Dreaming of studying in Scotland and waking up to Hogwarts-like sceneries everyday? Good news: Scotland offers several scholarship programmes to help make your education more affordable.
Below, you’ll learn about the main types of scholarships in Scotland for international students, along with specific examples from universities, government, charities, and other organisations.
Understanding scholarships in Scotland
You’ll find different types of scholarships in Scotland, offered by universities, government agencies, research councils, and more. Some will cover a part of your tuition fees, while others cover everything from tuition fees to living costs.
If you know which Scottish university you’d like to study in, start by looking at their Scholarships page. You’ll be able to browse scholarships by:
- Your student status: Some scholarships are offered to new students, others to current students.
- Your field of study: Some scholarships are only for certain degrees or faculties.
- Your level of study: There are different scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students.
- Your country of origin: In some cases, eligibility criteria include students from specific countries.
- Academic achievement or merit: Some awards are based on high grades or exceptional academic performance.
Common scholarships in Scotland for international students
Below, you’ll find several UK-wide scholarships, research grants, and a fully-funded, Scotland-only internship programme:
Chevening Scholarship
- What does it cover? Tuition fees, travel, living expenses
- Who is it for? Students from Chevening-eligible countries looking to study Master’s degrees
- Offered by? UK government
To apply for the Chevening Scholarship, you choose three Master’s programmes in up to three UK universities. If you wish, you can select all three programmes at Scottish universities. A prestigious scholarship, Chevening is offered across a wide range of fields, from Arts and Culture to Science.
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
- What does it cover? Tuition fees, travel, living allowance
- Who is it for? Students from Commonwealth countries pursuing Master’s or PhD degrees
- Offered by? The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
This programme offers different scholarship options to students from Commonwealth countries. For example, low and middle-income countries can apply for on-site and Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships or PhD Scholarships. High-income countries have the PhD Scholarship option.
Keep in mind that low, middle, and high-income are defined by the OECD standards.
Fulbright Awards
- What does it cover? Tuition fees, travel, living allowance
- Who is it for? US citizens looking for postgraduate study or research in the UK. Shorter exchange programmes for undergraduates are also available.
- Offered by? US-UK Fulbright Commission
The Fulbright programme is for US citizens who want to study or conduct research at UK universities, including those in Scotland. Awards are available for taught Master’s degrees, PhDs, and research projects. For undergraduate students, there are three to four week summer exchange programmes available.
GREAT Scholarships
- What does it cover? Partial tuition fees
- Who is it for? Students from 18 selected countries (Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam) who want to study a Master’s degree in the UK
- Offered by? The UK government and participating universities
If you’re from one of the countries listed above and you’re considering getting a Master’s, you may be eligible for a GREAT Scholarship in the UK. There are over 60 participating universities, including several from Scotland. Availability of GREAT Scholarships varies every year. Consider checking whether the Scottish university and programme you’re interested in are part of the GREAT Scholarship scheme for the year you plan to apply.
Royal Society Grants
- What does it cover? Research costs, sometimes travel, and living expenses
- Who is it for? Researchers in science, engineering, or medicine at the postgraduate or postdoctoral level
- Offered by? The Royal Society
Royal Society Grants are aimed at postgraduate researchers and early-career scientists. You’ll find different grant schemes across the UK, including in Scottish universities.
University-specific scholarships in Scotland for international students
Don’t forget that universities often run their own scholarship programmes. For example, if you’d like to study at the University of Edinburgh, check out the Scholarships page on their website. You’ll then be able to see several merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Here are some examples from different Scottish universities:
World Changers Global Excellence Scholarships at the University of Glasgow
- What does it cover? Tuition fee discount (between £7,000 and £10,000 per year)
- Who is it for? New undergraduate students who show excellent academic achievement in their A Levels or equivalent
- Offered by? The University of Glasgow
This merit-based scholarship is for students with strong A Level (or equivalent) results who are starting their undergraduate studies at the University of Glasgow. Eligible students are usually considered automatically once they receive an offer.
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships
- What does it cover? Tuition fee + stipend
- Who is it for? Students starting their PhD research
- Offered by? The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships support students beginning doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh. These scholarships typically cover full tuition fees and offer a stipend to help with living costs during the PhD. The number of available scholarships depends on your field.
Glasgow Global Leadership Scholarships
- What does it cover? Tuition fee discount (£10,000)
- Who is it for? International students from eligible countries starting a postgraduate taught Master’s programme
- Offered by? The University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow offers Master’s scholarships to international students who have completed their undergraduate degree with an equivalent of UK First Class Honours. To be eligible, students must have an offer for a one-year Master’s programme from the university.
International Undergraduate Scholarship from the University of Stirling
- What does it cover? Tuition fee discount (around £2,000 per year)
- Who is it for? International students who have an unconditional offer from an eligible undergraduate programme
- Offered by? The University of Stirling
Undergraduates who have received an unconditional offer from the University of Stirling will automatically benefit from this scholarship. The award is applied as a tuition fee reduction over the four-year undergraduate degree.
St Andrews International Excellence Scholarship
- What does it cover? Full tuition fees
- Who is it for? Undergraduate students with excellent academic grades
- Offered by? University of St Andrews
Covering the full tuition fees for high-achieving international students, this scholarship asks for two references (one academic and one personal) and a letter of motivation. It’s offered across a wide range of undergraduate degrees at the university.
Alternative ways to cover your study costs
If you are looking for alternative ways to help cover tuition and living costs in Scotland, part-time work can be a practical option alongside scholarships. Most international students aged 16 or over are allowed to work, depending on their visa conditions and the type of institution sponsoring them.
During term time, you can usually work up to 10 or 20 hours per week, and full-time during holidays. You can take on paid roles in many sectors, not only on campus, as long as you respect your weekly hour limit and your work does not affect your studies.
Work placements and internships, especially those linked to your course, are also possible and can sometimes be completed even if general employment is restricted. These opportunities help you gain UK work experience, build professional networks, and strengthen your CV, while earning extra income to support your studies.
Scotland is looking forward to welcoming you!
With over 73,000 international students choosing to study in Scotland each year, the country offers excellent academic degrees, a great quality of life, and a wide range of scholarship opportunities.
Check both UK-wide programmes such as Chevening and GREAT, as well as scholarships offered individually by Scottish universities. Make sure to note application details and plan early, as deadlines vary quite a lot.
