Scholarships

Scholarships to Study PhD in the United Kingdom

Application Abroad lists 15 scholarships that can support PhD / Doctorate study in the United Kingdom.

15 scholarships

Types of scholarships to study in the United Kingdom

By what they fund and who offers them, among the scholarships listed on this page. Select one to narrow the list.

What they fund

Who offers them

Here, "fully funded" means the published coverage includes full tuition fees (or a full tuition waiver) and a living stipend or allowance. It does not always mean every cost is covered: check each scholarship for travel, insurance, visa and accommodation.

How scholarships work

Scholarships to study in the United Kingdom are not one scheme: each provider sets its own rules, and applying for a scholarship is often separate from applying to a university. These are the application routes used by the scholarships on this page:

  • University admission first (4 scholarships): You need an offer (or an application) from an eligible university before, or as part of, the scholarship application.
  • Scholarship application first (3 scholarships): You apply for the scholarship first; university admission is arranged afterwards or alongside.
  • Both, separately (3 scholarships): The scholarship and university admission are separate applications, each with its own requirements and deadlines.
  • Automatic consideration (2 scholarships): Eligible applicants are considered through the university application; there is no separate scholarship form.

Scholarships are competitive and awards are limited. Many programmes run once a year, so a closed scholarship may open again in the next cycle: its page shows when it last ran.

Eligibility

  • Nationality or residence: many scholarships are only for citizens or residents of particular countries; others are open to international students generally. Each scholarship lists its eligible countries.
  • Education level and subject: a scholarship covers particular levels (for example master's only) and sometimes particular subjects or courses.
  • Academic record: many ask for a minimum degree classification or grades, stated on each scholarship page where the provider publishes it.
  • Financial and other conditions: some are need-based, some require self-funding for the rest of your costs, and some ask you to return home after your studies.

This page lists scholarships international students can check, not scholarships every applicant qualifies for. Always read the official eligibility rules before you apply.

Application guidance

Upcoming deadlines

Documents commonly requested

  • University admission offer — asked for by 1 scholarship

How you apply

  • Government / provider online portal (6 scholarships)
  • Multiple-stage application (6 scholarships)
  • Through the university application (4 scholarships)
  • Separate scholarship application (3 scholarships)
  • Nomination by a university (2 scholarships)

Official website and verification

Apply only through the official website linked on each scholarship page. 15 of 15 scholarships listed here were checked against the official source in the last 180 days; each page shows its last verified date. Deadlines and rules can change, so confirm them before you apply.

Planning your studies? See Study in the United Kingdom and universities in the United Kingdom.

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Frequently asked questions

Are there fully funded scholarships to study in the United Kingdom?

9 scholarships listed here for the United Kingdom have published coverage that includes full tuition and a living allowance: Marshall Scholarships, Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States), Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, Warwick Faculty Chancellor's Scholarships (PhD), Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships…. Check each one's eligibility and dates.

Can I apply for a scholarship before university admission?

It depends on the scholarship. Some need an offer from an eligible university first, some are applied for separately (sometimes before you have applied to a university), and some are awarded automatically through the university application. Each scholarship page says which applies, where the official source states it. Among the scholarships on this page: Scholarship application first: 3; Both, separately: 3; University admission first: 4; Automatic consideration: 2.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Usually you can apply to several, but some scholarships cannot be held together with other funding. Check the conditions on each scholarship page and on the official website.

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