Is it Possible to Study in UK on Scholarship?

Is it Possible to Study in UK on Scholarship?

Ever since their introduction, scholarships have been highly helpful aid for financially pressed families and a welcomed award for students who have performed exceptionally well in academics. International students who want to study in UK on scholarship will have to carry out the process of applying for it and ensuring all requirements are met and documents submitted.   

Many international students often wonder if it is possible to study in the UK on a scholarship alone. We have the answer to this question along with additional information regarding UK scholarships.

What is a Scholarship? 

A scholarship, also known as a grant, is a sum of money donated toward a student’s education. It is often awarded to individuals on the basis of their accomplishments, educational or otherwise.

Can You Study in UK on Scholarship?

A scholarship is usually a fee waiver that covers either part of the fees, the full tuition fee, part of the housing cost, or travel costs. 

That said, it may not be possible to study in the UK entirely on a scholarship as full scholarships are hard to come by. Additionally, besides tuition fees, there are other costs students will incur. So one should not expect to complete their full course using a scholarship.

Instead, consider it an aid and a slight respite from the fees as part-scholarships are more common than full-scholarships.

Scholarship Amounts

The amount of a scholarship does vary greatly depending on a few things. They could be as little as a few thousand ($1,000 or $2,000) for 1-year courses to tens of thousands ($10,000 or $15,000) for multiple-year courses. The grantee, university, course, and candidate could all influence the scholarship amount.

It is usually not a fixed amount and will be highly influenced by several factors involving the student, program, and university background.

Tips to Obtain and Study in UK on Scholarship

If you are an international student or particularly an Indian student looking to apply for a scholarship in the UK, there are a few pointers you need to consider to ensure you have the highest chances of receiving one and continuing your studies in the UK. Take a look at them below. 

Academic Score

The majority of scholarships are available to students who have the potential to complete their degree well but are restricted due to financial issues. Of course, due to this, the applicant’s academic capabilities will be used as a depiction of the student’s ability to cope with and complete the course. Maintaining an excellent academic career prior to applying to a university in the UK is vital.       

Build a Profile

After looking at the academic scores, universities may look at the applicant’s profile. The profile could include personal details that would make the applicant look more worthy of the scholarships. Hobbies, extracurricular activities, accomplishments, and a small statement of what the grant would mean would go a long way in building a profile.     

Consider Your Options

Scholarships to study in the UK are often allocated on a specific basis to universities or based on the applicant’s country of origin. The university or organisation offering the scholarship will probably have a list of universities and countries to which they offer scholarships and grants. If a student intends to apply for a scholarship they should take a look at these lists to increase the likelihood of receiving a scholarship.          

Meet Requirements 

The ability to even apply for a scholarship has certain requirements that the student must fulfil. This could be with respect to documentation or course and university selection. Not meeting these requirements could automatically make an applicant ineligible to receive a scholarship. 

Apply on Time 

Scholarship applications usually require applicants to submit their application with all the requirements enclosed within a certain period of time. After that, no applications would be accepted or considered! As an international student looking to study in UK on scholarship, ensure that you are aware of the looming deadlines before which you have to make submissions.

Types of Scholarships to Study in the UK 

Scholarships are highly sought-after grants, especially by international students looking for financial aid when studying in the UK. That said, the British Council does explain that several different types of scholarships are available to international students. Here’s a look at the various types of scholarships available to international scholars.    

1) Academic Scholarships

As the name suggests, these scholarships are awarded to individuals based on their academic achievements and capabilities.     

2) Subject-Specific Scholarships

This type of scholarship is provided to individuals who are looking to take up a particular course or subject.

3) Performance-Based Scholarships

The performance-based scholarship is given to those individuals who are especially skilled in and have achieved excellence in extracurricular activities. This could be sports or arts activities.  

4) Equal Access Scholarships

This scholarship type is restricted to refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution from their origin country. 

5) Disability Scholarships

Individuals with a physical disability, long-term mental health condition, or a learning impediment can apply for a disability scholarship to cover costs incurred due to their condition.

Global Year 1 Program by The WorldGrad

The WorldGrad has created a program aimed at helping students fulfil their dream of studying in the UK while saving money. With the Global Year 1 Program students complete their first year of their degree with The WorldGrad which can potentially save up to INR 20 Lacs! After completion of the first year, students can then continue the rest of the degree from the UK.

Conclusion

While it is possible to obtain a scholarship for the UK, the chances of receiving a full scholarship that covers all tuition fees and housing fees are highly unlikely! So, international students should be aware of this point before applying to a university. 

Students can’t study in UK on scholarship alone but it can be availed to serve as financial support for struggling students. Prior to applying for one, students should check their eligibility and the requirements.

FAQs

Q.1 Are scholarships easy for Indian students to get?
A.1 Scholarships are more obtainable when the student is eligible for them. Naturally, this requires that the student has ideal academic scores.

Q.2 What percentage scores are necessary for applying for a UK scholarship?
A.2 A minimum of 65% is necessary to apply for a UK scholarship. However, certain universities and third-party scholarship providers may have different criteria and percentage scores for international students.

Q.3 Do UK universities accept international students with a gap in studies?
A.3 Yes, UK universities do accept international students with study gaps. A maximum of two years are accepted for undergraduate studies. A maximum of five years is accepted for postgraduate studies.