Top 10 Scholarships for Studying Medicine in the UK: Studying medicine abroad is a common dream for many young high school leavers and graduates from developing countries. It becomes even more fascinating when it comes with a scholarship. If you’re aspiring to study medicine in the United Kingdom, this article is carefully written to help you achieve your dreams. Here, we have compiled a list of the top 10 fully funded scholarships that can assist you in pursuing your study dream in the United Kingdom.
Studying Medicine in the United Kingdom
Gaining admission to study medicine in the UK becomes easier when you know the right steps to take and possess the required sponsorship and prerequisite qualifications. Among various amazing countries, the United Kingdom stands out as an ideal choice for students with the dream of studying medicine overseas. The UK not only boasts state-of-the-art equipment in its medical schools but is also very welcoming to international students.
Studying medicine is generally costly, even in the United Kingdom. Therefore, one of the major challenges for international students from developing countries is the lack of funds. To address this issue, numerous funding arrangements, including scholarships and grants, are readily available to qualifying international students. These funding programs are sponsored by universities, the government, and other prestigious organizations.
Now, let’s proceed to list some of the top funding programs that can be useful for your study dream in the United Kingdom.
The Top 10 Scholarships to Study Medicine in the UK
Below, you’ll find information about some of the most prestigious scholarships for studying medicine in the United Kingdom. Most of these scholarships are fully funded, while some cover a significant portion of the funding cost.
1. British Chevening Scholarships
The British Chevening Scholarships are provided by the UK government for international students who have demonstrated leadership potential and possess strong academic backgrounds. This fully funded scholarship offers the opportunity to reside in the UK for one year. It covers tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, visa costs, and contributions to health tests, including TB testing where required. Click here to apply.
2. Hull York International Medical College Scholarship
The Hull York International Medical College Scholarship is exclusively available for international medicine and surgery students. It is awarded based on both merit and financial need, covering a major part of the tuition fees during the first two years of study. Click here to apply.
3. The John Abernthy Scholarship
The John Abernthy Scholarship, offered by Queen Mary University of London, is another excellent scholarship opportunity available to international and British students intending to study medicine. It can be sustained throughout the entire five years of your studies in the United Kingdom, provided you maintain a certain level of academic performance. Click here to apply.
4. Birmingham Global Scholarship of Excellence
The Global Scholarships of Excellence are a series of scholarships offered by the College of Medical Sciences and Dentistry. These scholarships are based on the criterion of excellence and are available to both international and British students who have excelled in their field of study. The scholarships apply to graduates, postgraduate master’s programs, and dental sciences. Click here to apply.
5. King’s College London GHSM Scholarships
The King’s College Department of Global Health and Social Medicine offers scholarships to international applicants who cannot afford to study medicine in the United Kingdom. The scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, with values of £9,250 for undergraduate scholarships and up to £11,040 for postgraduate scholarships. Click here to apply.
6. The International Pharmacy Scholarship
The International Pharmacy Scholarship is awarded by the Pharmacy College at the University of Birmingham. This scholarship is specifically for five-year diploma students in pharmacy. Every year, the college grants this opportunity to five deserving international students, covering their tuition fees for the entire duration of the program. Click here to apply.
7. Liverpool School Of Tropical Medicine Scholarships
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) offers scholarships for students studying Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (DTM&H) from developing countries. This scholarship is also open to practicing physicians in developing countries who seek updates on infectious, parasitic, and other health problems. It covers the full tuition fees for the benefiting students. Click here to apply.
8. Commonwealth Scholarships for Distance Learning
If you want to pursue a master’s degree in the UK while living and working in your home country, the Commonwealth Scholarships for Distance Learning is an excellent choice. This scholarship is available to citizens of developing countries and comes with numerous benefits, including coverage of tuition fees, visa expenses, travel tickets, a maintenance stipend of £1,084 per month, and more. Click here to apply.
9. Global Health Future Leaders Scholarship
The Global Health Future Leaders Scholarship, offered by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, is specifically designed for international students studying medicine programs such as Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. The scholarship provides two fully-funded postgraduate courses in medicine, covering tuition fees, field trip fees, and a tax-free stipend of up to £17,600. To qualify, applicants must be citizens of countries other than the UK and achieve a minimum score of 6.5 or above in IELTS and 80 in TOEFL.
10. The University of Dundee Overseas RPG Ph.D. Scholarships
The University of Dundee offers these scholarships to self-funded international students from developing countries. Each year, the university provides a maximum of ten 50% reduced fees and scholarships. Additionally, the university offers several other scholarships to deserving international students. Apply to the University of Dundee Scholarships for further information.
General Requirements for Studying Medicine in the UK
To apply to a medical university in the UK, students must have appropriate high school or bachelor’s qualifications and demonstrate a good command of English. Some medical schools in the UK also offer foundation courses in medicine to better prepare applicants for undergraduate medical education.
For Undergraduates
To pursue an undergraduate medicine course, you will need:
- An IELTS score of 7.0.
- A minimum of AAA in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Maths.
- International Baccalaureate: at least 38 for A level.
For Graduates
Individuals with an impressive first degree can apply for a graduate or accelerated four-year medical course, even without a science background or recent education. Graduates who have studied biochemistry or biochemical sciences can pursue postgraduate medicine.
How to Secure a Full Scholarship in the UK?
Each of the scholarships mentioned above has its own application process and requirements. To increase your chances of being considered for any of these scholarships, here are some helpful tips:
- Thoroughly read the application instructions and familiarize yourself with the qualifications, benefits, and required documents.
- Prepare all necessary documents in advance and arrange them in the required order before submitting your application.
- Write a compelling cover letter highlighting your leadership skills, community service, and other value-adding projects you have undertaken.
- Be prepared for an interview in case you are invited to one.
Studying medicine in the United Kingdom is an achievable goal. If you have any comments or questions regarding this topic, feel free to let us know in the comment section below.