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Scholarships in Scotland for Bangladeshi Students
Why Scotland for Higher Education?
Scotland is home to some of the world’s oldest and most respected universities, including the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and University of St Andrews. For Bangladeshi students, Scotland offers a unique UK study experience with internationally recognised qualifications, lower living costs than London and the South of England, and a welcoming student environment in cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
International tuition fees typically range from £15,000 to £30,000 per year, with living costs around £10,000 to £13,000 annually. While Scotland does not have a Bangladesh-specific government scholarship like Chevening, many Scottish universities offer merit-based scholarships and tuition discounts for international students. Rico International helps students identify suitable opportunities and plan their study journey effectively.
Why Apply for Scholarships in Scotland?
Centuries of Academic Excellence
Scotland’s ancient universities — Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, and Aberdeen — are among the oldest English-speaking universities in the world, with reputations for research excellence across medicine, engineering, business, and the humanities that rival or exceed many larger English institutions.
A More Affordable UK Experience
Cities such as Glasgow and Dundee offer a noticeably lower cost of living than London, while Edinburgh — though pricier — remains more affordable than the English capital. This makes Scotland an attractive way to access a globally respected UK degree without the full financial weight of studying in southern England.
Genuine Scholarship Inclusion for Bangladeshi Students
Several Scottish universities — including Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Glasgow — explicitly include Bangladesh in their tuition discount and scholarship eligibility lists, making Scotland one of the more accessible parts of the UK for Bangladeshi applicants seeking genuine financial support.
A Distinctive, Welcoming Student Experience
Scotland is consistently rated among the friendliest study destinations in the UK, with strong international student communities, dedicated student support services, and a culture that actively celebrates the diversity its universities attract.
Strong Postgraduate Research Funding
Scotland hosts a disproportionately large share of the UK’s research funding relative to its population, meaning postgraduate research students often find strong assistantship, studentship, and research council funding opportunities at Scottish institutions.
Types of Scholarships Available in Scotland
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships — Important Eligibility Note
The Scotland Saltire Scholarship is the Scottish Government’s flagship international scholarship — offering £8,000 off tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students and £6,000 off for postgraduate students, in subjects including science, technology, creative industries, healthcare, medical sciences, and renewable and clean energy.
- Important: As of the most recent published eligibility lists, the Saltire Scholarship has been restricted to applicants from a specific set of countries — historically including Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan, and the USA. Bangladesh has not consistently appeared on these published eligibility lists.
- Recommendation: Rico International monitors the official Saltire Scholarship eligibility list each year, as participating countries can change between intakes. We will confirm current eligibility for Bangladeshi applicants directly with each new application cycle before recommending this as a primary funding route.
- Why we include it: Given Saltire’s prominence as Scotland’s best-known scholarship, Bangladeshi students researching Scottish funding options are likely to encounter it — we believe in being transparent about current eligibility rather than presenting it as guaranteed.
University-Specific Scholarships — Bangladesh-Inclusive
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) — International Tuition Fee Discount
- Coverage: Tuition fee discount for full-time Taught Postgraduate courses
- Eligibility: Explicitly available to students from Bangladesh, alongside Canada, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam
- Note: This is one of the clearest, most accessible Bangladesh-inclusive scholarship routes currently available among Scottish universities
University of Glasgow — Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship
- Coverage: £10,000 tuition fee discount
- Level: Postgraduate Taught Master’s programmes in any discipline
- Eligibility: Open to applicants from a wide list of eligible countries that explicitly includes Bangladesh; requires an offer of a place on a postgraduate taught programme
- How to Apply: Through the University of Glasgow’s online Scholarship Portal after receiving a programme offer; successful candidates are typically notified within six weeks
University of Glasgow — World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship
- Coverage: £7,000 per year for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; £10,000 per year for Science, Engineering, Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences
- Level: Undergraduate
- Eligibility: New international and EU students, subject to satisfactory academic progress for renewal each year
University of Strathclyde — Faculty of Engineering International Scholarship
- Coverage: £6,000 deducted from tuition fees
- Level: Postgraduate taught Master’s degrees in Engineering, starting September or January intakes
- Eligibility: All self-funded, international (non-EU), fee-paying offer holders joining full-time, on-campus courses
University of Strathclyde — Dean’s International Excellence Awards
- Coverage: £9,000 to £12,000
- Level: Postgraduate taught, Faculty of Engineering — for exceptional applicants only
University of Strathclyde — Business School Scholarships
- Coverage: Approximately 25% tuition reduction
- Level: BBA International Scholarship and Business School Dean’s Excellence Awards
UK-Wide Scholarships Available to Scottish University Applicants
Bangladeshi students applying to Scottish universities remain eligible for the same major UK-wide scholarships available across England — these are not Scotland-specific but are commonly held by international students attending Scottish institutions:
- Commonwealth Scholarships (Master’s and PhD): Full tuition fees, monthly living allowance, and return airfare for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh; widely available at Scottish universities including Strathclyde and Glasgow
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships: Full tuition, a living allowance of up to approximately £1,652 per month, and a thesis grant for Master’s students from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries — Bangladesh is generally eligible under this category
- Chevening Scholarships: The UK Government’s flagship fully funded Master’s scholarship is valid at any UK university, including those in Scotland — Bangladeshi Chevening scholars are free to choose Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, or any other eligible Scottish institution
- GREAT Scholarships: British Council postgraduate scholarships of at least £10,000 towards tuition, available at a number of participating UK universities including several in Scotland
Research Council and PhD Funding
- UKRI and Research Council Studentships: Scottish universities receive substantial UK Research and Innovation funding, and international PhD students are regularly able to access fully funded studentships covering tuition, a stipend, and research costs, particularly in STEM and social science fields
- University-Specific PhD Scholarships: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Strathclyde, and St Andrews all run dedicated international PhD scholarship competitions each year, typically covering full tuition plus a stipend for outstanding applicants
Major Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students
| Scholarship | Level | Coverage | Bangladesh Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCU International Tuition Discount | PG Taught | Tuition fee discount (varies) | Explicitly included |
| Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship | PG Taught (Master’s) | £10,000 tuition discount | Explicitly included |
| Glasgow World Changers Global Excellence | UG | £7,000–£10,000/year | International students broadly eligible |
| Strathclyde Faculty of Engineering Scholarship | PG Taught | £6,000 tuition discount | International students broadly eligible |
| Strathclyde Dean's International Excellence Award | PG Taught (Engineering) | £9,000–£12,000 | International students broadly eligible |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | Master’s, PhD | Full tuition + stipend + airfare | Eligible (Commonwealth nation) |
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Master’s | Full tuition + approximately £1,652/month + thesis grant | Eligible (lower-middle-income nation) |
| Chevening Scholarship | Master’s (1 year) | Full tuition + stipend + airfare | Eligible — usable at eligible Scottish universities |
| Saltire Scholarship | UG, PG | £6,000–£8,000 tuition discount | Verify annually |
How to Apply for Scholarships in Scotland
Step 1: Secure a University Offer First
Almost all Scottish university scholarships — including the Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship and Strathclyde’s engineering awards — require you to hold a conditional or unconditional offer of admission before you can apply for funding. Begin with a strong, well-prepared university application.
Step 2: Check Each University’s Current Eligible-Country List
Scholarship eligibility by nationality changes from year to year at Scottish universities — Glasgow Caledonian University’s discount list, for example, has included Bangladesh in recent cycles but should always be re-confirmed for your specific intake. Rico International checks current eligibility lists directly with partner universities before recommending any award.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
- Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous institutions
- English language proficiency scores — IELTS typically 6.0 to 6.5 for most Scottish universities
- Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose tailored to your chosen scholarship and programme
- Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional referees
- Updated CV or resume highlighting academic and extracurricular achievement
- Proof of funds for any remaining tuition and living costs not covered by the scholarship
Step 4: Apply for University Scholarships Through the Correct Portal
Most Scottish university scholarships are applied for through a dedicated online scholarship portal after receiving your offer — separate from your original admissions application. Pay close attention to each university’s specific submission process and any required essay questions.
Step 5: Consider UK-Wide Scholarships Alongside University Awards
Because Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT Scholarships are valid across the whole UK, Bangladeshi students should apply for these in parallel with university-specific Scottish scholarships. These broader UK awards often provide more comprehensive funding than individual university discounts, and there is no restriction on applying to multiple schemes simultaneously.
Tips to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
- Don’t assume the Saltire Scholarship is available to you — always verify Bangladesh’s current eligibility status directly before building your funding plan around it
- Prioritise Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Glasgow scholarship routes, given their track record of explicitly including Bangladesh in recent eligibility lists
- Apply for Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships in parallel — these UK-wide awards can be used at any Scottish university and often offer more comprehensive funding than individual institutional discounts
- Apply as early as possible — many Scottish university scholarships are awarded on a rolling, first-come basis with limited places, even when eligibility criteria are broad
- For PhD applicants, contact your prospective supervisor early — Scottish universities frequently have project-specific studentship funding tied to particular research groups
- Budget realistically for the portion of costs not covered by partial scholarships — most Scottish university awards are discounts rather than full-ride packages, so confirm your total funding gap clearly
- Work with Rico International to track current eligibility lists and deadlines across multiple Scottish universities simultaneously
Let Rico International Guide You
Navigating Scotland’s scholarship landscape can be complex – but you do not have to do it alone. Rico International’s experienced consultants offer personalised, end-to-end support: from identifying the right scholarships for your profile to preparing a strong application and handling your student visa.
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