1. Do your research

2. Check the eligibility criteria

Check the eligibility criteria carefully to ensure you fit the scholar profile. Some eligibility requirements will be the same across different scholarships or bursaries, but not all. Pay attention to the details, and only spend time applying for things you are eligible for. No matter how good your application is, if you don't meet the key criteria, you will not be considered and - in many cases - your application will not be read.

3. Consider timelines

Be organised. Keep on top of your deadlines for funding, courses, and even visas. Plan ahead and make sure that you have all of the timelines in one place that makes sense to you so that you can meet all of the milestones that you have to on your application journey.

It's also worth setting yourself 'internal' deadlines to account for anything that might delay the application process. For example, you may need to wait for referees to prepare references or to find someone to read over your application with enough time for you to make any changes.

4. Write tailored applications for each scholarship

Always tailor your application based on the unique questions and requirements each scholarship provider asks for. Make an effort to understand, in detail, what is needed for each application. Although some may seem similar, they will never be exactly the same.

It will take a little extra time and effort, but it will increase your chances of getting funding. High-quality, tailored applications will stand out from those which have clearly been copied and pasted and don't directly meet what the people reviewing applications have asked for.

Be very honest about your motivations for studying that particular course in that institution. What interests you about them, and what would you want to do with your UK degree in the future? Think specific, and think ahead. People will notice.