Scholarships · UK

UK scholarships for Indian students: 2027 guide

Amounts and dates last reviewed on 14 October 2026.

Fully funded UK scholarships exist, but only a small share of applicants win them. Most Indian students who get help with UK fees get it from the university itself, as a discount of a few thousand pounds. Here is what each option is worth, who it suits and when to apply for a 2027 start.

Fully funded options: Chevening, Commonwealth Master's
Most common award: University fee discount, £2,000 to £10,000
Apply for big awards: 12 to 14 months before you start
Intakes: September (main), January

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Main scholarships

UK scholarships Indian students can apply for

Rupee figures first, local amount underneath. Rates used: £1 = ₹127.9 (ECB reference rates, 9 October 2026). Rates move daily, so treat rupee figures as a guide.

UK government (FCDO)

Chevening Scholarship

Full tuition, living stipend, flights and visa costs

Very competitive

What it covers

Full tuition for an eligible one-year master's
Monthly living stipend
Return economy flight to the UK
Visa application fee and TB test
Arrival and departure allowances

Who can get it

Indian citizens with a degree that qualifies for UK postgraduate study
At least 2,800 hours (about two years) of work experience after graduation
Must return to India for at least two years after the course
Must apply to three eligible UK master's courses and hold an unconditional offer by July of the start year

When to apply for 2027: The 2027-28 round closed on 6 October 2026. If you missed it, the next round (for September 2028) is expected to open in early August 2027 and close in early October 2027.

Kompass view: Chevening looks for future leaders, not just high marks. Strong work experience, a clear plan for India and leadership examples matter more than your percentage.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK government funded)

Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

Full tuition, flights and a monthly stipend

Very competitive

₹2.2 lakh to ₹2.6 lakh£1,712 to £2,000 a month stipend (higher figure for London)

What it covers

Full tuition fees
Return airfare
Monthly stipend (about £1,712, or about £2,000 in London, at 2027-28 rates)
Study travel grant

Who can get it

Indian citizens permanently resident in India
A first degree of at least upper second class or equivalent (roughly 60% or a strong CGPA) by September 2027
Cannot afford to study in the UK without the award
Taught master's courses only (no MBA)

When to apply for 2027: The Commission's 2027-28 deadline is 20 October 2026. Indian applicants also need a nomination through the Ministry of Education's portal, which runs on its own timetable, so check immediately if you are reading this before the deadline.

Kompass view: India sends only a few dozen nominations a year. The application leans heavily on how your course will help India's development, so subject choice matters.

British Council with UK universities

GREAT Scholarship (India)

£10,000 off tuition

Competitive

₹12.8 lakh£10,000 off tuition, one-time

What it covers

£10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught master's

Who can get it

Indian passport holders living in India
A bachelor's degree and the university's English requirement
Must apply to one of the participating universities (13 universities in the 2026-27 round, including Bristol, Surrey, Reading, Kent and Queen's University Belfast)

When to apply for 2027: Each university sets its own deadline, usually between March and May for a September start. The list for September 2027 is usually published in the autumn, so expect it around now.

Kompass view: Only a handful of awards per university, but far fewer applicants than Chevening. A good choice if one of the participating universities suits your course anyway.

Where most of the money comes from

University scholarships and discounts

Most UK universities give international students a merit scholarship or an early-payment discount. Many are automatic: you are considered when you apply for the course, with no separate form.

Typical award

₹2.6 lakh to ₹12.8 lakh£2,000 to £10,000 off first-year tuition

Kompass estimate from recent offers. Each university sets its own awards.

What to expect

Automatic merit awards based on your Indian marks, often £2,000 to £5,000
Higher awards (up to about half the fee) at some universities for first-class profiles
Early deposit discounts of £500 to £2,000 if you pay by a set date
Alumni and sibling discounts at some universities
Awards usually apply to the first year only; check if a two-year course renews it

See what you'd still need to fund

Work out tuition, living costs and visa funds for UK, then subtract the scholarship.

Free study cost calculator

Timeline

Scholarship calendar for a 2027 start

1
August to October 2026
Chevening and Commonwealth applications for 2027 (now closed or closing)
2
October 2026 to January 2027
Apply for courses; early applicants get first pick of university awards
3
January to May 2027
University scholarship and GREAT deadlines
4
April to July 2027
Pay deposit (watch early-payment discounts), get your CAS
5
August 2027
Visa decision and travel for September

What strengthens your application

Apply for your course early: many university awards are first come, first served
Ask each university in writing whether its award is automatic or needs a separate form
For Chevening, start a year ahead and build your leadership examples now
Count the scholarship against the full cost, not just tuition, using our cost calculator

Common mistakes

Waiting for a Chevening result before applying to universities
Treating a £3,000 discount as a reason to pick a weaker university
Missing a separate scholarship form because the course application was done
Forgetting that most awards cover the first year only

Not sure which scholarships you qualify for?

In a free student counselling session we check your marks, budget and course, and give you a shortlist of scholarships with deadlines.

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FAQs

UK scholarships: your questions answered

Can Indian students get a fully funded scholarship in the UK?

Yes, mainly through Chevening and the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship. Both cover full tuition, living costs and flights, but they are very competitive and have deadlines about a year before the course starts. Most Indian students instead receive a partial university award.

When is the Chevening deadline for 2027?

The round for courses starting in September 2027 closed on 6 October 2026. The next round, for September 2028, is expected to open in early August 2027.

How much is the GREAT Scholarship worth?

£10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught master's at a participating UK university. Each university sets its own deadline and selection process.

Do I need work experience for UK scholarships?

Chevening needs about two years (2,800 hours). The Commonwealth Master's, GREAT and most university awards do not require work experience, although it can strengthen an application.

Are UK university scholarships automatic?

Many are. You are assessed when you apply for the course, based on your marks. Some need a separate form or essay with its own deadline, so always ask the university.

Does a scholarship reduce the money I must show for the UK visa?

An official scholarship or sponsorship can reduce the amount you must show, if the sponsor's letter confirms what it covers. A fee discount reduces the tuition you still owe, which the visa calculation uses.

Can I get a scholarship for a January intake?

University awards are usually available for January starts too, but the government scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT) are designed for September starts.

Can Kompass apply for scholarships on my behalf?

We shortlist the scholarships you are eligible for, plan your timeline and review your essays and statements. The application itself must be submitted by you, and no consultant can promise an award.

Keep exploring

More on studying abroad

Study in UK: full guide All scholarship guides IELTS / PTE scores needed Germany scholarships Ireland scholarships France scholarships Netherlands scholarships Italy scholarships

Sources

Chevening Scholarships: 2027-28 eligibility and timeline (reported 14 September 2026)
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission: Commonwealth Master's Scholarships 2027-28 call
British Council Study UK: GREAT Scholarships India 2026-27

Scholarship rules, amounts and deadlines change every year. Dates marked "expected" are based on the last round. We confirm current details for your case at your counselling session. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.

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