Scholarships for UK-Based Students of Colour: Opportunities for 2025
Written By Karan
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The UK is home to a diverse and multicultural student population, and many scholarships are available specifically for students of colour. These scholarships aim to promote diversity, increase representation, and provide opportunities to students who face additional financial or social challenges due to their background. If you’re a UK-based student of colour looking to fund your education in 2025, this post will highlight some of the best scholarships you can apply for.
Table of Contents
1. The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) Scholarship
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black British students pursuing business-related degrees
Scholarship Type
Financial assistance, mentorship, and professional development
Eligibility
– UK-based Black British students – Studying business, economics, or related fields
Benefits
– £1,000–£3,000 per year towards tuition fees – Access to a network of professionals and mentors
Application Process
Apply through the BBBAwards website with academic records and personal statement
Notes
The BBBAwards also offers professional development opportunities, making it more than just a financial award.
Why It Matters:
The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) is one of the premier awards focused on celebrating Black talent in the UK. This scholarship helps students gain access to financial support as well as career opportunities through mentorship and networking.
2. The UK Social Mobility Foundation (UKSMF) Scholarships
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students
Scholarship Type
Financial support and career development
Eligibility
– UK-based BAME students – Studying any degree program in the UK
Benefits
– Scholarships of up to £2,000 per year – Internship opportunities and career advice
Application Process
Apply via the UKSMF website with supporting documents, including academic transcripts and a personal statement
Notes
The UKSMF also offers an extensive mentorship program to help students develop skills and gain work experience.
Why It Matters:
The UKSMF focuses on providing opportunities for underrepresented students, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This scholarship not only provides financial support but also helps students transition into the professional world.
3. The UNIQ+ Scholarships at the University of Oxford
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students
Scholarship Type
Tuition fee coverage, living costs, and research funding
Eligibility
– BAME students – Students applying to postgraduate or doctoral programs at Oxford
Benefits
– Full tuition fee coverage – Stipend for living costs – Research and career development support
Application Process
Apply through the University of Oxford’s website with required documentation, including an academic CV, research proposal, and reference letters
Notes
The UNIQ+ program is designed to increase diversity and support students from underrepresented groups in academia.
Why It Matters:
The UNIQ+ program at Oxford is specifically designed to support BAME students in their postgraduate or doctoral studies. It provides financial support along with access to a highly prestigious academic network, fostering diversity at one of the world’s top universities.
4. The British Council’s GREAT Scholarships
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students from low-income backgrounds
Scholarship Type
Partial tuition fee coverage
Eligibility
– UK-based BAME students – Undergraduate or postgraduate level – Demonstrated financial need
Benefits
– £5,000–£10,000 towards tuition fees per year
Application Process
Apply via the British Council website with necessary academic documents and personal statement
Notes
The GREAT Scholarships are offered in collaboration with various UK universities.
Why It Matters:
The GREAT Scholarships are a collaboration between the British Council and UK universities to offer support to students from underrepresented backgrounds. These scholarships help reduce the financial barriers for students of colour, encouraging more diversity in UK higher education.
5. The Stephen Lawrence Scholarships
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students
Scholarship Type
Financial support, mentorship, and career development
Eligibility
– BAME students – Studying any undergraduate program at a UK university
Benefits
– £3,000–£5,000 per year for tuition and living expenses – Career development opportunities and internships
Application Process
Apply through the Stephen Lawrence Trust’s website, submitting academic records, a personal statement, and references
Notes
The scholarship is named in honour of Stephen Lawrence, and its aim is to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Why It Matters:
The Stephen Lawrence Scholarship is aimed at supporting BAME students in their undergraduate studies and helping them access further opportunities in their career journey. It also offers mentorship to guide students in their professional development.
6. The Reach Programme at the University of Cambridge
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students from underprivileged backgrounds
Scholarship Type
Full tuition fee coverage, living costs, and academic support
Eligibility
– UK-based BAME students from low-income backgrounds – Accepted to an undergraduate program at Cambridge
Benefits
– Full tuition fees – Living costs support – Access to academic resources and mentoring
Application Process
Apply through the University of Cambridge’s website after receiving an offer of admission
Notes
The Reach Programme provides a comprehensive support package for BAME students, offering guidance from application through to graduation.
Why It Matters:
The Reach Programme is aimed at widening participation and access to higher education for underrepresented students. By covering tuition and living costs, this scholarship helps ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented BAME students from attending prestigious institutions like Cambridge.
7. The Future Leaders Scholarship at the University of London
Key Information
Details
Best For
Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students pursuing leadership-oriented programs
Scholarship Type
Full tuition fees and leadership development workshops
Eligibility
– BAME students – Undergraduate students applying for a leadership or business program
Benefits
– Full tuition fees coverage – Access to leadership workshops and internship opportunities
Application Process
Apply via the University of London’s official site, submitting a personal statement, academic records, and a leadership portfolio
Notes
This scholarship also helps prepare students for future leadership roles, with a focus on promoting diversity in leadership positions.
Why It Matters:
The Future Leaders Scholarship empowers BAME students to develop into strong leaders in their respective fields. By covering tuition fees and offering professional development workshops, it helps students gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in leadership roles.
Conclusion
There are many scholarships in the UK aimed at students of colour, particularly those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. These scholarships not only provide financial support but also offer valuable resources like mentorship, career development, and networking opportunities. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, there are opportunities available to reduce the financial burden of studying in the UK and enhance your educational journey.
Make sure to check the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship, and start preparing your application early to maximize your chances of success. The UK offers a range of scholarships designed to promote diversity and inclusion, helping to create a more equitable educational experience for students of all backgrounds.
