SponsorMoveFully funded scholarships in the UK 2026
Chevening, Commonwealth, Rhodes and more — what each award actually covers, who qualifies, and when applications close.
Chevening, Commonwealth, Rhodes and more — what each award actually covers, who qualifies, and when applications close.
The UK is one of the few countries where an international student can realistically study a full degree with every major cost covered — tuition, living expenses, flights, and even thesis costs. Its flagship awards are government-backed, large in number, and open to applicants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Unlike university-specific aid, which varies wildly by institution, the big UK programs publish clear eligibility rules and cover a full year of a master's degree or a full PhD.
Three things make the UK unusual. First, the one-year master's: a taught master's in the UK typically runs 12 months instead of the two years common in the USA, so a single scholarship covers a complete degree. Second, the UK government itself funds the largest schemes — Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission are FCDO programs with stable budgets and transparent rules. Third, there is a genuine tier system: global leadership awards (Chevening, Rhodes), development-focused awards (Commonwealth), and university-level awards (Gates Cambridge, Clarendon) that let you match your profile to the right competition.
The honest caveat: almost all of these awards are postgraduate — fully funded UK undergraduate scholarships are rare. Undergraduate applicants should see our undergraduate scholarships abroad guide.
These are the awards to build your application calendar around. All deadlines below are the typical window from our verified scholarship data — always confirm on the official page before applying, because deadlines shift slightly each year.
Chevening Scholarship — the UK government's global flagship. It funds a one-year taught master's at any UK university: tuition, monthly stipend, economy airfare, and arrival/homeward allowances. You need citizenship of an eligible country, an undergraduate degree, two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, and three UK master's course choices. Applications typically open in August and close in early October — for the 2027-28 cycle the window was 4 August to 6 October 2026.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships — fully funded one-year master's degrees for students from low and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries (including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria) who could not otherwise afford UK study. They cover tuition, airfare, and a living stipend for specific courses at partner UK universities, and require a 2:1 undergraduate degree or above. Applications typically open in November and close in early December each year.
Rhodes Scholarship — the oldest and most famous, for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. It covers all university and college fees, a living stipend, and flights. Applicants must be citizens or residents of a Rhodes constituency, aged 18–24 (up to 27 in some constituencies), with a strong first-class undergraduate record. Applications open each June, with constituency deadlines between late July and early October — check your own constituency page.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships — fully funded doctoral study for candidates from eligible least-developed and vulnerable Commonwealth states. You need a master's degree and a development-focused research proposal. Applications typically open in September and close mid-to-late October — the 2027 cycle closed on 20 October 2026. Research-track applicants should also see our fully funded PhD scholarships guide.
GREAT Scholarships — partial rather than fully funded, but worth knowing: a British Council scheme offering at least £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year postgraduate course, open to citizens of 18 countries including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. Deadlines vary by university, typically January to May. Many students combine a GREAT award with university aid — see our fully funded master's scholarships guide for stacking strategies.
Two more university awards for exceptional academic profiles: the Gates Cambridge Scholarship (fully funded postgraduate study at Cambridge for non-UK citizens; international round usually closing in December) and the Clarendon Fund at Oxford, which automatically considers every graduate applicant — no separate application — against December or January course funding deadlines.
The flagship UK awards are not looking for the same person:
UK scholarship season concentrates in autumn:
Your preparation year starts in spring: shortlist awards by June, draft essays by August, and submit Chevening and Rhodes materials before October. Keep a master calendar — our scholarship deadlines calendar lists every verified deadline in one place. And never pay an agent for "guaranteed" placement — our scholarship scams guide lists the red flags.
None of the flagship awards are easy, but your odds improve when you match the right award to your profile. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are limited to specific countries and courses, which shrinks the pool versus Chevening's global competition. Apply to several awards whose eligibility you genuinely meet rather than chasing the most famous one.
No — Chevening requires two years (2,800 hours), but internships, part-time work, and voluntary work all count. Recent graduates should build up qualifying experience and apply in a later cycle rather than submit an ineligible application.
Generally no. Chevening, Commonwealth, and Rhodes stipends are calculated for a single student, and family visas have separate financial requirements. Plan on the scholarship covering you alone.
These awards expect you to return home — Chevening requires two years in your home country afterward. Once fulfilled, the UK's Graduate visa and Skilled Worker sponsorship routes are open to you like any other international graduate.
Filter 70 verified scholarships by country, degree level and funding — every card links to the official page.