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MBA scholarships in the UK provide financial aid for deserving students to study at the top Business schools in the United Kingdom. If you’re planning to pursue an MBA in the UK, you know it doesn’t come cheap. But the good news is that there are many scholarships available for international students. This can help you alleviate your financial burdens and create a memorable educational experience for you. 

UK universities usually have in-house scholarships, and the stipend and eligibility criteria differ according to the individual universities. An MBA scholarship in the UK can be very competitive, depending on the competition and the inflow of applications every year, and the universities have only a set number of scholarships they can offer. But if you can make it, you can get a fully funded MBA scholarship to study in UK. Make sure you apply on time, have all the credible information, and proof of funds. 

There are many types of MBA Scholarships in the UK. All the way from general scholarships to the preferred programs and merit based scholarships, the UK offers many scholarships designed for students. 

 Let’s break it down so you can figure out which one fits you best.

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

These scholarships are all about rewarding students who’ve done exceptionally well in academics or professional achievements. If you’ve got a strong GMAT score or a standout undergraduate degree, this might be the right fit for you.

2. Need-Based Scholarships

If paying for an MBA feels like a stretch, need-based scholarships can step in to help. They’re designed for students who need financial support, covering tuition fees, living expenses, or sometimes both.

3. Diversity Scholarships

These scholarships try to bring a mix of perspectives to the classroom. They support students from underrepresented backgrounds—whether that’s based on nationality, gender, or unique experiences.

4. Leadership Scholarships

Have you been the one calling the shots at work or leading a community project? Leadership scholarships recognize those skills and help students who can bring big ideas and energy to their MBA program.

5. Industry-Focused Scholarships

If you’ve got your eyes set on a specific career, like finance, healthcare, or tech, Industry-focused scholarships focus on helping students with interests in particular industries. They’re often backed by partnerships between universities and companies.

6. Government Scholarships

Programs like Chevening and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are funded by the UK government and cover most of your costs—tuition, living expenses, and even travel.

7. University-Specific Scholarships

Most universities offer their own scholarships for MBA students. These can range from a partial fee waiver to full funding, and they usually consider a mix of your academic record, work experience, and career plans.

8. External Organization Scholarships

Scholarships from organizations like the British Council or Inlaks Foundation are another great option. They mostly focus on leadership, niche fields, and cultural exchange.

When studying MBA in the UK, you are eligible to apply for various MBA scholarships from your respective universities, the government, and private organisations. A typical MBA scholarship in the UK offers around GBP 1500 per month (INR 1.6 lakhs) to cover your tuition fees and living expenses. Although this might not cover your expenses entirely, it helps. 

Let’s look at the top scholarships to pursue MBA in the UK 

Let’s discuss the scholarships in detail:

1. Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

The Commonwealth Scholarship, one of the best MBA scholarships in the UK is offered by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to MBA students in the UK. It offers support for your tuition fees, flight expenses, and provides supplementary allowances to cover your living costs. If you’re enrolled in a top B-school in the UK, you can apply for the CSFP. 

To be eligible for the Commonwealth scholarship, you need to have a first-class undergraduate degree, be a Commonwealth country citizen, and be enrolled in a prestigious UK B-school. 

2. Chevening Scholarships

Although Cheneving Scholarships are usually fully funded, for MBA you get only up to GBP 22,000 (INR 24 lakhs). To be eligible, you need to have an excellent student profile, which allows you to pursue a funded 1-year MBA from any university in the UK. When applying, make sure you are from a part of Chevening-eligible country. 

Although it does not cover the full fees (unlike for a Master’s), you still get your living expenses and travel costs covered. It’s an ideal scholarship to study MBA in the UK.

3. GREAT Scholarships

One of the most comprehensive MBA scholarships in the UK, the GREAT scholarship is highly competitive. These scholarships are jointly funded by the GREAT Britain campaign and the British Council, making it very accessible for Indian students. Check if your university participates in the GREAT scholarship program for an MBA, and apply accordingly. When you’re a part of the GREAT scholarship, you are also mandated to attend networking events and discuss experiences about studying in the UK.

5. Imperial Business School Women’s Scholarship 

One of the MBA scholarships in the UK meant entirely for women, the Imperial Business School Women’s scholarship offers up to 50% of your tuition fees. You are eligible for this if you pursue a global MBA or an executive MBA at Imperial College. These are offered to women who demonstrate academic and professional excellence and use the MBA degree to create tangible, meaningful impact on society. 

6. Cambridge MBA Bursaries 

Cambridge offers multiple scholarships and bursaries to MBA students at the beginning of the academic year. Bursaries in general are offered by the admissions committee after an interview. You cannot apply for an MBA bursary like you can for a scholarship, and this is offered solely by the discretion of the admissions committee. So make sure you have an excellent profile and appear for the interview well-versed in your program, your profile and miscellaneous information.

7. The Skoll MBA Scholarship

To study an MBA in the UK, you can avail of the Skoll MBA scholarship. This is offered by the Said Business School at Oxford to eligible MBA candidates. This scholarship is particularly for MBA students who have an affinity for social entrepreneurship and want to pursue it for creating a social impact in the world. This covers full tuition fees and living expenses as well. 

8. Felix Scholarships

Curated particularly for Indian MBA students at the University of Oxford, Felix is one of the best MBA scholarships in the UK. You can apply directly to your Oxford MBA program, and it covers 100% of your tuition, living expenses as well as pays for your travel to and from the UK and India. Indian students with an excellent academic record are eligible to apply. The Felix scholarships also consider financial need. 

9. Inlaks Scholarships

Offered by the Shivdasani Foundation in India, you can apply for the Inlaks scholarship to pursue an MBA in the UK. The foundation collaborates with top B-schools in the UK, like Imperial College and the University of Cambridge. You need to be under 30 years of age to be eligible for the scholarship, and have a UG degree from a recognised Indian university. 

10. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

Although not explicitly related to MBA programs, you can avail of the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships if your program meets the CWITS-supported subjects. Usually provided for MA, MPhil, and PhD, and focused on academic research and professional development, you can apply for the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships if you’re an Indian citizen, between 28-38 years of age. It is also necessary to not have received another scholarship previously to avail the CWITS for MBA in the UK.

11. Cranfield MBA Diversity Scholarship 

Cranfield University in the UK offers scholarships that cover up to 70% of the tuition fees. If you’re an international student pursuing an MBA in the UK, apply early for the scholarship for the one-year immersive business program. The Cranfield Business School offers scholarships to 20% of the students, so make sure you have a good application and profile for your MBA. 

12. Master’s in Finance Merit Scholarships 

The London Business School offers merit-based scholarships for successful applicants. You don’t have to apply for these scholarships separately, and the admissions committee can directly decide whether you should be granted the scholarship or not. These scholarships can cover up to 50% of your MBA costs in London Business School, UK. You can avail of these scholarships as a part-time candidate as well. 

To be eligible for scholarships to study MBA in the UK, you must be an Indian citizen, have an outstanding academic record, and have competitive test scores. The competition for scholarships for MBA in the UK is high. 

Thousands of students apply every year to top B-schools, while the MBA universities have only a handful of scholarships available for the best candidates. 

Let's understand what you need to be eligible for MBA scholarships in the UK.

Academic record

You must have an excellent academic record, a very high and consistent GPA (3.5+/4.0), and ideally be at the top of your class.

Standardised scores

You should have competitive GMAT (720+) and GRE (320+) scores for MBA scholarship in the UK.

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

A stellar statement of purpose that tells your story. How did you get here, what inspired you, and how do you wish to contribute to this field? 

Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

2-3 professional and academic letters of recommendation, from your professors or managers you’ve worked with before.

Other than these, some universities and scholarship agencies in the UK might also require additional eligibility criteria owing to the high competition for the same. If you are looking forward to securing your scholarship for MBA funding in the UK for Indian students, you are advised to work on your portfolio and resume to make it stand out from the rest of the crowd.

The cost of studying for an MBA in the UK is from GBP 60,000 to GBP 80,000 (INR 50 lakhs to INR 90 lakhs), including your tuition fees and living expenses. The cost of studying can be brought down significantly with the help of scholarships, so make sure you don’t miss the deadlines. 

As an Indian student, you should budget around GBP 60,000 to GBP 70,000 for a top MBA education in the UK. Because MBA programs in the UK span 1 year, you get a very intense program and curriculum. It is often suggested that you not take up any part-time work or jobs during your program.

Tuition Fees

The average MBA fees in the UK is around GBP 50,000 to GBP 80,000 for top universities. The Oxbridge universities usually have higher tuition fees compared to other top UK Business schools.

For a more holistic view of the tuition fees for studying an MBA in the UK, let’s look below:

Cost of Living in UK

The average cost of living in the UK as an international MBA student ranges from GBP 10,000 to GBP 12,000 (INR 12 lakhs to INR 14 lakhs). This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses, varying by location and lifestyle. 

Living costs in the UK differ based on the city, lifestyle, and type of accommodation. While London is generally pricier, other cities provide more budget-friendly alternatives. 

Let’s look at the overall cost of living in the UK:

To apply for MBA scholarships in the UK, you can directly apply on the website of the respective business school while submitting your program application. If you're unsure about the process, you can also reach out to the admissions department of your chosen university for guidance.

Usually, you can apply for the scholarship while applying for the program, but sometimes you can apply once your application has been approved and you receive your offer letter. 

Here are a few general steps to apply for MBA scholarship in the UK:

• Meet the eligibility criteria: Make sure you are eligible for the MBA program and for the scholarship before you apply.
• Submit your application: If your scholarship needs a separate application, do that thoroughly.
• Demonstrate your eligibility: Submit all the necessary documents and details, like your proof of funds, financial documents, any essays if required, test scores, and more.
• Submit your financial need application: Some universities need an application for your financial need, where you need to explain that you cannot afford the MBA without financial support. 

There are many B schools in the UK that offer a 100% scholarship, like Oxford and Cambridge University. Although it’s not very common, you can still get a fully funded scholarship for an MBA in the UK. You need to have an excellent academic record, a good professional profile, 2-3 years of work experience, competitive standardised test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. 

Here’s how you can get 100% scholarship to study MBA in the UK:

• Check scholarship eligibility: Check what scholarships you can apply for with your university and program. If you are aiming for a 100% scholarship, try to go for the British government scholarships like Chevening and Commonwealth. 
• Check program and scholarship match: Many times, the university may offer a scholarship, but it may not be valid for your MBA program. So you need to apply for scholarships which are specifically meant for MBA students. 
• High GMAT Score: Although not a necessity, a high GMAT score gives your profile a competitive edge. If there were 2 similar profiles, and you had a higher GMAT score, then you would get preference over the other candidate. 
• Prepare required documents: Gather your transcripts, highlight your educational and professional background in your resume, and financial documents to apply for a fully-funded scholarship.
• SOP and LORs: Your statement of purpose and letter of recommendations are crucial when you’re applying for a fully-funded MBA scholarship in the UK. You need to demonstrate why and how you’re better than other applicants, and why you deserve the scholarship.

Are you an Indian student looking to pursue an MBA in the UK for the 2025 academic year? Scholarships like the Chevening, Inlaks, and Felix Scholarships, along with university-specific awards, can significantly reduce your tuition and living costs. To maximise your chances, it's essential to apply early and meet the eligibility criteria. At 爆料吃瓜网, we offer a free consultancy call to guide you through the scholarship opportunities, application processes, and eligibility requirements. Let us help you unlock world-class education with the financial support you need. Book your free call today!