Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK: Fully Funded Scholarships Covering Tuition and Living Costs

Studying in the United Kingdom can be expensive, especially for international students who must pay international tuition fees, accommodation, food, transportation, visa expenses, and other costs. However, Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK: Fully Funded Scholarships Covering Tuition and Living Costs is a phrase that needs some clarification. There are genuine UK scholarships that can provide full tuition, living stipends, airfare, visa-related support, and other allowances, with the total value of the funding potentially exceeding £35,000. However, this does not usually mean a university simply deposits £35,000 into your bank account.

Instead, the money may be divided between tuition paid directly to the university and a maintenance stipend paid to the student. Some doctoral scholarships also provide annual stipends of more than £20,000, while prestigious awards can cover international tuition fees worth tens of thousands of pounds.

This guide explains what the £35,000 figure really means, which scholarships are worth considering in 2026/27, who can apply, what they cover, and how international students—including applicants from Nigeria—can apply through official channels.

What Does “Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK” Actually Mean?

“Get paid £35,000 to study in the UK” is generally a shorthand way of describing the total financial value of a fully funded scholarship, rather than a guaranteed £35,000 cash payment.

A fully funded scholarship may combine several benefits:

Full or substantial tuition-fee coverage
Monthly living allowance
Accommodation or maintenance support
Return international airfare
Visa costs
Immigration Health Surcharge in some programmes
Research or study grants
Conference allowances
Arrival and departure allowances
Family or disability-related allowances in specific circumstances

For example, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship covers approved tuition fees and airfare and provides a monthly living allowance. Its published current rate is £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

Meanwhile, Imperial College London’s President’s PhD Scholarship offers £26,500 per year for 2026/27, alongside full tuition funding and a research consumables budget. (Imperial College London)

Therefore, when tuition and other benefits are added to the living stipend, the overall value of a scholarship can reach or exceed £35,000.

Cash stipend vs. total scholarship value

This distinction is extremely important.

Funding component	How it is normally provided
Tuition fees	Paid directly to the university
Living stipend	Paid to the student
Airfare	Paid/reimbursed according to scholarship rules
Visa costs	Covered by some scholarships
Health surcharge	Covered by some scholarships
Research allowance	Available on selected postgraduate awards
Accommodation	Usually paid from the living allowance unless separately provided
Total scholarship value	Can exceed £35,000 depending on the programme

So, do not interpret a £35,000 scholarship value as £35,000 spending money.

Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK: Which Scholarships Can Actually Provide This Level of Funding?

There is no single universal £35,000 UK scholarship open to everyone. Instead, several major funding programmes can provide a combination of tuition and living support that can reach this level.

The strongest opportunities to investigate include:

Chevening Scholarships
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
Cambridge Trust International Scholarships
Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarships
University-funded doctoral studentships

Let’s examine them individually.

1. Chevening Scholarship

Chevening is one of the UK’s best-known government-funded scholarship programmes for international students.

It is primarily designed for people pursuing eligible one-year master’s degrees in the UK who demonstrate leadership potential and a clear plan for making an impact after their studies.

Chevening provides:

Tuition-fee payment
Monthly living allowance
Return economy airfare
Arrival allowance
Departure allowance
Visa application cost
Travel top-up allowance
TB-testing contribution where applicable

Chevening confirms that its scholars receive tuition funding, travel support, visa-related assistance and a monthly personal living allowance, with the stipend depending on whether the student studies inside or outside London. (Chevening)

Who can apply for Chevening?

Applicants must satisfy several conditions. Among other requirements, applicants must:

Be citizens of an eligible country
Have an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK master’s programme
Have at least 2,800 hours of eligible work experience
Apply to three eligible UK master’s courses
Meet the required course-offer conditions
Commit to returning to their country of award for at least two years after the scholarship

Chevening specifically states that the 2,800-hour work experience requirement must be acquired after completing undergraduate studies. Eligible experience can include employment, voluntary work and internships. (Chevening)

Important 2026/27 application update

For applicants reading this article in October 2026, the current Chevening application round has closed. The 2026 application cycle opened in August and closed in October 2026. (Chevening)

That does not mean you should ignore Chevening. If you missed this cycle, use the official website to monitor the next application window.

Official application information: Chevening Scholarships – Nigeria

2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is another major route for students from eligible Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.

The scholarship is particularly attractive because it is designed for candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

The funding package includes:

Full approved tuition fees
Return airfare
Monthly living allowance
Study travel grant
Certain additional allowances depending on circumstances

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission currently lists the living allowance at £1,712 per month, rising to £2,000 per month for scholars studying in the London metropolitan area. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

At £1,712 per month, the annual living allowance alone would be approximately £20,544 before considering tuition, airfare and other support.

At £2,000 per month, the annual living allowance would be approximately £24,000.

That explains how the overall value of a fully funded scholarship can potentially move toward or beyond £35,000.

Who is eligible?

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is aimed at eligible Commonwealth-country applicants.

Nigeria is included in the current eligible-country list. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

Applicants generally need:

An appropriate undergraduate qualification
Strong academic performance
Evidence of development impact
Financial need
Admission or an appropriate application to an eligible UK course
Compliance with the specific scholarship’s eligibility rules

The exact requirements can change between scholarship cycles, so applicants should always check the current Commonwealth Scholarship Commission guidance.

Official scholarship information: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is particularly relevant to international students from developing Commonwealth countries.

Nigeria is among the eligible countries.

The programme normally funds one-year master’s courses at participating UK universities.

Its benefits include:

Full tuition fees
Return airfare
Monthly living allowance
Warm-clothing allowance
Other approved allowances

For the 2025/26 published rate, the stipend was £1,452 per month, or £1,781 per month for study in London. The rate can be reviewed before scholars arrive. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

The 2026/27 application round is currently closed, but future applicants should monitor the CSC website for the next cycle.

One important difference is that candidates need to apply for an approved master’s course at a participating university as well as applying for the scholarship. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

Official information: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

4. Oxford Clarendon Scholarship

If your goal is a master’s or doctoral degree at Oxford, the Clarendon Fund deserves serious attention.

Clarendon provides:

Full course-fee funding
A living-expenses grant
Funding for the period of fee liability

The programme offers more than 200 new fully funded scholarships each year and does not restrict eligibility based on nationality or ordinary residence. Both eligible full-time and part-time master’s and DPhil courses can qualify. (Oxford University)

For full-time scholars, Oxford says the annual living grant is at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. For 2025/26, that was at least £20,780. (Oxford University)

How do you apply?

One of the attractive features is that you generally do not submit a separate Clarendon scholarship application.

Instead, you must submit your Oxford graduate-course application by the relevant December or January funding deadline. Eligible applicants are automatically considered. (Oxford University)

Official information: Oxford Clarendon Fund

5. Cambridge Trust International Scholarships

The Cambridge Trust International Scholarship can provide one of the most comprehensive funding packages available to international students.

The scholarship can cover:

International tuition fees
Annual maintenance
Student visa
Immigration Health Surcharge
Additional benefits depending on the award

The Cambridge Trust says its International Scholarship is available to applicants from countries other than the UK or Ireland and can be used for eligible postgraduate study at Cambridge. (The Cambridge Trust –)

This is important because international tuition fees at leading UK universities can be substantial. When full international tuition is combined with maintenance and immigration-related expenses, the total value can easily become much higher than the student’s annual cash stipend.

How to apply

For this particular Cambridge Trust International Scholarship, applicants do not submit a separate scholarship application. Instead, they apply for admission to Cambridge by the relevant funding deadline for their course. (The Cambridge Trust –)

Cambridge also provides a scholarship search tool where prospective applicants can filter funding opportunities by nationality and study level. (The Cambridge Trust –)

Official scholarship search: Cambridge Trust Scholarship Search

6. Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship

For students considering a PhD, Imperial College London offers an especially strong option.

The President’s PhD Scholarship provides 50 fully funded PhD places for high-achieving candidates worldwide.

For 2026/27, the award provides:

Full tuition fees
£26,500 annual stipend
£2,000 annual consumables budget for the first three years
Funding for 3.5 years

Imperial confirms that applicants can be from anywhere in the world and that there are no nationality restrictions. (Imperial College London)

This is one of the clearest examples of why the phrase Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK can be misleading but still based on a genuine funding opportunity.

The student does not necessarily receive £35,000 in cash.

Instead, they receive a £26,500 living stipend, while Imperial separately covers tuition and provides additional research funding. The combined financial value of the award can therefore be substantially higher than the stipend alone.

Official information: Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships

7. University Doctoral Studentships

Do not limit your search to famous government scholarships.

Many UK universities offer their own fully funded PhD studentships.

For example, the University of Manchester’s President’s Doctoral Scholar Award provides full tuition fees plus an annual maintenance stipend. For its 2027 entry Faculty of Humanities awards, the published UKRI-rate stipend is £21,805 per year, together with a £1,000 stipend enhancement. (Faculty of Humanities)

Manchester also has fully funded doctoral awards covering international tuition fees in other faculties. (Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health)

This means prospective PhD students should search university funding databases rather than relying only on Google searches for “£35,000 scholarship.”

UK Fully Funded Scholarships Compared

Scholarship	Study level	Tuition	Living support	Airfare	International students
Chevening	Master’s	Covered	Monthly stipend	Yes	Yes, eligible countries
Commonwealth Master’s	Master’s	Full approved fees	£1,712/month currently listed; higher London rate	Yes	Eligible Commonwealth countries
Commonwealth Shared	Master’s	Full	Monthly stipend	Yes	Eligible Commonwealth countries
Oxford Clarendon	Master’s/PhD	Full	Living grant	Not normally the core benefit	Yes
Cambridge Trust International	Undergraduate/Master’s/PhD depending award	Can be full	Annual maintenance	Depends on award	Yes
Imperial President’s PhD	PhD	Full	£26,500/year for 2026/27	Not the core published benefit	Worldwide
Manchester President’s Doctoral Scholar	PhD	Full	£21,805 + enhancement for stated 2027 award	Depends on award	Yes

Always check the current scholarship page before applying because stipend rates, deadlines, eligible courses and award conditions can change.

Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK: Who Is Most Likely to Qualify?

The strongest applicants usually combine excellent academics with a convincing reason for the proposed study.

Depending on the scholarship, selection may consider:

Academic performance

A strong academic record is usually important. Competitive awards may expect an equivalent of a UK first-class or upper-second-class degree, although requirements vary.

Leadership and impact

Chevening, for example, places significant emphasis on leadership and future impact.

Your application should therefore answer questions such as:

What problem are you trying to solve?
Why does this degree matter?
Why study it in the UK?
How will your knowledge benefit your community or country?
What leadership experience do you already have?

Work experience

Some scholarships require professional experience, while others do not.

Chevening specifically requires at least 2,800 hours of post-undergraduate work experience, which can include paid work, voluntary work and internships. (Chevening)

Research potential

For PhD scholarships, academic excellence alone may not be enough.

Universities can assess:

Research proposal
Research experience
Publications
Academic references
Fit with the proposed supervisor
Potential contribution to the field

Imperial, for example, describes its President’s PhD Scholarship as a highly competitive award for candidates with exceptional academic performance and research potential. (Imperial College London)

How to Apply for UK Fully Funded Scholarships

Applying successfully requires more than filling out a scholarship form.

Follow this process.

Step 1: Choose your study level

Decide whether you want:

Undergraduate study
Master’s study
PhD study

The majority of the largest international fully funded opportunities are at postgraduate level.

Step 2: Find eligible courses

Do not choose a scholarship first and then attempt to find any course.

Instead, identify:

Your academic background
Your intended subject
UK universities offering that subject
Courses that accept international applicants
Scholarships attached to those courses

Step 3: Check the scholarship requirements

Look carefully at:

Nationality
Degree classification
English-language requirements
Work experience
Age restrictions, if any
Research requirements
Course restrictions
Previous-study restrictions
Return-home requirements

Step 4: Prepare your documents

Common documents include:

International passport
Degree certificate
Academic transcripts
CV
Personal statement
Scholarship essays
Recommendation letters
Research proposal for PhD applications
Proof of English proficiency where required
University admission documents

Step 5: Apply for university admission

Some scholarships require you to have a university offer before the scholarship deadline.

Others automatically consider you for funding when you submit your university application.

For example, Oxford Clarendon automatically considers eligible graduate applicants who apply by the relevant funding deadline. (Oxford University)

Cambridge Trust also uses the relevant Cambridge admission application and funding deadline for its international scholarship. (The Cambridge Trust –)

Step 6: Submit the scholarship application

Never assume that applying for university automatically means you have applied for every available scholarship.

Read each scholarship’s instructions carefully.

How to Apply for the £35,000 UK Scholarship Opportunities

Here is the simplest practical approach:

1. Choose a fully funded master’s or PhD course.

2. Check the scholarship’s eligibility requirements.

3. Prepare your academic documents, CV, references, personal statement and research proposal if required.

4. Apply to the university or scholarship programme before its deadline.

5. If selected, follow the university’s instructions for your offer, CAS and Student visa.

For official applications, start with these sources:

What About GREAT Scholarships?

The GREAT Scholarships programme is worth mentioning, particularly for Nigerian students.

For 2026/27, GREAT Scholarships offer £10,000 toward tuition fees for selected one-year taught postgraduate courses. More than 140 scholarships are being offered by more than 60 UK universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. (Study UK)

Nigeria is one of the participating countries.

However, GREAT Scholarships should not normally be described as £35,000 fully funded scholarships. The £10,000 award is primarily a tuition contribution, so students should budget separately for remaining tuition and living costs.

The British Council’s Nigeria page lists participating universities and explains how Nigerian applicants apply through the individual university scholarship pages. (Study UK)

Official application information: GREAT Scholarships – Nigeria

Do Fully Funded Scholarships Cover Your UK Visa?

Some do, but not every scholarship provides the same immigration benefits.

For example, Chevening explicitly covers the cost of the entry-clearance visa application for the scholar. (Chevening)

Cambridge Trust International Scholarships can include the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the award. (The Cambridge Trust –)

Students should nevertheless check their specific award conditions.

For a UK Student visa, applicants normally need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their university. (GOV.UK)

UK immigration rules also specify financial requirements for students who need to demonstrate funds. The current published requirement is £1,529 per month for study in London and £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions. (GOV.UK)

An official financial sponsorship can affect how financial evidence is demonstrated. (GOV.UK)

Can Nigerians Apply for These UK Scholarships?

Yes. Nigerians are eligible for several major UK scholarship programmes, although eligibility is always programme-specific.

Nigeria is currently listed among eligible countries for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

Nigeria is also one of the countries participating in the 2026/27 GREAT Scholarships programme. (Study UK)

For university scholarships such as Cambridge Trust, eligibility depends on the individual award and course.

This is why Nigerian applicants should not search only for scholarships labelled “Nigeria scholarship.” Instead, search for:

International scholarships
Commonwealth scholarships
UK government scholarships
University-funded scholarships
Fully funded PhD studentships
International postgraduate scholarships

Common Mistakes That Can Destroy a Scholarship Application

Even highly qualified students can lose opportunities because of avoidable mistakes.

1. Applying after the deadline

Scholarship deadlines are strict.

2. Copying generic personal statements

A scholarship committee wants to understand your specific experience, goals and impact.

3. Focusing only on financial need

Financial need may be important, but many scholarships also assess academic achievement, leadership, development impact or research potential.

4. Applying for the wrong course

A scholarship may only support particular universities, subjects or courses.

5. Ignoring university admission deadlines

A scholarship deadline does not necessarily replace the university’s admission deadline.

6. Paying an agent for a “guaranteed scholarship”

Be extremely cautious when someone claims they can guarantee a scholarship or visa.

Legitimate scholarships are competitive, and official programmes publish their requirements and application routes.

7. Confusing partial funding with full funding

A £10,000 scholarship is valuable, but it is not necessarily a fully funded scholarship.

GREAT Scholarships, for example, generally provide £10,000 toward tuition rather than automatically covering every cost associated with studying in Britain. (Study UK)

How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Fully Funded UK Scholarship

Start preparing months before applications open.

Build a strong academic profile

Keep your grades as high as possible and choose a programme that logically follows your academic background or professional development.

Develop meaningful experience

Volunteer work, internships, professional projects and community initiatives can strengthen an application where the scholarship values leadership or development impact.

Create a strong career story

Your application should connect:

Past experience → proposed UK course → skills gained → future impact.

For example:

I worked in public health → identified a specific healthcare problem → want to study public health policy → will use the training to improve health programmes in Nigeria.

That is much stronger than simply writing:

I want to study in the UK because British universities are among the best in the world.

Start researching universities early

Some university scholarships require an admission application before you can be considered for funding.

Prepare references early

Give referees sufficient time to write detailed, relevant recommendations.

Never exaggerate

Scholarship committees can verify information. Chevening, for example, says applications undergo screening and assessment, including plagiarism checks and eligibility checks. (Chevening)

Is £35,000 Really Enough to Study in the UK?

It depends on the university, city, course and scholarship.

The headline figure can sound enormous, but international tuition fees can themselves be substantial. Living expenses also vary considerably between London and other parts of the UK.

A scholarship that pays:

£25,000 in tuition
£20,000 in living support
£1,500 in travel
£500 in other allowances

would have a total value of approximately £47,000, even though the student may never receive £47,000 in cash.

This is why prospective students should compare the total scholarship package, not simply the advertised stipend.

A £26,500 annual stipend plus full international tuition can be considerably more valuable than a £35,000 award that only pays part of the tuition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get £35,000 to study in the UK?

Yes, it is possible for the total value of a scholarship package to exceed £35,000 when tuition, living expenses, travel and other benefits are combined. However, £35,000 should not be interpreted as a guaranteed cash payment to every successful student.

What is the best fully funded UK scholarship?

There is no single best scholarship for everyone. Chevening is particularly strong for eligible master’s applicants with work experience, while Commonwealth awards are important for eligible Commonwealth-country applicants. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and other universities offer highly competitive funding for postgraduate students.

Can Nigerians apply for fully funded UK scholarships?

Yes. Nigerians are eligible for several major programmes, including Commonwealth scholarships and selected GREAT Scholarships, while many UK universities also offer international scholarships.

Do fully funded scholarships pay living expenses?

Many do. For example, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide a monthly living allowance, while Imperial’s President’s PhD Scholarship provides an annual stipend. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)

Can I apply without a master’s degree?

Yes, depending on the scholarship and programme. Many fully funded awards are available for master’s study. PhD scholarships normally have additional academic and research requirements.

Do I need IELTS?

Not necessarily for every scholarship. English-language requirements are generally determined by the university and course. Some universities may accept alternative evidence of English proficiency.

Can I work while studying in the UK?

Your permitted work depends on your visa conditions and course. You should check the current UK Student visa rules rather than assuming that your scholarship automatically determines your work rights.

Do I have to repay a fully funded scholarship?

Scholarships are generally not loans, so you normally do not repay the funding simply because you received it. However, some scholarships impose conditions, such as Chevening’s requirement that scholars return to their country of award for at least two years after the scholarship ends. (Chevening)

Final Thoughts: Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK

The opportunity to Get Paid £35,000 to Study in the UK: Fully Funded Scholarships Covering Tuition and Living Costs should be understood as a search for high-value fully funded scholarship packages, rather than a promise that every successful applicant will receive £35,000 in cash.

The UK has genuine funding opportunities that can cover tuition and provide substantial living support. Chevening can fund eligible master’s students with tuition, travel, visa and living support. Commonwealth scholarships can provide full tuition, airfare and monthly stipends. Oxford Clarendon and Cambridge Trust offer major funding opportunities for outstanding graduate applicants, while Imperial’s President’s PhD Scholarship provides a £26,500 annual stipend plus full tuition for eligible 2026/27 PhD scholars. (Chevening)

The key is to apply strategically rather than chasing a headline amount.

If you are a Nigerian or other international student, start by identifying your target degree and subject, shortlist eligible UK universities, check each university’s funding deadlines, prepare your academic and personal documents, and apply through the official scholarship or university website.

Most importantly, do not pay anyone who promises to “guarantee” a fully funded UK scholarship. Genuine programmes publish their eligibility requirements, deadlines and application procedures.

Start with the official sources above, check the current eligibility rules for your nationality and course, and prepare your application well before the next funding cycle opens.