GREAT Scholarships 2026-27 to study in the UK
GREAT Scholarships 2026-2027 give students from 18 countries a chance to study for a master’s degree in the UK with strong financial help. The programme is run by the British Council’s Study UK campaign together with many UK universities and supports access to high-quality UK higher education. For the 2026-27 academic year, more than 140 GREAT Scholarships are offered by over 60 universities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Each award is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign, the British Council, and a participating UK university. As part of the programme, all GREAT scholars are invited to a welcome event in the first semester and a networking event in the second semester, giving students a chance to meet others and share their study experiences in the UK.
What GREAT Scholarships offer
Each GREAT Scholarships award is worth £10,000. This amount is taken off the tuition fee and is valid for one academic year of full-time study at the chosen UK university.
The money helps with tuition so that students can focus more on their studies and less on fee pressure. Since the award is fixed at £10,000, students still need a plan for any remaining fees and living costs, but this support can make a large difference to the overall budget needed for a master’s degree in the UK.
Who can get GREAT Scholarships
To be eligible for a GREAT Scholarships award, applicants must meet several clear conditions set by the British Council and the partner universities. A student must:
- Be a citizen and resident of one of the eligible countries listed below.
- Hold an undergraduate degree and show interest and motivation in the proposed subject area.
- Meet the English language requirement of the chosen UK higher education provider.
- Be ready to build a link with the UK as a scholar through both personal and academic growth.
- Be willing to attend a UK-based networking event for GREAT scholars to share views and experiences of studying in the UK.
- Be willing to keep in touch with the British Council and the host university and act as an ambassador for GREAT Scholarships.
- As an alumnus of GREAT Scholarships, be open to speaking to future applicants from time to time about life and study in the UK.
Since each university may add extra course-specific rules, students should always check the entry requirements for the exact master’s course they plan to study.
Eligible countries for GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships are open to students from the following countries:
- Bangladesh
- China
- Egypt
- France
- Ghana
- Greece
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Spain
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Vietnam
Students must both live in and hold citizenship of one of these countries at the time of application.
How to apply for GREAT Scholarships
Applications for GREAT Scholarships are handled by each UK university, not by a single central portal. The basic steps are:
- Visit the British Council GREAT Scholarships information page and find the list of UK universities that offer awards for your country.
- Go to the page for your chosen university to read the full details of the scholarship, including subject areas, extra rules, and how to apply.
- Follow the instructions on the university scholarship page to apply for the award. This usually means:
- Applying for a suitable master’s degree at that university.
- Submitting a separate GREAT Scholarships application form or statement, if required.
- Check the scholarship deadline for your chosen university. Deadlines vary across universities, so students need to note the exact closing date shown on the institution’s page.
- Wait for the result. Successful applicants are informed directly by each university. After students register, scholarship funds are issued by the university, and the value is deducted from the tuition fees.
Since each UK university runs its own selection process, a student can apply for GREAT Scholarships at more than one university as long as they follow each set of rules and dates carefully.
Why students apply for GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships provide an entry point to UK master’s study for students who might otherwise find tuition costs too high. With a clear award amount of £10,000 and a focus on a wide spread of UK universities, the programme supports many subject areas, from the arts and social sciences to engineering and health.
The welcome event and later networking event help scholars connect with each other, build friendships, and share practical tips about life in the UK. These links can support later study plans, work ideas, or cross-country projects long after the scholarship year ends.
