This guide covers the 9 scholarships in the UK that ScholarshipClaude lists for 2027: 7 fully funded and 2 with partial funding. For each one you will find what it pays for, who can apply and the deadline, with a link to the full page. The list was last updated on 8 October 2026.
The nearest confirmed deadline is Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, on 20 October 2026. Scholarships with expected dates are based on the previous cycle and will be confirmed when the new call opens.
How scholarships work in the UK
The UK has several government-funded schemes for international students, led by Chevening for one-year master's degrees and Commonwealth Scholarships for master's and PhD study. Universities add their own awards, such as Gates Cambridge, Rhodes and Clarendon at Cambridge and Oxford. Most fully funded awards are for postgraduate study, and full funding for a bachelor's degree is rare.
Scholarships in the UK 2027 at a glance
| Scholarship | Level | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | Varies |
| Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | 20 October 2026 |
| Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK | PhD | Fully funded | 2 November 2026 |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | 8 December 2026 |
| Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK | Master's & PhD | Partial | 8 December 2026 |
| Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | Expected 8 January 2027 |
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK | Master's | Fully funded | Expected 15 December 2026 |
| LSE Graduate Support Scheme 2027/28 in the UK | Master's | Partial | Expected 27 April 2027 |
| Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | Varies |
Fully funded scholarships in the UK for international students
Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust
This page brings together the main fully funded routes to study in the UK for the 2027–28 academic year. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so no single date is shown here.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Return flights
- Visa costs (varies by scholarship)
Who can apply:
- Chevening: two years of work experience and citizenship of an eligible country
- Commonwealth: citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country
- Gates Cambridge: any country outside the UK
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: varies. Full details and how to apply.
Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK government through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for talented people from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Master's awards fund one year of taught study and PhD awards fund up to four years of doctoral research at a UK university. Applications for 2027/28 opened on 8 September 2026 on CSC Central and close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. You must also apply through a nominating body (usually your national nominating agency), which may set an earlier deadline. Nominators submit candidates to the CSC by December 2026 and results are expected by July 2027.
What it covers:
- Return airfare to the UK
- Full tuition and examination fees
- Monthly stipend (higher rate in London)
- Warm clothing allowance
Who can apply:
- Citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently resident there. Pakistan is on the list
- At least an upper second-class (2:1) first degree, or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, by September 2027
- Available to start in the UK in September or October 2027
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: 20 October 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK
The President's PhD Scholarships give outstanding students full funding for tuition fees and a stipend for a 3.5-year PhD at Imperial College London. Scholars choose their own research project with the support of a supervisor and join a cohort of President's PhD Scholars. There are no restrictions on nationality. Imperial describes the scheme as competitive, with higher than usual eligibility requirements.
What it covers:
- Full funding for tuition fees
- Stipend of 27,036 pounds a year (2027–28 rate) for living costs
- Consumables fund of 2,000 pounds a year for the first 3 years
- A programme of events and training from Imperial's Early Career Researcher Institute
Who can apply:
- Open to candidates from Imperial, the UK and worldwide, with no nationality restrictions
- A first-class degree or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated master's degree, held or expected
- Imperial's page explains the alternative route for candidates without a first-class degree
Level: PhD. Deadline: 2 November 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the best-known international postgraduate awards in the world. It was set up in 2000 with a donation from the Gates Foundation, and it funds outstanding applicants from any country outside the United Kingdom to study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. Gates Cambridge offers around 70 full-cost scholarships each year, and about two-thirds of them go to PhD students. Scholars are chosen for outstanding intellectual ability, their reasons for choosing the course, a commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership potential.
What it covers:
- University Composition Fee (tuition) at the appropriate rate
- Maintenance allowance for a single student: 23,152 pounds for 12 months at the 2026–27 rate, pro rata for shorter courses; PhD scholars are funded for up to 4 years
- One economy single airfare at the beginning and at the end of the course
- Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
Who can apply:
- Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
- Applying for a PhD (full-time or part-time), an MLitt (full-time) or a one-year postgraduate course (full-time) at the University of Cambridge
- Current Cambridge students can apply for a new course, but not to fund the rest of a course they have already started
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: 8 December 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding
The University of Oxford offers over a thousand graduate scholarships, including the Clarendon Fund, one of the most prestigious. For most awards, including Clarendon, there is no separate scholarship application: every applicant to a degree-bearing graduate course is considered if they apply by the December or January deadline that applies to their course.
What it covers:
- Course fees in full (Clarendon)
- Living grant (Clarendon)
- Other awards vary from partial to full
Who can apply:
- Applying for a full-time or part-time graduate course at Oxford
- Outstanding academic record and potential
- Apply by the December or January funding deadline
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: expected 8 January 2027. Full details and how to apply.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government and UK universities for candidates from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. They fund one year of taught master's study on selected courses at participating UK universities. Unlike the main Commonwealth awards, you apply directly to the participating university. Universities usually publish their eligible courses and internal deadlines in early 2027; the date below is an estimate based on the previous cycle.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Return airfare
- Warm clothing allowance
Who can apply:
- Citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently resident there
- Strong first degree (usually 2:1 or equivalent)
- Not previously studied for a year or more in a high-income country
Level: Master's. Deadline: expected 15 December 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK
The Rhodes Scholarship brings outstanding people from around the world to the University of Oxford for full-time postgraduate study. It was first awarded in 1902 and is one of the best-known scholarships in the world. The 2027 round is for entry to Oxford in October 2027.
What it covers:
- University of Oxford course fees
- Annual stipend of 20,400 pounds (1,700 pounds a month) at the 2025–26 rate, from which scholars pay all living costs including accommodation
- The Rhodes Trust website lists the other costs it covers
Who can apply:
- Apply through the constituency you have the strongest connection to
- Meet the citizenship, age and education rules of that constituency
- Pakistan (2027 round): Pakistani citizen with a Pakistani passport, with formal study in Pakistan for at least 4 of the last 10 years
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: varies. Full details and how to apply.
Partial scholarships in the UK
LSE Graduate Support Scheme 2027/28 in the UK
The London School of Economics runs the Graduate Support Scheme (GSS), a need-based award for diploma and taught master's students, alongside a number of named scholarships. LSE provides around 3 million pounds in GSS funding each year, for Home and Overseas students. You apply after you submit your application for admission: the Graduate Applicant Portal then gives you a link to the LSE Graduate Financial Support online application.
What it covers:
- Need-based award towards fees and living costs
- Some named scholarships cover more
- For context: LSE estimates living costs in London of at least 1,550 pounds a month
Who can apply:
- Offer of admission to an LSE master's programme
- Demonstrated financial need
- Strong academic record
Level: Master's. Deadline: expected 27 April 2027. Full details and how to apply.
Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK
The Cambridge Trust funds international students at the University of Cambridge with full-cost and part-cost scholarships, so not every award covers everything. You do not apply to the Trust separately: you apply for your course through the University's postgraduate application, ask to be considered for funding, and you need a conditional offer.
What it covers:
- University composition fee (tuition)
- Maintenance allowance for full awards
- Some awards are partial
Who can apply:
- Applying for a full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge
- Outstanding academic record
- Apply for your course by the funding deadline
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: 8 December 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Scholarships in the UK by study level
- Master’s: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust, Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK, Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK, Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, LSE Graduate Support Scheme 2027/28 in the UK, Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK.
- PhD: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust, Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK, Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK, Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK, Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding, Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK.
Application timeline
Plan your applications in deadline order:
- 20 October 2026: Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK
- 2 November 2026: Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK
- 8 December 2026: Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK
- 8 December 2026: Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK
- Expected 15 December 2026: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK
- Expected 8 January 2027: Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding
- Expected 27 April 2027: LSE Graduate Support Scheme 2027/28 in the UK
No single deadline: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust, Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK. Their dates depend on the university, country or round, so check each page.
What the scholarships in the UK ask you to submit
Across the 9 scholarships in the UK on this page, this is how many ask for each document:
- CV or résumé: 2 of 9 (guide: academic CV template)
- Motivation letter, personal statement, essay or study plan: 5 of 9 (guide: statement of purpose guide and motivation letter template)
- Recommendation or reference letters: 8 of 9 (guide: how to get strong recommendation letters)
- Research proposal or research plan: 5 of 9 (guide: research proposal template)
- Language test score or certificate: 3 of 9 (guide: IELTS or TOEFL: which to choose)
- Transcripts or degree certificates: 8 of 9
One of them mentions an interview in its selection process: Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK. Our scholarship interview tips cover how to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships in the UK are fully funded?
Among the scholarships we list: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust, Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK, Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK, Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK.
Which scholarships give partial funding?
Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK, LSE Graduate Support Scheme 2027/28 in the UK.
Which deadline comes first?
Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK, on 20 October 2026.
See every active scholarship for this country on the scholarships page, and read how to find fully funded scholarships for more options.
Live list: every scholarship we currently cover here
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK | Fully funded | 1,712 pounds a month, or 2,000 pounds a month at universities in the London area (current rates) | 20 Oct 2026 |
| Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK | Fully funded | Stipend of 27,036 pounds a year (2027–28 rate) for living costs | 2 Nov 2026 |
| Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK | Partial | See the scholarship page | 8 Dec 2026 |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027–28 in the UK | Fully funded | Maintenance allowance of 23,152 pounds for 12 months (2026–27 rate); PhD scholars are funded for up to 4 years | 8 Dec 2026 |
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK | Fully funded | 1,712 pounds a month, or 2,000 pounds a month at universities in the London area (rate for 2027/28 awards) | 15 Dec 2026 (expected) |
| Oxford University Scholarships 2027–28 in the UK: Clarendon and University Funding | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 8 Jan 2027 (expected) |
| LSE Graduate Support Scheme 2027/28 in the UK | Partial | See the scholarship page | 27 Apr 2027 (expected) |
| Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK 2027–28: Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates and Cambridge Trust | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | Varies |
| Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK | Fully funded | 20,400 pounds a year (1,700 pounds a month), 2025–26 rate | Varies |
This table updates itself whenever a scholarship is added or changed, so it can include newer entries than the sections above. See all scholarships.
