Top Scholarships & Waivers in 2025: Reducing Your UK Student-Visa Costs

Scholarships can ease both tuition and visa expenses. Here are the top 2025 awards for Asian students:

Great Scholarships

• Jointly run by the British Council and UK universities. Offers £10,000–15,000 on select master’s programs.

Chevening Awards

• Fully funded scholarships covering tuition, living stipend, travel, and excess baggage for future leaders.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

• For Commonwealth citizens pursuing master’s degrees; includes full tuition plus £1,000 monthly stipend.

Saltire Scholarships

• Scotland-focused awards (~£8,000) for eligible students from India, China, and other partner countries.

University-Specific Bursaries

• Birmingham and Sheffield offer “Asia Excellence” bursaries—£5,000 off tuition for high-achieving applicants.

Tier 4 IHS Grants

• Some universities now offer partial IHS refunds after enrollment—check if your institution participates.

Corporate & NGO Support

• Global companies (e.g., Tata, Huawei) run education trusts—top performers often win fee coverage and maintenance grants.

Apply early—many deadlines fall 6–9 months before term start. Craft a compelling personal statement tied to each scholarship’s theme (“leadership,” “sustainability,” etc.) and submit recommendation letters that mention specific UK project collaborations.