Funding for international students in the UK

Studying in the UK as an international student can open doors to world-class education, diverse cultural experiences and hugely valuable career opportunities.

But it doesn’t come cheap.

In fact, tuition fees for international students can be anything from £10,000 to more than £38,000 a year, depending on the nature of the course. And that’s before you factor in day-to-day living costs.

So what financial support is available for international students in the UK?

Let’s take a closer look at the world of international student finance.

If you decide to study in the UK, there are various costs you’ll need to cover.

Tuition fees

These will be different for each course and institution. Humanities and social science degrees tend to be at the more affordable end of the spectrum, while medical and laboratory-based degrees generally cost much more.

Living expenses

If you’re thinking of relocating, you need to consider the cost of accommodation, food, transport and other day-to-day essentials.

Again, these will vary depending on where you choose to study, as the cost of living in major cities such as London can be much higher than in smaller towns.

When you’re applying for your UK student visa, you must be able to prove that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living costs.

Unlike UK students, international students can’t access government-funded student loans.

So how do international students support themselves while studying in the UK?

Family support

Nearly two-thirds of international students depend on financial help from family members.

Private company sponsorship

Some international students may get sponsorship from large companies, particularly in industries like finance, engineering and technology. 

This type of sponsorship is more common for postgraduate or professional courses rather than undergraduate studies.

Typically, people who get this support agree to work for the sponsoring company after they graduate.

Loans

Although international students can’t get student loans from the UK government, there are alternative loan options you could consider.

For example, you could check if the government or financial institutions in your home country offer loans for people who want to study abroad.

You may also be able to get a loan from a UK bank. Just be aware, as an international student, you may need a guarantor or collateral.

Some banks in your home country or the UK may offer tailored student loans with flexible repayment terms.

Student exchange programmes

If you’re already enrolled at a university in your home country, look into exchange opportunities with UK institutions.

This could let you spend a semester or year studying in the UK, possibly at a reduced cost. 

The Turing Scheme (which replaced the previous Erasmus programme) gives education providers the chance to apply for funding and offer exchange opportunities to international and UK students. 

Although it mainly funds UK-based students to study abroad, it can benefit inbound students if their home institution has partnered with UK universities. 

Scholarships and grants

Finally, there’s the option of scholarships and grants.

These are a popular way to reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and are typically awarded based on your academic achievements, financial need or other specific criteria.

University scholarships

Many UK universities offer scholarships to attract international students, some of which cover tuition fees either partially or in full.

Private scholarships

These are offered by companies, charities or organisations involved in education.

Government scholarships

There are three types of scholarships offered by the UK government.

Chevening Scholarships support study at UK universities - mostly one-year Masters’ degrees – and are designed for students with strong academic potential and leadership qualities.

Commonwealth Scholarships are tailored for students from developing Commonwealth countries and cover tuition, travel and a monthly allowance.

Finally, GREAT Scholarships offer students from 18 countries £10,000 towards their tuition fees for a range of one-year taught postgraduate courses.

Research eligibility requirements

Each scholarship will have its own criteria, such as academic excellence, expertise in a particular subject or leadership potential. 

Prepare a strong application

Highlight your achievements, ambitions and how the scholarship aligns with your future goals.

Remember, there is only a limited pot of money so scholarships can be extremely competitive.

It may be wise to apply to as many as possible to boost your chances of success.

Personal statement

What makes you a strong candidate? What are your goals and how will the scholarship help you achieve them?

Achievements

Outline any relevant academic, extracurricular and personal accomplishments.

Future contributions

Talk about how you plan to give back to the university, local community or your home country after you’ve graduated.

Supporting documents

Include academic transcripts, references or portfolios that could support your personal statement. Make sure these are clear and legible. It might also be worth translating these documents into English.

Yes, private grants for international students are available, but they are quite rare so there’s generally a lot of competition.

These grants tend to be provided by companies, non-governmental organisations or philanthropic groups.

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you read the terms carefully.

Some grants may be repayable or impose conditions, such as working for the sponsoring organisation after graduation.

The world of international student finance is hugely competitive and varied. So it’s important to try and give yourself the edge over other applicants.

Be organised

Keep all relevant documents in a secure, easily accessible location.

Be persistent

Apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances of success.

Ask for help

Get support from teachers, mentors and/or university advisers.

Watch out for scams

You might receive unsolicited offers or scholarships that require upfront payments. Be wary of scams and always verify opportunities through official channels.

If you need further support or information, organisations like UKCISA, your chosen university and trusted advisers should be able to help.

If you’re living and studying abroad, you want to do more than just make ends meet and immerse yourself in your new surroundings.

So good financial management is really important if you’re to make the most of the opportunity.

We’d recommend the following three steps.

Creating a budget

This should cover your tuition fees, living costs and other expenses such as leisure activities.

Factoring in travel costs

You may occasionally want to travel back home, so make sure you set aside money for this purpose. 

Working part-time

As an international student, you’ll be allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during the holidays.

Although you almost certainly won’t be able to depend on this money to cover tuition fees, it can help to pay for living expenses and leisure activities.

Yes.

Money Wellness offers budgeting support to help you take control of your finances.

Our help is available in 240 languages, so if you don’t feel confident talking with us in English, we can still support you.

We also have plenty of useful resources on our website, including guidance on how to create a budget and a budgeting planner.

As well as budgeting advice, if you’re really struggling, we can also talk you through debt solutions that may help.

 Before we do this though, get in touch with the Home Office to check a debt solution won’t affect your student visa status or future applications.

 If the Home Office advises that a debt solution could be a suitable option for you, come back to us and we’ll take it from there.