GREAT Scholarships

What the GREAT Scholarships Offer

The GREAT Scholarships are a joint award from the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and participating UK universities. Each award is worth at least £10,000, paid as a reduction in tuition fees for a one-year taught Master’s degree. More than 70 UK universities take part, so the choice of subject and city is wide — but the award is a contribution, not a full package. A student still needs a plan for the rest of the tuition fee, rent, food, travel and the visa.

Who Can Apply

Each participating university offers GREAT awards for specific countries and courses. The eligible countries for 2027 are Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA and Vietnam — check the chosen university’s own GREAT page to confirm it offers an award for your country and course. To qualify, you must be a citizen and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries, hold an undergraduate degree that meets the entry requirements of your chosen Master’s course, and meet the university’s English-language standard. British citizens cannot apply. Each university also sets its own course rules, so the exact subjects covered differ from one institution to another, and some professional or research-based courses may be excluded.

What the Award Covers — and What It Does Not

The £10,000 goes directly against tuition fees for one academic year of full-time study. It does not pay for living costs, accommodation, flights, visa fees or health charges, and it does not cover a second year. Because the remaining costs are real, applicants should build a full budget before they accept a place, including the balance of the tuition fee and at least a year of living costs in the UK.

How to Apply

There is no single central form. Start on the British Council’s GREAT Scholarships pages, find the universities offering GREAT awards for your country, and check which courses are covered. Apply for admission to the Master’s course first, then follow that university’s own scholarship instructions and deadline. Deadlines differ by university, typically March–June 2027 — for example, Manchester 4 May 2027, Norwich 2 May 2027, Glasgow 30 April 2027 and Portsmouth 31 May 2027 — so confirm the date on the university’s own page and do not assume one university’s date applies to another.

Is It Worth Applying For?

For a strong graduate who can fund the remaining costs, a GREAT Scholarship is a realistic way to cut the price of a UK Master’s by at least £10,000 and to study at a well-known university. Its main strength is breadth: many universities and subjects are covered. Its main limit is equally clear: it is partial funding, so it suits applicants who already have a funding plan for the rest.

Official source: British Council — GREAT Scholarships