Top 10 UK Universities Offering Fully Funded Scholarships for International Master’s Students

If you want to do your Master’s in the UK for free, the first question that comes to mind is: Which university should I apply to? Not every university gives fully funded scholarships to international students.

These top 10 UK universities offer fully funded or almost fully funded scholarships for international Master’s students, open to applicants worldwide.

1. University of Oxford – Clarendon and Weidenfeld Scholarships

Oxford is the top university in the UK and one of the best in the world. It is also exceptionally generous to international students.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• Clarendon Scholarship: Covers full tuition fees plus a living grant (tied to the UKRI doctoral rate, providing £18,000 to £21,805+ per year). Automatic consideration applies when you submit your graduate application before the December/January deadline.
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• Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship: Covers 100% of tuition and living expenses, specifically targeting students from developing countries.
• Additional Funding: Oxford also offers Reach Oxford and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarships.

2. University of Cambridge – Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Cambridge offers the world-renowned Gates Cambridge Scholarship, established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Scholarship Benefits & Details

• Coverage: Full tuition fees, a living allowance of approximately £21,000–£23,152 per year, return airfare, visa fees, and academic development funding.
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• Eligibility: Open to international students from any country outside the UK.
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• Application: Complete the Gates Cambridge section within the standard Cambridge graduate application portal before the December or January deadline.
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3. Imperial College London – President’s Master’s Scholarship

Imperial is a premier destination for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Business.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• President’s Master’s Scholarship: Covers full tuition fees plus an annual living stipend of around £17,000–£20,000.
• Faculty Awards: Imperial College Business School and the Faculty of Engineering offer dedicated departmental awards.
• Location Advantage: Studying in London provides unparalleled networking and career opportunities post-graduation.

4. University College London (UCL) – Global Master’s & Excellence Awards

Ranked among the top 10 universities globally, UCL offers a diverse range of over 400 Master’s programs.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• UCL Global Master’s Scholarship: Provides targeted fee support (£15,000 awards).
• UCL Global Excellence & Commonwealth Shared Schemes: Provide 100% tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance (~£1,378 to £1,690+), and international airfare.
• Diversity: Highly welcoming environment for scholars across humanities, architecture, medicine, and social sciences.

5. University of Edinburgh – Edinburgh Global Research & Commonwealth Awards

The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s top research institutions with extensive funding packages.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• Edinburgh Global Master’s: Offers tuition reductions ranging from £5,000 to £10,000.
• Fully Funded Options: Pair an Edinburgh Global Research award with departmental stipends or apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship hosted at Edinburgh.
• Specialized Awards: Includes the Glenmore Medical Scholarship and John Fisher High Performance Scholarships.

6. King’s College London – King’s International Scholarship

Situated in central London, King’s College London (KCL) is famous for Law, Global Health, Medicine, and Humanities.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• King’s International & Global Health Scholarships: Cover full tuition fees alongside a living allowance.
• Host Partner: KCL serves as a primary host university for full Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships.
• Application Route: Submit your Master’s course application first, then apply through the King’s funding portal before March.

7. University of Manchester – Global Futures & President’s Awards

The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK and offers extensive funding channels.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• Manchester Global Futures Scholarship: Provides £8,000 to £15,000 in tuition relief.
• President’s Master’s Awards: Fully funded packages covering fees and living costs.
• Partnership Funding: Major host for GREAT, Chevening, and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
• Cost Advantage: Manchester offers lower living costs compared to London while maintaining high academic standards.https://hireuk.site/uk-scholarships-no-application-fee-low-income-students/

8. University of Warwick – Chancellor’s & WBS Scholarships

Warwick is world-famous for Business, Economics, Management, and Analytics.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• Chancellor’s International & WBS Scholarships: Cover 100% of tuition fees plus an annual stipend of around £15,000–£18,000.
• GREAT & Commonwealth Schemes: Offers co-funded slots for international applicants across various departments.
• Key Deadline: Most scholarship applications close between January and March.

9. University of Bristol – Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Bristol is a prestigious Russell Group university located in a vibrant student city.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship: Provides tuition awards ranging from £6,500 up to full tuition fees, plus £3,000 in living assistance.
• Full Coverage: Combine Think Big with departmental grants or apply for Commonwealth/Chevening awards hosted at Bristol.
• Target Fields: Strong funding opportunities in Engineering, Computer Science, Law, and Life Sciences.

10. University of Glasgow – International Leadership & Excellence Awards

The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious universities.

Scholarship Benefits & Details

• International Leadership Scholarship: Awards £10,000 tuition fee discounts automatically based on merit.
• Glasgow Global & African Excellence Awards: Fully funded options covering 100% tuition, living stipends, and travel costs for scholars from developing nations.
• Regional Grants: Offers dedicated funding streams for candidates from South Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

How to Apply for These Scholarships: Step-by-Step Strategy

To maximize your chances of securing full funding, follow this strategic timeline:

Step 1: Shortlist 4 to 5 Target Universities

Select universities that directly match your academic background and career goals. Focus on application quality rather than applying everywhere.

Step 2: Apply for Admission Early

Submit your course application between October and January. Most fully funded scholarships require a conditional or unconditional admission offer to process your funding application.

Step 3: Apply for Multiple Funding Schemes

At any single university, apply for multiple funding schemes simultaneously (e.g., University Awards, GREAT Scholarships, and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Which UK university gives the most fully funded scholarships for international Master’s students?

The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge award the highest total number of fully funded scholarships through schemes like Clarendon and Gates Cambridge. However, universities like Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow offer excellent alternative routes through Global Excellence, GREAT, and Commonwealth Shared awards.

Q2: Can I get a fully funded Master’s in the UK without IELTS?

Most UK universities require certified proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE) to issue an unconditional offer. While some universities waive IELTS for students from English-speaking backgrounds, having a valid IELTS score (6.5 to 7.5) is required for most fully funded scholarship selections.

Q3: What is the minimum GPA required for fully funded scholarships in the UK?

Top UK scholarships typically look for a First-Class or Upper Second-Class honors equivalent (generally 65%–70%+ or a CGPA of 3.5/4.0). However, strong professional experience, impactful personal statements, and outstanding academic references can balance a slightly lower GPA.

Q4: Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same university?

Yes. UK universities encourage applicants to apply for all eligible funding schemes. If you are selected for more than one award, the university will typically assign you the highest-value option.

Q5: When should I start applying for fully funded UK Master’s scholarships?

Begin preparing one full year before your intended start date. For a September intake, start shortlisting and preparing documents between June and September, submit university admissions between October and January, and apply for scholarships before their respective deadlines (December to March).

To help you build your application strategy, draft your personal statements, and navigate university admissions, Scholarships in the UK for International Students provides practical guidance on securing UK Master’s funding.