The Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship 2021 offers a grant of £1600 with no special application process required.
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University of Portsmouth offers 9 international scholarships, of which 4 are directly accessible to Indian applicants. One applies automatically at offer stage. Another needs a separate merit form, while a third funds Master of Public Administration entrants only. Indian students layer these with external UK awards like Chevening and Commonwealth for full-cost coverage.
Award sizes at the University of Portsmouth start at GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) as an automatic fee cut. The top competitive merit award reaches GBP 5,000 (INR 6.40 Lakhs). PhD applicants can secure a package worth over GBP 82,000 (INR 105 Lakhs) across three years.
- Standard 2026-27 tuition: GBP 17,900 to 20,000 (INR 22.91 to 25.60 Lakhs) per year
- With Vice Chancellor’s automatic waiver (worth INR 3.20 Lakhs): first-year net GBP 15,400 to 17,500 (INR 19.71 to 22.40 Lakhs)
- With Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit (highest single award, INR 6.40 Lakhs off): first-year net GBP 12,900 to 15,000 (INR 16.51 to 19.20 Lakhs)
- Next major deadline for Indians: Chevening portal closes October 6, 2026 for September 2027 entry
Know more: University of Portsmouth Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 GBP = INR 128 as of 7 August 2026.
Table of Contents
- University of Portsmouth Scholarships for UG Students
- University of Portsmouth Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
- India-Specific Scholarships at University of Portsmouth
- University of Portsmouth PhD Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships
- University of Portsmouth Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
University of Portsmouth Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
Two Portsmouth awards reach Indian bachelor’s applicants. One arrives automatically with your offer letter. The other requires a competitive form by June 1 in the entry year.
| Scholarship | Amount (First Year) | Eligibility for Indians | Next Deadline | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship | GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) fee cut | Any Indian passport holder with a paid tuition rate above GBP 16,200 | Applied at offer stage; no separate deadline | Automatic |
| Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship | GBP 5,000 (INR 6.40 Lakhs) fee cut | Self-funded Indian applicants with a strong academic offer | Tentative June 1, 2027 (annual cycle for September entry) | Separate form after admission offer |
| Sanctuary Scholarship (context) | Full UG tuition cover | Asylum seekers only, not typical Indian visa route | Rolling | Determined by university |
The Vice Chancellor’s award is the safe base for UG Indians. It cuts INR 3.20 Lakhs from your first-year invoice without extra paperwork. Portsmouth confirms India on the 60+ country list that qualifies for this bracket, alongside China, Nigeria and Pakistan.
The Chancellor’s Merit award pays more but blocks stacking with any other Portsmouth offer. You pick one or the other, not both. It also excludes PGCE Science and PGCE Modern Languages routes.
Explore More: How to Apply to UK universities with UCAS?
University of Portsmouth Scholarships for Master’s Students
Master’s applicants have three routes at Portsmouth. The Dean’s award is subject-specific to Public Administration. The other two open across most PG Taught programmes.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship (PG) | GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) first-year cut | Self-funded Indian PG Taught or Research applicants, September 2026 or January 2027 entry | Live through both intakes; auto-applied | Automatic on offer |
| Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship (PG Taught) | GBP 5,000 (INR 6.40 Lakhs) first-year cut | Strong academic profile, self-funded, excludes PGCE routes | Tentative June 1, 2027 (September 2027 intake, annual pattern) | Separate merit form |
| Dean’s Global Leadership Scholarship for Public Administration | GBP 4,000 (INR 5.12 Lakhs) first-year cut | Self-funded international applicants to Master of Public Administration only; 5 awards per cycle | Tentative July 1, 2027 (September 2027 entry) | Separate application post-offer |
Most Indian Master’s students at Portsmouth receive the Vice Chancellor’s award as a default cushion. Data Analytics, Cyber Security and MBA cohorts draw the largest Indian numbers. All fall inside the eligible fee band above GBP 16,200.
The Chancellor’s Merit award raises the ceiling for academically strong applicants. A first-class Indian bachelor’s plus a documented offer letter puts you in contention. The form opens inside your Portsmouth applicant portal.
Reddit Insight: Indian applicants planning the Chancellor’s Merit route consistently flag one issue. The June 1 window falls before many Indian universities issue final transcripts. Applicants using a provisional degree letter clear this hurdle if the letter carries a signed final CGPA.
The Dean’s award is niche but competitive. Only five slots exist and it funds one degree, the Master of Public Administration. This suits public policy or civil services preparation candidates. It trims your first-year invoice by INR 5.12 Lakhs.
India-Specific Scholarships at University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth does not run an India-exclusive named award. India is, however, listed by name on the eligibility roster of the Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship. That makes it the closest India-facing scheme at the university.
| Award | How India Qualifies | Value to Indian Student | Confirmation Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship | India named on the official 60+ country eligibility list, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal | GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) fee cut in Year 1, auto-applied to invoice | Portsmouth confirms in the tuition invoice email after CAS issue |
| International College Portsmouth (ICP) Progression Route | Indian pathway students moving from ICP into a Portsmouth degree carry the same GBP 2,500 award | GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) into Year 1 of the degree | Auto-applied when you convert from ICP to degree enrolment |
| Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship (India-eligible, not India-exclusive) | Open to all international applicants including Indians who submit the merit form | GBP 5,000 (INR 6.40 Lakhs) fee cut in Year 1 | Portsmouth applicant portal after offer |
The GREAT Scholarship worth GBP 10,000 (INR 12.80 Lakhs) runs at many UK universities. Portsmouth’s slot in that programme is ring-fenced for Bangladesh and Pakistan for the 2026-27 cycle. Indian applicants must pick a different GREAT-participating UK university if this specific award is a must-have.
Indian applicants planning ahead should watch Portsmouth’s scholarship page each October, when the university refreshes its annual scholarship menu for the following academic year.
Also read: Scholarships for Indian Students in UK
University of Portsmouth PhD Scholarships
Portsmouth runs a single flagship international doctoral award, plus dozens of subject-linked studentships. The flagship covers tuition, a full stipend and a return flight.
| Studentship | Value per Year | What It Covers | Deadline | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Global PhD Scholarship | GBP 20,780 stipend (INR 26.60 Lakhs) plus full international tuition plus one return flight | 3 years full funding, tuition, living costs, travel | Tentative January 31, 2027 (annual cycle) | Non-EEA international applicants including India; competitive research proposal required |
| Faculty-Linked PhD Studentships (Science, Health, Humanities) | UKRI-rate stipend (roughly GBP 20,780 / INR 26.60 Lakhs) plus tuition | 3.5 years, tied to a supervisor’s funded project | Varies by project, most between January and March 2027 | Indian PhD applicants with a matching MSc profile |
| Languages and Linguistics Open Call | UKRI-rate stipend plus tuition | 3 years, self-proposed research inside Languages and Linguistics | Rolling through the academic year | Indian applicants with an MA in Linguistics, TESOL or related field |
The Global PhD Scholarship is the anchor package. Three years of coverage lands at roughly GBP 82,000 (INR 105 Lakhs) once you add tuition, stipend and travel. That is above what most Indian self-funded MSc holders can raise from family funds.
Portsmouth ranks in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 band #401-500. That qualifies you for CSC’s target UK institutions for research routes. Read the full ranking movement to weigh the funder view. See Portsmouth’s five-year QS and THE ranking trend
External Government Scholarships for Portsmouth Applicants
Indian applicants who miss Portsmouth’s internal ceiling of GBP 5,000 stack external UK government awards on top of the automatic GBP 2,500 waiver. Two schemes dominate the Indian pipeline.
| Award | Total Value | Level | India Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship (UK FCDO) | GBP 50,000+ (INR 64 Lakhs) covering tuition, monthly stipend of GBP 1,378 (INR 1.76 Lakhs) outside London, flights, visa | 1-year Master’s at any UK university including Portsmouth | Indian passport, undergraduate degree, 2 years of full-time work experience | October 6, 2026 (11:00 UTC) for September 2027 entry |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship (UK FCDO via CSC) | Full tuition, monthly stipend of INR 1,85,490 (outside London), return airfare, thesis grant | 1-year Master’s aligned to CSC’s six development themes | Indian first-class bachelor’s (2:1 or 60%+), demonstrated financial need | Tentative mid-October 2026 for September 2027 entry |
| Charles Wallace India Trust | Grants of GBP 700 to 5,500 (INR 0.89 to 7.04 Lakhs) toward final-year fees or research trips | Doctoral top-up and short research visits | Indian citizens in specific arts, heritage and humanities disciplines | Rolling; most bands close November 30 each year |
Chevening remains the single most competitive route. Only around 65 Indians win each cycle across every UK university combined. Applicants who succeed usually stack it with the Vice Chancellor’s automatic Portsmouth waiver, taking their first-year net cost close to zero.
Indian applicants aiming at Chevening for Portsmouth typically prepare four core documents:
- Leadership Essay (500 words): one concrete example per paragraph, quantified impact
- Networking Essay (500 words): specific UK contacts and post-award plan
- Studying in the UK Essay (500 words): three UK universities including Portsmouth with reasoning
- Career Plan Essay (500 words): 5-year and 10-year India-focused impact
Commonwealth Master’s is tighter still. It blocks MBA programmes and prefers development-linked degrees like public policy, education or sustainability. Indian selection runs through the Ministry of Education, which sets an internal cut-off two to four weeks before the CSC deadline.
Reddit Insight: Indian applicants report that the readability of Chevening’s Leadership Essay is the single strongest predictor of shortlist. Essays with one concrete quantified example per paragraph clear the first cut at a higher rate than vaguer thematic pieces.
For Indian students, the University of Portsmouth’s best-value route depends on the study level. UG and PG applicants should treat the £2,500 Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship as the baseline, while strong academic profiles should target the £5,000 Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship for the larger first-year reduction. Master’s applicants seeking full funding should prioritise Chevening or Commonwealth, as Portsmouth’s internal awards only reduce tuition. For PhD applicants, the Portsmouth Global PhD Scholarship is the strongest option, with full international tuition, stipend and travel support over three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum funding an Indian student can stack at University of Portsmouth?
Ans. The realistic ceiling is around GBP 55,000 (INR 70 Lakhs) for a one-year Master’s. This comes from stacking Chevening (worth over GBP 50,000 / INR 64 Lakhs) with the Vice Chancellor’s automatic GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) waiver. Chevening covers tuition, stipend, travel and visa. The VC award then trims your invoice further.
Without Chevening or Commonwealth, the practical ceiling drops to GBP 5,000 (INR 6.40 Lakhs) through the Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship. That award cannot be combined with the Vice Chancellor’s waiver, so self-funded applicants pick one or the other.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply for Portsmouth scholarships and external UK awards?
Ans. Sequence matters. Chevening opens in August 2026 and closes October 6, 2026 at 11:00 UTC for September 2027 entry. Commonwealth Master’s follows in mid-October 2026 for the same intake.
Portsmouth’s Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit form runs on an annual cycle, closing tentatively June 1, 2027 for September 2027 entry. The Dean’s Global Leadership Scholarship closes tentatively July 1, 2027. The Vice Chancellor’s award needs no separate deadline; it applies once your fee-paying offer is accepted.
Ques. How do I apply for the Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship at Portsmouth?
Ans. You first secure an academic offer for a September 2027 (or January) intake in a fee-paying self-funded programme. Portsmouth then opens the merit scholarship form inside your applicant portal. You submit a short personal statement, degree transcripts and any test scores.
Decisions are typically returned within 4 to 6 weeks. Successful Indian applicants receive a revised CAS letter showing the GBP 5,000 (INR 6.40 Lakhs) fee reduction against Year 1 tuition. The award does not extend into Year 2 and cannot be combined with any other Portsmouth offer.
Ques. What academic threshold do Indian students need for Portsmouth scholarships?
Ans. The Vice Chancellor’s award applies to any Indian applicant on a fee-paying offer with tuition above GBP 16,200. No specific CGPA is required beyond the course entry cut-off, which is usually 55 to 60% at Indian bachelor’s level.
The Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit sets a higher bar. Indian applicants with a first-class bachelor’s (typically 65%+ or 8.0 CGPA on a 10-point scale) sit inside the competitive pool. Chevening asks for a UK 2:1 equivalent, roughly a 60% or 6.5 CGPA Indian bachelor’s. Commonwealth Master’s insists on a first-class 2:1 or a matching PG qualification.
Ques. Does the Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship cover Portsmouth rent and living costs?
Ans. No. The GBP 2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) award is a fee reduction only. It cuts Year 1 tuition on your invoice. It does not pay you cash for rent, food or transport.
Portsmouth city-centre student rent runs at GBP 700 to 950 (INR 0.90 to 1.22 Lakhs) per month. Total annual living cost sits around GBP 12,000 to 14,000 (INR 15.36 to 17.92 Lakhs) including food, travel and utilities. Indian students needing living cost support should target Chevening or Commonwealth, which both pay a monthly stipend. Portsmouth’s on-campus part-time work of up to 20 hours weekly helps bridge the rest.
Ques. Can Indian students at Portsmouth apply for the GREAT Scholarship worth GBP 10,000?
Ans. Not at Portsmouth for 2026-27. Portsmouth’s two GREAT Scholarship slots are reserved for Bangladesh and Pakistan citizens this cycle. Indian applicants who want the GBP 10,000 (INR 12.80 Lakhs) GREAT award need to pick a different participating UK university.
Around 60+ UK universities run GREAT for Indian students. The British Council publishes the current India-eligible list each October. If Portsmouth is your first choice, the equivalent India-facing routes are the Chancellor’s Merit and the Vice Chancellor’s automatic waiver.
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University of Portsmouth Scholarships: Students' Opinion
AI-Generated Summary based on 8 Reviews
By Collegedunia’s Personal AI
Scholarships offered
Bharat Petroleum Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $3,105
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Doctorate
- Number of Scholarships: 50
Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 10
India Postgraduate Taught Master’s Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $3,555
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 5
Axol Science Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $2,000
- Type: Company-Sponsored
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Leo Murray Entrepreneurship Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $14,000
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
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8 Reviews Found
Likes
- Everything is great. Portsmouth was a great student city with great teachers.
Dislikes
- Just be vigilant about which semester you enter in.
Likes
- Studying at the University of Portsmouth has been a largely positive experience for me.
- I really value the strong industry focus of my course, especially in Sports Management, as it feels practical and geared towards employability rather than just theory.
- The lecturers are generally approachable and supportive, and the facilities, particularly the library and sports spaces, are modern and well-equipped. I also like the fact that everything is within walking distance, which makes it easy from going to place A to B.
Dislikes
- However, there are a few downsides. As a city university, it lacks a traditional enclosed campus feel.
- The weather can be quite windy and grey, and the social scene can occasionally feel limited compared to bigger cities.
- Overall, though, the positives outweigh the negatives for me.
- In my first year, I found my accommodation via the Uni portal. I now stay in a studio close to all the Uni buildings, which I found out about while being here. There are companies/brokers you can view houses with and stay with your friends.
0 0
Likes
- I like the University of Portsmouth because the faculty is helpful and always available to assist.
- The university also offers a variety of cultural activities.
Dislikes
- However, I dislike that it does not provide placements or practical knowledge related to the courses.
Likes
- Faculties provide optimum support to students in achieving top results.
Dislikes
- They separate international students from local students. It means that batches are different for international and local students.
I had less percentage in my bachelor's, so I had to clear the pathway program to start my actual course. So I completed my pre masters which lasted for 3 months. Overall, the University is good. They have their name in UK markets. The value of UOP graduates is higher compared to other average universities.
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Likes
- I like that the faculty is so helpful at every stage.
Dislikes
- I dislike that the buildings are so far and spread out in the whole city.
I already have a masters in Education from back in India & have also read the papers of my professors, that was my main encouragement to interact with such intellectual people. I wanted to do a specialized master's program further so chose MSc Educational Leadership and Management which was my elective subject earlier and was one of my top-scoring subjects as well.
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Likes
- Optimal opportunity to interact with people who are either working at the big corporate level or in government projects such as the UN. Also, I got the opportunity to visit on different excursions and know more about places and cultures.
I chose this university because of multiple factors and for me the most important factor was the course modules and curriculum since I had worked in the corporate field in India and I found this course very much in line with my future goals.
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Likes
- University of Portsmouth is the leading university for it's School of Criminal Justice Studies, with faculty that work alongside Interpol, FBI, other international security organisations. I chose this university because of the variety of modules they offer, the lecturers who taught them - some of whose work I have read during my undergraduate course, and the overall reviews about the University. The fact that Portsmouth is a coastal city with most amount of sun in England was also important in my decision-making after spending the previous three years in cold gloomy climate which had an unforeseen effect on my overall health.
- I loved in-class discussions for the theoretical modules and the practical sessions for the investigation module specifically where we got a chance to test our skills and knowledge and got feedback that made learning more effectively.
Dislikes
- There's nothing I particularly disliked about the University. I was studying at a time where the whole world was trying to adapt to the changes brought about by covid so I did not get to experience a lot of in-person events that pre-covid and current students have the opportunity to attend.
Scholarship
I got the Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship 2021 of £1600. There was no special application process.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at University of Portsmouth because the course content had everything I had ever wanted to study and the faculty were very helpful and encouraging.
0 0
Scholarship
I haven’t received any scholarship
One of my friend suggested me this college. He stated that the faculty was amazing and also all the facilities the we required are well and good. The also the main reason is that this particular university has the course that I want to persue which is Max engineering management Head the u had awesome teachers for this course and also I chose that university as i like that place
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