Always confirm details with your university's money advice team.
International student funding guidance
UKCISA
Independent guidance on scholarships, student finance and other ways to fund UK study.
Who might qualify
A guidance service, not a fund. Eligibility for each route depends on its nationality, residence, immigration-status and course rules.
What to do next
Read the funding guide, then check the relevant provider’s criteria. For unexpected hardship, contact your university’s international student adviser and money advice team.
Do I repay it?
No award is made by this guide. Check whether any funding it signposts is a grant, scholarship or repayable loan.
Tuition-fee support for selected one-year taught postgraduate courses at participating UK universities.
Who might qualify
Only specified countries, universities and courses qualify. Requirements and selection are country- and university-specific; this is not general living-cost help.
What to do next
Choose your country on the official directory, check participating universities and follow the university’s application instructions and current deadlines.
Do I repay it?
Scholarship support, not a standard loan. Read the award conditions and which tuition costs are covered.
The directory describes 2026–27 awards; check the relevant university for the next available round.
Competitive scholarships for eligible applicants planning a one-year UK master’s degree.
Who might qualify
Country or territory, academic, work-experience and return-home conditions apply. Check the full criteria; this is not an emergency fund for an existing course.
What to do next
Find your country or territory’s award page and check eligibility and the application timeline before planning an application.
Do I repay it?
Scholarship funding rather than a standard loan. Award obligations apply; read the terms, including return-home requirements.
2027–28 applications closed when checked; check the official timeline for future rounds.
Support for eligible disability-related study costs, including relevant long-term health conditions, mental-health conditions and specific learning difficulties.
Who might qualify
Not general living-cost funding. Course and residency rules apply; support depends on assessed study needs.
What to do next
Check the DSA application route and speak to your university’s disability team. Other UK nations have their own arrangements.
Do I repay it?
DSA does not need to be repaid. Funding paid in error may be recovered.
Support for eligible pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health students studying at a university in England.
Who might qualify
Eligible course, residency and student-finance requirements apply. Not all healthcare courses qualify; some other NHS funding or employer support excludes you.
What to do next
Check the current eligible course list and application rules with NHSBSA before applying.
Do I repay it?
Eligible funding is normally non-repayable on completion. Interrupting study or receiving funding without entitlement may require repayment.
An external bursary for eligible undergraduates with a qualifying family or employment connection to specified trades.
Who might qualify
UK residence, financial need and full-time undergraduate study apply. You, a parent or spouse must meet the trust’s grocery, pharmacy or commercial-traveller employment criteria, including the stated five-year requirement.
What to do next
Check the detailed eligibility and next application round with the trust. Do not assume applications are currently open.
Do I repay it?
A bursary, not a standard student loan. Read the award conditions; funding is limited and not guaranteed.
Help with essential disability-related study costs that are not covered by other support.
Who might qualify
UK home-fee status and the trust’s qualifying diagnosis criteria apply. A fund of last resort: explore statutory funding and university adjustments first. Mental-health conditions alone do not meet its stated criteria.
What to do next
Read the trust’s full eligibility rules and check the next application round.
Do I repay it?
Grant support rather than a loan. Check the award conditions and eligible costs with the trust.
Funding usually based on financial need or personal circumstances. It normally does not need repayment, but conditions and overpayment rules apply.
Grant
Funding for a particular need or purpose. It is usually non-repayable if you meet the terms. The provider decides eligibility and permitted costs.
Scholarship
Funding linked to criteria such as achievement, subject or background. Check the award conditions and whether you need to apply.
Hardship fund
Institutional help when you cannot meet essential costs. It may be a grant or a loan; it is assessed under your university’s rules.
Hardship loan
Money you must repay under the lender’s terms. Ask about interest, charges and repayment dates before accepting.
Home-fee status
Your university’s fee classification. It is not the same as nationality and does not automatically establish eligibility for student finance or a grant.