Every year hundreds of international students rely on Scholarships awarded by the British Government to help them study in the UK. Whilst competition is fierce for certain scholarships, as long as students are eligible - subject to the set criteria - the British council encourages them to apply.
Are there any scholarships
for international students?
This
article explains the ways that you might be able to get a scholarship
to study in Britain. Your local British Council office will be able to
give you more information about applying for your grant.
You should not travel to the UK or begin a course of studies without making sure that you have enough money to pay your academic fees and living expenses. Unless you are a European Union (EU) national, it is impossible to get a grant once you have left your own country.
Can I apply for
a grant?
The competition for grants to study in the UK is very strong. Most grant-making
organisations will insist that you meet some very strict requirements
and you may have to be nominated by your government to get a scholarship
from the UK government. If you do not meet all the requirements for a
scholarship, then you will not be considered. When you apply for a scholarship,
remember:
- You must apply for your scholarship at least one year before your course starts. Deadlines vary, so you must check that you know what the deadline is before applying.
- Your application should be clear and concise. You should use the grant-making body's application form, if it has one.
- Many of the grant-making bodies will only give small amounts of money, which would not cover the full cost of a course.
Where do I start?
Most scholarships for study in the UK are funded by the British Government
and are paid to another government for its students, either directly or
through an organisation such as the British Council.
The first thing you should do, therefore, is to contact your own Ministry of Education or Education Department, which will have details of most schemes and will also be able to advise you on your own government's conditions for studying abroad.
You should also contact the nearest British Council office in your own country, which should have details of scholarship schemes and will also be able to give you information on educational courses and on living in Britain. If there is no British Council office, then contact the nearest British Embassy or High Commission.
For many scholarship schemes, it is necessary to apply well in advance of the start of the course, often at least one year, and generally you must apply in your own country.
What Scholarships are available?
Commonwealth
Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
Purpose
Assists Commonwealth students and academics of high intellectual calibre
to study in other Commonwealth countries. Around 400 students study in
Britain each year under this scheme.
Eligibility, subject,
and duration
The scholarships are primarily available for study or research for postgraduate
degrees at universities. In special circumstances research study or non-university
courses are considered. Scholarships for undergraduate studies are available
only in the most exceptional cases.
The fellowship awards are generally for established teachers in universities or medical schools for study at postdoctoral level. They are not awarded for degree or diploma courses.
Nomination of candidates is by local committees in the Commonwealth country concerned. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission makes final selection in the UK.
How to apply
Through the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency in the Commonwealth countries
involved. Applicants should be resident in their own country at the time
of application.
UK enquiries
For more information apply to:
The Commonwealth Scholarship. Commission Association of Commonwealth Universities.
36 Gordon Square, London. WC1H OPF. United Kingdom
British Chevening Scholarships, funded by the FCO
Purpose
To bring to the UK present and future leaders, decision makers and opinion
formers, including particularly able students from countries with which
the UK's economic relations are expected to develop. Some 2,200 new awards
are available annually from a wide variety of countries.
Eligibility, subject,
and duration
For study in any subject field, for those pursuing full-time postgraduate
or second degree courses, or full-time research at or based in a UK institution
of higher education in the public sector. Preference to postgraduates
or those already established in a career. Scholarships occasionally given
for shorter, vocationally oriented courses between three and six months.
Scholarships cover all or part of the cost of the period of study. In
countries receiving UK bilateral aid, the development relevance of the
course is important.
How to apply
Selection of candidates is carried out by British Embassies and High Commissions
in consultation with the local British Council representative. Applications
must be made through the British Diplomatic Mission in the student's country
of origin.
Joint funding
Some scholarships are jointly funded with leading industrial and commercial
firms and grant-giving foundations. These are often advertised locally
in those countries where the awards are to be offered. Otherwise information
will be available at the local British Diplomatic Mission or British Council
office.
Technical Co-operation Training (TCT)
Purpose
Funded by the Department for International Development, a government-to-government
scheme to develop personnel resources in developing countries by supplementing
local training facilities. The training is related to other forms of assistance
under British aid programmes and linked to developmental projects. About
4,000 new awards annually. It is not a scholarship programme.
Eligibility, subject,
and duration
Candidates, normally under the age of forty-five years, are nominated
by their government and accepted on the basis of their likelihood of returning
to positions where the training and skills acquired will have a suitable
impact. Candidates may be tested to establish their competence in written
and spoken English. Training is available in a wide range of subjects
in the economic, social and technical fields but not for the humanities,
fine arts and cultural subjects, and is normally at postgraduate or post-experience
level. Requests for PhD level awards are subject to special scrutiny.
Duration of training is usually between three months and three years.
In exceptional cases, shorter or longer periods can be agreed. Awards
normally cover the cost of travel, tuition fees, living expenses, books
and clothes. Personal applications are not invited.
DFID Shared Scholarship Scheme (DFIDSSS)
Purpose
Jointly funded by the Department for International Development and certain
UK universities, the scheme helps students of high academic calibre in
developing Commonwealth countries.
Eligibility, subject,
and duration
Candidates must be from a developing Commonwealth country intending to
study a subject of developmental relevance, otherwise unable to pay for
their studies and outside the scope of existing support schemes. Applications
are not considered from public sector employees. They must be sufficiently
fluent in English to pursue immediately the course of study.
Awards will be for taught postgraduate courses. In special cases, undergraduate awards will also be available where training could not be pursued in the student's own country or a nearby institution. Preference given to subjects related to the economic and social development of the overseas country.
Value
Full cost of study, including return airfare, maintenance and thesis allowance.
How to apply
Students are nominated by their own governments when a specific training
requirement arises.
UK enquiries
For more information apply to:
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Association of Commonwealth Universities.
36 Gordon Square, London. WC1H OPF. United Kingdom
Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS)
Purpose
To ensure a continued supply of high quality research students to UK universities.
The awards meet the difference between the home and overseas level of
tuition fees only. Up to 850 new awards each year.
Eligibility, subject,
and duration
For postgraduate students of outstanding merit and research potential,
liable to pay the higher fees chargeable to overseas students. Must be
research students intending full-time study for a higher degree at a British
university or one of four other specific institutions. Academic merit
and research potential are the sole criteria governing the selection of
candidates. No account is taken of means, nationality or subject field.
The awards are initially made for a year, but subject to the satisfactory
progress of the award-holder, are renewable for a second or third year.
How to apply
Apply through the academic institution in the UK at which you wish to
study
UK enquiries
Overseas Research Scheme
Universities UK
Woburn House
20 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9HQ
UK
E-Mail: ors_scheme@universitiesuk.ac.uk
For more information on any of the above please contact The British
Council
