by Last verified: 12 October 2026. We checked these GREAT Scholarship details against the British Council’s Study UK pages and official university pages.
The GREAT Scholarship gives international students £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) towards tuition for a one-year taught Master’s in the UK. It is run by the British Council with UK universities and the GREAT Britain Campaign. Right now, the scheme is between cycles: the 2026-27 awards are listed on Study UK, while universities have just started publishing their 2027 awards. So this guide explains both, and shows you how to spot the right award for your country.
GREAT Scholarship at a glance
| Detail | What the official pages say |
|---|---|
| Value | £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) towards tuition fees |
| Study level | One-year taught postgraduate courses |
| Size (2026-27) | Over 140 scholarships from over 60 UK universities |
| Countries (2026-27) | Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam |
| How to apply | You apply to each university, not to the British Council |
| Deadlines | They vary by university |
Who can get a GREAT Scholarship?
Using Pakistan’s 2026-27 country page as an example, the British Council says you must:
- Be a passport holder and permanent resident of the eligible country.
- Hold an undergraduate degree and show interest in your proposed subject.
- Meet the UK university’s English language requirement.
- Be willing to attend a networking event for UK-based GREAT scholars and act as an ambassador for the scheme.
Universities often add their own rules. For example, Glasgow requires that you receive no other funding, and Nottingham’s 2026 award was for self-funded students only.
Each university offers it to only some countries
This is the part most applicants miss. A university does not offer its GREAT Scholarship to all 18 countries. Instead, each university picks a few, and often gives one award per country. For instance:
- University of Glasgow (2027): three awards for Bangladesh, Greece, Pakistan, Spain and Vietnam, closing 30 April 2027 at 11:45 UK time.
- University of Manchester (2026): three awards for Bangladesh, Ghana and Pakistan.
- University of Nottingham (2026): one award each for China, Indonesia and Kenya.
So, competition per award is intense. Therefore, apply to several universities that list your country.
GREAT Scholarship universities for Pakistani students (2026-27 list)
To illustrate how the lists look, the Pakistan page for 2026-27 names Cardiff University, City St George’s (University of London), Keele, Northumbria, Robert Gordon, SOAS, Manchester, University College Birmingham, UCL, Bath, Glasgow, Leicester and Portsmouth. However, the 2027 list may differ, so check your country page again once the British Council updates it.
Worked example: planning a 2027 application from Pakistan
To put this into practice, imagine Hamza in Lahore, who wants a one-year MSc in Data Science starting September 2027:
- He checks Glasgow’s GREAT Scholarships 2027 page and confirms Pakistan is eligible and his course is on the eligible list.
- He applies for the course and accepts a place, because Glasgow requires that he meets all offer conditions by 30 April 2027.
- He watches the Study UK Pakistan page for other 2027 universities and applies to two or three more.
- He budgets for the rest. With a hypothetical fee of £28,000 (twenty-eight thousand pounds), the award leaves £18,000 (eighteen thousand pounds) of tuition, plus living costs.
Since the fee above is only an example, Hamza must use his course’s real fee. Our UK student visa financial requirements guide explains the money he must show for his visa.
How to apply for a GREAT Scholarship
- Open your country page on Study UK. Find the list of universities offering awards to your country.
- Visit each university’s page. Check eligible courses, extra rules and the deadline.
- Apply for your course. Many universities need you to hold, or even accept, an offer first.
- Submit the scholarship application. Follow each university’s own process. Our personal statement guide can help if you need to write an essay.
- Wait for the university’s decision. The university notifies you and pays the award after you register.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GREAT Scholarship fully funded?
No. It is £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) towards tuition. You still need to fund the remaining fees and your living costs. For fully funded options, see our Chevening guide or our fully funded Masters scholarships list.
Can Nigerian students apply for the GREAT Scholarship?
Nigeria was on the 2026-27 list. However, each university chooses its own countries, so check which universities list Nigeria for 2027 before applying.
When do GREAT Scholarship 2027 applications open?
Each university sets its own dates. For example, Glasgow’s 2027 page says the scholarship “will open shortly” and closes on 30 April 2027.
Official sources
- British Council Study UK – GREAT Scholarships
- British Council Study UK – GREAT Scholarships Pakistan
- University of Glasgow – GREAT Scholarships 2027
- University of Manchester – GREAT scholarships
- University of Nottingham – GREAT Scholarships
Scholarship terms change. Always confirm details on the official pages before you apply.
