Funding and scholarships for international students
We are investing over £7m in a range of scholarships to support international and EU students paying international tuition fees, who choose Exeter for their studies in 2026/27.
This guide provides an overview of our main scholarships and other useful information, covering partial and full awards, country and subject-specific scholarships and prestigious jointly funded schemes.
Scholarships for students from specific countries or territories
We offer a number of automatic awards to help make sure eligible candidates from specific countries or territories can pursue their studies. In 2026/27, these awards can be combined with Exeter Excellence awards to a maximum of £10,000 towards annual tuition fees.
Use our Find Your Country tool to view country-specific information for prospective students, including scholarships and funding opportunities.
How we can support you with funding and scholarship opportunities
More information on available funding and scholarships for international students
The Beacon Scholarship at the University of Exeter
The Beacon Scholarship at the University of Exeter is offered in partnership with the Beacon Equity Trust to nurture young people with leadership potential. Up to seven Beacon Scholarships for UK undergraduate degrees are offered each year across Beacon partner universities.
Eligible candidates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa must be nominated by their School Head and receive an offer of admission from a Beacon Partner University before being invited to apply. Please visit the Beacon Changemakers website for more information.
University of Exeter GREAT Scholarships 2025
In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Exeter is offering three scholarships to students who are citizens and residents of Ghana or Turkey. These scholarships, worth £10,000 are available to applicants for eligible one-year postgraduate courses for January 2026 entry.
The GREAT Scholarships 2025 programme, launched by the British Council together with 71 UK universities, provides postgraduate students from eligible countries access to world-class UK higher education.
Applications are now closed. For more information on the GREAT Scholarships, please visit Study UK.
Chevening Scholarships
Established in 1983, the Chevening Programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, making it one of the world’s most prestigious international scholarship schemes. Chevening Scholars represent more than 160 countries and territories forming a global network of over 60,000 influential alumni.
Awards are typically for a one-year Masters degree, in any subject and at any of the UK’s leading universities. Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders and influencers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.
The University of Exeter is delighted to host Chevening Scholars. Applications for the 2026/27 Chevening scholarships, including the Chevening/University of Exeter MStrat Scholarship, closed on 7 October 2025.
- Information for the 2026/27 Chevening scholarships »
- Information for the Chevening/University of Exeter MStrat Scholarship »
You can see an overview of the selection process here.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme
The Shared Scholarships scheme is a joint initiative between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UK universities, to support aspiring students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study a Masters programme in the UK.
The University of Exeter is very pleased to continue to welcome Shared Scholars. Applications for the 2026/27 Shared Scholarships are open until 9 December 2025.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters and PhD study
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving students from eligible Commonwealth countries. These scholarships aim to support individuals with outstanding academic potential to pursue Masters or PhD studies in the UK.
Applicants must apply through the national nominating agency in their home country or through a designated non-governmental organisation or charitable body.
Applications for Masters or PhD study starting in September 2026 are now closed.
Full information about their schemes is available on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s website.
Financial assistance for international students wishing to study in the United Kingdom
If you are seeking financial assistance, then you should first contact your own Ministry of Education who will be able to advise you on your own government’s schemes for students studying abroad. The British Council in your country should also be able to tell you of any British scholarship schemes for which you are eligible.
If there is no British Council office, then contact your nearest British Embassy or High Commission. Some international organisations also operate scholarship schemes, often for developing countries. In addition, voluntary organisations such as religious bodies and charities sometimes award small bursaries. Contact the appropriate organisations in your own country for more information.
If you are looking for a scholarship for UK study in 2026/27, you are encouraged to start in good time. Research what you want to study, and which universities offer programmes in your area of interest. Most scholarship opportunities offer partial funding, and schemes offering full funding are highly competitive and often have a long lead in time. Connect with school counsellors, current university students, alumni, recruitment teams and agents. When you have found a scheme, read the instructions carefully, check the eligibility criteria, write a tailored application (if necessary) and check for any required supporting information - don’t leave it until just before the deadline for submission. Look out for scams – you don’t usually have to pay to apply for a scholarship.
