The UK is still the best place to study law in 2026. Tuition for an LLM or LLB can be high, but there are a number of “full-ride” and partial scholarships available just for international law students. Many application windows open in late 2026 for the 2027 intake.
1. The best fully funded government scholarships
These are the most prestigious awards, and they pay for all of your tuition, monthly living expenses, and flights.
Chevening Scholarships for LLM
- Focus: One-year Master of Laws (LLM). It’s best for lawyers with at least two years of experience who have proven their leadership skills.
- Deadline for 2027 Intake: Applications usually open in August 2026 and close in early November 2026.
- Advantage: It pays for all of your tuition, a monthly living allowance (about £1,300 to £1,700), and all of your visa and travel expenses.
Scholarships for Master’s Degrees in the Commonwealth
- Focus: For students from Commonwealth countries with low and middle incomes.
- The Law Track is best for people who want to focus on “Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship” or “Strengthening Global Peace, Security, and Governance.”
- The portal usually opens in September 2026 and closes in October 2026 for the 2027 intake.
2. Scholarships for Specific Areas of Law
GREAT Scholarships for Law and Justice
- The prize is at least £10,000 for postgraduate law programmes.
- Partners: The British Council and the UK Ministry of Justice will work together on this project in 2026.
- Target countries: Usually includes students from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand.
- 2027 Intake: Applications usually open in late 2026 for the next school year.
International Bursaries at the University of Law
- The Award: International students can automatically get up to £2,500 off their fees each year.
- The 3-year LLB, the 2-year Accelerated LLB, and different LLM/SQE prep courses are all eligible.
- Update for 2026/2027: International students who are eligible for awards for courses starting between June 2026 and May 2027 will find out about them directly in their offer letter. They do not need to fill out a separate application.
3. Awards from the best universities (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE)
These fellowships are very competitive, but they pay for everything if you are applying to “G5” universities.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a Cambridge LLM or PhD
- Value: The full cost of studying at Cambridge, which includes a maintenance allowance of about £20,000 per year.
- Deadline for 2027 Intake: For people who are not US citizens, the deadline is either December 2026 or early January 2027, depending on the law course.
Get the Reach Oxford Scholarship for Law Students
- Value: Covers the cost of living, the cost of the course, and one round-trip flight per year.
- Deadline for 2027: Information about how to apply for 2027 will be available in January 2027. Before you can apply, you need to get an offer for the BA in Jurisprudence (Law).
Support Programme for LSE Undergraduates
- Value: £6,000 to £26,000 a year.
- 2026/2027 Cycle: The deadline for scholarship applications from people living outside the US is April 23, 2026. Applications for the 2027 cycle will be open in January 2027.
4. Important Dates for Applications in 2026 and 2027
- June to August 2026: Look into law modules at research universities and write your personal statement. If you need to, ensure you have your English skills (IELTS/TOEFL).
- September to November 2026: Apply for Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships. To get an offer letter, apply for LLM programs at the best colleges and universities.
- Once you receive an offer to go to college, you can apply for university-specific bursaries (like Oxford Reach or LSE Support) between January and March 2027.
- April–June 2027: Finalise visa documentation (CAS) and attend scholarship interviews.
Final Thoughts
In 2026, the Chevening and GREAT Justice and Law scholarships will give master’s students with work experience the most money. The University of Law is the easiest place for undergraduates to get automatic bursaries. If you are a high-achieving student, you should apply for the Gates Cambridge or Reach Oxford programmes. Just make sure to start your application at least a year before you want to start.
