India is fast becoming one of the most attractive study destinations for students from the United Kingdom. With world-class universities, affordable tuition fees, rich cultural heritage, and fully funded government scholarships available for UK nationals, studying in India in 2026 is a very real and financially accessible option.
This guide covers every scholarship available for UK students to study in India, including full eligibility details, funding amounts, step-by-step application process, education loans, health insurance, and cost of living comparisons.
Why UK Students Are Choosing India
The number of British students heading to India for higher education is rising steadily. India offers tuition fees as low as ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 per year compared to £9,250 to £38,000 per year in the UK. There are 54 Indian universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with English as the primary medium of instruction across most programs. Unique courses in Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, and Indian Classical Arts are unavailable anywhere else in the world, combined with an unparalleled cultural experience in one of the world’s oldest civilisations.
ICCR Scholarship – Fully Funded Scholarship For UK Students
The ICCR Scholarship is the primary fully funded scholarship for UK students to study in India. It is offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under India’s Ministry of External Affairs and is officially listed by the British Council UK as the main scholarship pathway for United Kingdom nationals.
The ICCR awards over 3,000 scholarships annually under 21 different schemes to foreign students from approximately 180 countries. UK nationals are eligible to apply under two specific schemes, and are also eligible for Indian performing arts and fine arts courses and one-year diploma courses in Yoga.
What The ICCR Scholarship Covers
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 100% covered – paid directly to university by ICCR |
| Monthly Stipend (UG) | ₹18,000 per month (approx. £170) |
| Monthly Stipend (PG / Masters) | ₹20,000 per month (approx. £188) |
| Monthly Stipend (MPhil / PhD) | ₹22,000 per month (approx. £207) |
| Monthly Stipend (Post-Doctoral) | ₹25,000 per month (approx. £235) |
| House Rent Allowance | ₹5,500 – ₹6,500 per month (if hostel unavailable) |
| Annual Contingent Grant | ₹5,000 (UG) / ₹7,000 (PG) / ₹10,000 (PhD) |
| Thesis Allowance | ₹7,000 (PG) / ₹10,000 (PhD) – one time |
| Return Airfare | Economy class – under specific schemes |
| Accommodation | University hostel at allocated institution |
Schemes Available To UK Students
Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme is the flagship scheme covering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering, science, agriculture, commerce, economics, arts, humanities, social sciences, Yoga, and Ayurveda.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme is offered to students from Commonwealth countries and supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD courses. The UK is a full Commonwealth member and UK nationals are directly eligible.
Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship covers Indian performing arts including classical dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatnatyam, vocal and instrumental music, Indian theatre, sculpture, and Indian languages. There is no upper age limit for this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria For UK Students
- Must be a UK national
- Minimum age 18 years as of 1 July 2026; maximum age 35 years for UG and PG, 40 years for PhD, no upper age limit for arts programs
- Minimum 60% marks or equivalent in prior qualification
- Passport valid for at least 2 years from 1 July 2026
- IELTS or TOEFL is not mandatory — a 500-word English essay is accepted as proof of English proficiency
- Must not be currently enrolled in an Indian university
- PIO/OCI cardholders must have completed schooling abroad and must not have studied in India in the preceding five years for PhD and three years for PG courses
Courses NOT Covered Under ICCR Scholarship
ICCR does not offer scholarships for MBBS, BDS, paramedical courses including Nursing and Physiotherapy, fashion design, law courses, and integrated courses such as BA LLB. IIT B.Tech admissions are also excluded from the ICCR scholarship portal.
How To Apply Step By Step
Step 1: Visit the official ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal and create an account. The portal address is a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
Step 2: Multiple registrations are strictly prohibited. Multiple applications during a single academic year lead to automatic rejection of all applications.
Step 3: Select up to 5 universities in preferential order. Make subject choices carefully based on the subjects you have studied to avoid rejection from universities.
Step 4: Fill in all personal and academic details exactly as they appear on your passport and upload all required documents.
Step 5: Submit before the portal closes. The portal opens in late February and closes in mid-April each year.
Step 6: Your application is reviewed by the High Commission of India in London. Once selected, an offer letter is issued and you must accept or reject within 7 days on the A2A Portal.
Step 7: Apply for your Indian student visa and register with FRRO within 14 days of arriving in India.
Important Rules For UK Students
- Change of course or university after the scholarship award is not permitted under any circumstances
- Attendance is compulsory — if you are debarred from examinations due to attendance shortage, your scholarship will be stopped
- Open an SBI bank account immediately upon arriving in India to receive your monthly stipend
- All scholarship recipients must purchase a medical health insurance policy with a minimum cover of ₹5,00,000 at their own expense
Other Funding Options For UK Students
Study In India (SII) Programme offers partial to full tuition fee waivers to international students including those from the UK. The portal lists over 13,000 courses across 800+ institutions with fee waivers ranging from 25% to 100%.
University-Level Scholarships are available at several top Indian universities:
| University | Scholarship | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis International University | Merit-based tuition waiver up to 50% | MBA, Engineering, Law, Media |
| Manipal Academy | International Student Scholarships | Engineering, Medicine, Management |
| Amity University | Global Student Scholarships | All courses |
| OP Jindal Global University | International Merit Scholarships | Law, Business, International Affairs |
| Ashoka University | Need and merit-based financial aid | Liberal Arts, Sciences |
Education Loans For UK Students Studying In India
For self-funded UK students, education loans are available from Indian banks:
| Bank | Maximum Loan | Interest Rate | Repayment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Student Loan | ₹20 lakh | 8.15% – 10.05% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| Bank of Baroda | ₹80 lakh | 9.15% – 10.35% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| PNB Udaan | ₹20 lakh | 9.25% – 10.75% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| HDFC Credila | ₹75 lakh | 10.50% – 13.00% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| Axis Bank | ₹40 lakh | 10.70% – 14.00% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
Rates are indicative. Always confirm current rates directly with the bank before applying.
Health Insurance For UK Students In India
The ICCR makes it mandatory for every scholarship recipient to purchase a personal medical insurance policy with a minimum cover of ₹5,00,000 per year. Self-funded students are equally required to hold valid health insurance throughout their stay.
| Insurer | Plan | Coverage | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Health | Student Care | ₹3 lakh – ₹10 lakh | ₹3,000 – ₹6,500 |
| HDFC ERGO | My:health Suraksha | ₹3 lakh – ₹10 lakh | ₹3,500 – ₹7,000 |
| Niva Bupa | Reassure 2.0 | ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh | ₹4,000 – ₹8,000 |
| New India Assurance | Student Mediclaim | ₹1 lakh – ₹3 lakh | ₹1,500 – ₹3,500 |
Sending Money From UK To India
For UK students receiving financial support from family while studying in India:
| Service | Speed | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 1–2 business days | Low flat fee | Best overall value |
| Remitly | Minutes to 3 days | Low to zero | Fast transfers |
| Western Union | Minutes | Moderate | Cash pickup |
| Bank Wire | 2–5 business days | £15 – £30 | Large amounts |
Cost Of Living In India For UK Students
| City | Monthly Rent | Food | Transport | Total Monthly | GBP Approx. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | ₹5,000 – ₹12,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹6,000 | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 | ₹9,000 – ₹20,000 | £85 – £188 |
| Mumbai | ₹8,000 – ₹18,000 | ₹4,000 – ₹8,000 | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | ₹13,500 – ₹29,000 | £127 – £273 |
| Bangalore | ₹6,000 – ₹15,000 | ₹3,500 – ₹7,000 | ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 | ₹10,500 – ₹24,500 | £99 – £230 |
| Pune | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 | ₹800 – ₹1,500 | ₹8,800 – ₹16,500 | £83 – £155 |
| Hyderabad | ₹4,500 – ₹9,000 | ₹2,500 – ₹5,000 | ₹800 – ₹1,500 | ₹7,800 – ₹15,500 | £73 – £146 |
| Chennai | ₹4,000 – ₹9,000 | ₹2,500 – ₹5,000 | ₹800 – ₹1,500 | ₹7,300 – ₹15,500 | £69 – £146 |
GBP conversions based on approximate rate of 1 GBP = ₹106. Always verify current rates before planning finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UK students apply for the ICCR scholarship? Yes. The British Council UK officially lists the ICCR scholarship as the primary scholarship for UK students to study in India.
Is IELTS required? No. A 500-word English essay submitted through the A2A portal is accepted as an alternative to IELTS or TOEFL.
Is the scholarship fully funded? Yes. It covers 100% tuition fees, monthly stipend, hostel accommodation, annual book grant, and return airfare under select schemes.
Can I change my university after receiving the scholarship? No. Change of course or university is not permitted under any circumstances after the award.
When does the portal open? The portal opens in late February and closes in mid-April every year. The next cycle for 2027-28 opens around February 2027.
Does the scholarship cover health insurance? No. Students must purchase their own health insurance with a minimum cover of ₹5,00,000 before arriving in India.
Conclusion
India offers UK students a genuine fully funded opportunity through the ICCR scholarship — covering tuition, monthly stipend, hostel, and airfare, making the total cost of a degree in India close to zero. For students interested in Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, engineering, social sciences, or management, India in 2026 represents an outstanding opportunity that very few UK students are currently taking advantage of. Apply through the official ICCR A2A portal and contact the High Commission of India in London for guidance. The next general scholarship cycle opens February 2027 — start preparing your documents now.
