Studying in the UK without paying for it yourself is possible, but only for a small number of people. The awards below cover tuition and a living allowance, and several also cover flights and visa costs. They are also extremely competitive, and some deadlines fall within days or weeks of today. If you want to start in September or October 2027, the 2026 autumn window is when many of these cycles open and close.
This guide covers 10 of the best-known fully funded UK scholarships for 2027 entry, who can apply, what is covered, how selection works and what to do first. Details come from official scholarship pages where possible, with third-party guides used only where noted. Amounts, dates and eligible countries change every cycle, so treat this as a planning tool, verify everything on the official site, and remember that no scholarship is guaranteed.
What “Fully Funded” Really Means
Fully funded usually means the scholarship pays your tuition fees and gives you a monthly or annual grant for living costs. Many also pay for a return flight, and some cover your visa and Immigration Health Surcharge. It rarely means every cost is covered. Dependants are often not funded, some awards require you to return home for a period afterwards, and you may still need to pay for visa-related items or deposits upfront. Read each award’s terms before you apply.
Most awards also require a separate university offer. Applying for both at once and starting early is essential.
10 Fully Funded UK Scholarships at a Glance
| # | Scholarship | Level | Who can apply | Key 2027-entry dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevening | One-year master’s, any UK university | Citizens of eligible countries with work experience | Closes 6 Oct 2026, 11:00 UTC |
| 2 | Commonwealth Master’s and PhD | Master’s or PhD | Citizens of eligible developing Commonwealth countries | Via nominating body; CSC closes 20 Oct 2026, 16:00 BST |
| 3 | Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | One-year taught master’s on approved courses | Citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries | Course lists and dates expected later in 2026 |
| 4 | Gates Cambridge | Master’s or PhD at Cambridge | Non-UK citizens | US round mid-Oct 2026; international 8 Dec 2026 or 6 Jan 2027 |
| 5 | Rhodes Scholarship | Postgraduate at Oxford | Applicants from eligible constituencies | Open since 1 Jun 2026; deadlines vary by country |
| 6 | Clarendon Fund | Master’s or DPhil at Oxford | Any nationality | Oxford’s Dec or Jan course deadline |
| 7 | Weidenfeld-Hoffmann | Selected Oxford courses | Applicants from eligible developing and emerging economies | Course deadline; 8 Jan 2027 cited for Saïd programmes |
| 8 | Reach Oxford | Undergraduate at Oxford | Applicants from eligible low-income countries | UCAS 15 Oct 2026; scholarship 26 Jan 2027 |
| 9 | Marshall Scholarship | Master’s or doctoral, any UK university | US citizens | 29 Sep 2026 (applicants); 1 Oct 2026 (institutions) |
| 10 | Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars | Selected Edinburgh master’s | Applicants from Africa | Info session 15 to 24 Sep 2026; application 19 Nov 2026 |
Sources: Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes Trust, Oxford Clarendon Fund, Reach Oxford, Marshall.
The Scholarships in Detail
1. Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government’s flagship programme and funds a one-year master’s at any UK university. Applications for 2027-28 opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Applicants need at least two years of work experience, generally about 2,800 hours acquired after finishing their undergraduate degree, must choose three eligible courses and must plan to return to their home country for at least two years afterwards. Benefits include tuition, a stipend, a return flight and other allowances. Chevening itself does not require an English test, but universities do. Results begin around mid-June 2027, and scholars must submit an unconditional university offer by 8 July 2027.
2. Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships
Funded by the UK government and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, these awards support citizens of eligible developing Commonwealth countries. You cannot apply directly. You apply through a nominating body, usually a national agency, and also submit through the CSC’s online system by 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. Nominating bodies often set earlier deadlines. Applicants must be unable to afford UK study without the award, and scholars are expected to return home afterwards.
3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
These are jointly funded by the FCDO and UK universities for one-year taught master’s courses on an approved list, with around 180 new awards expected for 2027/28. You must apply for admission to the course as well as the scholarship. In recent cycles, candidate applications opened in autumn and closed around mid-December, but watch the CSC site for the confirmed timeline.
4. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge offers about 80 full-cost awards a year for postgraduate study at Cambridge, most going to PhD students. It covers the university fee, a maintenance allowance, a flight, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge, according to a July 2026 guide. US citizens resident in the United States apply in an earlier round, reported as 14 October 2026. Other applicants use the international round with a course-specific deadline of 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027. Check your course in Cambridge’s directory.
5. Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes funds postgraduate study at Oxford and is allocated through country-based constituencies, so eligibility and deadlines depend on where you apply. Applications for October 2027 entry opened on 1 June 2026, with the USA opening 1 July. The standard award is two years, and the Trust says its separate Global Rhodes Scholarships are suspended. Use the Rhodes Trust’s eligibility checker first, and check for internal deadlines set by your university.
6. Clarendon Fund Scholarships
Oxford says the Clarendon offers over 200 new fully funded graduate scholarships each year, covering course fees and a living grant, with no nationality restrictions. You do not fill in a separate scholarship form. Apply for an eligible master’s or DPhil by the December or January deadline for your course and you are automatically considered. Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are not eligible.
7. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
This Oxford award is for applicants from eligible developing and emerging economies who plan to contribute to public life. Oxford states it covers 100% of course fees plus a living grant of at least £21,805, and includes a leadership programme. You apply through your Oxford course application and upload a scholarship statement. Only applicants offered a place are considered, and decisions are expected by the end of May 2027.
8. Reach Oxford Scholarship
Reach Oxford supports undergraduates from low-income countries who cannot study for a degree at home. Applicants must first apply through UCAS by 15 October 2026 and win an offer, then apply for the scholarship by 26 January 2027. It covers course and college fees, a living grant and a yearly return flight for three or four years. Only a very small number are awarded each year.
9. Marshall Scholarship (US citizens)
The Marshall funds up to 50 Americans a year to study at any UK university, for one or two years at master’s level or up to three for doctoral study. Applicants need a first degree from an accredited US institution and a GPA of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. The deadline is 29 September 2026 for applicants and recommenders, and 1 October 2026 for endorsing institutions. Your university’s internal deadline may already have passed, so contact your fellowships office immediately.
10. University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Edinburgh’s programme supports young people from Africa who have faced barriers to education and want to work on the climate crisis. For 2027/28 you must attend a mandatory virtual information session between 15 and 24 September 2026 before you can access the application, and the main application deadline is 19 November 2026 at 5pm UK time. Applicants must be 35 or under and meet the academic requirements for a listed programme.
Requirements Most Scholarships Share
- A strong academic record, usually equivalent to a UK upper second-class degree for postgraduate study
- Proof of citizenship in an eligible country, checked against each award’s list
- A clear plan for how your studies will contribute to your career or home country
- References, personal statements and, for shortlisted candidates, interviews
- English language evidence where your university requires it
- For many awards, a commitment to return home after your studies
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Match your profile. Note your nationality, degree level, work experience and preferred subject, then check which awards you can enter.
- Build a deadline calendar. Include scholarship, university and nominating-body deadlines, and any mandatory information sessions.
- Choose courses early. Chevening needs three choices, Gates Cambridge and the Oxford awards need a strong course application, and Commonwealth Shared needs an approved course.
- Secure referees. Give them clear deadlines and enough time.
- Write specific essays. Panels look for a coherent story about impact, not general ambition.
- Submit early. Portals are busy near closing time and late applications are usually rejected.
- Prepare for interviews. Shortlisted candidates are commonly interviewed, and results often arrive months later.
- Plan the visa. If you win, you will still need a UK student visa, which you can check on GOV.UK.
Costs, Visas and Compliance
Scholarship terms differ on what they pay. Gates Cambridge reportedly covers visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, while others may reimburse only some items. A guide to visa fees reports the student health surcharge at £776 per year, so confirm whether your award covers it.
Beware of scams. Genuine scholarships do not charge application fees or ask you to pay to be “selected”. Use only the official domains for each award and be wary of agents promising guaranteed results. A scholarship offer also does not guarantee a visa, so follow Home Office rules for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK scholarship is easiest to get? None is easy. Every award here is highly competitive. Applying to several that match your profile, and applying early, improves your odds.
Can undergraduates get a fully funded UK scholarship? Rarely. Reach Oxford is one of the few, and it has very few places. Most fully funded awards are for master’s or PhD study.
Do I need IELTS? Not always for the scholarship itself, but your chosen university will usually have English language requirements. Check each course page.
Can I apply to more than one scholarship? Usually yes, but read the rules. The Marshall, for example, has its own restrictions on applying in more than one region.
Are dependants covered? Often not. Some awards offer limited dependant support, so check the terms before planning a family move.
What happens if I miss a deadline? Most decline late applications. If a deadline has passed for 2027 entry, look at the next cycle or at partial funding options.
Final Thoughts
The best strategy for 2027 is to act now: several deadlines fall between late September and October 2026, and the rest follow in winter. Start by checking which awards match your nationality and level, then build your calendar around the earliest cut-offs.
This article is general information and does not guarantee funding, admission or a visa. Always verify details on each scholarship’s official website.
Meta description: 10 fully funded UK scholarships for international students in 2027: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes and more, with deadlines and how to apply.