List of British Council Scholarships 2026 Without IELTS for International Students
Studying in the United Kingdom has always been a dream for many international students, but the financial burden often becomes a major barrier. To break down these barriers for international students, the British Council, in partnership with the UK Government and leading universities, is offering a wide range of scholarships and fellowships to international students for the 2026 intake of bachelor, master, doctoral and even postdoctoral programmes. These UK sponsored scholarships not only cover tuition fees but also extend to living costs, stipends, travel, research grants, and in many cases, even visa and health surcharge expenses.
The best part? Many of these British council scholarships can be secured without the IELTS requirement, as alternatives like TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo English Test, or proof of previous English-medium education are widely accepted. This flexibility makes them even more accessible to bright and deserving students across the globe.
What Does British Council Scholarships Offer in 2026?
Winners of British Council scholarships in 2026 batches may receive:
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- Full or partial tuition fee waivers
- Monthly living stipends
- Accommodation or housing grants
- Travel and visa cost coverage
- Health and medical insurance
- Research and thesis printing support
- Book and study materials allowance
These comprehensive funding packages are designed to help students focus on their academic growth without worrying about financial strain.
All Scholarships Offered by British Council for 2026 Admissions
Below is a detailed list of all major scholarships linked with the British Council that are open or expected to open for the 2026–27 academic year:
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Level | Funding Highlights | 2026 Application Deadline / Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM | Master’s | Full tuition, stipend, travel, visa & NHS surcharge, childcare support | Applications for 2026–27 open early 2026 (exact dates TBA) |
| British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships (Edinburgh) | Postdoc (12 months) | Fully funded fellowship, stipend, research allowance | Opening on April 2025 |
| GREAT Scholarships (Study UK / British Council & UK Gov.) | Master’s (1 year) | £10,000 tuition contribution | The 2026–27 round is live with deadlines varying by university |
| Commonwealth Scholarships (CSC, supported by British Council promotion) | Master’s & PhD | Full tuition, living allowance, airfare, other costs | Deadlines for 2026–27 intake expected Sept–Oct 2025; outcomes released early 2026 |
| Chevening Scholarships (promoted via British Council / Study UK) | Master’s | Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel costs, visa | For 2026–27 entry: Applications open Aug 2025, close Nov 2025 |
| Charles Wallace Trust Scholarships (with British Council) | PhD / Fellowships | Airfare, visa, travel, subsistence | 2026 cycle deadlines usually Nov–Dec 2025 |
| EURAXXES (via British Council Europe portal) | Researchers (PG, Postdoc, Senior) | Mobility funding, research support | Rolling opportunities; 2026 calls expected throughout year |
| Marshall Scholarships (FCO, Study UK promoted) | US students, Master’s | Tuition, stipend, travel, research costs | 2026 intake apps open Apr 2025, close late Sept 16, 2025 |
| Scotland Saltire Scholarships | Master’s | £8,000 tuition contribution | 2026 cycle opens Feb 2026, closes May 2026 |
| Rhodes Scholarships (listed on British Council portal) | Postgrad (Master’s/PhD) | Full tuition, stipend, airfare | For entry in Oct 2026: Applications open Jun 2025, close Aug–Sept 2025 (varies by constituency) |
| Sussex University Scholarships (linked via BC Study UK) | UG / Master’s | £3,000–£5,000 fee reductions | 2026 cycle deadlines: Apr–Jul 2026 depending on scheme |
| Reach Oxford Scholarships | UG | Tuition, living, airfare | 2026 applications close Feb 2026 |
| Bristol Think Big Scholarships | UG / PG | £5,000–£10,000 tuition contribution | 2026 intake deadlines: October 15, 2025. |
| Royal Society Grants (listed via BC funding page) | Early-career research | Up to £20,000 research/travel | 2026 calls open year-round in themed rounds |
| British Council China Scholarships (CSC UK–China scheme) | UG / PG | Tuition & living in China | 2026 intake deadlines: Mar 2026 |
| Wellcome UK Government Scholarships (via BC) | Master’s / Training | Up to £120,000 for tuition, travel, living | 2026 cycle deadlines: Mar–Apr 2026 |
| University of Edinburgh Scholarships (featured under BC Study UK) | UG / PG | Multiple schemes, fee waivers, stipends | Deadlines vary: most Feb–Apr 2026 |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarships | PG (Master’s/PhD) | Full funding (tuition, stipend, travel) | US applicants: 15 Oct 2025; All others: 2 Dec 2025 or 7 Jan 2026 (course-dependent) |
| University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships | Master’s | £10,000 + part-time work | Deadline: Jun 2026 |
| Clarendon Scholarships (Oxford) | Master’s / PhD | Full tuition & stipend | 2026 intake deadline December 2025. |
| Nottingham Developing Solutions Scholarships | Master’s | 50–100% tuition | Deadline: 20 Jun 2026 |
Final Thoughts
The British Council’s scholarship landscape for 2026 admissions is incredibly rich, offering opportunities for undergraduates, master’s, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers. Whether you’re applying for the prestigious Rhodes, the globally recognized Chevening and Commonwealth, or niche schemes like the British Council Women in STEM, there’s something for every academic level and discipline.
Start preparing early: gather your documents, secure references, and polish your personal statement. Many of these scholarships have application deadlines in late 2025 or early 2026, so acting now will give you a stronger edge.
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