Bursaries and grants
Bursaries and grants are similar to scholarships but less common. Bursaries and grants are usually based on students’ personal circumstances – like coming from a low-income household or experiencing some other form of disadvantage. They’re usually one-off payments, sometimes to help with travel costs, or costs to settle in.
International students may also receive a bursary or fee reduction from a university, based on a prior relationship or existing link with them:
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a family member, i.e. a sibling, parent, child, or spouse, is a current student or alumnus
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they studied a prior qualification at that university, and are continuing their studies there, e.g. moving from foundation degree to undergraduate degree
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they participated in an international summer school, exchange, or similar programme at that university, and are continuing their studies.
Private grants and loans
Private grants are another financial option for international students studying in the UK. Companies and non-governmental organisations have finance options to help students complete their higher education.
If you take out a private loan, always read the agreement before you sign it. These loans often come with repayment time limits and interest.
Some companies will give students a loan under the condition they work for them once they have completed their degree. Remember, as an international student in the UK there are no guarantees with these financial options, so always think about how you can finance your studies if these options are not available to you.
Scholarships, bursaries, and grants
Scholarships are the most common form of funding available for EU and international students, and usually awarded based on academic ability or potential, or talent in another area, like sports or music.
Scholarships may cover tuition fees in full, reduce them, or contribute to the cost of living and studying away from home, in the UK. There are lots of scholarships to study in the UK. This is great news, but it’s important to remember they have strict eligibility criteria and are highly competitive.