Top Scholarships for International Students Studying in the United Kingdom

A photo of a city in the United Kingdom with the UK flag illustration in the top left corner.

Studying abroad can equip you with a broad range of skills, knowledge, and opportunities that will benefit you in life and your future career. However, it’s also a substantial investment of time and resources. Thankfully, there are many scholarships, funds, and bursaries for international students that can help offset the cost of their studies. In today’s blog, we’ll explore top scholarships at three acclaimed academic institutions in the United Kingdom.

Please note that the information provided below is subject to change. Please refer to the university’s website for the most up-to-date information.

Aerial photograph of Swansea University

Swansea University

International students studying at Swansea University have access to various scholarships and exclusive scholarship-holder events. Several Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate academic excellence or show potential to do so while studying at Swansea University. These scholarships are awarded as a discount on a student’s tuition. Students who achieve a 70% average or higher may receive:

  • £4,000 in year 1
  • £2,000 in year 2
  • Up to a total of £6,000 throughout their undergrad

International students studying at the postgraduate level may be eligible for the Postgraduate International Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship deducts up to £4,000 from your tuition fees.

Other scholarships students may be eligible for include:

  • Swansea International Pharmacy Scholarship
  • Music Scholarships 
  • Sports Scholarships
  • The School of Management’s Developing Futures Scholarship
  • International Postgraduate Alumni Bursaries
  • Global Wales British Council India Scholarship
  • International Excellence Scholarships (for students from South Asia)

For more information on funding opportunities and the application process, visit the University of Swansea’s website.

Tip: Not sure if you meet a scholarship’s eligibility criteria? Reach out to the university’s scholarship contact. The five minutes it takes to send this email could save you thousands of pounds in tuition!

Government Scholarships for International Students in the United Kingdom

A photo of the University of Greenwich's campus.

University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich’s International Scholarships Award is given to students who:

  • Have been offered a spot in a full-time undergraduate or taught postgraduate course for the first time
  • Aren’t receiving another scholarship from the university or other sources
  • Will pay fees at the international rate

Students eligible for this scholarship may receive up to £3,000 in their first year.

The International Hardship Fund is available to continuing international students and EU students without a maintenance loan who have encountered the following unforeseen challenges:

  • Short-term subsistence costs
  • Short-term accommodation costs
  • One-off travel costs 
  • One-off technology costs to support their studies

It’s important to note that the University of Greenwich expects international students to arrange sufficient funds before they begin their studies. To apply to this fund, students must provide proof of this preparation, and documentation of the steps they’ve taken to improve their unforeseen financial situation.

The University of Greenwich also offers the EU Bursary to support new international students who are EU citizens. This bursary will provide a fee reduction for the first year of study in 2022 and 2023. To calculate your first-year tuition cost, find the international fee and then deduct the bursary amount outlined below:

  • Undergraduate students receive £3,000
  • Undergraduate year 3 direct entry-level students receive £2,700
  • Postgraduate students receive £2,500
  • MBA or MSc students with an industrial placement receive £2,500

For more information on the application process and other funding opportunities, check out the University of Greenwich’s scholarships and bursaries page.

How to Choose Where to Study in the United Kingdom

A photo of the University of South Wales.

University of South Wales

The University of South Wales offers international students a range of generous scholarships.

The International Office Scholarship is awarded to students who are self-funding their studies. Once your application is received, you’ll automatically be considered for one of these scholarships. Students studying at the undergraduate level will be awarded up to £1,500 (including top-ups) and postgraduate students will be awarded up to £2,000.

The Chancellors International Development Scholarship of £2,500 is awarded to international students from select regions studying at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It’s important to note that this scholarship replaces the standard undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships. The University of South Wales also awards a £2,800 undergraduate scholarship for international students from Nigeria and Ghana. However, Foundation Degree and Higher National Diploma students are not eligible for this scholarship.

International students may also apply for: 

  • EU Scholarships 
  • The Global Wales British Council India Scholarship (Telangana)

Please visit the University of South Wales’s scholarship page for more information.

Tip: The application process for some university scholarships takes longer than others. To ensure that you hit your scholarship deadlines, make a list of due dates and required documents.


Don’t let the cost of studying abroad deter you from such a priceless experience. Do your research to learn more about scholarships in the UK and all the ways you can minimize your costs. 

Head over to the ApplyBoard Platform to find your perfect academic institution and course in the United Kingdom!

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