Top 10 Scholarships for Indian Students in the UK (2026 Edition)

by | May 23, 2025 | Student Life, UK Education

Your ultimate funding guide for studying abroad, desi-style | ScottishIndian.com

Looking for scholarships for Indian students in the UK? You’re in the right place. At ScottishIndian.com, we understand that pursuing higher education abroad is a dream for many, but it comes with financial challenges. That’s why we’ve curated this ultimate guide featuring the top 10 scholarships for Indian students in the UK in 2026. From government-funded awards to university-specific programs, this blog will help you get the support you need to fund your study abroad journey.

For more information on preparing for your move, check out our guide on Pre-Departure Checklist for Indian Students.

🌟 1. Chevening Scholarships

  • Who’s it for? Outstanding Indian students pursuing a one-year master’s degree.
  • Covers: Tuition, living costs, flights, and more.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: August 2025
    • Deadline: 5 November 2025 at 12:00 GMT
  • More Info: chevening.org

🌍 2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

  • Who’s it for? Postgraduates from Commonwealth nations, including India.
  • Covers: Full tuition, airfare, and a monthly stipend.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: September 2025
    • Deadline: 15 October 2025 at 16:00 BST
  • More Info: study-uk.britishcouncil.org

🎨 3. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)

  • Who’s it for? Indian mid-career professionals in arts, heritage, or humanities.
  • Covers: Living costs, tuition, accommodation, and visa.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: January 2026
    • Deadline: 28 February 2026
  • More Info: charleswallaceindiatrust.com

🏛️ 4. Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)

  • Who’s it for? Exceptionally students with leadership potential.
  • Covers: Full expenses plus a generous stipend.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: 2 June 2025
    • Deadline: 23 July 2025 at 23:59 IST
  • More Info: rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

💼 5. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

  • Who’s it for? Indian students applying to top UK universities.
  • Covers: Tuition and living allowance (up to $100,000 USD).
  • Fields: Arts, design, humanities, social sciences.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: 1 November 2025
    • Deadline: 22 March 2026
  • More Info: inlaksfoundation.org

🌐 6. GREAT Scholarships – India

  • Who’s it for? Indian students applying for postgraduate courses.
  • Covers: Up to £10,000 towards tuition fees.
  • Participating Universities: Over 40 across the UK.
  • Application Timeline: Varies by institution; typically opens in early 2026.
  • More Info: britishcouncil.in

🧠 7. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

  • Who’s it for? Full-time postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge.
  • Covers: Full cost plus extras like family allowance.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: 4 September 2025
    • Deadline: December 2025 or January 2026 (dependent on course)
  • More Info: gatescambridge.org

🏫 8. University-Specific Scholarships

  • University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships:
  • University of Glasgow International Excellence Award:
    • Application Timeline: Opens March 2026
    • Deadline: 1 May 2026
    • More Info: gla.ac.uk
  • University of Aberdeen South Asia Scholarship:
    • Application Timeline: No separate application required; applies automatically upon admission.
    • More Info: abdn.ac.uk

🏴 9. Saltire Scholarships (Scotland)

  • Who’s it for? Students from India enrolling in Scottish universities.
  • Covers: £8,000 towards tuition fees.
  • Application Timeline: Opens February 2026
  • More Info: scotland.org

🌍 10. Education Future International Scholarship (India)

  • Who’s it for? Self-funded Indian students heading abroad.
  • Covers: Partial funding up to ₹10 lakh.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Opens: 1 September 2025
    • Deadline: Rolling; final results announced around September 2026
  • More Info: education-future.org

Securing a scholarship can significantly ease the financial burden of studying abroad. It’s crucial to start your application process early, keep track of deadlines, and ensure all your documents are in order.

For more tips and guidance on studying in the UK, stay tuned to ScottishIndian.com.