Studying business, finance, accounting, economics, management or another commercial course abroad can be a major investment. Tuition fees, accommodation, visa expenses, transportation and everyday living costs can quickly become expensive, especially for international students.

The good news is that you don't always have to pay the entire cost yourself.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK) continue to offer scholarships, tuition discounts, grants and other funding opportunities for international students. Some awards are designed specifically for business-related subjects, while others are open to students across several disciplines.

If you're planning to study for a BSc, master's degree or PhD in a commercial field, this guide will help you understand where to look, what scholarships may be available and how to improve your chances of receiving funding.

What Are Commercial Courses?

Before searching for scholarships, it helps to understand what universities generally mean by commercial or business-related courses.

Commercial courses are academic programmes that prepare students for careers in business, finance, management, entrepreneurship and related professional areas.

Popular examples include:

Business Administration
Accounting
Finance
Economics
Business Management
International Business
Marketing
Entrepreneurship
Banking and Finance
Business Analytics
Financial Management
Management Information Systems
Supply Chain Management
Human Resource Management
Investment Management
Project Management

These subjects are offered at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels in both the UAE and UK.

For example, the University of York offers a BSc in Accounting, Business Finance and Management, while Oxford Brookes University lists international scholarships for undergraduate programmes including Accounting and Finance, Business and Finance, Business and Management, Business and Marketing Management, Economics, International Business Management and Marketing Management.

Scholarships for International BSc Students in the UAE

The UAE has become an attractive destination for international students because of its expanding higher-education sector and its location as a major international business hub.

One scholarship worth investigating is offered by United Arab Emirates University (UAEU).

UAEU currently provides undergraduate scholarship opportunities for international students. Its Chancellor's Scholarship for Elite Students can provide a 100% tuition-fee discount to qualifying high-achieving students. The current criteria include exceptional secondary-school results, with the published elite scholarship requiring at least 98% in the General Secondary School Certificate or equivalent, together with specified English-language requirements.

Importantly, the scholarship covers tuition fees rather than automatically covering every expense. Housing and admission application fees, for example, are excluded from the published 100% tuition discount.

This distinction matters.

A scholarship advertised as "fully funded" or "100% scholarship" doesn't always mean that every cost associated with studying abroad will disappear. Always read the official scholarship terms before making financial plans.

UAE Scholarships for Business and Economics Students

If you're interested specifically in commercial subjects, check universities that have established colleges of business and economics.

UAEU's College of Business and Economics offers programmes connected with fields such as business administration, economics, accounting and finance. At the postgraduate level, the university also lists programmes including an MBA, Master of Professional Accounting and Master in Business Analytics.

This creates several potential pathways.

You might begin with a BSc or bachelor's degree, continue to an MBA or specialised master's programme, and eventually pursue doctoral research in a business-related field.

However, scholarship eligibility can differ between undergraduate and graduate programmes. Never assume that receiving a scholarship at one level automatically qualifies you for funding at the next level.

Khalifa University Scholarships in the UAE

Khalifa University is another UAE institution that offers scholarships to international students, although its scholarship structure is particularly focused on its eligible academic colleges.

For international students, the university publishes President's Scholarships and other scholarship levels. For eligible international students in the College of Science and the College of Engineering, the published structure includes tuition discounts ranging from partial support to full tuition depending on academic performance.

Students interested in commercial subjects should therefore check the actual programme list before applying. A university may offer excellent international scholarships but not offer them for every business-related degree.

This is one of the most common mistakes students make when searching for scholarships: they find a university with generous funding and assume that every course qualifies.

Always verify the course + scholarship + nationality + study level combination.

UAE Scholarships for Master's Students

International students looking for an MBA or another business-related master's degree should search beyond general undergraduate scholarship pages.

At UAEU, graduate applicants must meet academic and English-language requirements, and individual programmes can impose additional requirements. For master's admission, UAEU currently lists a bachelor's degree in a relevant or related discipline and a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, alongside English-language requirements for programmes taught predominantly in English.

For a commercial course, this could include a background in business, accounting, economics, finance or another related discipline, depending on the university's specific requirements.

Potential master's programmes worth searching for include:

MBA
MSc Finance
MSc Accounting
MSc Business Analytics
MSc Economics
MSc International Business
MSc Management
MSc Marketing
MSc Project Management
MSc Financial Management

The British University in Dubai (BUiD), for example, currently advertises master's and MBA programmes in areas including business, finance and project management and states that it has offered special scholarships for its master's programmes.

UAE Scholarships for PhD and DBA Students

Doctoral students should search for funding differently from undergraduate applicants.

Instead of focusing only on "scholarships", look for terms such as:

PhD studentship, doctoral scholarship, graduate assistantship, research funding, tuition waiver, research assistantship and teaching assistantship.

These opportunities can sometimes provide financial support in exchange for academic or research responsibilities.

UAEU's graduate admissions information confirms that the university offers master's and doctorate programmes, with PhD applicants generally required to hold relevant bachelor's and master's qualifications, meet minimum academic standards and provide supporting documents such as transcripts, recommendations and English-language evidence where applicable.

For commercial research, potential doctoral areas include:

Finance
Accounting
Economics
Business Administration
Management
Marketing
Entrepreneurship
Business Analytics
International Business
Supply Chain Management

PhD applicants should pay close attention to the research interests of individual faculty members. A strong match between your proposed research and a professor's expertise can be important when applying for doctoral funding.

International Scholarships in the UK

The UK has one of the world's largest international higher-education sectors, making it another major destination for students interested in business and commercial courses.

Scholarship opportunities exist at universities, through government-supported programmes and through organisations such as the British Council.

One particularly important programme for international postgraduate students is the GREAT Scholarships.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the British Council states that more than 140 GREAT Scholarships are being offered through more than 60 universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each scholarship provides £10,000 toward tuition fees for eligible one-year taught postgraduate courses.

That makes GREAT Scholarships especially relevant to students planning a master's degree.

GREAT Scholarships for Nigerian Students

If you're applying from Nigeria, this programme deserves particular attention.

The British Council's Nigeria page confirms that GREAT Scholarships are available to Nigerian students for the 2026–27 academic year.

Participating institutions listed for Nigerian applicants include universities such as Brunel University London, Cranfield University, Imperial College London, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, Royal Holloway, University College London, University of Bath, University of Kent, University of Reading, University of Southampton and University of Warwick.

The scholarship provides £10,000 toward tuition fees for eligible one-year taught postgraduate courses.

However, you still need to check which commercial or business courses are eligible at each participating university.

The application process also varies by university, so there isn't one single application form covering every GREAT Scholarship. The British Council instructs applicants to visit the relevant university's scholarship page and follow that institution's application procedure.

Chevening Scholarships for Master's Students

Another major UK scholarship route is Chevening.

The UK government's scholarship information confirms that international students can apply for Chevening Scholarships for eligible one-year taught master's programmes if they meet the requirements. One important eligibility condition is having at least two years of eligible work experience.

For professionals interested in commercial subjects, this can be particularly relevant.

Imagine you've completed a bachelor's degree in accounting and spent several years working in banking. You could potentially use a master's degree in finance, business management, international business or a related field to develop your career.

Chevening is competitive, so simply having a good academic record isn't enough. Applicants should carefully demonstrate leadership, professional experience, career direction and their reasons for studying in the UK.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Students from eligible Commonwealth countries may also find postgraduate opportunities through the Commonwealth Scholarship system.

The UK government explains that Commonwealth Scholarships can be available to citizens or permanent residents of Commonwealth countries who meet the individual scholarship requirements, with eligibility varying between specific awards.

This is especially useful for students who want to pursue master's or doctoral study.

Because Commonwealth funding opportunities differ by country, degree level and scholarship programme, applicants should check the specific award rather than relying on general scholarship lists found on social media.

UK Scholarships for BSc Business Students

Fully funded undergraduate scholarships can be harder to find than postgraduate awards, but international BSc students still have options.

Universities may offer academic excellence scholarships, international student discounts, country-specific awards and subject-specific funding.

For example, Oxford Brookes Business School currently lists a £2,000 scholarship for eligible international students starting selected undergraduate business degrees in September 2026. The eligible programmes include Accounting and Economics, Accounting and Finance, Business and Finance, Business and Management, Business and Marketing Management, Economics, International Business Management and Marketing Management.

The University of Buckingham also lists an International Undergraduate High Achiever Scholarship worth £2,500, with eligible courses including Accounting, Finance and AI for Sustainable Futures and Business Economics.

These examples show why students should search university scholarship pages rather than only looking for famous "fully funded" programmes.

A £2,000 or £2,500 award may not cover the entire cost of studying abroad, but it can still reduce your tuition bill.

University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships

The University of Bristol is another institution international students should investigate.

Its Think Big Scholarship scheme provides funding toward tuition fees for eligible international undergraduate and postgraduate students. The university's current information specifically lists commercial programmes such as Accounting and Finance BSc and Accounting and Management among eligible undergraduate courses.

This is a good example of why course-specific scholarship research matters.

Rather than searching only for "UK scholarships", search for combinations such as:

University + international scholarship + accounting

University + international scholarship + finance

University + international scholarship + business management.

That approach can uncover opportunities that broad scholarship searches miss.

Scholarships for Finance and Business Students

Finance remains one of the strongest commercial study areas in UK universities.

For example, the University of Reading offers a BSc Finance (International Business), with the 2026/27 international tuition fee listed at £30,650. The university also advertises a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship that can provide £6,000 per year toward maintenance and living costs for eligible scholars, subject to the scholarship's terms.

The University of York also offers Accounting, Business Finance and Management, with an industry placement option and professional accreditation routes connected with organisations such as ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA.

These programmes demonstrate the range of commercial education available to international students.

How to Find the Right Scholarship

Finding a scholarship isn't simply about searching for the largest amount of money.

You need to match several factors.

1. Check Your Degree Level

First determine whether you're applying for:

BSc
BA
MBA
MSc
MRes
PhD
DBA

A scholarship for a master's student usually won't automatically apply to an undergraduate applicant.

2. Check Your Course

Don't assume that a scholarship covers every programme.

Look specifically for your subject, such as accounting, finance, economics, business, marketing or management.

3. Check Your Nationality

Some awards are open globally, while others are restricted to students from particular countries.

The GREAT Scholarship, for example, has specific country participation rules. Nigeria is included in the 2026–27 programme.

4. Check the Scholarship Value

A scholarship might cover:

100% of tuition
50% of tuition
A fixed tuition reduction
Living expenses
Accommodation
Travel
Research expenses

Read the terms carefully.

A "full tuition scholarship" is not necessarily the same thing as a "fully funded scholarship".

Documents You Should Prepare

Don't wait until the scholarship deadline before preparing your documents.

Depending on the university and scholarship, you may need:

International passport
Academic transcripts
Degree certificates
Secondary-school results
CV
Personal statement
Scholarship essay
Recommendation letters
English-language test results
Research proposal for PhD applications
Proof of work experience
Portfolio or professional certifications where relevant

Having these documents ready can make applications much easier.

How to Write a Strong Scholarship Personal Statement

Your personal statement should answer one simple question:

Why should this university invest in you?

Don't simply write that you have always dreamed of studying abroad.

Explain your academic background, your professional interests, the problem you want to solve and how the proposed course fits into your future.

For example, instead of saying:

"I want to study finance because finance is important."

Explain how you became interested in financial inclusion, investment, banking, corporate finance or another specific area.

Then connect that interest to your future plans.

The strongest applications usually feel personal rather than generic.

Don't Ignore Partial Scholarships

Many students make the mistake of applying only for scholarships that promise 100% funding.

That's understandable, but it can unnecessarily reduce your options.

A £2,000, £5,000 or £10,000 scholarship can make a meaningful difference to your total study cost.

For example, Oxford Brookes currently lists £2,000 in international scholarships for eligible business-school undergraduate students, while GREAT Scholarships provides £10,000 toward eligible postgraduate tuition.

You can also combine a university scholarship with personal savings, family support, employer sponsorship or other permitted sources of funding when the scholarship rules allow it.

Beware of Scholarship Scams

Unfortunately, international students are frequent targets for fake scholarship offers.

Be careful when someone promises you a guaranteed scholarship in exchange for an upfront "processing fee".

Before paying anything, verify the scholarship directly through the university, British Council, UK government or official UAE institution website.

Look carefully at the website address and don't rely solely on a screenshot posted on Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok or another social platform.

If a scholarship sounds too good to be true and you cannot find it on the institution's official website, investigate it carefully.

UAE or UK: Which Should You Consider?

Both destinations have advantages.

The UAE offers an international business environment and universities with programmes in business, finance, management and related fields. Some institutions provide substantial tuition discounts for high-performing international students. UAEU, for example, currently publishes scholarship options ranging from partial tuition discounts to a 100% tuition discount for qualifying international undergraduate students.

The UK has a very large range of business and finance degrees and a well-established scholarship ecosystem. For postgraduate students, opportunities such as GREAT, Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships can be particularly important.

Your decision should depend on your academic goals, available funding, preferred course, career plans, visa requirements and overall budget.

Final Checklist Before You Apply

Before submitting any scholarship application, ask yourself:

Am I eligible for the scholarship?

Is my commercial course included?

Does the award apply to international students?

Is it for BSc, master's or PhD study?

What exactly does the scholarship cover?

What documents are required?

When is the deadline?

Do I need an admission offer first?

Do I need an English-language test?

Is there a separate scholarship application?

These questions can save you from spending weeks preparing an application that doesn't meet the basic requirements.

Conclusion

International students interested in studying commercial courses in the UAE or UK have several scholarship routes to explore for the 2026/2027 academic year. Opportunities exist across undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels, although the amount of funding and eligibility requirements vary significantly between institutions and programmes.

For BSc students, university-based international scholarships and academic excellence awards can reduce tuition costs. Master's applicants can explore major programmes such as GREAT and Chevening alongside university-specific awards. PhD students should also investigate doctoral scholarships, research funding and studentships rather than limiting their search to traditional scholarship listings.

The most important thing is to start early. Choose your commercial course, identify universities that offer it, check their international tuition fees, and then look specifically for scholarships attached to that programme. Always verify the latest requirements directly with the university or official scholarship provider because deadlines, eligible courses and funding conditions can change.

With careful research and a strong application, studying business, accounting, finance, economics, management or another commercial discipline in the UAE or UK can become considerably more financially manageable.

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International Scholarships for BSc, Master’s and PhD Students Studying Commercial Courses in the UAE and UK