London is home to some of the world’s leading universities, including Imperial College London, University College London, King’s College London, and the London School of Economics. Studying there is expensive, but a range of scholarships helps international students cover tuition and living costs.
This article covers four of the most significant: the Chevening Scholarship, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, the LSE Graduate Support Scheme, and the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships.
About the Scholarships in London for International Students
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Recipients can study at any UK university, including those in London.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are funded by the UK government and target students from lower and middle income Commonwealth countries. Their aim is to support development in recipients’ home countries.
The LSE Graduate Support Scheme is a need-based award from the London School of Economics for international master’s students who would otherwise struggle to fund their studies.
Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships are among the university’s most prestigious research awards, given to outstanding doctoral candidates of any nationality.
Scholarship Coverage
Chevening covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, a return flight to the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward allowance, and visa application costs.
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship covers tuition fees, airfare, a living stipend, and additional allowances such as thesis and warm clothing grants.
The LSE Graduate Support Scheme provides a tuition fee reduction, with the amount depending on the applicant’s financial need.
The President’s PhD Scholarships cover full tuition fees and a tax-free annual stipend for the length of the doctorate.
Duration
Chevening and the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship both fund one year of full-time master’s study. The LSE Graduate Support Scheme applies for the length of the chosen master’s programme. The President’s PhD Scholarships run for three to four years, depending on the research programme.
Eligible Fields of Study
Chevening supports master’s courses in almost any subject at eligible UK universities. The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship prioritises fields connected to development, such as health, science and technology, public policy, and economics. The LSE Graduate Support Scheme applies to LSE’s master’s programmes in the social sciences, including economics, law, politics, finance, and international relations. The President’s PhD Scholarships cover research areas across Imperial’s strengths in engineering, medicine, natural sciences, and business.
Eligible Countries
Chevening is open to citizens of more than 160 countries and territories, and the list is published each year. The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is limited to citizens of eligible lower and middle income Commonwealth nations. The LSE Graduate Support Scheme is open to international applicants who hold an offer from LSE and are classified as overseas fee-paying students. The President’s PhD Scholarships accept applicants of any nationality.
Eligibility Requirements
Chevening: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK upper second-class honours degree and have at least two years of work experience. They must apply to three eligible UK university courses, meet the English language requirement, and return to their home country for at least two years after finishing their studies.
Commonwealth Master’s: Applicants must be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country, hold a strong first degree, and be unable to afford UK study without support. They must also commit to returning home after the scholarship ends.
LSE Graduate Support Scheme: Applicants must hold an offer of admission to a full-time LSE master’s programme and demonstrate financial need.
President’s PhD: Applicants must have an excellent academic record, typically a first-class undergraduate degree or a strong master’s degree, along with a compelling research proposal.
How to Apply
For Chevening, applicants complete an online application, submit essays on leadership, networking, study plans, and career goals, provide references, and choose three university courses. The application window usually opens in August and closes in early October.
For the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, applicants apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application system within the annual window.
For the LSE Graduate Support Scheme, applicants first apply for admission to LSE, then submit financial information through the university’s application process by the stated deadline.
For the President’s PhD Scholarships, applicants apply to an Imperial PhD programme and are then considered for the award on the strength of their application and departmental nomination.
Selection Criteria
Chevening selects candidates for leadership potential, academic ability, networking skills, and a clear plan for their return home. Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded on academic merit, the potential for development impact, and financial need. The LSE Graduate Support Scheme is awarded primarily on demonstrated financial need alongside academic admission standards. The President’s PhD Scholarships are awarded on academic excellence, research potential, and the quality of the proposed project.
Official Website
- Chevening: chevening.org
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
- London School of Economics: lse.ac.uk
- Imperial College London: imperial.ac.uk
Deadlines and award values are updated each cycle, so check the official pages for the current intake. I can also put this article in a Word or Markdown file if you’d like.
