UK Scholarships for Indian Students 2027–28: Scholarships, Eligibility, Amounts & Deadlines

Indian students planning to study in the UK in 2027–28 already have several scholarship deadlines approaching. Two major fully funded schemes are particularly time-sensitive: Chevening applications close on 6 October 2026, while Commonwealth Master's Scholarship applications close on 20 October 2026.

Other opportunities, including Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and several Oxford funding schemes, open or reach their deadlines later in the 2026–27 application cycle.

The important point is that UK scholarships are not all the same. Some cover tuition only, some provide a fixed discount, while others cover tuition, travel and living expenses.

Students who are still choosing courses can first review EuroStudys' study in the UK information and then compare scholarships against universities and courses that genuinely fit their academic profile.

Which UK scholarships are available for Indian students in 2027–28?

For the 2027–28 academic year, Indian students can consider UK government scholarships, Commonwealth funding, university awards and India-specific scholarships.

1. Chevening Scholarship India 2027–28

The Chevening Scholarship is one of the major UK Government scholarships available to Indian postgraduate applicants.

Applications for the 2027–28 Chevening Scholarship are currently open and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Successful scholars begin their UK studies in September or October 2027.

What does Chevening cover?

A full Chevening award normally includes:

• tuition fees;
• economy travel to and from the UK;
• visa application cost;
• arrival allowance;
• departure allowance;
• a contribution towards required TB testing;
• travel-related allowances;
• a monthly living stipend.

Who can apply?

For the current 2027–28 round, applicants must meet several requirements, including:

• citizenship of an eligible country such as India;
• an undergraduate qualification suitable for UK master's entry;
• at least 2,800 hours of work experience gained after completing the undergraduate degree;
• completion of the undergraduate degree at least two years before the Chevening application deadline;
• application to three eligible UK master's courses;
• commitment to return to the home country for at least two years after the scholarship ends.

For this cycle, Chevening states that applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree by October 2024 to meet the work-experience timing requirement.

Which courses qualify?

Chevening supports eligible full-time taught master's degrees, normally lasting between nine and twelve months and starting in the autumn term.

January-start, part-time, distance-learning and research-based programmes are not eligible.

2. Commonwealth Master's Scholarship 2027–28

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is another major fully funded option for Indian students.

The 2027–28 round opened on 8 September 2026 and closes at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. The scholarships support courses beginning in September or October 2027.

What does the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship cover?

• full approved tuition fees;
• approved return airfare;
• £1,712 per month living allowance;
• £2,000 per month for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area;
• study-related travel support;
• certain additional allowances depending on individual circumstances.

Who is eligible?

• citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country;
• permanent residents of an eligible country;
• students available to begin UK study in September 2027;
• applicants holding at least the equivalent of a UK upper-second-class degree, or a lower-second-class degree plus an appropriate postgraduate qualification;
• students who can demonstrate that they could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Indian applicants should pay particular attention to the nomination process. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not accept direct applications for the Master's Scholarship. Applicants must follow the relevant nominating body's process.

3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027–28

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is particularly useful for students who want a funded one-year master's degree at a participating UK university.

For 2027–28, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission expects approximately 180 new Shared Scholarships. The eligible university courses are expected to be published in November 2026, with student applications scheduled to open in early November and close in mid-December. Exact dates have not yet been announced.

What does it cover?

• tuition fees;
• return airfare;
• monthly living allowance;
• study-related support;
• TB test contribution where applicable;
• additional support in certain circumstances.

The current 2027–28 university funding guidance lists a minimum stipend of £1,712 per month outside London and £2,000 per month in London.

4. Clarendon Scholarships at the University of Oxford

Indian students applying for graduate study at Oxford can also be considered for the Clarendon Scholarship.

Clarendon is open across academic subjects and to applicants of all nationalities.

There is no separate Clarendon application. Students who submit their Oxford master's or DPhil application by the relevant December or January funding deadline for their course are automatically considered.

What does Clarendon cover?

• full course fees;
• a grant towards living costs.

Students considering Oxford can also use EuroStudys' UK university overview as an initial reference, while checking all current 2027 information directly with the universities.

5. Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship

The Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship is specifically relevant to Indian students pursuing doctoral research linked to India and sustainable development.

Research areas include subjects connected to:

• sustainable cities;
• climate change and clean energy;
• healthcare innovation;
• environmental sustainability;
• food and water security;
• law, governance and human rights.

Funding

• course fees;
• a grant for living costs.

6. Reach Oxford Scholarship for Indian undergraduate students

Fully funded undergraduate scholarships for international students are less common than postgraduate funding, but the Reach Oxford Scholarship is one important option.

India is included among the eligible nationalities for this award.

What does Reach Oxford cover?

• Oxford course fees;
• a living-cost grant;
• one return airfare each year.

The scholarship normally lasts for the length of the undergraduate course, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Oxford expects around two to three awards per year.

Deadline for 2027 entry

Students must first receive an offer from Oxford. For 2027 entry, Oxford states that scholarship application details will be published in January 2027 and that applicants must apply by 26 January 2027.

7. GREAT Scholarships India 2027–28

GREAT Scholarships are jointly supported by the UK Government's GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and participating universities.

As of September 2026, the British Council India page is still publishing the 2026–27 scheme, under which India had 12 postgraduate scholarships, each worth at least £10,000 towards tuition fees.

What about the Rhodes Scholarship for India?

The Rhodes Scholarship is another major Oxford funding route for Indian applicants, but timing matters.

There are currently five Rhodes Scholarships for India. For the 2027-entry round, applications opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 23 July 2026.

That means the application window has already closed for students targeting the current 2027 selection cycle.

Which scholarships are still actionable in September 2026?

Can you get a 100% scholarship to study in the UK?

Yes, but only selected programmes provide full funding.

Examples include Chevening, Commonwealth Master's and certain university scholarships.

A fully funded award can include more than tuition. Depending on the scheme, it may also cover:

• living expenses;
• flights;
• visa fees;
• study-related allowances;
• other approved costs.

Partial scholarships work differently. A £10,000 scholarship, for example, can significantly reduce tuition but may still leave the student responsible for the remaining fees, accommodation and other living expenses.

Are scholarships available for undergraduate Indian students?

Yes, but there are generally fewer major full-funding options for undergraduate international students than for master's applicants.

Reach Oxford is one verified option available to eligible Indian students for 2027 entry.

Individual UK universities may also offer:

• international merit awards;
• first-year tuition discounts;
• subject-specific scholarships;
• automatic academic awards;
• country-specific funding.

Documents commonly needed for scholarship applications

Different scholarships ask for different evidence, but students should start preparing early.

• passport;
• degree certificates;
• academic transcripts;
• references;
• personal statement;
• scholarship essays;
• CV;
• employment records where relevant;
• university course choices;
• proof of financial circumstances for need-based awards;
• research proposal for some doctoral scholarships.

EuroStudys' study abroad document checklist can be used as a basic preparation list, but scholarship-specific instructions should always take priority.

How to improve your scholarship application

Check eligibility before writing essays

Do not spend days preparing essays for an award if you miss a non-negotiable criterion such as work experience, degree classification, nationality or course type.

Match the scholarship's purpose

Chevening focuses strongly on leadership, career progression and future impact. Commonwealth funding places significant emphasis on academic merit, study plans and development impact.

Use real examples

If asked about leadership, explain a situation where you influenced a decision, managed people, improved a process or produced measurable change. Avoid claims that cannot be demonstrated.

Apply for university admission early

Some scholarships require a university offer, while others require applicants to meet university deadlines separately.

Do not depend on one scholarship

A student may be eligible for several different funding routes. Build a funding plan that includes government scholarships, university scholarships, course-specific awards and personal funds where necessary.

Does a scholarship guarantee a UK Student visa?

No. A scholarship award and a Student visa are separate processes.

Winning a scholarship can help demonstrate funding, but applicants must still meet the immigration requirements applicable to their Student visa application.

Likewise, a university admission offer does not guarantee a scholarship, and a scholarship does not guarantee admission unless the award conditions specifically require and confirm the university place.