The Imperial College London International Scholarship Programme awards £20,000 to Indian nationals on a Tier 4 visa for a fully funded MSc in Data Science.
Who Qualifies
| Visa Category | Eligibility Criteria | Notes |
|----------------|----------------------|-------|
| Tier 4 (General) | • Indian citizen
• Accepted into the MSc Data Science programme at Imperial College London
• Meet UK visa requirements (English proficiency, maintenance funds, etc.) | The scholarship covers tuition fees, a £12,000 annual living stipend, and a one‑way return airfare. |
| Tier 4 (Student) | Same as above | |
| Post‑Graduate Tier 4 | Eligible if you have completed an undergraduate degree in a related field (Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics) and hold an offer for the MSc. | |
Students who hold a valid Indian passport, a confirmed place in the MSc Data Science course, and meet the standard UK visa criteria are eligible. Applicants must submit evidence of academic excellence (GPA > 3.5 / 70 % or equivalent), a research proposal, and a strong personal statement.
Five Real Scholarships
1. Imperial College London International Scholarship Programme
- Amount: £20,000 (covers tuition and £12,000 living stipend)
- Eligibility: Indian nationals on Tier 4 visa accepted into any MSc programme, including Data Science.
- Deadline: 1 September 2026 (varies by programme)
- Official URL: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/masters/international-scholarships/
2. Imperial College London Global Excellence Scholarship
- Amount: £30,000 (covers tuition and £15,000 stipend)
- Eligibility: Indian students with an outstanding academic record applying to graduate courses such as MSc Data Science.
- Deadline: 31 August 2026
- Official URL: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/scholarships/global-excellence-scholarship/
3. Chevening Scholarship
- Amount: Fully funded (tuition, living stipend, travel) – £28,000 per year
- Eligibility: Indian citizens with a strong leadership profile, academic excellence, and a clear post‑study plan in India.
- Deadline: 31 May 2026 (early‑bird) / 30 June 2026 (late)
- Official URL: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/
4. Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
- Amount: Fully funded (tuition, living stipend, travel) – £25,000 per year
- Eligibility: Indian nationals with a first‑class undergraduate degree applying to a UK master's.
- Deadline: 30 June 2026
- Official URL: https://www.cscuk.org/
5. UKRI EPSRC Postgraduate Studentship
- Amount: £15,000–£25,000 (depends on project) covering tuition and living costs
- Eligibility: Indian applicants with a strong research proposal in Data Science or Machine Learning.
- Deadline: Continuous (apply as soon as your project is ready)
- Official URL: https://www.ukri.org/grants/epsrc/
> Tip: Compare the Imperial programmes with broader options such as fully funded scholarships and explore scholarship deadlines to plan ahead.
Eight Application Steps
- Secure Your Offer – Apply to Imperial College London’s MSc Data Science and receive an unconditional offer.
- Choose Your Scholarship – Review the list above and select the scholarship that best matches your profile and deadline.
- Prepare Academic Credentials – Obtain certified copies of your degree certificate, transcripts, and, if applicable, a research proposal.
- Gather English Proficiency Proof – IELTS/TOEFL/IELTS with at least 7.0 overall for Imperial; 6.5 for Chevening.
- Compile Personal Statement & Leadership Profile – Highlight your achievements, career goals, and why you chose Data Science.
- Arrange Reference Letters – Two academic referees (ideally from your undergraduate institution) and a professional referee (if available).
- Submit Scholarship Application – Complete the online form, upload required documents, and pay any application fee (e.g., Chevening £20).
- Interview & Decision – Attend the scholarship interview (if required) and await the result; accept the offer and secure funding before the Tier 4 visa application.
> Pro tip: Keep a checklist to avoid missing deadlines and double‑check that all documents are in the correct format. For a deeper dive into each scholarship’s application nuances, see our guide on scholarship deadlines.
Documents Checklist
| Category | Required Items | Notes |
|----------|----------------|-------|
| Academic | • Degree certificate (certified copy)
• Transcripts (official PDF)
• Research proposal (for EPSRC) | Include English translation if necessary. |
| English | • IELTS/TOEFL/IELTS online score report | Must be within 6 months of submission. |
| Personal | • Personal statement (max 800 words)
• Leadership profile (if applying for Chevening) | Tailor each to the scholarship’s rubric. |
| References | • Two academic reference letters
• One professional reference (optional) | Request letters at least 4 weeks before deadline. |
| Visa | • UK Visa application form
• Proof of maintenance funds
• Tuberculosis test (for India) | Prepare early to avoid delays. |
| Additional | • Passport copy
• Photograph (passport‑size)
• Chevening/CSFP application fee receipt | Ensure all PDFs are less than 2 MB each. |
Eight FAQs (Migrant‑Specific)
- Can I apply for a scholarship after receiving my university offer?
- Do I need to be a UK resident to claim the Imperial Scholarship?
- How does the scholarship cover living expenses?
- Will my scholarship affect my Tier 4 visa status?
- What happens if I am awarded a scholarship but cannot attend?
- Can I apply for multiple scholarships?