the scholarship, the Rhodes Trust shall cover the application fee to apply at the University of Oxford, the student visa fee, the associated International Health Surcharge and two economy-class flights (to and from the UK, for the beginning and end of the studies). The applications of Rhode Scholarship 2026 are closed.
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships (University of Cambridge): The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at the University of Cambridge, including tuition fees, an annual maintenance allowance (over £22,050/year), airfare and visa costs. Citizens of any country outside the UK applying for a full-time PhD, MSc, MLitt or most one-year Master’s degrees (excluding MBA and MFin) at the University of Cambridge are eligible to apply for this scholarship. The applications for the Gates-Cambridge Scholarships open in September through the University of Cambridge Graduate Admissions portal and the application deadline falls either in early Dec or early January - depending on the course deadline. 
• Erasmus Mundus - Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships are offered by many higher education institutes and run across various countries. Students from all over the world can apply for this scholarship. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship covers the cost of students’ participation in the programme, travel and living expenses. The scholarship amount varies according to the level of studies/research/teaching, nationality of a student and the duration of the course. A good time to apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarships is between October and January. Currently, the applications for 2026 are open till 12 Feb 2026.
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship - The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK provides scholarships and fellowships to students belonging to the Commonwealth countries. All those Indian students who want to get a master’s degree or a PhD in the UK can apply for this scholarship. Under this scholarship, tuition fees, airfare and personal and maintenance expenses are covered. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers the following types of awards: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships, Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, Commonwealth Distance learning Scholarships, Commonwealth PhD Scholarships and Commonwealth Professional Fellowships. Students need to apply through a National Nominating Agency, a university, or a Non-Governmental Organisation. You may also like to read - Top 10 Life-Changing Scholarships to Study Abroad for Free 
• GREAT Scholarships - For the 2026-27 academic year, there are only 12 postgraduate scholarships available from UK universities across numerous subjects for students from India. The amount of each GREAT scholarship is a minimum of £10,000 in reference to the tuition fee for a one-year postgraduate course. This scholarship is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with participating UK higher education institutions. UK universities offering GREAT scholarships to Indian students in 2026 include: 

• Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships - St John’s College has launched the Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships in honour of Dr Singh. These awards will enable academically outstanding Indian students to come to St. John’s College, the University of Cambridge to study for doctoral degrees in subjects like Science & Technology, Economics and Social Sciences. Applications in Aerospace Engineering and Energy Studies will be given preference. The scholarships are fully funded and cover academic fees, international airfare, the monthly stipend to cover living expenses, UK visa. 
• Felix Scholarships - These scholarships are available for academically outperforming underprivileged students from India and other developing countries. To apply for these scholarships, students must be less than 30 years of age and must hold a bachelor’s degree from a renowned Indian university. Felix Scholarship gives underprivileged students the opportunity to further their postgraduate education by studying at a university situated in the UK. Felix scholarships are offered at the University of Oxford, the University of Reading and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). 
• Scotland's Saltire Scholarships - This is a programme of scholarships offered by the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish Universities and colleges. The scheme provides 50 awards, each worth £8000 towards the tuition fee for any one year of full-time study on a postgraduate master's programme at any of Scotland's higher education institutes. Scholarships are provided to the citizens of Canada, China, India, Japan, Pakistan and the USA. 
• Goa Education Trust Scholarships - GET is aimed at providing Goans a medium to pursue the best available opportunities in education, in whatever areas they desire. It provides scholarships and research fellowships to eligible students for their post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom in all spheres, fields and departments. Recipients of the award can complete their studies in a range of subjects including Journalism, Education, Ancient History and Law. The scholarship covers full or part tuition fees for the courses. A student should not be more than 30 years of age at the time of application. In addition, this scholarship is valid for courses up to 1 year in duration. 
• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships - Every year CWIT offers up to 10 long-term awards. The awards, which are generally from 2-3 months up to a maximum of a year, cover accommodation and living costs in the UK, fees and a contribution to international fares. CWIT does not support two-year courses. 
• Hornby Scholarships - This scholarship covers all costs in the UK, including a monthly stipend that can cover accommodation and living expenses, tuition fees, return air tickets, visa and language test costs. The eligible applicants for the scholarship must have at least three years’ full-time English language teaching experience and a full university degree. Also, the applicants need the level of English proficiency stipulated by the university. Hornby Scholarship supports experienced English language teachers who have the potential to make a future contribution to English language teaching. 
• Inlaks Scholarships - These scholarships are provided to the brightest students in order to meet all their basic requirements including - the tuition fees. Inlaks Scholarships are provided for university courses and specific programs at full-time Master's, MPhil, or Doctoral levels. The maximum funding provided by the Foundation is USD 100,000. The following courses are not covered: Business and Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, Fashion Design, Film and Film Animation, Hospitality and Tourism, Indian Studies without Contemporary Relevance, Management Studies (i.e. MBA), Medicine, Dentistry and related therapies, Music and Public Health. 

You may also read about - Scholarship Interview Questions with Answers to Study Abroad 

This was all about the UK scholarships for Indian students in 2026. If you wish to study abroad then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.