The UK is among the top destinations for international students who want to study in the UK with scholarships. For Bangladeshi students and others, affording tuition and living costs can be challenging—but countless governmental and non-governmental scholarships make this dream achievable. These financial supports are designed to ease your journey toward earning a world-class UK degree.
This guide will explore the available scholarships for international students, including eligibility requirements, coverage, application procedures, deadlines, and other essential information regarding different scholarship programs, so students seeking funding can apply accordingly.
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Types of Scholarships in the UK
There are different types of scholarships in the UK for Bangladeshi and international students. These are described in the passages below.
Academic Scholarships
The academic scholarships are given to students based on their academic achievements, such as good grades, test scores, and class ranking. This type of scholarship is common for undergraduate courses. Both government organizations and universities offer this type of scholarship.
Merit-Based Scholarships
This scholarship is awarded to students who show exceptional achievements in a particular field of study. These scholarships usually have a lot of competition, as many students compete for them. You must write a detailed and heartfelt SOP letter to receive this scholarship.
Need-Based Scholarships
The need-based scholarships are awarded to students who require financial support or aid. This type of scholarship is awarded to students from low-income families who cannot afford tuition fees and living expenses. Universities and various governmental institutions offer these scholarships to students.
Subject-Specific Scholarships
Some of the scholarships are only awarded to students who are pursuing a specific subject at a university. The university or a particular department usually provides these. There are subject-specific scholarships for law, medicine, social sciences, etc.
Research Scholarships
This type of scholarship is awarded to students so that they can conduct research in a specific field of interest. Most of these scholarships are given to postgraduate students. They usually cover tuition fees, travel expenses, living costs, equipment, labs, etc.
Industry-Specific Scholarships
Various private companies or organizations offer these scholarships to students who are interested in pursuing a career in fields related to that company. These are very few and hard for regular students to get.
Sports Scholarships
These scholarships are granted to students who excel in athletics and want to play at the collegiate level and beyond. Universities have sports teams, and they offer these scholarships to talented athletes to admit them so they can play on behalf of their university.
Government Scholarships in the UK
Governmental organizations fund various scholarships in the UK. These are described in the passages below.
Chevening Scholarships
The UK government awards Chevening Scholarships to international students studying in the UK. Students from various nations, including Bangladesh, receive this scholarship. It covers tuition fees and living expenses for master’s students completing one-year courses at different UK universities. Ensure you apply for this scholarship by November to receive it.
Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to students from Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers these scholarships. They cover all tuition fees, travel expenses, and living costs for completing 1-3 year postgraduate courses. Students must apply by December of the previous year to receive this scholarship.
Great Scholarships
The Great Scholarships are awarded to international students pursuing a one-year master’s program at UK universities. The British Council and the UK Government provide these scholarships with the assistance of various universities. This scholarship covers up to £10,000 for each student to help pay their tuition fees. Apply by May of the year before your journey, as this scholarship is highly competitive.
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
The Scottish Government awards this scholarship to international students completing an undergraduate degree at Scottish universities. The scholarship provides up to £8000 to cover tuition fees. Submit your application by May of the year preceding your journey, since this scholarship is very competitive.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s
The European Commission, the UK, and UK universities provide this scholarship to international students pursuing a 1-2 year-long Joint Master’s course. This scholarship covers the full tuition fees, travel expenses, and living costs. Apply by early February of the year before your journey to get this scholarship.
Non-government Scholarships in the UK
Other than various governmental scholarships, there are also many non-governmental scholarships for international students in the UK. These are described in the passages below.
Rhodes Scholarships
The Rhodes Trust offers this scholarship to international students pursuing a master’s degree of either one or two years at universities in the UK. This scholarship covers full tuition fees and living expenses. You must apply by early October of the year prior to your journey to the UK to secure this scholarship.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
This is another great scholarship for international students pursuing undergraduate degrees in UK universities. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funds this scholarship and covers the full tuition fees along with stipends. Make sure to apply for this scholarship by Early December to secure it.
Clarendon Fund Scholarships
This is a university-specific scholarship, and the University of Oxford funds it. This scholarship covers tuition fees and stipends to help financially struggling students with high potential. The duration of the scholarship varies based on the course duration. Apply for this scholarship by Early December of the year before your journey.
Amberscholar Scholarships
The Amberscholar Scholarship funds international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. This scholarship provides up to $12,000 to students, and the duration of the scholarship varies based on the course. Make sure to apply for this scholarship by Early August to secure it.
Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships in the UK
The eligibility requirements for various scholarships depend on each specific scholarship. Be sure to verify the exact requirements on the scholarship website. Here are the general requirements for scholarships in the UK.
Academic Achievements
Academic achievements are vital to securing any scholarships in the UK. Although not all scholarships are merit-based, students with outstanding academic results receive most scholarships. To qualify for most scholarships, students must score 60-80% or above in prior academic exams.
English Proficiency
International students also need a good score in English language proficiency tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Universities and scholarship funding organisations typically require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for most scholarships. Try to ensure an excellent score in these tests to increase your chances of getting a scholarship to study in UK universities.
Extracurricular Activities
Although the extracurricular activities are not included in the eligibility requirements for most scholarships, students who can show proof of extracurricular activities are prioritized when offering scholarships. These activities show that the applicant has leadership skills and excels at social activities. Many scholarships consider sports and athletic achievements while providing scholarships to students. So, include your extracurricular activities in your application essay.
Things to Be Careful About While Applying for Scholarships in the UK
Here are some things you need to be careful about when applying for various scholarships in the UK.
- Review the eligibility criteria of every scholarship you apply to because they can vary. Ensure you meet all the requirements, including academic accomplishments, English language tests, and extracurricular activities. Go through the scholarship and university websites to learn about all the eligibility requirements in detail.
- English language proficiency tests like IELTS or PTE Academic are required for most scholarships in the UK. Find out the exact requirements for the scholarship you are applying to beforehand.
- Insert the necessary documents along with your scholarship application. Carefully review the required documents you must provide and attach them accordingly. Missing any key document can result in your application getting rejected.
- Make sure to check your email regularly after applying to see if you have been granted the scholarship or if they require more information. Sometimes the mail can go to your spam, so remember to check that too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Get a Full Scholarship in the UK?
Various scholarships like the Chevening Scholarship, the Commonwealth Scholarship, and the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship offer full funding for international students. Apply for these scholarships and submit the necessary documents to get a full scholarship in the UK.
Can I Get a 50% Scholarship in the UK?
Yes, some scholarships in the UK cover at least 50% of your tuition fees. These include the Great Scholarship, Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship, etc. Make sure to apply for these scholarships within the deadline and attach all the necessary documents.
How Much GPA Is Required for a Scholarship in the UK?
Generally, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to apply for most UK scholarships. However, the GPA requirement can vary based on the scholarship and university. Make sure to carefully review the eligibility requirements of a scholarship before applying.
Who Is Eligible for Scholarships in the UK?
Eligibility requirements can vary based on the type of scholarship and the university. Still, generally, students with excellent academic records who demonstrate English proficiency and have extracurricular activities are eligible for the scholarships.
Are UK Scholarships Hard to Get?
Yes, UK scholarships are typically hard to get as there is a lot of competition. However, you can also get a scholarship to study in the UK with a proper application. Please make sure you follow all the application guidelines and attach all the necessary documents to secure the scholarships.
Conclusion
Governmental and private organisations offer various exclusive scholarships to international students to ease their financial burden. Any international student with a good academic background, excellent language proficiency test scores, and outstanding extracurricular activities can apply for these scholarships. Remember to review the eligibility requirements carefully and provide all the necessary documents for a successful scholarship application.