Best UK Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students in 2025
The UK is among the most popular destinations to study for Bangladeshi students. The UK has world-class universities, global experience, and access to post-work options after studies. The UK government and the top universities offer
various fully and partially funded scholarships annually. This simplifies the pursuit of academic goals by prospective Bangladeshi students.
This comprehensive guide highlights the top UK government scholarships, fully funded awards, and university scholarships available for Bangladeshi students in 2025.
If you’re planning to study in the UK, Sangen Edu Ltd is ready to guide you every step of the way from planning your application to successfully securing admission and scholarships.
Types of Scholarships for Bangladeshi students in the UK
There are three main types of UK scholarships available for Bangladeshi students who want to study abroad. They are:
Government Scholarships of the UK
Fully Funded UK Scholarships
University Scholarships in the UK
Government Scholarships of the UK
The UK government funds these scholarships, which are open to talented Bangladeshi students aiming to study in the UK. They include full tuition fees, travel fare, and living costs.
Coverage: Full tuition + £25,000 annual stipend + research costs
Eligibility:
If you are high-achieving students with a First Class or equivalent degree
You have a research proposal aligned with Imperial’s expertise
University Scholarships in the UK
There are many top UK universities that offer their own scholarships for international students. These are typically partially funded. But it can sometimes include full tuition for exceptional candidates.
To be considered for most UK scholarships, Bangladeshi students usually need to meet the following criteria:
Strong academic performance
Proven English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
An admission offer from a recognized UK university
Demonstrated financial need or merit-based achievement
Evidence of leadership and extracurricular involvement
Well-written Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of recommendation from academic/professional referees
Submission within the official application deadlines
When and how to apply for UK Scholarships?
You need early planning and a clear understanding of when applications open and close to apply for a UK scholarship from Bangladesh. Most UK scholarship programs begin their selection cycle nearly a year before the academic session
starts. So being proactive is key to success.
When to apply?
The deadlines for UK Scholarships depend on the type of funding and university intake. The main intake for most of the programs is September 2026. Some universities also offer January 2026 and April 2026 sessions with limited scholarships.
1
September 2026 intake (Main intake)
Most of the UK scholarships for Bangladeshi students are available from August to November 2025.
This intake includes top-tier awards like Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT, and major university-funded scholarships.
Results are usually out by March to June 2026. And this gives students enough time to arrange their student visa and travel.
2
January and April 2026 intakes (Secondary intakes)
There are some universities that have fewer scholarships for international students with January and April intakes. For instance, the University of West London, the University of Sunderland, and the University of South Wales.
The application window is usually 6–8 months before the intake. This means you need to apply by June–August 2025 for January 2026 courses.
3
Approximate Scholarship deadlines for 2026 intakes
Scholarship Name
Level
Application Period
Chevening Scholarship
Master’s
Aug–Nov 2025
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Master’s
Sep–Dec 2025
Commonwealth PhD Scholarship
PhD
Aug–Oct 2025
GREAT Scholarship
Master’s
Jan–May 2026
Clarendon Fund (Oxford)
Master’s & PhD
Sep 2025–Jan 2026
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Master’s & PhD
Sep–Dec 2025
University Scholarships (Various)
UG/PG
Rolling, 3–6 months before intake
How to apply?
Here’s a step-by-step process for Bangladeshi students applying for UK scholarships for 2026 intakes:
1
Start researching early (mid-2025)
You should first search official websites to apply for UK scholarships, i.e., Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarships, and Study UK (British Council), to identify scholarships that are relevant to your academic level and field.
2
Thoroughly check the eligibility criteria
After good research, look at your academic qualifications, English proficiency requirements, and work experience. Keep in mind that most of the high-ranking scholarships prefer a CGPA of above 3.5 or equivalent academic
performance.
3
Apply for university admission first
Before you apply for the scholarship, note that the majority of scholarships require a conditional or unconditional offer letter from a UK university. This applies to Chevening and Clarendon.
4
Get the necessary documents ready
You need to prepare the following documents (varies according to the scholarship requirements): Academic certificates, passport, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE score, SOP, recommendation letters, CV/research proposal (for PhD).
5
Online submission of your scholarship application
Submit the scholarship application online when you have prepared your documents. Highlight your leadership potential, community involvement, and long-term contribution to Bangladesh's development goals.
6
Interview attendance (if required)
An interview can be conducted by the British High Commission or by the representatives of the university. For example, Chevening has an interview phase. Attend on time.
7
Await the results & get ready for your visa
You will be notified between March and June 2026 if successful. Start your UK Student Visa (Tier 4) application and arrange accommodation and funding.
Expert tips for Bangladeshi students
Apply early: Competitive scholarships close long before course application deadlines.
Keep records organized: Use a calendar or tracking sheet for all deadlines and document updates.
Write a strong SOP: Clearly explain how your education in the UK will help you contribute to Bangladesh’s growth.
Rely on official sources: Use only UK Government, British Council, and university websites for scholarship information.
Seek expert help: We provide guidance from start to finish, making your journey easier and more confident.
Choosing the right scholarship depends on your academic background and goals:
Government-funded: Choose this UK scholarship if you have leadership-driven capabilities with community impact.
Fully funded university-based: Best if you have high academic achievements and research-focused goals.
University scholarships: Suitable if you are seeking partial financial support or tuition discounts.
Subject or field-based scholarships: Perfect for specific disciplines such as STEM, business, or social sciences.
Destination and lifestyle considerations: Select scholarships in cities/universities that fit your budget and study preferences.
Make your path easier to get a UK Scholarship!
Studying in the UK is a life-changing experience, and with the right scholarship, it’s more accessible than ever. As a Bangladeshi student, you have countless opportunities to pursue your dreams abroad.
Yes, it’s possible to get a 100% fully funded scholarship in the UK. Programs like Chevening, Commonwealth, and Gates Cambridge Scholarships cover full tuition, living expenses, and travel costs for outstanding international students.
Most UK scholarships require at least a 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA or equivalent. However, competitive scholarships like Chevening or Clarendon Fund prefer applicants with first-class or distinction-level results and strong extracurricular achievements.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students in the UK include the Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship, GREAT Scholarship, and university awards like Clarendon (Oxford) and Gates Cambridge. These help cover tuition fees, living costs, and other study
expenses.
Partial scholarships such as the University of West London’s International Ambassador Scholarship or the University of Bristol’s Think Big Award are generally easier to get. Fully funded ones are more competitive and based on academic excellence and leadership.
Yes, you can get admission in the UK with a 2.5 GPA, but mostly for foundation or undergraduate pathway programs. Top universities and scholarships typically require higher GPAs (3.0 or above) for direct entry or funding eligibility.
Getting a scholarship in the UK is competitive but achievable with strong academics, leadership qualities, and a well-written application. Many scholarships prioritize academic excellence, community involvement, and career goals relevant to development
or innovation.
Yes, it’s possible. Many UK universities now accept Bangladeshi students without IELTS if they meet certain criteria. If you completed your previous education entirely in English or scored well in English subjects (often
above 70–75% in HSC or undergraduate English), universities may waive the IELTS requirement. Some universities also conduct internal English language assessments (like an online interview or test) instead of IELTS.
Examples include:
University of Portsmouth
University of South Wales
University of Hertfordshire
Robert Gordon University
However, if your scholarship requires a UK visa, you’ll still need to meet UKVI English proficiency standards.
The total cost depends on your course level, location, and lifestyle.
Tuition fees:
Undergraduate: £12,000 – £20,000 per year
Master’s: £13,000 – £25,000 per year
MBA or Medical Programs: £25,000 – £40,000 per year
Living costs (per year):
London: £1,334/month (≈£16,000 per year)
Outside London: £1,023/month (≈£12,000 per year) (As per UKVI 2025 requirements)
Overall, a student typically spends £25,000–£35,000 per year without a scholarship.
For the September 2026 intake, scholarship timelines usually look like this:
Chevening Scholarship: Opens August 2025 → Closes November 2025
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship: Opens September 2025 → Closes December 2025
GREAT Scholarship: Opens January 2026 → Closes May 2026
University Scholarships: Typically open 3–6 months before intake
It’s best to start preparing documents 10–12 months early, especially your SOP, reference letters, and IELTS, since these take time to finalize.
Yes, international students with a Student Visa (Tier 4) can legally work:
Up to 20 hours per week during academic terms
Full-time during vacations and holidays
However, always check your scholarship terms. Fully funded awards (like Chevening or Commonwealth) may restrict certain types of employment.
If your scholarship covers both tuition and living costs, you generally don’t need to show extra financial proof for your visa. You must, however, include the official scholarship letter showing the amount and duration of support. If your scholarship
is partial, you’ll need to show proof of funds for the remaining costs, roughly £1,334 per month (London) or £1,023 per month (outside London) for 9 months.
It depends on the scholarship:
Chevening & Commonwealth: You can apply before securing university admission. They allow you to list up to three preferred universities.
University Scholarships: Usually require you to apply after receiving a conditional or unconditional offer.
Most scholarships require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0. However, top-tier programs expect:
University-specific scholarships: Often accept 6.0–6.5, depending on the course.
If you don’t meet the IELTS requirement, consider taking Pre-sessional English Courses offered by many UK universities.
Most UK scholarships don’t have a strict age limit. That said, many postgraduate and research awards tend to select students aged 22–40, depending on the career stage.
For instance:
Chevening: No official age limit, but prefers mid-career professionals.
Commonwealth Scholarship: No age limit, but candidates must meet academic and professional experience criteria.
Yes, though opportunities are limited. Foundation and diploma-level students can apply for:
INTO Progression Scholarships (University of Exeter, Manchester, etc.)
Navitas Bursaries (up to £2,000 off tuition)
College-specific discounts (e.g., Kaplan International Pathways)
If your scholarship is revoked, often due to poor academic performance, rule violations, or early withdrawal. You’ll become responsible for all tuition and living expenses.
To avoid this, make sure you:
Maintain the required GPA or grade standard (usually a 2:1 or equivalent).
Follow all scholarship and visa rules.
Inform your sponsor immediately if your circumstances change.
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