Education in the UK is considered one of the most expensive in the world, but despite this, there are still a lot of people who want to study at a prestigious British university. The good news is that universities, individual faculties, the government and private organizations in the UK provide grants and scholarships that allow foreign students to either study for free or only partially pay for tuition.
Scholarships can be both public and private, there are also sports and creative scholarships. Scholarships are classified in three areas:
- for successes and achievements in studies and sports (Scholarship)
- one-time payable (Grant)
- one-time payment to the needy(Bursary).
The most common type of scholarship discount on training: for bachelors 10-30%, for undergraduates and doctoral students up to 50%. You can get a scholarship only by entering the university. Candidates are selected by a commission on the average score of the diploma or grade for A-Level/IB. As a rule, it is financed for one year with the possibility of extension. The criteria for selecting applicants for the scholarship are academic performance, scientific achievements, social activity and leadership qualities.
Types of university scholarships:
Academic Merit Scholarships
Taken into account: the average score of the certificate or diploma (it is desirable that it be excellent); level of English (ideally not lower than IELTS 7.0); scientific publications and participation in conferences.
Basically, academic merit is a discount on training up to 50%. But it happens that the tuition is paid in full. There is a whole list of narrowly focused scholarships:
- 50% discounts for those who continue their studies at the same university at the magistracy;
- scholarships for specific areas, where the assessments and degree of education of the candidate, his intellectual level, life and professional experience, projects and portfolios are of great importance;
- scholarships for Foundation preparatory programs, which are paid in two stages: during study and after admission to the bachelor's degree.
Low Income Scholarships (for needy students)
If your family income is below a certain amount, then you can count on this type of scholarship. The amount depends on each particular university - approximately $ 21,000-$ 82,000 per year. But large sums are rare, mostly low income scholarships partially cover student expenses.
Academic achievements are also taken into account by the commission. Both a high average score and a high-quality portfolio are important. Among the needy students are those who, for one reason or another, find it difficult to get an education (inequality, discrimination).
Performance-based Scholarships (for achievements in sports and creativity)
Usually these are small payments aimed at maintaining talented students. As a rule, these students then take part in university events or play for the sports team of the university.
We have listed three types of scholarships – now let's look at them with examples. In UK universities, scholarships and grants are public and private.
State scholarships
Chevening is the most famous major government program, the purpose of which is to attract the most talented students from around the world. Of all those who applied, only 2-3% will receive a scholarship. Funding is provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and includes master's and doctoral fees, visa and flight costs, housing allowance and food allowance each month.
The competition is very high, therefore, in order to be able to use the program, it is necessary to meet several conditions:
- Bachelor's degree (average score 4.0-4.7).
- Work experience (2 years or 2800 hours of any labor activity)
- Admission to the Master's program in the UK
- Return home at the end of the program. On a work visa, you can move to Britain only after two years.
To receive a Chevening scholarship, you must submit an application that includes a questionnaire, 4 essays and 2 recommendations in English from a teacher or employer. Essays occupy a particularly important place in this list - they should be connected by a common theme, but not duplicate each other.
- In the first essay, you need to talk about your leadership qualities shown during work, not study; describe how your actions and decisions, rather than team's, led to the achievement of your goal.
- In the second essay, you will need to talk about the ability to make professional connections (networking), how this skill helps to solve problems. Chevening is not only a scholarship program, but also a community where professionals from all over the world are united, so in the second essay it is necessary to add that you are ready to share experience and benefit.
- In the third essay, it will be necessary to explain the reason for choosing the university and the program, that the choice was not made by chance. The fourth essay should tell about specific and reasonable career plans.
Stages of the chevening competition:
- submission of the application;
- interview at the British Embassy;
- submission of documents;
- invitation from the university;
- applying for a visa and preparing for the flight.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship is the most prestigious international scholarship in the world. It can be claimed by students from any country (except the UK) who enter the postgraduate program of study. This scholarship includes both tuition fees and accommodation.
Conditions:
- application;
- high academic performance;
- leadership and humanism;
- recommendation and motivation letters;
- English test results, descriptions of their research papers, and GRE and GMAT scores.
Skoll MBA Scholarships is a scholarship program of the University of Oxford. Only those students who have enrolled in the MBA program can receive a scholarship: 5 people who will be selected by the commission. Tuition + partial accommodation is paid.
Conditions:
- experience in managing your own business (at least 3 years) or work in a management position;
- demonstration of leadership qualities in the business sphere;
- demonstration of the need for a scholarship.
Transform Together Scholarships
The University of Sheffield Scholarship is for international undergraduate or postgraduate students. The grant covers the full tuition fee for bachelors and half the cost for graduate students.
Conditions:
- Be a citizen of any country other than the UK;
- Enroll in a full-time training program;
- Have high academic performance
- Demonstrate your dedication and ambition;
- Have a bachelor's degree with honors 2: 1 for applicants to the postgraduate program;
- Be able to pay additional costs.
Westminster International Scholarships
The University of Westminster offers scholarships to international students who have enrolled in one of the university's master's programs, in addition to the MBA. The grant provides for tuition fees. Students of developing countries with low income levels can receive a grant.
- Enroll in one of the master's programs;
- Show letters of recommendation;
- Prove high academic performance.
Vice Chancellor & Principal's Scholarship
The University of Birmingham annually offers 5 scholarships for international students covering tuition fees and living expenses.
Conditions for candidates:
- must enroll in one of the training programmes of at least one year's duration;
- should not have previously received a scholarship from the University of Birmingham;
- demonstrate high academic performance;
- obtain a UK student visa.
