Fully funded postgraduate scholarships in the UK for international students (2026 entry)
Fully funded postgraduate scholarships in the UK allow international students to study a master’s degree without paying tuition fees. In some cases, scholarships may also include living cost support, but most university awards cover 100 percent of tuition fees only.
For students starting in September 2026, a small group of UK universities currently offer postgraduate scholarships covering full tuition fees. This guide brings them together in one place so you can see where the opportunities are and how competitive they are.
If you are still considering undergraduate study, you can also explore our guide to fully funded undergraduate scholarships in the UK for 2026 entry.
Can international students study a master’s degree in the UK for free?
Yes — but opportunities are limited.
A small number of UK postgraduate scholarships allow international students to study in the UK without paying tuition fees. These are among the most competitive awards available because they remove the largest financial barrier to studying overseas.
Most fully funded postgraduate scholarships offered directly by universities cover tuition fees only. Scholarships covering tuition fees plus living costs and flights are usually government-funded national schemes.
Fully funded postgraduate scholarships in the UK for 2026 entry
The scholarships below currently offer 100 percent tuition fee coverage for international postgraduate students starting in 2026.
| University | Scholarship | Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPP University | Future Leader Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | Not specified |
| BPP University | Dean of BPP Law School Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | Not specified |
| Loughborough University London | Global Impact Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 6 May 2026 |
| Newcastle University | India Leadership and Innovation Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 4 June 2026 |
| St George’s, University of London | Global Health postgraduate scholarships | 100% tuition fees | Not specified |
| University College Birmingham | Vice Chancellor’s Award | 100% tuition fees | 31 May 2026 |
| University of Edinburgh | LLM European Law Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 1 May 2026 |
| University of Glasgow | Adam Smith Business School Global Impact Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 18 May 2026 |
| University of Glasgow | African Excellence Award | 100% tuition fees | 18 May 2026 |
| University of Glasgow | Behavioural Science Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 18 May 2026 |
| University of Law | Career Changer Scholarship | Full and partial awards available | Not specified |
| University of Leicester | Africa Development Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 31 May 2026 |
| University of Sussex | Scholarships for Palestine | 100% tuition fee discount | 1 June 2026 |
| University of the West of England | College of Health, Science and Society Dean’s Scholarship | 100% tuition fees | 30 June 2026 |
| University of Warwick | Economics Regional Scholarships | 100% tuition fees | 1 May 2026 |
Looking for funding earlier in your academic journey? See our guide to fully funded undergraduate scholarships in the UK for 2026 entry.
The full list of fully funded postgraduate scholarships for international students:
BPP University
Future Leader Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: Not specified
BPP University
Dean of BPP Law School Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: Not specified
Loughborough University London
Global Impact Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 6 May 2026
Newcastle University
India Leadership and Innovation Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 4 June 2026
St George’s, University of London
Global Health postgraduate scholarships
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: Not specified
University College Birmingham
Vice Chancellor’s Award
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 31 May 2026
University of Edinburgh
LLM European Law Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 1 May 2026
University of Glasgow
Adam Smith Business School Global Impact Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 18 May 2026
University of Glasgow
African Excellence Award
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 18 May 2026
University of Glasgow
Behavioural Science Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 18 May 2026
University of Law
Career Changer Scholarship
Funding: Full and partial scholarships available
Deadline: Not specified
University of Leicester
Africa Development Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent of tuition fees
Deadline: 31 May 2026
University of Sussex
Scholarships for Palestine
Funding: 100 percent tuition fee discount
Deadline: 1 June 2026
University of the West of England
College of Health, Science and Society Dean’s Scholarship
Funding: 100 percent tuition fee discount
Deadline: 30 June 2026
University of Warwick
Economics Regional Scholarships
Funding: 100 percent tuition fee discount
Deadline: 1 May 2026
How many fully funded postgraduate scholarships are available in the UK?
Based on Scholarship Scanner tracking, fewer than twenty university-level postgraduate scholarships typically offer full tuition fee coverage for international students each year.
Most postgraduate funding in the UK takes the form of:
partial fee discounts
subject-specific awards
region-targeted scholarships
merit scholarships worth £3,000–£10,000
That makes fully funded tuition scholarships especially competitive.
What fully funded postgraduate scholarships usually cover
University postgraduate scholarships covering 100 percent funding normally include:
✅ full tuition fees
❌ living costs (usually not included)
❌ flights (usually not included)
❌ accommodation (usually not included)
Students applying for a UK student visa normally still need to demonstrate evidence of maintenance funding even when tuition fees are fully covered.
Government postgraduate scholarships covering full funding
In addition to university scholarships, several major UK government-funded schemes offer fully funded postgraduate study for international students, including tuition fees, living costs and travel support.
These awards are highly competitive but provide some of the most comprehensive funding available for studying a master’s degree in the UK.
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are funded by the UK government and support future leaders from around the world to study a one-year master’s degree at any eligible UK university.
Chevening Scholarships typically cover:
full tuition fees
monthly living allowance
return flights to the UK
visa costs
arrival and departure allowances
Applications usually open in August and close in early November each year for study beginning the following September.
Because they support leadership development, applicants are normally expected to demonstrate professional experience and strong career ambitions.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships support students from eligible Commonwealth countries to undertake postgraduate study in the UK.
Most Commonwealth master’s scholarships include:
full tuition fees
monthly stipend
airfare to and from the UK
thesis grants where applicable
These scholarships are designed to support students whose studies will contribute to development in their home countries.
Deadlines vary depending on your country of application but typically fall between October and December.
GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government and participating universities.
Most GREAT Scholarships provide £10,000 towards tuition fees, rather than full funding. However, they are widely available across many UK universities and subject areas and can be combined with other funding in some cases.
Because availability depends on both subject area and country of residence, students should check eligibility carefully each year.
How to stand out when applying for fully funded postgraduate scholarships
Because these scholarships are limited, successful applicants usually demonstrate strength across multiple areas.
Strong academic performance
Universities expect applicants to be among the strongest in their cohort, often with first-class or equivalent undergraduate results.
A clear academic purpose
Your personal statement should explain why your chosen course supports your long-term goals and how studying in the UK will make an impact.
Leadership or professional experience
Many postgraduate scholarships prioritise applicants who show initiative through:
employment experience
volunteering
research activity
community engagement
A strong reference
Academic referees play an important role in competitive postgraduate scholarship decisions.
Universities offering 100% postgraduate tuition fee scholarships in the UK (2026 entry)
For September 2026 entry, confirmed universities currently include:
BPP University
Loughborough University London
Newcastle University
St George’s, University of London
University College Birmingham
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
University of Law
University of Leicester
University of Sussex
University of the West of England
University of Warwick
Additional scholarships are sometimes announced later in the admissions cycle, so opportunities may expand.
Final thoughts
Fully funded postgraduate scholarships in the UK are limited but extremely valuable opportunities for international students planning to study in 2026.
If you are preparing an application, start early, track deadlines carefully and build a strong academic and professional profile to maximise your chances of success. 🎓
If you are applying earlier in your academic journey, you can also explore our guide to fully funded undergraduate scholarships in the UK for 2026 entry.