Are you searching for the best UK scholarships 2027 to study at a British university? The United Kingdom offers a wide range of scholarships for international students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs, while others provide valuable tuition discounts.
- UK Scholarships 2027 Overview
- 1. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027–2028
- 2. University of Exeter Excellence Scholarships 2027
- 3. Durham University Inspiring Excellence Scholarships 2027
- 4. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027
- 5. Cardiff University International Excellence Scholarships 2027
- 6. University of Reading Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship 2027
- 7. University of Westminster Postgraduate Excellence Award 2027
- 8. University of Strathclyde Dean’s Excellence Scholarship 2027
- 9. Heriot-Watt University International Merit Scholarship 2027
- 10. University of Kent International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027
- Eligibility Criteria for UK Scholarships 2027
- Required Documents and How to Apply
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
For the 2027 academic intake, several universities have announced international scholarships worth between £3,000 and £20,000 or more, depending on the programme and duration. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship also offers fully funded master’s study for eligible students from selected Commonwealth countries.
This guide from Global Scholarship Point highlights 10 UK scholarships for international students in 2027, with funding details, eligibility requirements, application procedures, deadlines, and official scholarship links.
UK Scholarships 2027 Overview
| Scholarship | Degree Level | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Master’s | Fully Funded |
| University of Exeter Excellence | Bachelor’s | £15,000 tuition reduction per eligible year |
| Durham Inspiring Excellence | Eligible degrees | £5,000–£10,000, subject to award terms |
| Manchester Global Futures | Bachelor’s / Master’s | Partial tuition funding |
| Cardiff International Excellence | Bachelor’s | £10,000 |
| Reading Undergraduate Excellence | Bachelor’s | £5,000 per year |
| Westminster Postgraduate Excellence | Master’s | £3,000–£5,000 |
| Strathclyde Dean’s Excellence | Master’s | £10,000 |
| Heriot-Watt International Merit | Bachelor’s / Master’s | Varies by region |
| Kent International Undergraduate | Bachelor’s | Up to £5,000 |
Important: These scholarships are not all fully funded. Most provide partial tuition assistance, and students must arrange the remaining tuition and living expenses themselves.
1. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027–2028
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are among the strongest fully funded UK scholarships for international students from eligible developing Commonwealth countries.
The programme is jointly supported by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and participating UK universities. It funds selected full-time master’s courses with a focus on international development.
Scholarship benefits
- Full tuition fee coverage.
- Approved return airfare.
- Monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 for universities in the London metropolitan area, at the currently published rates.
- Warm clothing allowance where applicable.
- Thesis and study travel grants where applicable.
Eligibility: Applicants must be citizens of or hold refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible country, meet academic requirements, and demonstrate financial need.
Eligible countries include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and others listed by the Commission.
Applications open: November 10, 2026.
Deadline: December 8, 2026, at 16:00 GMT.
Official scholarship website
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Applicants must apply for an approved master’s course at a participating university and submit the scholarship application through CSC Central.
2. University of Exeter Excellence Scholarships 2027
The University of Exeter offers its Exeter Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 to outstanding international undergraduate applicants.
For the 2027 intake, the university has announced 150 undergraduate awards worth £15,000 as a recurring tuition fee discount for each eligible year of study.
Eligible subject areas include computer science, engineering, economics, mathematics, finance, geography, biosciences, and other listed programmes.
Scholarship benefits
- £15,000 tuition fee reduction per eligible year.
- Support for selected undergraduate programmes.
- Recognition of academic achievement and student ambition.
Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible international fee-paying students holding an offer for a qualifying undergraduate course.
A scholarship application is required after receiving a programme offer. Applicants must submit a personal statement of no more than 300 words addressing their aspirations and intended contribution to the university community.
Round 1 deadline: March 4, 2027, at 23:59 GMT.
Official scholarship website
This is a tuition scholarship rather than a fully funded living-expenses award.
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3. Durham University Inspiring Excellence Scholarships 2027
Durham University provides international scholarship opportunities through its Inspiring Excellence scholarship scheme.
The programme is intended to attract talented students with strong academic records who want to pursue eligible degree programmes at Durham.
Scholarship benefits
- Partial tuition fee assistance.
- Awards previously advertised in the £5,000–£10,000 range.
- Financial support for selected international applicants.
Eligibility: Students must meet the academic, fee-status, course, and intake requirements specified in the relevant scholarship announcement.
The precise award amount, eligible courses, and deadline should be checked against Durham University’s current 2027 scholarship conditions before applying.
Deadline: Confirm on the university’s official scholarship page; a verified universal 2027 deadline is not established here.
Official scholarship website
Students should not assume that every international applicant or degree programme qualifies for this scholarship.
4. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027
The University of Manchester has announced Global Futures Scholarships 2027 with more than £6 million in total awards for international students beginning their studies in September 2027.
More than 350 partial merit-based scholarships are available across eligible undergraduate and taught master’s programmes.
Scholarship benefits
- Tuition fee reductions.
- Merit-based undergraduate and master’s awards.
- Funding amounts determined by applicant region and degree level.
For example, the university advertises undergraduate scholarships for eligible North American students with a £12,000 annual tuition reduction over three years, subject to the published conditions.
Eligibility: Applicants must live in one of the university’s eligible countries, meet the relevant academic conditions, and apply for an eligible full-time on-campus programme.
Eligible countries include the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Malaysia, and others listed on the university website.
Deadline: Varies by country and study level.
Official scholarship website
Students should check their country-specific scholarship instructions because award amounts and application timelines differ.
5. Cardiff University International Excellence Scholarships 2027
Cardiff University offers Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarships 2027 for academically talented international students beginning eligible bachelor’s degrees in autumn 2027.
The university has announced nine scholarships, each valued at £10,000.
Scholarship benefits
- £10,000 tuition fee reduction.
- Award applied to the first year of study.
- Available across a range of eligible undergraduate programmes.
Eligible subjects include selected courses in engineering, business, computer science, architecture, biosciences, humanities, and other disciplines.
Eligibility: Applicants must be self-funded international fee-paying students holding an offer for an eligible undergraduate programme.
Students must also meet the university’s original admission requirements.
Eligible offer holders are invited by email to submit a scholarship application, including a written response of no more than 300 words.
Deadline: April 2, 2027, at 23:59 UK time.
Official scholarship website
The scholarship is a first-year tuition discount and does not provide a cash stipend.
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6. University of Reading Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship 2027
The University of Reading Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship 2027 supports high-achieving international students beginning eligible undergraduate programmes in the 2027–2028 academic year.
This scholarship is particularly useful because the award can continue for each eligible year of the degree.
Scholarship benefits
- £5,000 tuition fee reduction annually.
- Support throughout eligible years of undergraduate study.
- Merit-based selection.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold an offer for an eligible undergraduate programme and be classified as international students for tuition fee purposes.
The scholarship cannot be combined with the university’s Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship.
Application rounds
- Round 1: September 1–December 31, 2026.
- Round 2: January 1–March 31, 2027.
- Round 3: April 1–June 30, 2027.
- Round 4: July 1–August 20, 2027.
Eligible students apply through the university’s me@reading applicant portal.
Official scholarship website
Applicants should review the final scholarship terms and conditions when published.
7. University of Westminster Postgraduate Excellence Award 2027
The University of Westminster offers the International Postgraduate Excellence Award to academically strong international students entering eligible master’s programmes in January 2027.
Scholarship benefits
- £3,000 toward tuition fees for eligible one-year master’s programmes.
- £5,000 for eligible two-year master’s programmes with an Integrated Professional Year Experience.
Eligibility: Applicants must be overseas fee-paying students with an offer for an eligible full-time master’s programme beginning in January 2027.
A UK-equivalent good upper-second-class honors degree is normally required.
Online programmes, doctoral degrees, and certain professional courses are excluded.
Deadline: November 30, 2026.
Official scholarship website
The award is applied to tuition fees and cannot replace the deposit required for visa sponsorship documentation.
8. University of Strathclyde Dean’s Excellence Scholarship 2027
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow offers the Humanities & Social Sciences Dean’s International Excellence Scholarship for international master’s students beginning eligible programmes in January 2027.
The award recognizes academic excellence and applicants’ potential contributions to their chosen fields.
Scholarship benefits
- £10,000 tuition fee scholarship.
- Merit-based selection.
- No separate scholarship application required.
Eligible fields include education, international relations, journalism, law, politics, psychology, history, and related subjects.
Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible self-funded international students holding an offer for a full-time postgraduate taught programme within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences.
Deadline: November 30, 2026.
Official scholarship website
Eligible offer holders are considered automatically based on their academic application and supporting documents.
9. Heriot-Watt University International Merit Scholarship 2027
Heriot-Watt University offers International Merit Scholarships for eligible international students enrolling at its UK campuses in January or September 2027.
The university has announced more than £500,000 in merit scholarship support for international fee-paying students.
Scholarship benefits
- Partial tuition fee reductions.
- Funding for eligible undergraduate and taught postgraduate students.
- Award amounts varying by region.
Most scholarships are applied as first-year tuition discounts unless the award letter specifies otherwise.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the university’s international fee-status, academic, programme, and regional scholarship requirements.
Application status: Open for 2027 entry.
Deadline: Check the applicable regional and intake requirements.
Official scholarship website
Students should contact the university’s regional admissions team for the exact scholarship value available to applicants from their country.
10. University of Kent International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027
The University of Kent offers international undergraduate scholarships for eligible students beginning their studies in January 2027.
The award helps reduce tuition expenses for self-funded international applicants.
Scholarship benefits
- Tuition fee assistance of up to £5,000.
- Support for eligible undergraduate students.
- Scholarship awarded subject to the university’s conditions.
Eligibility: Applicants must be classified as overseas fee-paying students, be self-funded, and hold an accepted conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible undergraduate programme.
Distance learning and short-term programmes are excluded.
Deadline: December 11, 2026, at 17:00 GMT.
Official scholarship website
The university also advertises a separate international undergraduate scholarship for September 2027 entry. Students should choose the scholarship matching their intended start date.
Eligibility Criteria for UK Scholarships 2027
Although individual requirements vary, applicants for UK scholarships 2027 generally need to meet several common conditions.
- Hold the academic qualifications required for the chosen bachelor’s or master’s programme.
- Meet the university’s English language requirements.
- Apply to an eligible degree programme.
- Satisfy the scholarship’s nationality, residency, or international fee-status conditions.
- Submit a complete admission application before the relevant deadline.
- Demonstrate academic merit, leadership, or financial need where required.
Some awards require a separate scholarship application, while others automatically consider eligible students after admission.
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship has additional citizenship, residency, development-impact, and financial-need requirements.
Required Documents and How to Apply
Applicants should prepare documents early because scholarship and admission deadlines may differ.
Commonly required documents
- Valid passport.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- English language proficiency evidence, when required.
- Personal statement or motivation letter.
- Academic or professional recommendation letters.
- Curriculum vitae for postgraduate applicants, when requested.
- Scholarship-specific essays or supporting documents.
Application steps
- Choose a scholarship from the list and open its official website.
- Review the degree level, funding amount, nationality restrictions, and deadline.
- Select an eligible university programme.
- Apply for admission through the university’s official system.
- Complete a separate scholarship application if required.
- Upload all supporting documents before the deadline.
- Monitor your university email and applicant portal for decisions.
Applicants should never assume that an admission offer guarantees scholarship funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are UK scholarships 2027 fully funded?
Some are. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships provide comprehensive funding, while most university awards in this guide offer partial tuition fee assistance.
2. Can international students apply for UK scholarships in 2027?
Yes. All ten opportunities include international applicant routes, although nationality, residency, fee status, degree, and programme restrictions differ.
3. Which UK scholarships offer undergraduate funding?
The University of Exeter, Cardiff University, University of Reading, University of Manchester, Heriot-Watt University, and University of Kent offer undergraduate funding for eligible applicants.
4. Are UK scholarships available without IELTS?
Some universities accept alternative English language qualifications or evidence, but the requirements vary. Applicants must check their chosen university’s admissions policy.
5. Can I apply for more than one UK scholarship?
Often yes, but scholarship combination rules differ. Some universities prohibit holding two institutional awards simultaneously.
6. When should I apply for 2027 UK scholarships?
Begin as early as possible. Several January 2027 awards close in November or December 2026, while scholarships for September 2027 entry may remain open into spring or summer 2027.
Final Thoughts
The 10 best UK scholarships 2027 listed above provide opportunities for international students seeking financial assistance at British universities.
Students looking for comprehensive financial support should prioritize the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships if they meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants seeking partial tuition funding can explore awards from Exeter, Manchester, Cardiff, Reading, Westminster, Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt, Durham, and Kent.
Before applying, compare the scholarship amount against total tuition fees and living expenses. Even a substantial tuition discount may leave significant costs to cover.
For more opportunities, explore the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships on Global Scholarship Point.
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Author: Muhammad Khayam Afridi — Founder & Editor
Last verified: November 8, 2026
