BRITISH COUNCIL / UK GOVERNMENT GREAT BRITAIN CAMPAIGN
GREAT Scholarships
partial · masters
- £10,000+ (tuition)Award
- PartialFunding type
- UK universitiesHost country
- One-year master’sStudy level
- Specific countriesEligibility
- British Council + UK GovPartners
At a glance
partial
Funding
€11k
Max amount
May 31, 2027
Deadline
Defined GREAT Scholarships countries (vary by edition — e.g. China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan)
Country
British Council / UK Government GREAT Britain Campaign
Provider
GREAT Scholarships are a partnership between the British Council, the UK Government's GREAT Britain Campaign, and participating UK universities. They offer students from around 15 defined countries a contribution toward the cost of a one-year postgraduate course in the UK. Each GREAT Scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 toward tuition fees for a 1-year master's. The programme spans dozens of UK universities and many subject areas, with a number of awards reserved for specific fields (for example, justice and law in some editions). It is a partial award — it reduces tuition rather than covering all costs — so students fund the remainder of tuition and living costs themselves. Applications are made directly to the participating UK university offering the scholarship, by that university's deadline, after you have applied for or been offered a place. Eligible countries change between editions and have included China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, and others.
What's covered
- Tuition contribution — At least £10,000 toward the tuition fees of a one-year postgraduate course.
- Partial funding — It reduces tuition; you cover the remaining tuition and living costs.
- Subject-specific awards — Some editions reserve awards for particular fields (e.g. justice and law).
How to apply
Find a participating UK university offering a GREAT Scholarship for your country and subject, then apply directly to that university by its deadline.
- Check eligibility — Confirm your country is on the current GREAT list and find participating universities/subjects.
- Choose a course & university — Select an eligible one-year master's at a participating UK university.
- Apply for the course — Apply for admission (or hold an offer) per the university's requirements.
- Apply for the scholarship — Submit the university's GREAT Scholarship application (often a form/essay) by its deadline.
- Selection — The university selects recipients on its criteria.
- Award — Selected students receive the £10,000+ tuition contribution.
Eligibility
CountryNational of a country on the current GREAT Scholarships eligible list.
CourseApplying for an eligible one-year postgraduate (master's) course at a participating UK university.
AdmissionApplying for, or holding an offer for, the course (per the university's rules).
Merit & criteriaMeet the academic and any subject-specific criteria set by the university.
EnglishMeet the course's English language requirement.
Each participating UK university administers its own GREAT Scholarship(s) with its own criteria and deadline. Apply directly to the university; eligible countries and subjects change between editions.
Eligible countries
Defined GREAT Scholarships countries (vary by edition — e.g. China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan)
Deadlines
2027 master's entry (university-set)2027-05-31
Selection
Each participating UK university selects its GREAT Scholarship recipients on its own criteria — typically academic merit and motivation, plus any subject-specific requirements. Because awards are limited per university and country, selection is competitive.
Verified sources
- GREAT Scholarships — British Councilstudy-uk.britishcouncil.orgofficial
About the provider
GREAT Scholarships are delivered by the British Council with UK universities under the UK Government's GREAT Britain Campaign, which promotes the UK internationally. The scholarships help talented students from partner countries access UK postgraduate education and strengthen ties with the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are GREAT Scholarships?
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A partnership between the British Council, the UK Government's GREAT Britain Campaign, and UK universities, offering students from defined countries at least £10,000 toward a one-year UK master's.
How much is the award?
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Each GREAT Scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 toward tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course. It is partial — you fund the remaining tuition and living costs.
Who is eligible?
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Students from countries on the current GREAT eligible list applying for an eligible one-year master's at a participating UK university, meeting the academic and any subject-specific criteria.
How do I apply?
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Apply directly to a participating UK university offering a GREAT Scholarship for your country and subject, after applying for or holding an offer for the course, by the university's deadline.
When is the deadline?
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Deadlines are set by each university, commonly in ~spring (some earlier or later). Check the specific university's GREAT Scholarship page.
Which countries are eligible?
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A defined list that changes between editions, having included China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt, among others. Confirm the current list.
Is it full funding?
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No — it is a partial tuition contribution of at least £10,000. You cover the rest of tuition and your living costs, so plan additional funds.
Which universities participate?
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Many UK universities participate, and the list varies by edition. Each offers its own GREAT Scholarship(s); check participating universities for your country and subject.
Are there subject-specific awards?
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Yes — some editions reserve a number of GREAT Scholarships for particular fields (for example justice and law), in addition to the general awards.
How competitive is it?
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Competitive — awards are limited per university and country, and universities select on academic merit, motivation, and any subject criteria.
Can I hold it with other scholarships?
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It depends on the university's rules; some allow combining with other funding. Confirm with the participating university offering your GREAT Scholarship.
Do I need a course offer first?
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Usually you must be applying for or holding an offer for the eligible course; the exact requirement is set by each participating university.