GREAT Scholarships 2027
As an initiative from the British Council, the GREAT Scholarship aims to fund passionate and talented international students who are seeking to study a postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is designed to attract some of the brightest students around the world and finance their studies, helping the country achieve its goal of maintaining a productive nation fueled by research and advancement.
GREAT Scholars are expected to contribute to the UK community and incorporate their learnings through innovative projects and breakthrough discoveries.
GREAT Scholarships Coverage
This government partially funded scholarship for international students covers the following:
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£10,000 reduction towards tuition fees
GREAT Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for GREAT Scholarships, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Citizens of one of the target countries of GREAT scholarships
- Bachelor's degree graduates and have an interest in the proposed subject area
- Able to meet the English language requirement of the UK institution
- Able to engage in the UK as a scholar either through personal or academic fulfilment
- Willing to attend to all events for GREAT Scholars
- Willing to maintain communication with the British Council and the university of choice as one of the recipients of the scholarship
- Willing to share their experiences with potential GREAT candidates even after graduating
For detailed requirements, refer to the official eligibility page .
Eligible degree levels
Eligible programmes
Eligible nationalities
Important Notice
Disclaimer
The maximum amount of awards and eligible nationalities may vary depending on the university.
How to Apply
In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for GREAT Scholarships.
To apply for GREAT Scholarships, please follow these steps:
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Visit the website of one of the partner universities and follow the link that will direct you to the scholarship application portal.
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Prepare a personal statement demonstrating your passion and interest in the scholarship.
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Submit the application form together with other requirements.
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Wait for the results of the applications from the university.
Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for GREAT Scholarships may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of GREAT Scholarships.
Application Deadlines
Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for GREAT Scholarships will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.
Application deadlines vary
The application deadlines for GREAT Scholarships vary. It’s important to review official guidelines on the official website or contact administrators for specific deadlines. Make sure to regularly check the GREAT Scholarships page for the latest and most accurate information on application deadlines.
GREAT Scholarships Eligible Institutions
The eligible institutions for GREAT Scholarships are listed below:
U
- Ulster University
- University College London
- University of Bath
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Derby
- University of East Anglia
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Essex
- University of Glasgow
- University of Greater Manchester
- University of Hull
- University of Kent
- University of Manchester
- University of Plymouth
- University of Southampton
- University of St Andrews
- University of Stirling
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Sussex
- University of Westminster
- University of York
GREAT Scholarships Recipients
Meet students who have received GREAT Scholarships and learn how they secured their award.
Recipients’ GREAT-Funded Master’s Studies
Two published stories describe verified master’s study supported by GREAT Scholarships: Faria Marha from Bangladesh studied MSc Infection Biology at University of Glasgow, and Karnikka Mahendran from India studied LLM International Law at University of Bristol.
Funding Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Faria Marha — MSc Infection Biology — University of Glasgow | Reported a £10,000 GREAT award, jointly funded by University of Glasgow and the British Council, covering nearly half her tuition fees. |
| Karnikka Mahendran — LLM International Law — University of Bristol | Reported 50% tuition support through the GREAT Scholarship for Justice and Law, together with access to the university’s Think Big Development Programme. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Faria Marha — MSc Infection Biology — University of Glasgow | GREAT Scholarship | BSc Biotechnology, CGPA 3.78/4.00, followed by Biotechnology master’s study with CGPA 4.00/4.00 before transferring to Glasgow. Reported research on hospital-acquired MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands. |
| Karnikka Mahendran — LLM International Law — University of Bristol | GREAT Scholarship for Justice and Law | Law and Political Science honours graduate with an undergraduate result of about 71.6%. Qualified to practise law in India, gained about 2.5 years in corporate law and litigation, and completed migration-law work, research, publications and moot-court activities. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total funded degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 2/2 | 8.5 (Karnikka Mahendran); IELTS taken for the application (Faria Marha). |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Karnikka Mahendran — LLM International Law — University of Bristol | GREAT Scholarship for Justice and Law | Initially planned master’s study in 2023 and received a Think Big offer, but could not proceed because of personal commitments. Reapplied the next year and received the GREAT Justice and Law award in 2024. |
Preparation Lessons Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported preparation |
|---|---|
| Karnikka Mahendran — LLM International Law — University of Bristol | Mapped her experiences to the application questions, selected relevant examples and drafted early so she could revise repeatedly within the word limits. |
| Faria Marha — MSc Infection Biology — University of Glasgow | Linked academic preparation, infection-biology research ambitions and financial and family circumstances in the personal statement; chose referees who could discuss academic ability and research potential. |
What Recipients Pursued After Their Scholarship-Funded Studies
| Recipient | Scholarship-funded degree/program | Reported outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|
| Faria Marha | MSc Infection Biology — University of Glasgow | Completed the MSc. Future goal: pursue a career in molecular biology and research. |
| Karnikka Mahendran | LLM International Law — University of Bristol | Reported emerging as the best performer in her cohort and developing her research and internship experience through the programme. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Karnikka Mahendran — LLM International Law — University of Bristol | In the previous cycle, a Think Big Scholarship covering 50% of tuition with a £3,000 bursary. | Could not begin study in 2023 because of personal commitments; reapplied and received GREAT funding in 2024. |
Applicants Who Declined This Scholarship
| Applicant and intended degree/program | Offer from GREAT Scholarships | Alternative chosen | Reason described in the story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirada Kananurak — Master’s applicant | GREAT Scholarship offer. | Fulbright Thai Graduate Scholarship with an Arizona State University tuition waiver for a master’s in Women’s and Gender Studies. | N/A |
| Moumita Islam — Master’s applicant — Glasgow Caledonian University | GREAT Scholarship offer. | British Council Women in STEM Scholarship for a master’s in Construction Project Management at Anglia Ruskin University. | N/A |
What GREAT Scholars Say
Advice and reflections from scholars about the GREAT application process and programme.
"I was honoured to receive the GREAT Scholarship, jointly funded by the University of Glasgow and the British Council. This generous award of £10,000 covered nearly half of my tuition fees and made it possible for me to pursue my studies in the UK."
"I was awarded the prestigious British Council's GREAT Scholarship to pursue my studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA). The award is valued at £10,000, which significantly supported my academic journey in the UK."
"Before submitting my application, I contacted my current supervisor to discuss my interests and suitability for the course."
"Do not feel discouraged if you find yourself going back and forth between lines or taking longer to finish the required essays."
"The university community is incredibly supportive, with resources for international students, career guidance, and academic writing workshops."
"I had a wonderful experience at Cardiff University, located in the capital of Wales, a welcoming city known for its warm and friendly people."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about GREAT Scholarships, eligibility, funding, and applications.
No. The GREAT Scholarships page lists this as a partial funding scholarship, not a fully funded award. The award is a £10,000 reduction toward tuition fees for a one-year master’s program in the United Kingdom. According to Faria Marha, a GREAT scholar at the University of Glasgow, it “covered nearly half of my tuition fees.”
The scholarship page lists the amount as 10,000 GBP. Recipient stories on Global Scholarships align with that figure. For example, Syeda Sajia Afroz Rumpa, who studied Economics at the University of East Anglia, said, “The award is valued at £10,000,” while Peter at Cardiff University described it as “£10,000 tuition funding.”
GREAT Scholarships are listed for master’s study in the United Kingdom, with a duration of 1 year. The featured recipient stories on Global Scholarships also match that profile: Faria studied an MSc at the University of Glasgow, Syeda pursued a Master’s in Economics at the University of East Anglia, and Peter pursued a Master’s in Social Science Research Methods at Cardiff University.
Applicants generally need to be citizens of one of the target countries, hold a bachelor’s degree, meet the English language requirement of the UK institution, be willing to engage in GREAT Scholar activities, maintain communication with the British Council and their university, and share their experience with future applicants after graduation. Since the page also notes that eligibility can vary by university, applicants should treat the university-specific criteria as final.
Yes. The scholarship overview says applicants must be able to meet the English language requirement of the UK institution. In the Global Scholarships recipient stories, all three featured GREAT recipients mention IELTS in their application journey. For instance, Faria Marha explained that she “did need to take an IELTS test,” and Peter shared that he achieved “an IELTS score of 7.5.”
The Global Scholarships page says applicants should apply through one of the partner universities, follow the scholarship link or application portal, prepare a statement of interest or personal statement, submit the required materials, and then wait for the university’s decision. Recipient stories add helpful detail. Peter said, “I contacted my current supervisor” before submitting his university application, and after receiving an offer he followed the scholarship instructions sent by the university.
The recipient stories suggest that coherent goals, authenticity, and a clear connection between your past and future matter a lot. Syeda Sajia Afroz Rumpa advises applicants to “connect the dots” and “Be authentic,” while Faria Marha said she focused on “authenticity and clarity.” Together, their stories point to a strong application that explains why the program fits your background, goals, and intended impact.
The deadline varies by institution, and it also makes clear that GREAT Scholarships are tied to eligible partner universities rather than every university in the UK. So applicants should first confirm that their chosen university is part of the scheme for that intake, then check that university’s own deadline and instructions before applying.
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
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