Is It Difficult to Get a Scholarship in the UK?

Why This Question Matters

For international students from the UAE, India, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, and Sri Lanka, the cost of studying in the UK is one of the biggest concerns. Tuition fees, living costs, and visa requirements add up quickly.

Naturally, families ask: “Is it difficult to get a scholarship in the UK?”

The honest answer: it depends. Some scholarships are fiercely competitive. Others are much more accessible — if you understand why they exist, who they’re meant for, and what you need to do to get them.

1. Why Do UK Scholarships Exist?

Scholarships aren’t just financial gifts. They serve a purpose:

• Attracting international talent – UK universities compete globally. Scholarships make them more appealing.
  
• Encouraging diversity – Many awards are designed to bring in students from underrepresented countries or fields.
  
• Supporting strategic industries – Fields like Cybersecurity, Data Science, AI, Healthcare, FinTech, and Luxury Branding are often prioritised.
  
• Building goodwill between nations – Government scholarships like Chevening strengthen ties with countries such as the UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and Turkey.
  
• Enabling social impact – Some scholarships are meant for students who will return home and contribute to national development.
  

In short: scholarships exist because the UK sees education as an investment in talent and diplomacy.

2. Types of Scholarships in the UK

a) Government Scholarships

• Chevening – UK government’s flagship award, focusing on leadership potential.
  
• Commonwealth Scholarships – Aimed at students from Commonwealth nations.
  
• GREAT Scholarships – Country-specific, co-funded with UK universities.
  
• Competition level: Extremely high. Acceptance rates are often under 5–7%.
  

b) University-Specific Scholarships and Bursaries

• Most universities, including UWS London, offer generous bursaries for international students.
  
• Example: UWS London offers up to 40% bursary on tuition fees, making programmes like MSc Cyber Security, Data Science & AI, and MBA Luxury Branding far more affordable.
  
• Competition level: Accessible if you meet academic entry requirements.
  

c) Private and External Scholarships

• Provided by NGOs, charities, and industry bodies.
  
• Often focused on niche areas like healthcare, sustainability, or social impact.
  
• Competition level: Varies, but usually moderate if you meet the field-specific criteria.
  

d) Country-Sponsored Funding

• Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Indonesia, Egypt, and Turkey sponsor students to study abroad.
  
• Typically merit-based, with the expectation that graduates return to contribute to the home economy.
  
• Competition level: Depends on local government policies, but strong candidates with academic merit and leadership qualities stand good chances.
  

3. Who Is Eligible for Scholarships?

Eligibility depends on the type of scholarship:

• Government scholarships – High academic achievers with strong leadership or community impact, often mid-career professionals.
  
• University bursaries – International students meeting standard entry criteria; some awards linked to specific countries or subjects.
  
• Private scholarships – Students committed to particular industries or causes (e.g., healthcare, environment, social care).
  
• Country-sponsored – Citizens of nations that subsidise international education, such as GCC states, Egypt, or Turkey.
  

In general, the stronger your academic record, clarity of purpose, and leadership potential, the better your chances.

4. What Makes Scholarships Difficult to Get?

• High competition – Prestigious awards like Chevening receive tens of thousands of applications annually.
  
• Strict deadlines – Some close 9–12 months before intake; late applicants miss out.
  
• Weak applications – Generic essays or poor Statements of Purpose (SOPs) weaken chances.
  
• Limited awareness – Many students focus only on big-name awards, ignoring accessible university bursaries.
  

5. How to Improve Your Chances

a) Have Clarity of Purpose

Scholarship committees want to see where you want to go and why. If you can clearly link your course choice to your career plan, you’ll stand out.

b) Write a Strong SOP

Your Statement of Purpose should:

• Explain your motivation.
  
• Connect your academic background to your future goals.
  
• Show how studying in the UK (not just anywhere) is essential for your plan.
  
• Demonstrate how you’ll use your education to create impact back home.
  

c) Apply Early

Government scholarships often close a year before courses begin. Even university bursaries are limited, so applying sooner gives you an advantage.

d) Keep Your Academic Record Strong

Many scholarships use grades as the first filter. A good CGPA or relevant professional experience is essential.

e) Don’t Depend on One Option

Apply for a mix of government, university, and external scholarships. Don’t pin all hopes on Chevening or Commonwealth alone.

6. Real Example: UWS London

At UWS London, many international students benefit from bursaries that reduce tuition costs significantly. For eligible students joining the remaining January and May 2026 intakes, final payable fees after the bursary look like this:

• MBA Luxury Branding: Standard fee ~£17,500 → £13,500 after bursary.
  
• BSc Data Science & AI: Standard fee ~£16,500 → £10,950 after bursary.
  
• MSc Cyber Security: Standard fee ~£18,000 → £10,950 after bursary.
  

For students from the UAE, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, and South Asia, this makes a world-class UK education far more affordable and accessible without relying on highly competitive government schemes.

7. The GCC, Egypt, and Turkey Factor

Many students don’t realise that their own governments may also help fund their studies abroad.

• UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman – Often sponsor students for postgraduate programmes abroad, particularly in IT, healthcare, and engineering.
  
• Egypt – Supports students through educational foundations and partnerships with UK universities.
  
• Turkey – Has national schemes that back high-achieving students in strategic sectors.
  

These options reduce personal financial burden and make it easier to combine partial scholarships with government backing.

8. Checklist: Things to Keep in Mind

Before applying for any scholarship, ask yourself:

1. Why this course? – Be clear on your academic and career path.
   
2. Why the UK? – Show why the UK specifically fits your goals.
   
3. Why me? – Highlight leadership, extracurriculars, or impact you’ve already created.
   
4. What will I give back? – Show how you’ll contribute to your home country or community after graduating.
   
5. When should I apply? – Start 9–12 months before intake.
   
6. What’s my backup? – Always apply for university bursaries in addition to government awards.
   

9. Erudmite’s Guidance

At Erudmite, we don’t just tell students to “apply everywhere.” We help them apply smartly.

• Career counselling in Dubai – We match students with courses that increase their scholarship chances.
  
• SOP support – Crafting powerful, authentic applications.
  
• Scholarship targeting – Identifying realistic options instead of chasing only the hardest awards.
  
• University bursaries – Making sure students never miss accessible options like the up to 40% UWS London bursary.
  
• Global awareness – Guiding families in the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, and beyond on how to leverage both UK and home-country opportunities.
  

Because our mission is simple: making UK education accessible without false promises.

Conclusion:

So, is it difficult to get a scholarship in the UK?

• Fully funded, government-run scholarships → Yes, they’re highly competitive.
  
• Partial university bursaries → No, these are achievable for most international students who meet academic standards.
  
• Country-sponsored funding → Possible if you align with your government’s goals and apply on time.
  

The real difficulty isn’t just in getting a scholarship. It’s in knowing which ones to apply for, when, and how.

With the right guidance, you don’t need luck. You need clarity, preparation, and a plan.

FAQs

1. What’s the easiest scholarship to get in the UK?
University bursaries, like UWS London’s up to 40%, are the most accessible.

2. Can I get a full scholarship as an international student?
Yes, but competition is extremely high for awards like Chevening or Commonwealth.

3. Do scholarships cover living costs as well?
Some government awards do, but most university bursaries only reduce tuition.

4. When should I apply for scholarships?
Start 9–12 months before your course begins.

5. Can students from GCC, Egypt, or Turkey get extra support?
Yes. Many governments sponsor talented students to study abroad in the UK.