Scholarship Process
Learn everything you need to know about Scholarships in UK
and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
Learn everything you need to know about studying in the UK and get end to end expert guidance from us.
Scholarships in UK for Sri Lankan Students
Studying in the UK is a dream for many. With world-renowned institutions and rich cultural experiences, it's no wonder that many are drawn to this country. For international students, particularly from Sri Lanka, “Scholarships in the UK” offer a unique bridge to mitigate financial constraints. This article delves deep into the various scholarships available, their types, and key details pertinent to Sri Lankan students.
Here is a detailed guide for you to learn all about the various scholarships in the UK to help you identify what suits you best.Types of Scholarships in the UK
When it comes to Scholarships in the UK, the diversity is vast. Broadly, these scholarships can be segmented into:
- Subject-Specific Scholarships: Some scholarships are designed to support students studying specific subjects or disciplines. These scholarships are often sponsored by institutions or organisations with the intent to promote education and research in particular fields.
- University Scholarships: Universities in the UK sponsor their own scholarships to attract and retain talented students. These scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or awarded for specific achievements and contributions to the university community.
- Government-Funded Scholarships: The UK government provides various scholarship opportunities for both domestic and international students. These scholarships may be funded by government departments, foreign aid programs, or cultural exchange initiatives.
- Research Scholarships: Research scholarships are targeted towards students pursuing research-based degrees, such as PhD or MPhil programs. These scholarships support students conducting valuable research in their respective fields.
- Sports Scholarships: Universities with strong sports programs may offer scholarships to talented athletes. These scholarships are intended to support students in balancing their academic pursuits with their sports commitments.
- Disability Scholarships: Some scholarships are designed to support students with disabilities, ensuring they have access to equal educational opportunities.
- Ethnic Minority Scholarships: These scholarships aim to encourage diversity and inclusivity in higher education by supporting students from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- Mature Student Scholarships: Scholarships may be available specifically for mature students who are returning to education after a break or pursuing higher education at a later stage in life.
Popular Scholarships to Study in the UK for Sri Lankan Students
Sri Lankan students have a range of scholarships to pick from. A snapshot of some popular ones includes:
- Chevening Scholarships: Chevening Scholarships are highly competitive UK government-funded scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs for one year of study at any UK university. Sri Lankan students are eligible to apply for Chevening Scholarships.
- Westminster Full-fee Scholarship: The scholarship offers a 100% tuition fee waiver for students pursuing a full-time Master’s program at the University of Westminster. Students from developing countries are encouraged to apply for the scholarship to complete their post-graduation without the stress of financial burden.
- The Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships: The scholarship is awarded to eligible graduates passionate about learning and excelling in the English language and teaching the English language learning methods in their home country.
Government-Funded Scholarships in the UK for International Students
Name of the scholarship |
Eligibility |
Average scholarship amount (in Pound) |
Chevening Scholarships |
Completed an undergraduate degree; Two years of work experience |
Up to £18,000 |
Westminster Full-fee Scholarship |
Students from developing countries; Bachelor's degree |
100% tuition fee waiver for students pursuing a full-time Master’s program at the University of Westminster |
The Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships |
graduates passionate about learning and excelling in the English language and teaching the English language learning methods in their home country |
Varies |
UK university scholarships
Here is the list of British universities that provide partial to fully funded scholarships in the UK for international students.
University |
Scholarship |
Details |
Eligibility |
University of Hertfordshire |
University of Hertfordshire Undergraduate Bursary |
£1,500 available for the first year of your undergraduate program |
Registered in a full-time undergraduate course with 120 credit points per academic year |
The University of Hertfordshire Graduate Scholarship - 20% fee discount for Herts Alumni |
20% tuition fee reduction to University of Hertfordshire undergraduate students who return to study for any postgraduate taught course and research degree at Herts. |
For Hert's alumni for their first full year of full-time or all years of part-time (UK/EU only) postgraduate or research degrees at the University |
|
Jarvis Centenary Scholarship |
£5,000 (over three years of study: £1,000 in the first year, £2,000 each in the second and third years) |
for students enrolled in BA Architecture or BEng Civil Engineering, or MEng Civil Engineering courses with 120 UCAS points |
|
De Montfort University |
DMU International Scholarship |
Upto £3,000 for deserving international students enrolled in undergraduate courses |
for international students enrolled in undergraduate courses |
Sustainability Scholarship |
offers a £5,000 discount on the total value of your course fee |
for international students enrolled in full-time undergraduate/postgraduate courses and having cleared a pre-CAS interview |
|
Coventry University |
International Pathways scholarship |
£3,000 reduction in tuition fees |
for international students enrolled in a foundation, international year one and pre-master courses |
Queen’s University Belfast |
International Office Undergraduate Scholarships |
£2500 or £3000 for eligible undergraduate students |
for international students enrolled in an undergraduate course |
Vice Chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship |
50% of tuition fees paid for up to a maximum of four years |
for eligible international students enrolled in one of the specified full-time undergraduate programmes |
|
Queen's Management School Awards |
one-off award of £5000 |
for eligible international students enrolled in postgraduate taught programmes |
|
University of Greenwich |
International Scholarships Award |
tuition fee discount worth up to £3,000 in the first year |
For eligible candiates enrolling in full-time undergraduate or taught postgraduate course for the upcoming September, January or April intakes |
Greenwich Postgraduate Scholarship 2023 |
£5,000 fee waiver to study a master’s courses at the University |
for existing Greenwich undergraduate students interested in pursuing a master's course in the university |
|
University of Portsmouth |
Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship |
£1,600 fee waiver in the first year of study |
for international students enrolled in undergraduate/postgraduate taught courses |
Chancellor's Global Academic Merit Scholarship |
£3,000 fee reduction in the first year of study |
for international students enrolled in undergraduate/postgraduate taught courses |
|
Cardiff Metropolitan University |
Undergraduate Scholarship |
One-off award of £1,000 |
for eligible international students enrolling in undergraduate courses |
South East Asia Scholarship |
50% Tuition Fees |
for high performing international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate meeting the English language requirements of IELTS or UKVI equivalent |
|
UCLAN |
International Bursary |
£1,000 per year for the duration of your course |
for high performing international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate courses |
University of Essex |
Academic Excellence Senior Status Law Scholarship |
£3,000 tuition fee discount in the first year of study |
for eligible international student studying the Law LLB M103 (Senior Status) programme |
Ian James Evans Scholarship |
A full tuition fee discount plus £500 per year towards books and other course costs for physically challenged international students |
for physically challenged international students |
|
Vice-Chancellor’s Global Talent Scholarship |
scholarship of 50% of your first year tuition fee, paid as a discount on registration |
for high performing international students |
|
University of Dundee |
GEMS scholarship |
£6,000 per year of study |
for international students enrolled in a full-time on campus undergraduate course of 120 credits per year |
International College Dundee Progressing with Excellence scholarship |
up to £6000 per year of study |
for international students completing an ICD full-time programme (online or on-campus), AND be progressing to a full-time (180 credits per year), on-campus UoD programme |
|
Global Excellence scholarship |
up to £6000 per year of study |
for high performing international students enrolled in an undergraduate/postgraduate program |
|
Heriot-watt University |
International scholarships |
£1,500 fee abatement |
for eligible international students enrolled in undergraduate courses |
University of West London |
International Ambassador Scholarship |
Up to £5,000 tuition fee discount for the first year of study for undergraduates and up to £2,000 tuition fees for postgraduates |
for eligible students enrolling in undergraduate/postgaduate courses |
Help to Achieve Scholarship |
£5,000 tuition fee discount |
full-time home or international students pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course |
|
Glasgow Caledonian University |
International Loyalty |
£2,000 towards their first annual fees and £1,000 for each subsequent year of their full-time degree £2,000 towards the first year of their annual tuition fees and £1,000 for any subsequent year of full-time study |
full time international students successfully completing GCU Summer School or an exchange programme at GCU |
University of Aberdeen |
Aberdeen Global Scholarship |
£3,000 tuition fee discount |
For eligible self-funded taught Masters students |
CB Davidson Fund |
£2,500 discount |
for eligible postgraduate students within the law school |
|
Teesside University |
Vice Chancellor's Scholarship |
A one-off payment of £5,000 fee waiver in the first year of study |
for eligible international students enrolled in an undergraduate degree or postgraduate taught degree |
International Development Scholarship |
£3,000 in your first full academic year of study |
for eligible international students enrolled in a foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate programme |
|
University of Bedfordshire |
Vice Chancellor Scholarship |
£1,000 VC Scholarship |
for international students enrolled in undergraduate, or postgraduate degree courses |
Postgraduate Research |
£1,000 discount for the duration of your course |
for international students enrolled in postgraduate courses |
|
University of Huddersfield |
Undergraduate Scholarship |
Up to £4,000 fee waiver |
for deserving international students enrolled in undergraduate courses |
Postgraduate taught Scholarships |
Up to £4,000 fee waiver |
for deserving international students enrolled in postgraduate courses |
|
University of Law |
International Bursaries |
Up to £2,500 per academic year depending on the course and level of study |
for international students enrolled in eligible undergraduate/postgraduate courses |
Women in leadership scholarship |
Up to 10 – 50% of the tuition fee waiver |
for international students enrolling in the Full-time or Executive MBA course |
|
University of Plymouth |
Undergraduate International Student Scholarship |
£2000 off your tuition fees in year one. to appreciate consistent academic achievement: 10% off the successive years tuition fee if an overall grade of 60% or above is maintained 20% off the successive years tuition fee if an overall grade of 70% or above is maintained. |
for deserving international students enrolled in undergraduate courses |
Postgraduate scholarships for international students |
£10,000 scholarship per country to students in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia applying for postgraduate courses in the following eligible subjects including Marine Science; Marine Biology; Marine Conservation; Sustainable Environmental Management; Environmental Consultancy |
GREAT Scholarships 2023 for eligible international students enrolled in postgraduate courses in eligible subjects |
|
University of York |
Be Exceptional 60th Anniversary scholarships |
£7,500 tuition fee discount |
for deserving international students full-time undergraduate course |
Postgraduate 60th Anniversary scholarship |
£5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 tuition fee discount based on the course |
for deserving international students full-time postgraduate course |
Need more information on scholarships? Contact AECC today!
UK Undergraduate scholarships:
There are multiple scholarships - both government-funded and university-sponsored scholarships in the UK for international students. These scholarships are usually awarded as a waiver on tuition fees, and/or living expenses and other study expenses. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular scholarships in the UK:
- Turing Scheme: The Turing scheme aims to provide funding for international students to study in the UK. The scheme is open to students from all over the world and covers a range of subject areas and degree levels, including undergraduate studies.
- Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene: The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene offers scholarships for Sri Lankan students pursuing undergraduate degrees in tropical medicine or global health at UK universities.
Master’s scholarships in the UK:
The UK offers various financial aid choices to aspiring students from developing countries and the Commonwealth. Here are a few UK government-funded master’s scholarships in the UK for international students.
- British Council Sri Lanka GREAT Scholarships: The British Council offers a number of scholarships for Sri Lankan students through the GREAT Scholarship program.
- Chevening Scholarships: Chevening Scholarships are highly competitive UK government-funded scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs for one year of study at any UK university. Sri Lankan students are eligible to apply for Chevening Scholarships.
- Turing Scheme: The Turing scheme aims to provide funding for international students to study in the UK. The scheme is open to students from all over the world and covers a range of subject areas and degree levels, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
MBA scholarships in the UK:
Most business schools in the UK in association with the UK government institutions, offer a wide range of scholarships for eligible international graduates. Eligible students with a good academic record and English language proficiency can apply for these MBA scholarships.
1. University of Birmingham MBA ScholarshipsThere are several scholarships available for students enrolled in a 12 month full-time MBA programme, providing a fixed financial contribution towards tuition fees
2. Brunel University MBA ScholarshipsBrunel University provides multiple scholarships for international students, such as:
- the Full Time MBA Scholarship provides £6,000 tuition fee waiver for one year
- The Full-Time Women in Leadership MBA Scholarship provides £13,750 (50% tuition fee) tuition fee waiver for one year
- The Part-Time MBA Scholarship £7,000 tuition fee waiver for up to two years
- Offered By: Lancaster University
- Scope: Based on academic achievement, personal qualities, and business experience.
- Eligibility: Must have accepted a place in the MBA program.
- Value: Up to £10,000.
PhD scholarships in the UK for international students
Let’s look at the popular PhD scholarships in the UK for international students
- The Newton Fund: The Newton Fund is a UK government initiative that provides support for research collaborations between the UK and Sri Lanka, including funding for joint PhD programs.
- The British Council Sri Lanka Scholarships:The British Council offers a number of scholarships for Sri Lankan students who wish to pursue a PhD degree in the UK across a wide range of subject areas.
Eligibility Criteria for Sri Lankan students for scholarships in the UK
Criteria |
Description |
Academic Standing |
Your GPA isn't just a number in the UK; it's a testament to your commitment. Make sure it reflects your potential. |
Language Skills |
The UK universities primarily instruct in English. IELTS or TOEFL scores serve as your passport in showcasing proficiency. |
Letters of Endorsement |
Gather letters that sing praises of your character and abilities. Yes, from your previous professors or supervisors. |
Extracurricular Involvements |
The UK loves well-rounded students. Whether you're into cricket, debate, or community service - it all counts! |
Field-Specific Criteria |
Some scholarships have a niche. If you're aiming for one, ensure you fit right in. |
How to Apply for Scholarships to Study in the UK
- Research Early:
Steps:
Begin your research at least a year in advance.Utilise scholarship databases and university websites to gather information.
Identify the scholarships that match your academic achievements, interests, and aspirations.
- Understand the Scholarship Requirements:
Carefully read the scholarship criteria.
Ensure you meet the requirements before applying, such as academic achievements, nationality, and course of study.
Note any specific documentation you need, like recommendation letters or essays.
- Gather Essential Documents:
Steps:
Keep your academic transcripts, certificates, and CVs updated.
Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, or community leaders.
If required, prepare a compelling personal statement or essay.
- Complete the Application:
Steps:
Fill out the application forms meticulously, ensuring all details are accurate.
Some scholarships might have online portals, while others may require email or postal submissions.
Ensure that all sections are complete and that you've answered any specific questions asked.
- Write a Compelling Personal Statement or Essay:
Steps:
Share your academic journey, aspirations, and why you deserve the scholarship.
Highlight experiences or challenges that have shaped your academic path.
Proofread for clarity, grammar, and coherence.
- Submit Before the Deadline:
Steps:
Avoid waiting until the last minute to submit.
Ensure all documents are attached and you've included any additional information or materials requested.
- Follow Up:
Steps:
After submission, send an email to confirm receipt if not automatically acknowledged.
If there's an interview phase, prepare thoroughly by anticipating questions about your background, aspirations, and the course you intend to study.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting UK Scholarships
- Apply Widely:
Don't limit yourself to one or two scholarships. The more scholarships you apply for, the higher your chances.
- Tailor Each Application:
Customise your application, essay, or personal statement to align with the mission or goals of the scholarship provider.
- Highlight Extracurricular Achievements:
Whether it's leadership roles, community service, or special projects, showcasing these can set you apart.
- Proofread Multiple Times:
Spelling and grammatical errors can give a negative impression. Have someone else review your application for a fresh perspective.
- Seek Strong Recommendations:
Choose individuals who know you well and can vouch for your abilities and character, ensuring they understand the scholarship's purpose.
- Showcase Genuine Need:
If the scholarship is need-based, transparently discuss your financial situation and why the scholarship would significantly impact your education.
- Prepare for Interviews:
If the scholarship process involves an interview, practice with a mentor or friend. Be genuine in your responses and show enthusiasm for the opportunity.
- Engage with the University:
Attend university open days, webinars, or engage with the university on social platforms. Demonstrating genuine interest can be an added advantage.
- Keep an Organised Portfolio:
Maintain a file with all your certificates, awards, recommendations, and any other essential documents. Being organised ensures you don't miss out on any critical documents while applying.
- Stay Updated:
Some scholarships have a recurring application process. If you missed out on one year, make a note, and try again the following year.
AECC offers end-to-end academic support including course counselling, scholarship assistance and visa guidance etc. Our expert counsellors will be with you every step of your study abroad journey. To know more about the different scholarships in the UK and how to apply for the right scholarship, connect with our academic experts at AECC right away!