Complete Guide to UK Postgraduate Scholarships 2026-27
2 August 2026
Introduction
The United Kingdom remains one of the world's leading destinations for postgraduate study. With world-ranked universities, short degree timelines (most master's programmes run just one year), and a deep culture of academic excellence, it is no surprise that thousands of international students seek funding for UK postgraduate study every year. This guide covers the six most important scholarship programmes for international postgraduate students in 2026-27, explaining who each award is for, what it covers, and how to maximise your chances.
1. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's flagship global scholarship, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. It is awarded to outstanding emerging leaders and influencers from across the world.
What it covers: Full tuition fees at any eligible UK university, a monthly living allowance, economy class return flights to the UK, and a travel grant for Chevening events.
Eligibility: Citizens of eligible Chevening countries (140+ countries), at least two years of work experience by the application deadline, an undergraduate degree at upper second class level or above, and evidence of leadership potential. You must plan to return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship.
Application window: Typically August to November for the following academic year.
Tips:
- Your personal statement must show clear alignment between the scholarship's values (leadership, impact, return) and your career goals.
- Chevening explicitly looks for candidates who will become influencers in their field — quantify your leadership experience with concrete examples.
- Choose three UK universities before applying and have conditional offers in hand by the time Chevening makes its decisions.
2. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is awarded to outstanding scholars from outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
What it covers: Full course fees, a maintenance allowance (£21,227 per year for 2024-25, index-linked), visa costs, return airfare, and a discretionary allowance for academic purposes.
Eligibility: Citizens of any country outside the UK who have applied for admission to Cambridge in an eligible degree programme (PhD, MSc, MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course).
Scale: Approximately 80 awards per year — one of the most competitive postgraduate scholarships in the world.
Tips:
- The scholarship application is reviewed alongside your Cambridge admission application — ensure both are equally strong.
- Reviewers look for intellectual ability, leadership potential, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a good fit with Cambridge.
- The "Why Gates Cambridge?" question is not about the funding — it is about how your values align with the Foundation's mission to reduce inequity.
3. Rhodes Scholarship
Established in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is the world's oldest international graduate scholarship and is tenable at the University of Oxford. It is awarded for academic excellence, character, commitment to service, and leadership potential.
What it covers: University and college fees, a stipend for living expenses (approximately £18,180 per year), and airfare to and from Oxford.
Eligibility: Eligibility varies by country. Most national programmes require candidates to be aged 18-25, hold a strong undergraduate degree, and be citizens of or resident in the relevant country. Check the Rhodes Trust website for the exact requirements of your national programme.
Tenure: Two years (with the possibility of a third year).
Tips:
- The selection process is holistic. Do not focus only on academic credentials — the selection committees want to see evidence of character, leadership, and service.
- Competition within each national constituency is intense. Research your country's programme carefully: some admit only students from specific universities, and class years sometimes vary.
- Oxford interviews for the scholarship are typically conducted in your home country — prepare by knowing your research interests and their real-world implications thoroughly.
4. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) enables talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to gain skills through postgraduate study that they can apply to drive development at home. In the UK, these scholarships are funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
What it covers: Tuition fees, a monthly stipend, return flights, a thesis grant, and a study travel grant.
Eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries. Most UK Commonwealth Scholarships target citizens of low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who hold a first degree at upper second class or above. Priority is given to candidates who show a clear plan to return home and contribute to national development.
Application: Applications are made through national nominating agencies in the applicant's home country, not directly to the Commission. Check the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website for your country's nominating agency and deadline.
Tips:
- Your development plan statement — explaining how your studies will contribute to your home country — carries significant weight. Make it concrete and evidence-based.
- Candidates with work experience relevant to their proposed study area are consistently preferred over those applying straight from undergraduate study.
5. GREAT Scholarships
The GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council offer GREAT Scholarships in partnership with UK universities for postgraduate study. These are one-year taught master's scholarships worth at least £10,000 towards tuition fees.
What it covers: At least £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate programme. Some partner universities top up the award with additional funding, accommodation support, or a bursary.
Eligibility: Available to citizens of selected countries (including China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Pakistan, and others — the country list changes each year). Applications must be for a programme at one of the participating UK universities.
Key feature: Unlike Chevening or Rhodes, GREAT Scholarships are available across dozens of universities and subject areas, making them accessible to a far wider pool of applicants.
Tips:
- Each participating university manages its own application process. Apply early — places fill up and deadlines vary significantly between institutions.
- Check the British Council website for the current participating countries and universities each year; the programme changes annually.
6. Turing Scheme
The Turing Scheme is the UK government's global programme for international exchange. It funds students from UK universities to study or work abroad, but it is also relevant to inbound international postgraduate students through its partnerships with UK institutions.
Relevance to international postgraduates: UK universities use Turing funding to subsidise short-term research exchanges, fieldwork trips, and international collaborations. If you are a postgraduate student at a UK university (on any funding), your institution may offer Turing-funded mobility grants to support fieldwork, conference attendance, or collaborative visits — ask your department and the international office.
What it covers: Maintenance grants for outbound UK students; incoming benefits depend on the specific institutional partnership.
Tip: If international fieldwork or collaboration is central to your research, ask your prospective supervisor and graduate admissions office about Turing-funded opportunities before accepting an offer.
General Application Tips for UK Postgraduate Scholarships
1. Start at least 18 months early
Chevening applications open in August for entry the following September. Gates Cambridge and Rhodes follow university application timelines — typically October/November of the year before intended entry. Missing the first-round deadline almost always means waiting a full year.
2. Shortlist universities alongside scholarships
Chevening, Gates Cambridge, and Rhodes all require you to have selected universities before a scholarship decision is made. Research UK universities and their specific departments carefully — the right supervisor or research group is as important as the scholarship.
3. Write a clear "return impact" narrative
All UK government-funded scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth) explicitly require you to return home. This is not a formality — it is central to the mission. Your personal statement should articulate a credible career plan that takes place in your home country.
4. Tailor each application
Never recycle your personal statement. Chevening reviewers, Gates Cambridge reviewers, and Rhodes selection committees are experienced — they will immediately identify generic applications. Each statement should show specific knowledge of the programme, the scholarship's values, and your aligned career goals.
5. Track every deadline
Use Global Scholarships' deadline tracker to save each scholarship's deadline and receive 7-day and 1-day email reminders. A missed submission window cannot be undone.
Summary
| Scholarship | Funder | Level | Covers | Approx. award count | |---|---|---|---|---| | Chevening | UK FCDO | Master's | Full + stipend | ~1,500/year | | Gates Cambridge | Gates Foundation | Any PG | Full + stipend | ~80/year | | Rhodes | Rhodes Trust | Any PG (Oxford) | Full + stipend | ~100/year | | Commonwealth | UK CSFP | Master's/PhD | Full + stipend | ~700/year | | GREAT | British Council / UK universities | Master's | £10,000+ tuition | ~150/year | | Turing | UK government | Research mobility | Maintenance grant | Varies |
Global Scholarships verifies information against official scholarship pages. Always check the primary source before applying.