The UK’s higher education system is among the best in the world with 30% of undergraduate students achieving a first-class degree.

Combine that with the opportunities to network and build your skills in a professional setting through the strong links UK universities like Newcastle have with industry, and you’ve got the best possible start to your future career.

So, how can you invest in your future and fund your dream of studying for an undergraduate degree with us? Read on to find out.

How can I fund my degree?

There are lots of different types of funding, so let’s look at each of them in more detail.

Scholarships: a fully-funded scholarship will cover the full cost of your tuition fees and may even include a living allowance. Partial scholarships reduce your tuition fees or contribute to your living costs while in the UK.

Scholarships are usually awarded by the university you’re applying to, but they can also be available from commercial and charitable organisations in your home country, or your government. They are very competitive and are usually split into:

• excellence scholarships – awarded to students with a strong academic background
• subject scholarships – awarded to students studying a specific course
• performance scholarships – awarded to students who are talented in an extracurricular activity, such as sport, music or the performing arts
• sanctuary scholarships – awarded to students who are refugees or asylum seekers
• disability scholarships

At Newcastle, we invest millions of pounds in financial support for new students who want to study with us and offer International Family Discounts. 

Did you know - for 2025 entry, we have +700 Global scholarships available for International or EU students looking to study at Newcastle Uni.   

Bursaries and grants: these are more likely to be awarded to students based on their personal circumstances. They are usually one-off payments to help with specific costs and you don’t have to pay back the money. They can be awarded by universities, companies, charities, trusts and organisations involved in international education.

Industry sponsorship: large companies, corporations and professional associations often run scholarship or bursary schemes, so if your degree is relevant to their field, you might be able to apply.

Private funding sources: financial help from your family or personal savings could help you fund your degree. You might also be able to take out an interest-free student loan or personal loan in your country.

Remember – as part of your Student visa application, you must show you have enough money to support yourself during your UK studies, so it’s important you know how you will fund your degree.

To earn a little extra money while you are studying, you could work part-time. There are some restrictions on the type of work you can do in the UK and the number of hours you can work during term time, but you can work full-time during the vacation period for your degree.

At Newcastle, we offer a wide range of paid work opportunities on campus through our Jobs on Campus scheme, as well as paid internships, student ambassador roles, opportunities within our Careers Service and more. There’s also support for finding part-time work in the city.

Applying for funding

If you’re eligible, you may be automatically considered for some scholarships, bursaries and grants. For others, you will have to apply. Here are some tips for a successful application:

Do your research: as you’re searching for scholarship opportunities watch out for scams and check out the source of the award. You should never have to pay to apply for a scholarship.

Check the award details: make sure you meet any eligibility criteria, that you understand how much you might get, and what the money can be used for.

Read the instructions: read the application guidance thoroughly before starting your application. If you’re unsure about anything, get in touch with the awarding body.

Show your passion, ambition and enthusiasm: awarding bodies will receive many applications – you want yours to stand out. In your application, essay or letter show how you meet the award’s eligibility criteria, talk about your passion for the degree you want to study and why you want to study in the UK.

Stay focused: make sure you answer questions correctly. If you’re asked to write an essay stay focused on the key themes.

Proofread your application: read and re-read your application to make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Ask a family member or friend to read it as well to check for any mistakes or poorly phrased sentences you’ve missed.

Include the correct documents: make sure you’ve attached the documents or portfolio work needed to support your application.

Get a reference: ask a teacher or academic mentor who knows you well to provide a reference – they’ll give a more accurate picture of who you are, your skills, achievements and strengths.

Know the deadline: there’s little point in crafting a convincing application if you miss the deadline. Know when you need to submit it!

And finally, just do your best; scholarships are very competitive. Finding them and completing the application process can take a while, so be persistent and let your determination and passion shine through. Good luck!