When you think about studying abroad, one of the top destinations that comes to mind is the United Kingdom and rightfully so. Some of the world's leading universities are located in the UK and it is a hotbed of research carried out across diverse subjects. If you are a student from India who has just finished grade 12 and is looking to apply abroad, then the UK is one of the most perfect destinations for you. Many universities as well as other organisations also offer undergraduate scholarships for Indian students. That shall be our main focus of the day as we talk about the many scholarships available for studying in the UK.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CRITERIA

There are many different types of scholarships that you can apply for and these include academic scholarships, performance scholarships, subject-related scholarships, and more. There are also scholarships on offer for students from less fortunate backgrounds as well as for those who have physical disabilities or have been diagnosed with mental health disorders.

The criteria to apply for a scholarship tends to remain similar across most universities and organisations. You will generally be required to do the following:

• Your transcripts from high school (grades 9-12)
• Two-three references from your teachers
• A personal statement, stating the reasons you’re applying for this scholarship

In certain cases, you may also be asked to answer certain questions; both relating to the course you are applying for as well as general questions about yourself and your hobbies. In the case of certain scholarships offered by universities, you may not even be required to do any additional application and instead, be automatically considered when you’re applying to the university.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

One of the most valuable sources, when you are looking for scholarships, is the website of the British Council. An official body of the UK government, it offers a range of scholarships across all levels of study, which includes undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. It also serves as a database for scholarships from UK universities. The following list is a curated list of scholarships which Indian undergraduate students can apply for:

International Excellence Scholarship, Brunel University London

The scholarship scheme is for fully self-funded students only and is based on overall academic merit and professional experience. To apply you need to have received an offer to study on an eligible course starting in September 2023 or January 2024. Applicants must have applied for a full-time undergraduate taught programme starting in September 2023 or January 2024.

Undergraduate: £6,000 as a tuition fee waiver, each year for a maximum of three years.

Be Exceptional 60th Anniversary, University of York

The Be Exceptional 60th Anniversary scholarships are awarded to international undergraduate students to support them to achieve their goals at the University of York. To be eligible, you must have a conditional or unconditional offer to study at the University of York by 26 March 2023 (round one) or 12 June 2023 (round two), be paying fees at the overseas fee rate (any fee assessments must be completed by 26 March 2023 (round one) or 12 June 2023 (round two) and intend to study a full-time undergraduate course. Applications are available online.

Scholarship amount: The scholarship offers a £7,500 tuition fee discount in your first year only.

Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, University of Kent

The scholarship will be awarded to UK, EU and Overseas applicants to the University of Kent who meet all the criteria i.e. they are entering the first year (Stage 1) of undergraduate degree study at the University of Kent’s Canterbury or Medway campus from September 2023. There is no application form to complete. If you are eligible to receive the scholarship, you will receive confirmation via your KentVision application portal in September 2023.

Scholarship amount: £2,000 for stage 1 (first year) of study.

International Development Awards, Kingston University London

International Development awards are scholarships worth £5,000 to successful international applicants joining us in January for their first year of study. These scholarships are partial scholarships. You are eligible to apply for the scholarship if you meet the following criteria i.e. you are an international student, classified as paying 'overseas fees', you have received an offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate course at Kingston University and you are not currently registered on a Kingston University degree or foundation course. Applications are NOT on a first-come-first-served basis, so take your time. All applications received by the deadline will receive equal consideration.

Scholarship amount: £5,000

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship, University of Liverpool

The prestigious University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC) Excellence Scholarship is intended to reward exceptionally high-achieving international students progressing from UoLIC to a non-clinical, undergraduate degree programme at the University of Liverpool. To be eligible for this award you must be liable to pay full tuition fees at the overseas rate, be starting a new non-clinical undergraduate programme and achieve one of the highest academic scores in a UoLIC Foundation Certificate programme, achieving at least 75%.

Scholarship amount: £5,000 tuition fee reduction for the first year of study

Ariyaratnam Scholarship, King’s College London

King’s College London offers the Ariyaratnam Scholarship worth £30,000 for new entrants. The Ariyaratnam Scholarship has been set up by an alumnus of King’s, Mr Ineeyan Ariyaratnam. This scholarship is to support one international undergraduate student in the King’s Business School or Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences.

Applicants must meet the following criteria i.e. starting a new undergraduate first degree at King's, be liable for international tuition fees, have a household income equivalent to GBP £50,000 or less and have achieved AAB or above in their A-level examinations (or international equivalent). Applications can be submitted online and you will need to supply documentary evidence of your financial circumstances with your application.

Scholarship amount: £30,000; £10,000 per year, up to a maximum of three years, directly towards your tuition fees

International Excellence Scholarship, University of St. Andrews

The International Excellence Scholarship is available to international students who will be studying at St Andrews for an undergraduate degree starting in 2023 with an Overseas fee status. The Selection Committee seeks applicants who are gifted students with academic excellence. This scholarship is only available to students entering their first year of an undergraduate degree and with overseas fees status. Applications can be made through the scholarships and funding section of your application to St. Andrews

Scholarship amount: full tuition fees, paid annually for the duration of your undergraduate programme

Lancaster Global Scholarship, University of Lancaster

The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee waiver for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught programmes (excluding MBA programmes) for 2023 entry and will be automatically awarded if students meet the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions. Undergraduate Awardees must achieve A*A*A at A level or international equivalent. Applicants must be in receipt of either a conditional or an unconditional offer for a place at Lancaster University for October 2023 entry, which you have accepted.

Scholarship amount: £5,000 in your first year of study.

Presidents International Scholarship; City, University of London

This scholarship is designed as a recognition of the growing cost of studying at university. As such, the President’s International scholars will be awarded the scholarship as a discount in the fee amount due in the first year of their study. The student must be self-funded in order to qualify. The successful scholars will also be expected to be ambassadors for the City community. This will include representing the University at events, both on and off campus, contributing towards societies and supporting broader community engagement initiatives. Applications will take in place in four stages, with further details available online.

Scholarship amount: 50% of the course fee for the first year only.

Robertson International Scholarships, University of Edinburgh

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology is offering up to 5 undergraduate scholarships to overseas students beginning their studies in September 2023. Applicants must be nationals of a country outside the UK and be liable for the overseas rate of tuition fees. Applicants should have applied through the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) to commence an undergraduate programme of study within the School of History, Classics and Archaeology for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Scholarship amount: £1000, for one year.

University of Birmingham / KAPLAN Outstanding Achievement Scholarships, University of Birmingham

In partnership with Kaplan International College London (KICL), the University of Birmingham is pleased to provide this scholarship for academic high achievers. The allocation of the award will be made based on academic excellence and a willingness to support the University in promoting Kaplan and the Kaplan-University pathway through volunteering whilst studying at the University. To be eligible, you must have received an offer and selected the University of Birmingham as their firm choice for a full-time undergraduate programme starting September 2022. The student must be entering the first year of an undergraduate programme based at Birmingham’s UK campus and be classed by the University as an overseas fee payer for tuition fee purposes and be able to pay the outstanding tuition fees not covered by the scholarship.

Scholarship amount: £2,500

CONCLUSION

Studying in the United Kingdom can be expensive, but with scholarships, students can easily finance their education and pursue their academic goals in the universities of their dreams. Scholarships exist in many forms; you can get scholarships on the basis of your academic merit, your sporting skills or skills in mediums across art and music. Most universities offer these. So you can freely apply to the university of your dreams in the UK without hesitation.

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