The United Kingdom is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London. With a long history of academic excellence, UK universities continue to attract talented students from across the globe who wish to obtain a high-quality education. However, the often high costs of tuition and living expenses can make studying in the UK seem out of reach for many prospective international students. Fortunately, a wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities are available to make pursuing a master's or PhD degree in the UK affordable. This article will explore the fully funded masters and PhD programs offered at UK universities and provide helpful tips for finding and applying to these awards.
Fully Funded Masters Programs in the UK
A fully funded master's degree covers all or most of your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the UK. There are several main types of full funding available:
University Scholarships
Many UK universities offer scholarships and studentships to cover the costs of a master's degree, especially for high-achieving international students. For example:
- The University of Manchester offers over 200 fully funded awards for master's students including the Elite Master's Scholarship worth £38,000.
- The University of York has over 140 full scholarships available for master's students from any country.
- At the University of Sussex, the Sussex Chancellor's Masters Scholarships fully fund 10 top students per year.
Additionally, universities often offer subject-specific master's scholarships related to key research areas. It's worth exploring options directly through your desired university's website.
Government/Organization Scholarships
Several government bodies and nonprofit organizations provide full master's funding in the UK for international students:
- Chevening Scholarships offered by the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office fully fund scholarship recipients including tuition, living expenses, flights, and more.
- The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers full funding to citizens of developing Commonwealth countries.
- The Islamic Development Bank provides scholarships in science and technology-related fields for students from member countries.
Departmental Funding
Many university departments offer funded places or studentships for their master's degrees linked to specific projects or research areas. These are often competitive but fully fund tuition and a stipend. Directly contacting department admissions teams about potential funding opportunities can be fruitful, in addition to broader university awards.
Top Tips for Securing Fully Funded Masters
With competition often high for a limited number of fully funded places, follow these tips to strengthen your chances:
- Apply early - funding deadlines are often significantly before general admission deadlines.
- Highlight academic excellence - funding bodies look for outstanding potential and past achievements.
- Tailor your application - demonstrate how you fit the criteria and aims of each scholarship.
- Contact departments directly - they may have small pots of funding not widely advertised.
Fully Funded PhD Programs in the UK
While securing full funding for a UK master's degree presents challenges, PhD funding is more widely accessible. Here are some of the main types of fully funded PhD studentships:
University Studentships
Most UK universities offer their own doctoral studentship schemes, which fully fund PhD research. These generic studentships provide a tax-free stipend, all tuition and fees, and research budgets for 3-4 years. Competition is high, but all departments receive annual allocations.
Specific Research Council Awards
UK Research Councils offer targeted PhD funding connected to priority research areas, like:
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Students apply directly to these schemes through the council or university departments. Success rates are around 25%.
Industry Partnerships
Many businesses, charities, and other external organizations partner with UK universities to sponsor fully funded PhDs aligned with their research interests. These provide an applied focus and often enhanced stipends. Exploring departmental websites for mentions of industry partnerships can reveal possibilities.
Scholarships and Fellowships
A wide range of country-specific and subject-specific PhD scholarships exist, like the Commonwealth Scholarships or Schlumberger Foundation Fellowships. University scholarships also support some PhD students. Targeted applications to various funding bodies are worthwhile.
Top Tips for Getting Fully Funded PhD Offers
While PhD funding is accessible, use these strategies to maximize your chances:
- Start early – PhD funding application cycles open well in advance of admissions.
- Engage supervisors in advance – they can advise on funding opportunities and sponsor applications.
- Target priority research areas – councils favor key topics like climate change or AI.
- Highlight relevant experience – e.g. through a master's thesis or industry internships.
- Apply widely – increase chances by applying to multiple funding sources.
Conclusion
Fully funded master's and PhD programs make attaining a UK degree feasible and affordable for international students of merit. While securing funding requires effort and perseverance, the array of university scholarships, government awards, research council studentships, industry partnerships, and other funding sources means full support is accessible with a thoughtful approach. Early and targeted applications focused on academic excellence are key. For ambitious students, fully funded study in the UK provides an unmatched opportunity to access world-class research facilities and instruction while gaining skills and experience valued by employers worldwide. The investment of time to uncover and apply for funding can certainly be worthwhile, opening doors to life-changing educational experiences.