Top Fully Funded UK Scholarships 2025 | Over £70,000 in Study Funding
Studying in the UK on a fully funded scholarship is a dream for many international students — not only because it removes the financial barrier, but because these awards open doors to world-class teaching, global networks, and career-defining opportunities. Below are the top fully funded UK scholarships for 2025, what they cover, who should apply, and practical tips to improve your chances.
1. Chevening Scholarships — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Chevening offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees to emerging global leaders. The scholarship covers tuition, a living allowance, travel to and from the UK, and additional grants (depending on the recipient’s circumstances). Chevening is aimed at professionals with demonstrable leadership potential and at least two years’ work experience. Applications are highly competitive and typically require a strong personal statement and a clear post-study plan.
Why it stands out: prestige, large alumni network, and the scholarship’s focus on leadership and policy impact.
Tip: Emphasize measurable leadership outcomes from your work and a convincing plan for how UK study will help you contribute back home.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships (CSC) — For students from Commonwealth countries
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan funds master’s and PhD study for talented students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth nations. Awards usually cover full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, approved travel, and other allowances (e.g., warm clothing where required). The scheme prioritizes development relevance — projects that will help the scholar’s home country are favoured.
Why it stands out: comprehensive funding packages that often exceed £70,000 total value across multi-year PhD awards.
Tip: Make sure your research or study proposal clearly links to development outcomes in your home country.
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship — University of Cambridge
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding international applicants for graduate study at Cambridge. The award covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge including University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance (example rates published around £21,000 per year for 2024–25), and discretionary academic development funds. It’s highly competitive and leans heavily on academic excellence, leadership, and a strong fit with Cambridge’s research strengths.
Why it stands out: generous maintenance awards and research support at one of the world’s top universities.
Tip: Tailor your application to specific Cambridge supervisors and clearly explain how your research will benefit from Cambridge resources.
4. Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford
The Rhodes is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious scholarships, funding postgraduate study at Oxford. It typically covers course fees and provides an annual stipend (recent guidance listed around £19,800–£20,400 per academic year for the 2024–26 cycles) and some travel costs. Rhodes selection emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service.
Why it stands out: global prestige, exceptional mentorship network, and lifetime alumni connections.
Tip: Rhodes interviews and selection processes are rigorous — prepare strong examples of leadership through service and clear, evidence-based impact.
5. Clarendon Fund — University of Oxford
Clarendon Scholarships at Oxford provide full or partial funding for graduate study. Clarendon covers tuition and a generous living grant for the period of fee liability; applicants are automatically considered when they apply for admission to an eligible Oxford course (no separate Clarendon application is required). Clarendon supports outstanding scholars across all subjects.
Why it stands out: automatic consideration for high-achieving applicants and strong living cost support.
Tip: Apply to Oxford well ahead of deadlines and submit a stellar academic statement — Clarendon is highly meritocratic.
6. GREAT Scholarships & Country-Specific Awards
The UK government, in partnership with universities and donor organisations, runs schemes such as GREAT Scholarships and other country-specific awards (e.g., scholarships tied to bilateral agreements or regional initiatives). These can provide full tuition plus stipends for specific cohorts and subjects. Check the British Council’s Study UK pages and university websites for country-tailored openings.
Why it stands out: targeted opportunities for students from certain countries or studying specific subjects (e.g., STEM, public policy).
Tip: Follow your country’s British Council office and major UK universities to catch application windows and eligibility rules.
7. University & College Scholarships (e.g., Trinity Cambridge Research Studentships)
Many individual colleges and departments offer fully funded studentships, especially for PhD candidates (for example, large new Cambridge and college-level studentships announced as fresh funding streams). These awards often include full fees and multi-year stipends and can be as generous as government scholarships for high-quality research proposals.
Why it stands out: direct research funding and close supervision; often easier to align with specific academic supervisors.
Tip: Contact potential supervisors early, craft a focused proposal, and search department pages for studentship listings.
Application Strategy — How to increase your chances
- Start early: Most schemes have fixed annual deadlines (e.g., Chevening runs its cycle once per year).
- Match fit: Apply only to scholarships where your profile, career goals, and country eligibility align.
- Strong references: Secure recommenders who can speak to leadership, research potential, or community impact.
- Clear impact narrative: For development-oriented scholarships (Commonwealth, Chevening), show how the UK study will translate into measurable benefits back home.
- Polish your proposal and essays: Be specific about supervisors, modules, or research methods and keep outcomes realistic.
Final notes
Fully funded UK scholarships in 2025 continue to be both highly competitive and richly rewarding — many cover tuition, living costs, and travel, and some provide multi-year funding that comfortably exceeds £70,000 in total value for PhD awards or combined package totals. For reliability and the latest application dates, always consult the official pages linked above or your country’s British Council office before applying.