Study in the UK Free: Top Undergraduate Scholarships Open Now

Nobody ever said studying in the UK was cheap. But nobody told you about the universities that are actively paying international students to come. Oxford, UCL, Sheffield, Leicester, Bristol and Edinburgh are not names you associate with discount education, yet right now, in 2026, every single one of them is offering undergraduate scholarships specifically designed to bring talented international students through their doors. Some cover your full tuition for every year of your degree. Others take thousands of pounds off your annual fees. A few are awarded automatically the moment you accept your offer, no separate application required.

To help we have compiled a top 15 undergraduates you can apply for this year. Here is the list:

1. Reach Oxford Scholarship, University of Oxford

What you get: Full course fees, a grant for living costs, and one return airfare per year for the full duration of your undergraduate degree

Who can apply: Students from low-income countries that receive Official Development Assistance (ODA), who cannot study for a degree in their home country for political or financial reasons, or because suitable facilities do not exist. You must have received an offer from Oxford and demonstrate the highest academic ability, financial need, and social commitment. Priority is given to students who have not studied at undergraduate level before.

Timeline: Applications for 2026 entry closed 4 February 2026. Selection took place April 2026, with outcomes by end of May 2026. Applications for 2027 entry will open in January 2027. Details will be published on the official page in January 2027.

Let us be honest about what this is. This is Oxford. One of the two most recognised universities in the world, offering a full scholarship, flights included, to students from developing countries who cannot afford to study abroad. Only two to three of these are awarded each year, which tells you how competitive it is. But if you are from an eligible country, have an Oxford offer, and you have the academic record to back it up, this application deserves everything you have. Start preparing now for the January 2027 opening.

Apply here: Reach Oxford Scholarship

2. UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship, University College London

What you get: Up to 33 scholarships for 2026 to 2027 including 10 full tuition scholarships with a maintenance allowance and additional fixed allowance for costs such as the Immigration Health Surcharge and visa fees. A further 20 scholarships cover full tuition fees only. Three additional scholarships covering full tuition fees are specifically for students from India. Valid for the standard duration of the undergraduate programme.

Who can apply: International students from any country outside the UK who are paying overseas tuition fees, come from a low-income background (household income of £42,875 or less as a guideline, though higher incomes are still considered), and have submitted an application for a full-time undergraduate degree at UCL in 2026 to 2027. You do not need an offer to apply, but your fee status must be confirmed by UCL Admissions.

2026 to 2027 deadline: 5pm BST on Monday 27 April 2026. Successful candidates will be notified by 3 June 2026.

UCL is one of the world’s top ten universities, located in central London, and this scholarship goes beyond tuition. The full package covers the immigration health surcharge and visa fees too, which are costs that catch many international students off guard. Thirty-three scholarships at this level is a genuinely meaningful number. If you have an application in with UCL or are planning one, this is the most important financial aid application you can make alongside it.

Apply here: UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship

3. University of Leicester International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

What you get: A full tuition fee waiver for up to three years of undergraduate study. Thirty fee waivers are available for the September 2026 intake as part of a five-year programme of 150 total awards.

Who can apply: International fee-paying students starting a full-time, campus-based undergraduate programme at Leicester in September 2026, either in year one, two, or three of their degree. You must have made Leicester your firm choice by 30 June 2026 and achieved the equivalent of two grades above the standard entry requirement for your course. Excludes Medicine, LLB Maitrise, STEM International Foundation, International Year 1 courses, and programmes exceeding three years.

Timeline: Application window open from 18 November 2025 to 30 June 2026. Shortlisting and final selection from 1 July to 20 August 2026. Winners notified by email by 20 August 2026, unsuccessful applicants by 28 August 2026.

A full tuition fee waiver is exactly what it sounds like. You pay nothing for your tuition across your entire degree. Leicester is a well-regarded UK university with a gold Teaching Excellence Framework rating and is consistently ranked in the top 30 in the UK Research Excellence Framework. The June 30 deadline is still reachable for students who move quickly.

Apply here: University of Leicester International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

4. University of Leicester International Citizens of Change Scholarship

What you get: £10,000 tuition fee discount per year for up to three years of undergraduate study. Ten scholarships available for the September 2026 intake.

Who can apply: International fee-paying students starting a full-time undergraduate programme at Leicester in September 2026. You must make Leicester your firm choice by Tuesday 30 June 2026 and meet all offer conditions by 20 August 2026. Excludes Medicine, LLB Maitrise, STEM International Foundation, and International Year 1 courses. Applicants must submit a short video of no more than two minutes answering three questions about their goals, their degree, and their contribution to the university community.

2026 to 2027 deadline: Applications open, closing 30 June 2026. Winners notified by 20 August 2026.

This one requires a two-minute video instead of an essay. The questions are straightforward: what do you want to achieve after university, how will your degree help you get there, and how will you contribute to the community. That is it. If you are applying to Leicester, this application takes an afternoon and could be worth £30,000 across your degree. Submit the video to Google Drive, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat Video, or Douyin.

Apply here: University of Leicester International Citizens of Change Scholarship

5. University of Leicester Chancellor’s International Scholarship

What you get: £3,000 tuition fee discount per year automatically awarded for each year of your undergraduate degree. No application required.

Who can apply: International fee-paying students starting a full-time, campus-based undergraduate course at Leicester in September 2026. Includes STEM International Foundation, Biological Sciences Foundation, and International Year 1 courses. Awarded automatically if you meet or exceed the standard entry criteria for your course.

Timeline: No application needed. You are automatically considered and notified when you submit your final results.

The most stress-free scholarship on this list. If you meet the entry requirements for your Leicester course, you get £3,000 off your tuition every year without doing anything extra. It cannot be combined with other Leicester scholarships if you receive a higher-value award, but it is a solid baseline for any eligible international applicant.

Apply here: University of Leicester Chancellor’s International Scholarship

6. University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship

What you get: £2,500 per year for each year of your undergraduate degree, applied as a tuition fee reduction. Maximum value of £10,000 for a four-year programme.

Who can apply: International students with overseas fee status starting an undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield in September 2026. All undergraduate courses are eligible except Medicine (A100/A101) and Dentistry (A200). You must be self-funded and studying full-time on campus. The scholarship is renewable each year subject to achieving 60% weighted mean grade or above and a minimum of 120 credits in the previous academic year.

2026 to 2027 deadline: You must choose the University of Sheffield as your firm or insurance choice before 4pm UK time on 3 June 2026. No application form is required. The scholarship is awarded automatically.

Sheffield is a Russell Group university in one of the UK’s most student-friendly and affordable cities. This scholarship is automatic, which means the moment you make Sheffield your firm choice before the June deadline, the money is yours for every year of your degree, no essays, no interviews. It cannot be combined with other Sheffield scholarships or external sponsorship, but for self-funded international students it is one of the cleanest and most straightforward deals available.

Apply here: University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship

7. University of Bristol Think Big Undergraduate Scholarship

What you get: £6,500 or £13,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study, applied as a tuition fee waiver. The award level depends on your course and faculty.

Who can apply: International students with overseas fee status who have applied for an eligible full-time in-person undergraduate course at the University of Bristol. Courses in Bristol Dental School and Bristol Medical School are not eligible. Eligible courses are spread across the Business School, School of Economics, School for Policy Studies, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and others.

Timeline: Applications for the 2026 to 2027 cycle closed on 10 April 2026 at 10am UK time. The next cycle for September 2027 entry will open in late 2026. Expected deadline based on previous years is late February 2027.

Bristol is a consistently top-ten UK university with a beautiful campus, a world-class reputation, and one of the most internationally diverse student bodies in the country. The Think Big scholarship has invested up to £5 million in international student funding for 2026 alone. If you missed the April 2026 deadline, prepare your application now for the 2027 cycle. The previous year’s deadline fell in late February, so do not wait until 2027 to start preparing.

Apply here: University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship

8. Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarship, University of Edinburgh

What you get: A financial award for international students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance in mathematics

Who can apply: International students applying for undergraduate mathematics programmes at the University of Edinburgh who demonstrate exceptional academic ability

Timeline: Check the official University of Edinburgh scholarship page for the current application window. Based on previous cycles, applications open in early spring.

If mathematics is your subject and Edinburgh is your target university, this scholarship is one of the few subject-specific undergraduate awards available to international students at a Russell Group institution. Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most internationally renowned universities and the city itself is extraordinary. Apply through the official funding page.

Apply here: Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarship

9. Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships, University of Edinburgh

What you get: Substantial financial support for prodigiously talented young students to study at the University of Edinburgh

Who can apply: Students from anywhere in the world who have medalled in international Olympiads. The BIG Programme targets students of exceptional and demonstrable talent in their field.

Timeline: Check the official University of Edinburgh page for current application details.

This is one of the most unusual scholarships on this list. If you have medalled in an International Mathematical Olympiad, Physics Olympiad, Chemistry Olympiad, or another recognised international academic competition, this programme was designed specifically for you. It is not for high achievers in the general sense. It is for students who have already competed and won at the highest international academic level.

Apply here: Global Talent Fund BIG Scholarships, University of Edinburgh

10. Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

What you get: £10,000 awarded to one successful candidate to support living costs during their first year of studies at the University of Edinburgh

Who can apply: Students from a Rosedale International Education school who have completed the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and are beginning their undergraduate studies at the University of Edinburgh in September 2026

Timeline: Launched for the 2026 academic year. Check the official Edinburgh page for application details.

This is a niche but genuinely valuable award for students coming from Rosedale International Education schools with an OSSD qualification. £10,000 toward your first year of living costs in Edinburgh is a significant contribution. If this describes you, this scholarship is directly relevant to your situation.

Apply here: Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

11. The Defne-Muhtar Kent Education Foundation Scholarship, University of Edinburgh

What you get: Sector-leading financial support described as covering significant tuition and living costs for the full undergraduate degree

Who can apply: An eligible undergraduate student joining the University of Edinburgh from Turkey who demonstrates financial hardship and lacks the means to undertake international study without support

Timeline: New scholarship launching in 2026. Check the official Edinburgh page for application details and deadlines.

This scholarship was created specifically for talented Turkish students who want to study at Edinburgh but face serious financial barriers. It is new for 2026, which means competition may be lower in its first cycle while the award value is described as sector-leading. If you are a Turkish student with Edinburgh ambitions and financial need, this should be at the very top of your list.

Apply here: The Defne-Muhtar Kent Education Foundation Scholarship

12. Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies International Scholarship, University of Edinburgh

What you get: Financial support toward the BVM&S full-time programme. Two scholarships available for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Who can apply: International students beginning their studies on the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery full-time programme at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh in 2026 to 2027

Timeline: Check the official Edinburgh page for current application details.

Veterinary medicine is one of the most difficult degrees to gain admission to in the UK and one of the most expensive. Edinburgh’s vet school is among the finest in the world. Two scholarships for international students entering the BVM&S programme is a small but meaningful opportunity for students who have earned their place in this demanding degree.

Apply here: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies International Scholarship

13. University of Portsmouth Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship

What you get: £5,000 fee reduction applied to your first year of study

Who can apply: International students who are self-funded, studying full-time on campus, applying for a September 2026 undergraduate or postgraduate taught course at the University of Portsmouth. Must not have previously studied at Portsmouth. ICP (International College Portsmouth) students are excluded. Applications must be submitted before 1 June 2026.

2026 to 2027 deadline: Scholarship application form must be submitted before 1 June 2026. Successful candidates will be contacted by Monday 29 June 2026.

Portsmouth is a well-regarded UK university on the south coast of England with strong programmes in business, law, science, and creative arts. The scholarship application is part of your overall application and is considered by the university’s scholarship panel. It applies to the first year only, but £5,000 is a meaningful contribution to first-year costs when you are settling into a new country.

Apply here: University of Portsmouth Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship

14. GREAT Scholarships 2026, Multiple UK Universities

What you get: A minimum of £10,000 toward tuition fees for one year of postgraduate study. Note: this programme is primarily postgraduate, but several participating universities offer parallel undergraduate funding through the same GREAT campaign. Check individual university pages for undergraduate availability.

Who can apply: Students from 18 eligible countries including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia

Timeline: Applications for 2026 to 2027 are confirmed open. Over 140 scholarships are available across more than 60 universities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Each country has its own dedicated page with university-specific deadlines.

The GREAT Scholarships programme is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council, with participating universities. If your country is on the eligible list, this is one of the most widely distributed scholarship programmes in the UK and deserves immediate research. Go to the British Council GREAT Scholarships page, select your country, and read every university offering on that list.

Apply here: GREAT Scholarships 2026

15. University of Leicester International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

What you get: £5,000 tuition fee discount per year for the duration of your undergraduate degree, awarded automatically based on academic merit

Who can apply: International fee-paying students applying for a full-time, campus-based undergraduate course at the University of Leicester commencing in September 2026. Awarded automatically based on your qualification level. No application required.

Timeline: Automatic consideration at the time of offer. No separate application needed.

This is Leicester’s baseline merit award for international undergraduates and sits alongside the full tuition fee waiver and the Citizens of Change scholarship as part of their broader international funding portfolio. At £5,000 per year automatically applied, it provides reliable support without the uncertainty of a competitive application. Note that you can only hold one Leicester scholarship at a time.

Apply here: University of Leicester International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

Final Thoughts

Every scholarship above has been confirmed from the official university website. Some deadlines have already passed for the current 2026 cycle but have been included because they will reopen for 2027 and you need to start preparing now. A few things that will make your applications stronger across the board.

Apply for the university first. Most of these scholarships require an active admissions application or a confirmed offer before you can apply for funding. Do not wait until you have an offer to start reading the scholarship criteria. Read them now while you are still working on your application, so you know what story to tell.

Some scholarships are automatic. The Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship and the Leicester Chancellor’s International Scholarship both require nothing more than choosing the university as your firm choice or meeting your offer conditions. Make sure you are aware of which awards fall into this category so you do not miss free money by assuming an application was required.

Remember, tuition fee reductions are valuable, but they are not the whole picture. UK student living costs average £12,000 to £15,000 per year outside London and significantly more in London. Research your university’s cost of living support, emergency funds, and part-time work rights under your Student Visa, then make application based on what best works for you.

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