Here is a list of top postgraduate taught (Master's) scholarships for international students at UK universities, including key details for each.

1. Chevening Scholarships

1. Description: The UK government's global scholarship programme aimed at developing global leaders. Awards are typically for a one-year Master's degree in any subject at any UK university.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, have at least two years' work experience, hold a degree equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) degree, and apply to three eligible UK university courses.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications typically open in August and close in early November each year for the academic year starting the following September/October.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full scholarship.
5. Coverage: Fully funded, generally covers full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance (stipend), an economy-class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants for essential expenditures.
6. Obligation: Must return to your home country for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends.

2. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

1. Description: A joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and UK universities, aimed at students from least developed and fragile Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Studies must be relevant to the development of your country.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible developing Commonwealth country, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1), and be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. Must be applying for a specific taught Master's course at a participating UK university.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications usually open around December/January and close around March/April for the following academic year.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full scholarship.
5. Coverage: Fully funded, typically includes tuition fees, a monthly stipend, airfare, and other grants (e.g., study travel grant).
6. Obligation: Expected to return to your home country to use your new skills and knowledge for development.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

1. Description: Prestigious scholarship established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Outstanding academic merit, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Must be a citizen of any country outside the UK and applying for a full-time Master's (MPhil, MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course) or PhD degree.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Deadlines align with the University of Cambridge course deadlines, typically in October or January, depending on the course.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full scholarship.
5. Coverage: Fully funded, covering the full cost of studying at Cambridge, including the University Composition Fee, college fees, a maintenance allowance (£18,744 per year for 2024/25), and one economy class return airfare.
6. Obligation: No formal obligation, but recipients are expected to fulfill the Trust's mission of creating a global network of future leaders.

4. Clarendon Fund Scholarships at the University of Oxford

1. Description: Offered by the University of Oxford to academically outstanding graduate students from all over the world, across all subject areas.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Academic excellence and potential are the primary criteria. Open to all nationalities who are applying for a new full-time or part-time Master's or DPhil (PhD) course. There is no separate scholarship application; applicants are automatically considered upon applying for graduate study by the relevant deadline.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Deadlines align with the University of Oxford's course application deadlines, typically in December or January.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full scholarship.
5. Coverage: Fully funded, covering all University and college fees and providing an annual grant for living expenses (stipend, at least £17,668 for 2024/25).
6. Obligation: No stated formal obligation other than fulfilling the course requirements.

5. GREAT Scholarships

1. Description: A programme from the British Council and the UK Government's GREAT Britain Campaign, in partnership with selected UK universities, offering financial support to students from specific countries to study a one-year Master's degree.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be a citizen of an eligible country (countries vary each year, but often include China, India, Mexico, etc.), hold an offer from a participating UK university for an eligible postgraduate taught course, and meet the academic and English language requirements.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Deadlines vary by university, generally in the spring (March-May) before the academic year begins.
4. Types of Scholarship: Partial scholarship (tuition fee reduction).
5. Coverage: A minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year Master's course.
6. Obligation: No formal obligation, but recipients are encouraged to engage with the British Council.

6. University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships

1. Description: Scholarships offered directly by the University of Bristol to international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate taught study.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be classified as an overseas student for fee purposes and have applied for and been offered a place on an eligible full-time Master's programme at the University of Bristol. Selection is based on academic merit.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Application deadlines are typically in late March/early April.
4. Types of Scholarship: Partial or full scholarship (tuition fee reduction).
5. Coverage: Awards are valued at £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000 for the first year of study, applied as a tuition fee reduction.
6. Obligation: Recipients may be expected to participate in promotional activities.

7. University of Edinburgh Global Masters Scholarships

1. Description: Offered by the University of Edinburgh to encourage and enable academically excellent international students from lower-income countries to pursue a full-time Master's degree.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be a citizen of a country classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC) or other specific low-income countries, and have secured an offer of admission for an eligible one-year taught Master's programme at the University of Edinburgh. Financial need is a key consideration.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Application deadlines are usually in late March/early April.
4. Types of Scholarship: Partial scholarship (tuition fee reduction/stipend).
5. Coverage: The scholarship is typically a lump sum award, for example, £15,000, which is usually intended to cover tuition fees and/or living costs.
6. Obligation: No formal obligation beyond successful study.

8. Saltire Scholarships (Scotland)

1. Description: Offered by the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities, aimed at citizens from specific countries who wish to study a full-time Master's degree in Scotland in key sectors like science, technology, creative industries, healthcare, and financial services.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be a citizen of a specific country (e.g., Canada, China, India, Japan, Pakistan, USA), hold a conditional or unconditional offer from a Scottish university for an eligible Master's programme, and demonstrate an interest in studying in Scotland.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications generally open around January/February and close around late May/early June.
4. Types of Scholarship: Partial scholarship (tuition fee reduction).
5. Coverage: Each award is worth £8,000 towards tuition fees for the duration of the one-year Master's programme.
6. Obligation: No formal obligation, but recipients are encouraged to become ambassadors for the Saltire Scholarships and Scotland.

9. UCL Global Masters Scholarship

1. Description: A scholarship provided by University College London (UCL) to enable and encourage international students from lower-income backgrounds to pursue full-time Master's degree studies.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student from a lower-income background, classified as overseas for fee purposes, and hold an offer of admission for a full-time Master's programme at UCL. Academic merit is considered alongside financial need.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Deadlines typically fall in late March/early April.
4. Types of Scholarship: Partial scholarship (stipend/tuition fee contribution).
5. Coverage: The scholarship is typically valued at £15,000, intended to cover either tuition fees in full or in part, or maintenance/living costs.
6. Obligation: No formal obligation beyond successful study.

10. University of West England (UWE Bristol) Chancellor's Scholarships

1. Description: One of UWE Bristol's top awards for international postgraduate students, designed to support high-achieving individuals.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be classified as an overseas student for fee purposes, achieve the equivalent of a First Class degree in a previous qualification, hold an unconditional offer for a full-time postgraduate taught programme at UWE Bristol, and must not be a sponsored student.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Deadlines are usually in late April/early May.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full scholarship (tuition fee waiver).
5. Coverage: Covers full tuition fees for one academic year.
6. Obligation: The recipient is required to undertake an internship working within the International Development Office and other departments within the university.