Funding

There is a very good chance that you will need some kind of funding for your course. Usually funding can be hard to get but it is not impossible. You must start talking to the university about funding once you get an conditional offer from them (which means they are interested in having you)

Funding from your university

Usually the university will send you information about funding available to you with your conditional or unconditional offer. But you can always ask if they don't.

Funding can be

Full

Your tuition fee and accommodation fee are provided by the funder.

Partial

Your tuition fee or accommodation fee are provided by the funder.

Partial tuition fee or a tuition fee discount

Only part of your tuition fee is provided by the funder.

You must understand that getting funding from the university can be difficult. This is because the university usually has funds for local tuition fee paying students (european students). International (non-european) fees are nearly 3 times the local fee. So the university can fund 3 european students instead of funding just 1 international student. Then why should they fund you unless you can convince them that you are 3 times as good?

Funding can be made available to you from your department or from the university international department. International department funding is always a discount on the tuition fee. If you are looking for full or partial funding you must usually approach your department and the professor heading your course.

If you are a PhD student you must discuss funding options with your supervisor from the start. Also check out DHPA. Usually PhD students can get full or partial funding easily. It is also much easier to obtain funding from second year onwards (after you start your course and develop a good rapport with the department staff) rather than the first year. Masters students can usually get partial tuition fee funding or tuition fee discounts.

Be aware, if you have obtained funding from your department for a particular course, this funding will be taken away if you later on decide to change your course or department and you will then need to pay full fees. International department funding and tuition fee discounts usually do not have this restriction.

Chevening Scholarships

This is a very popular scholarship available to Indian post-graduate students. Read more about it here.

Ford Scholarships

Ford foundation scholarships are available to post-graduate students studying specific subjects related to arts, politics, environment and economics.

Other Funding in the UK

There are also other common wealth funding sources in the UK. Look at http://www.scholarship-search.org.uk. Also look a your university website under Funding. You must apply to these sources separately and you must apply as soon as possible esp. if you know you can't do without funding.

Finally, it is very common for students to find part-time work (max 20hrs/week) and earn some money during studies. Part-time work is only allowed if you are here for a course longer than 6 months. Finding work can be difficult in first year esp. if like me you don't like mediocre jobs like doing dishes or working in bars. The minimum you can earn in the UK is £6.50/hr. Money earned from work will however only compensate your day-to-day living expenses. It is not enough to compensate your tuition fee or accommodation expense. Be sure you read these rules carefully before you take up any work. Also try to see if you can find work in the university e.g. as part of library staff etc. Universities usually employ their own students for many internal jobs and are very flexible with times and generous with salaries!

Funding in India

You can also find funding in India for studies abroad. My experience has been that all funding in India is more of a loan (with low interest rates) than a scholarship. It is usually disguised under the heading of scholarship. Not only that, most Indian funders (who are trusts owned by big business groups like TATAs and Birlas) require that you insure their money. So it feels like you are paying to protect their money plus paying an interest on the loan. Some would also like you to work for them after you finish your studies. So carefully consider what the terms of the agreement are between you and them. If you really want to take a loan, talk to your bank. They are very generous and put fewer restrictions on what you can do afterwards.

NOTE: Remember that common wealth and Indian funding sources may put restrictions on your being able to stay or work in the UK after your course. Consider these restrictions carefully before accepting the funding. You will need an approval letter from your funder if you intend to apply for a work visa after your course.