Studying in the UK is a dream for many people, but the costs may be prohibitive. The good news is that there are scholarships and bursaries that can help you achieve your goal of studying in the UK. It is important to know which type of financial support helps you (scholarships vs. bursaries) when you are applying.
Recognizing Scholarships and Bursaries
Before deciding on student financial options, it is useful to know what types of scholarships/bursaries are available that can help to fund your studies. Most UK universities have a variety of scholarships and funding available for undergraduate courses and for postgraduate courses. The world of funding can seem overwhelming; however, if you look at it as a puzzle, you can figure out which scholarships/bursaries may be available to you.
What is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is a type of funding for students based on merit, ability, or achievement. Scholarships provide funding, and they can come in many forms, such as:
• Payment of your tuition fees
• Financial support for living costs
There are often very few scholarships available for international students who studying in the UK, but there are many scholarships available to international students in the UK, including Chevening Scholarships, which is a UK government scholarship programme for future leaders. There are also a multitude of subject-specific scholarships available to study in the UK. Many universities such as the University of Oxford offer many differ types of scholarships and funding for international students, as do the University of Westminster.
What is a bursary?
A bursary is financial assistance based on financial need. The other primary difference between Bursaries and scholarships is how bursaries depend more on a student’s household income than a students achievement and therefore they are generally given to students from low-income backgrounds. Many different organizations are providing these. For example:
• UK universities
• The UK government
These Bursaries and Scholarships aim to ensure that talented students remain in higher education and not deterred from going to school due to money. The number bursaries and scholarships on offer can vary enormously from programme to programme and university to university.
What is the difference between scholarships and bursaries
The main difference between a scholarship and a bursary simply lies within the requirements and criteria for awarding the funds. These differences are outlined below:
| Financial Aid Type | Awarding Criteria |
| Scholarships | Merit-based |
| Bursaries | Need-based |
Both a scholarship and a bursary provide important financial help, and being eligible for either could ultimately help the student study in the UK. The University of London also offers a number of scholarships and bursaries.
Scholarship and Bursary Types
Undergraduate Scholarships
If you wish to study an
Undergraduate Course
at a
UK University
, there are many types of
Undergraduate Scholarships
available / are also called a Bursary. Grants provide
Financial Assistance
as a scholar based on academic achievement, sporting or arts ability, or other stipulated criteria. Many
UK Universities
provide a range of
Scholarships and Funding
specifically for
Undergraduate
degrees, to pay tuition fee
s and assistance with living costs. Some are government funded by the
UK Government
, for example parts of the
Chevening Scholarships
Scholarship Programme. Be sure to thoroughly research the scholarships at the institutions you are interested in to know the criteria and eligibility for applying.
Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies
Pursuing postgraduate
studies in the
UK
can be costly, but fortunately, many
scholarships and bursaries
exist to support
postgraduate
students. Some of these
scholarships offer
considerable
financial support
, sometimes covering the full
tuition fees
and providing a stipend for living expenses. The
Chevening Scholarships
is the UK’s main
scholarship programme
from the
UK government
for future leaders across the world.
Commonwealth Scholarships
are available for citizens of Commonwealth countries to
study in the UK
. Research opportunities, the number and value of scholarships can vary from university to university and programme to programme.
Subject-Specific Scholarships
Numerous
UK Universities
and organizations provide
Subject-Specific Scholarships
to students studying a certain subject. These
Scholarships and Bursaries
recognize the significance of particular disciplines and are geared towards attracting talented people to study those disciplines. For example, the
University of Oxford
and the
University of Westminster
both provide
Scholarships
that help students with engineering, medicine, law and the arts among others. These
Scholarships Available
typically have specific criteria in relation to academic achievements and career aspirations. Check out
Scholarships for International Students
if you plan to
Study UK
from outside the UK.
Scholarships and Funding for International Students
Scholarships for International Students
For
international students
wishing to study in the UK, there are many
scholarships available
to alleviate the burden of
student finance
Scholarships are excellent products to help with tuition fees and living expenses. Many
UK universities
offer their own
scholarship programme
s for
international students
because of the diverse contribution they have to the academic community. Understanding the
scholarships and bursaries
landscape will require a lot of research and preparation. Some of the funding available comes from the
UK government
Eligibility Criteria for International Students
The eligibility criteria for
scholarships for international students
will vary considerably between different
universities
and scholarship
programmes in the UK. It is common for academic merit to be considered most heavily. Some
scholarships also provide
support based on leadership potential, extra-curricular activities, or demonstrated commitment to social impact.
International Students
looking to
Study UK
should determine their eligibility by examining the particular requirements of each scholarship they are considering.
Scholarships from Outside Sources Available
Outside of
UK (United Kingdom) universities,
numerous external agencies and foundations also provide
scholarships and funding
to
international students
wishing to
study in the UK
. The
Chevening Scholarships
is a well known
UK government’s
scholarship programme
designed for future leaders from all over the world. The
Commonwealth Scholarships
Commission administers
Commonwealth Scholarships
for citizens of Commonwealth countries. External scholarships provide great opportunities for international students to obtain funding and pursue their academic and scholarly direction in the UK. The
amount of scholarships
is staggering.
Managing Money While Studying in the UK
Budgeting for Students
UK students must use budgeting effectively to manage their student finances. First, student should put together a comprehensive budget in the first place, including all sources of income, including:
scholarships and bursaries
loans
part-time earnings
and track your spending. After recording your spending, it will become easier to find ways to reduce your spending. Focus on spending money on what is essential first, for example:
rent
tuition fees
groceries
be sure to take advantage of all available sources of funding that can offset expenses, and be sure to enjoy access to the student discounts and free services offered by
UK universities
Other Sources of Funding
There are other types of financial support available in addition to
scholarships and bursaries
. Part-time work may provide an additional source of funds to add to what is already
available
. Student loans can be the student loans offered by UK
government
and private lenders to help with loans to cover
tuition fee
s and living expenses. You might want to consider crowdfunding or ask your family and friends for assistance. Don’t forget that the number ofg scholarships can be limited, so it’s good to have a backup plan when wanting to
study in the UK
Financial Aid Services
Generally speaking UK universities will have a variety of
financial aid
services that help students with financial management. Hopefully these services will provide financial advice, help with applications for scholarships, helping with applications for grants and bursaries. For example, the
University of London
,
University of Westminster
,
University of Oxford
, have financial aid offices to assist students in identifying the
funding options available
Don’t hesitate to access these services to help find your way around the myriad complexities of your
student finance
and help make sure you can fund your
programme
.Household Income
is often a factor in receiving financial aid.