1. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

1. Description: Established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this is one of the most prestigious international scholarships globally, aiming to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Outstanding applicants from all countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, MSc/MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course) at the University of Cambridge. Must demonstrate academic excellence, reasons for course choice, commitment to improving others' lives, and leadership potential.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications generally open in September and deadlines are either in October (US citizens in residence) or December/January (all other eligible applicants) for the following academic year (starting in October).
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost scholarship for PhD, MSc/MLitt, or one-year postgraduate courses.
5. Coverage: Covers the full cost of study, including the University Composition Fee (tuition), a maintenance allowance (stipend) for a single student, economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course, and inbound visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge. Discretionary funding for academic development, dependent children, and maternity/paternity may also be available.
6. Obligation: Scholars are expected to engage with the Gates Cambridge community and uphold the scholarship's mission.

2. Clarendon Fund Scholarship (University of Oxford)

1. Description: A major graduate scholarship scheme at the University of Oxford, offering around 140 new fully-funded scholarships each year based on academic excellence and potential.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Open to applicants from all countries who apply for a new full-time or part-time Master’s or DPhil (PhD) course at the University of Oxford. Scholars are selected on the basis of outstanding academic merit and potential.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Candidates who apply for graduate study by the relevant January deadline for their course are automatically considered.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost scholarships for graduate study.
5. Coverage: Covers full tuition fees (University and college fees) and provides a generous annual grant for living costs (stipend).
6. Obligation: No formal obligation post-scholarship other than successful completion of the degree.

3. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for Developing Commonwealth Countries)

1. Description: Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this scholarship is for talented individuals who can contribute to development in their home countries.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Citizen of or granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country (typically developing countries), permanent resident of an eligible country, first degree of at least upper second class (2:1), and unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. Must be applying for a full-time PhD at an eligible UK university.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications usually open in September/October for the following academic year.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost scholarship for PhD research.
5. Coverage: Covers full tuition fees, return airfare to the UK, a generous stipend (living allowance), and allowances for study travel and thesis grant.
6. Obligation: Scholars are required to return to their home country for a minimum of two years upon completion of their scholarship to apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge.

4. Marshall Scholarships (for US Citizens)

1. Description: Created by an Act of Parliament in 1953, these scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study at a UK university, as a thank you for the Marshall Plan.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be a US Citizen, hold a degree from an accredited US college/university, and have a minimum GPA of 3.7. Must be a recent graduate. Open to most fields of study and all UK universities.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications usually open in June and close in September/October for the following academic year.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost scholarship for Master's or Doctoral degree.
5. Coverage: Covers university tuition fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and travel grant, and airfare to and from the US.
6. Obligation: No formal obligation to return to the US, but recipients are expected to strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples.

5. Chevening Scholarships (for Master's, but included for general prominence)

1. Description: The UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), aimed at developing future global leaders. Note: Chevening primarily funds one-year Master's programs, not PhD research, but is included due to its prominence and comprehensive coverage for highly-skilled individuals.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, finished an undergraduate degree, have at least two years' work experience, and apply to three different eligible UK Master's courses.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications are open for a limited window, typically August to November.
4. Types of Scholarship: Fully-funded Master's scholarship (MSc, MA, LLM, etc.).
5. Coverage: Covers university tuition fees (capped), a monthly stipend (living allowance), return airfare to the UK, and various grants to cover necessary costs.
6. Obligation: Must return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended.

6. Imperial College London President's PhD Scholarships

1. Description: Highly competitive scholarships for high-performing students to pursue an ambitious PhD research project at Imperial College London, one of the UK's leading science, technology, medicine, and business universities.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Open to applicants of all nationalities who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and research potential. Must be applying for a full-time PhD program at Imperial.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Typically two or three selection rounds per year with deadlines in November, January, and March.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost PhD scholarship.
5. Coverage: Covers full tuition fees (at the Overseas rate) and a generous stipend (living allowance), plus a consumables fund to support research.
6. Obligation: No specific obligation beyond completing the PhD.

7. Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships

1. Description: Offered by the University of Edinburgh to attract excellent students for research degrees (PhD) from countries outside the UK and EU.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be from countries outside the UK and EU and be seeking to start a full-time PhD degree at the University of Edinburgh. Based on academic merit.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications usually open in the autumn and close in February for the following academic year.
4. Types of Scholarship: PhD scholarship.
5. Coverage: Covers the difference between the tuition fee for a UK/EU graduate student and the overseas tuition fee. The award does not cover living costs.
6. Obligation: No specific obligation beyond completing the PhD.

8. Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarships (University of Warwick)

1. Description: The largest source of funding for international PhD students at the University of Warwick, awarded to the most outstanding PhD applicants.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Open to applicants of all nationalities applying for a PhD program at Warwick. Based on academic excellence. Must have applied for a PhD course and hold an offer.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Application deadline is typically in December or January for the following academic year.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost PhD scholarship.
5. Coverage: Covers full payment of overseas tuition fees and a maintenance stipend (living allowance) at the standard UK Research Council rate.
6. Obligation: No specific obligation beyond completing the PhD.

9. UCL Research Excellence Scholarships (UCL)

1. Description: Formerly known as the UCL-ORFS (Overseas Research Scholarship), this is a significant scholarship scheme supporting outstanding international research students across UCL's departments.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Open to prospective, affiliated international students of all nationalities who are intending to pursue a research degree (MPhil/PhD) at UCL. Based purely on academic excellence.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applicants for admission must normally apply for the scholarship by the relevant January deadline.
4. Types of Scholarship: PhD/MPhil scholarship.
5. Coverage: Covers full overseas tuition fees and a generous stipend (living allowance) at the UK Research Council rate.
6. Obligation: No specific obligation beyond completing the research degree.

10. Felix Scholarships (Oxford, Reading, SOAS)

1. Description: Established to provide scholarships for students from India and other developing countries who are bright, talented, and needy, allowing them to pursue postgraduate studies at the Universities of Oxford, Reading, or SOAS.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be a citizen of and ordinarily resident in India or other eligible developing countries. Must hold a first-class degree and be applying for a full-time Master's or DPhil (PhD) at one of the participating universities.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applicants apply directly via the admissions process of the participating universities by their relevant January deadline.
4. Types of Scholarship: Full-cost Master's/DPhil (PhD) scholarship.
5. Coverage: Covers 100% of course fees, a stipend (living allowance) to cover living costs, and round-trip airfare.
6. Obligation: Scholars are required to return to their home country after their studies to use their skills to benefit their communities.