Skip to main content

Sources of Funding - International

This page will help you explore some of the potential funding opportunities for which you might be eligible to apply. In addition to the funding outlined on this page, the RCS offers approximately £1.5m of scholarships each year.

This list is not exhaustive and we would strongly encourage applicants to conduct their own research into funding your studies. We have broken the opportunities into country-specific grants and also included opportunities that are available for international students from wider regions.

  • Country-Specific Grants
  • Non-Specific Country Grants

Most questions about these funding opportunities should be directed to the funder directly, but for broader questions about funding your studies at the RCS please do contact us on studentfinance@rcs.ac.uk

For a list of our most up to date information about student tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding page

There are some UK-based organisations who will offer limited financial support to international students studying in the UK. See our external funding page for further information.

Most international students will need to fund their studies through a variety of means. The most common sources of funding for international students are family income/savings, home country educational loan schemes and national/international organisations (including charities, trusts and not-for-profits).


Australia

The Australian Music Foundation offers financial support to outstanding young Australian musicians who wish to pursue postgraduate music courses in leading music education institutions in Europe. Every year the Foundation makes grants to carefully selected students, whom the Australian Music Foundation believe will excel in their artistry.


Belgium

If you are a current resident of the Flemish Region of Belgium, or if you have obtained a diploma of higher or secondary education in the Flemish Region you may be eligible for some funding. Please contact the Belgian Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Study Grants (AHOVOKS) to confirm eligibility. Further information can be found on the Studiotoelagen website.


Canada

The RCS is on the list of recognised overseas schools to enable students to apply for loans via the Canadian Student Loans system.

The Black Shoulders Legacy Award is dedicated to the success of Black Canadian theatre artists.


Czech Republic

If you have graduated from high school in the Czech Republic you may be eligible to apply to the Kellner Family Foundation. The selection process is mainly based on academic results, but also takes into account socio-economic background. Further information can be found on the Kellner Foundation website.


Denmark

This scheme is open to students with Danish citizenship wishing to study in the UK. The scheme is open to up to two students per year, these students will receive up to DKK 25,000 each. Further information can be found on the BCCD website.


Estonia

Kristjan Jaak Scholarships are run by the Estonian government, and are available for MA and PhD students from Estonia who are willing to return to Estonia after their studies. The scheme is open to both students completing their studies abroad and those who are on an exchange programme. Further information can be found on the Archimedes website.


France

The French Government has a resource to help applicants who are looking at opportunities to fund their studies. This resource can be found on the Etudiant website.


India

The Goa Education Trust Scholarships will fund young Indians to pursue a Masters degree in the UK and will cover part or full tuition fees not exceeding GBP 12500. There are no restrictions on courses of study or university.

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships are generally from 2 to 3 months up to a maximum of a year, cover accommodation and living costs in the UK, fees and a contribution to international fares. Applicants should be between 25 and 38 years of age and have an unconditional offer for a place on a one-year Masters programme in Performance, e.g. Dance, Drama, Music, Directing.

Indian applicants may also want to search for scholarships via Buddy4Study which promotes itself as India’s No.1 scholarship portal.


Ireland

Undergraduate applicants applying from the Republic of Ireland, who are eligible, are able to apply for support from the Student Universal Support Ireland. Support is in the form of a maintenance grant and is available for undergraduate students only. Further information about the SUSI can be found on the Official SUSI website.


Norway

ANSA provides various funding opportunities for Norwegian students for courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level. Eligibility and further information can be found on the Official ANSA website.


Pakistan

The British Council administer a number of scholarship opportunities for applicants from Pakistan. Further information can be found on the Official British Council website.


Slovenia

Slovenian applicants may be able to apply for a state scholarship to study at Higher Education institutions abroad. Further information and eligibility requirements can be found on the Državna štipendija website.


Sweden

In Sweden, the CSN have a number of potential avenues of study grants and funds. You can learn more about these grants and consider your eligibility on the Official CSN website.


United States of America

Cobell Scholarship is annual, non-renewable, and available to any full-time and degree-seeking American Indian or Alaska Native post-secondary student attending any nationally, regionally and industry accredited non-profit, public and private, institution while pursuing a vocational certificate or diploma, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, professional degree or certificate.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program are scholarships for US citizens for academic work in any graduate programme at any recognised UK university. The Fulbright programme sends recent college graduates and early career professionals to live, study and conduct research abroad in 140 countries.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports US undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.

Under the Gilman Program, the John McCain International Scholarship for Children of Military Families supports US undergraduate students who are children of active duty military personnel to study or intern abroad.

Marshall Scholarships are available to postgraduate students from the US who have completed a four-year degree in the US. The Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to fifty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.

https://myglobaled.com/scholarships-at-foreign-schools/ is a scholarship search tool for people living in the USA who plan to attend a foreign school

For further information about the US Federal Loans and Private alternative loans for US Applicants, please visit our US Federal Student Aid page

Non Country-specific Grants

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. These are available for 1-year Master’s courses. Applicants must return to their home country for a minimum of two years after studying. They should also have completed an undergraduate degree and have at least two years of work experience. UK citizens, and anyone who has studied in the UK with UK government funding, are not eligible.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships are available each year to fund Commonwealth citizens’ study in the UK for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. A range of scholarships are available for citizens of Commonwealth countries other than the UK. Application is made through the nominating agency(frequently the Education Ministry/Government Department or similar) of the applicant’s home country. The nominating agency selects the best applications and forwards these to the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission.