Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office international scholarship programmes
This page provides information about the UK’s 3 main international scholarship programmes funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The UK’s international scholarship programmes
The UK is home to many excellent universities and post-graduate study courses. Thousands of students from around the world choose to study in the UK every year.
Scholarships provide opportunities for the best and brightest international graduates to study at a UK university, regardless of the person’s economic status.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funds 3 scholarship programmes for international students:
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- Marshall Scholarships
The scholarships offer talented people who have shown the highest potential, including outstanding leadership qualities, the opportunity to study for post-graduate degrees at UK universities.
The FCDO scholarships enhance the UK’s diplomatic and development goals. Scholarships support international development by equipping people with a top-quality British post-graduate education.
This enables scholars to return home with specialised knowledge and skills from a wide range of study areas including medicine, engineering, agriculture, climate change and energy systems.
Scholarships support prosperity and stability, and build goodwill towards the UK and lasting positive relationships with future leaders and influencers.
For any queries about these scholarships contact the relevant programme directly. Each website provides contact details.
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government’s largest scholarships programme for international students. Established in 1983, Chevening scholarships support study for 1-year Master’s degrees at any UK university.
Scholarships are awarded to people who demonstrate the potential to become future leaders, senior decision-makers and opinion formers.
Chevening also offers a limited number of fellowships to mid-career professionals.
Applications for Chevening Scholarships open in August or September and close in November each year.
Find out more on the Chevening website.
Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), established in 1959, attracts outstanding talent from across eligible Commonwealth countries to UK universities, providing scholarships for studies in development-related subjects. The CSC, which is funded by the FCDO, manages the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme.
Applications to study for a post-graduate degree with the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme open from September each year.
Find out more, including about other forms of study, on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.
Marshall Scholarships
In 1953 the UK Parliament established Marshall Scholarships to thank the American people for the Marshall Plan which provided post-war support for reconstruction. The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission manages the Marshall Scholarship, and the FCDO funds it.
Marshall provides scholarships to talented young American people to undertake post-graduate degrees at UK universities.
Applications for Marshall Scholarships open in May and close in September each year.
Find out more on the Marshall Scholarships website.