As education consultants who work with a lot of Indian students planning study Computer Science Courses in UK, scholarships are one of the first things people ask about. CS programs, whether it’s software engineering, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, game development or even human-computer interaction are hugely popular right now, and the UK has some really strong options. Tuition for a one-year master’s usually falls between £20,000 and £40,000+ (roughly ₹24-48 lakh at today’s rates), so any funding makes a big difference.
Scholarships aren’t handed out easily, competition is tough for international students, and most are partial rather than full-ride. But quite a few universities and external schemes do set aside money specifically for CS or STEM fields. Here’s a straightforward look at where the scholarships tend to pop up for 2026-27 entry, based on what’s open or recently announced.
University Scholarships That Target Computer Science
As education consultants who work with a lot of Indian students planning study Computer Science Courses in UK, scholarships are one of the first things people ask about. CS programs, whether it’s software engineering, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, game development or even human-computer interaction are hugely popular right now, and the UK has some really strong options. Tuition for a one-year master’s usually falls between £20,000 and £40,000+ (roughly ₹24-48 lakh at today’s rates), so any funding makes a big difference.
Scholarships aren’t handed out easily, competition is tough for international students, and most are partial rather than full-ride. But quite a few universities and external schemes do set aside money specifically for CS or STEM fields. Here’s a straightforward look at where the scholarships tend to pop up for 2026-27 entry, based on what’s open or recently announced.
University Scholarships That Target Computer Science
Most unis offer their own merit-based or department awards for international students in CS. These are usually £5,000-£15,000 off tuition (sometimes more), based on your academics, personal statement, references, and sometimes relevant projects or work experience. Strong IELTS/PTE scores help too.
Places where CS scholarships show up regularly:
- University of Edinburgh: Informatics Global Scholarships for MSc AI, Data Science, Computer Science, often £5,000–£10,000, with some full-tuition awards for top applicants.
- Imperial College London: Department scholarships for MSc Computing, AI, Machine Learning, typically £5,000–£15,000 merit-based.
- UCL (University College London): Global Masters Scholarship (£15,000) and department-specific awards for MSc Computer Science and related tracks.
- University of Manchester: Global Futures Scholarship, £8,000–£21,000 for high-achieving international students in CS master’s.
- University of Birmingham: International Excellence Scholarship up to £10,000 open to CS applicants.
- University of Southampton: Merit awards £3,000-£6,000 for MSc Computer Science, Cyber Security, AI.
- University of Bristol: Think Big Postgraduate Scholarships £6,000-£20,000 for CS fields.
- University of Glasgow: Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship £7,000-£10,000 for CS programs.
These are mostly merit-driven. If you have a solid 2:1 equivalent (60–65%+ in Indian grading), good references, and a personal statement that shows real interest in the field, your odds improve. Apply early many deadlines tie to course applications (January–June for most September starts).
Bigger External and Government Scholarships
Outside university funds, a few national-level schemes support Indian students in CS/STEM:
- GREAT Scholarships: British Council and UK government run this £10,000+ awards at over 70 universities for one-year master’s. CS programs (AI, data science, cyber security, software engineering) are heavily featured. Indian students are a priority, applications usually open January-April 2026.
- Chevening Scholarships: Fully funded (tuition, living allowance, flights). CS counts as a STEM priority, extremely competitive, applications closed November 2025 for 2026–27 entry (next round opens summer 2026).
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Master’s and PhD funding, often covers CS fields, partial or full, applied through the national agency in India (deadlines usually mid-year).
Other Places to Look for Funding
- Vice-Chancellor’s / International Excellence Awards: Unis like Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Warwick offer £3,000–£10,000 automatic or merit-based for strong CS applicants.
- Women in STEM Scholarships: Edinburgh, Manchester, Imperial and others have targeted awards for female students in CS/AI, often £5,000–£10,000.
- Industry Partnerships: Occasionally Google, Microsoft, IBM or tech firms sponsor CS scholarships at specific unis, check the university’s funding page for current links.
How to Actually Get These Scholarships
Most are partial, so plan to cover the rest with education loans (SBI, HDFC Credila, Axis are common for Indian students). Apply to several universities,increases your chances of landing at least one award. Deadlines usually match course applications: January- March for top unis, rolling for others. September intake has the most scholarship money; January has some but fewer.
For study Computer Science Courses in UK, the key is matching your profile (grades, any work/projects, test scores) to realistic options. If you’re shortlisting programs and want to know which ones have the best shot at funding for your background, reach out to study in UK consultants for Indian students. Things change every year, always double-check the university’s international scholarships page and the British Council site for the latest. What’s your academic background or specific CS area (AI, cyber, data)? I can point you to the strongest matches right now.
Plan Your Strategy
Students who aim at obtaining Computer Science scholarships in the UK should always opt for an early plan rather than relying on just perfectly timed applications. When it comes to deciding scholarships, the universities take a complete look at the applicant and not just at the grades. An amazing personal statement talking about your enthusiasm for the subject, your background and how this course relates to your future career can really make a difference. Projects, internships, coding practice, hackathons, or research work in the field of artificial intelligence, data analytics, or cybersecurity can significantly add to the worth of your profile.
However, timing is a very important factor in this scenario, too. Most of the scholarships that are very competitive are given out on a rolling basis or have early cut-off dates, even if the course itself accepts applications later. Applying for September intake by January or February usually opens up more funding options than late applications do. Besides, students should not confine themselves to one university only. The more institutions apply, the higher the chances of at least one scholarship offer that can be strategically utilized when making final decisions.
Another important factor that is often not considered is the quality of the documentation. Your application will be backed up by proper letters of recommendation, an organized resume, and precise financial statements. Even though scholarships may not be sufficient to fully cover the cost, there are still ways to make it through the UK with partial awards, education loans, and family funding. In the end, it is the students who consider scholarships as a part of a more extensive admission strategy and not as a bonus that are most likely to succeed.
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