GREAT Scholarships for International Students in the UK

Administered by the British Council, the GREAT Scholarship programme offers funding to international students from several countries to study a taught Masters at selected UK universities. Each scholarship is worth at least £10,000 and is intended to cover the tuition fees for a postgraduate degree. Prospective postgraduates from the following countries can apply for a GREAT Scholarship in the UK: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, Thailand and Vietnam.

As an international student looking to study a Masters in the UK, a scholarship that would help you do so would be great, right? Well, you're not going to believe this...

The GREAT Scholarships programme might just be your golden ticket. Administered by the British Council (yes, the people who run your English language tests), this initiative offers funding for international students looking to pursue a taught Masters at a UK university. And by funding, we mean a minimum of £10,000, which must be used for tuition fees (sorry, no shopping sprees or weekend getaways to Paris).

This exciting Masters funding opportunity is worth looking into if you're from outside the UK and looking to study there. That's why I'm going to give you an overview of the GREAT Scholarship programme, explaining the eligibility criteria and application process.

The GREAT Scholarship programme is a joint initiative by the British Council and the UK Government, designed to attract some of the brightest postgraduates from around the world to study at UK universities.

In the 2025-26 academic year, there are 200 GREAT Scholarships available for Masters degrees at over 70 British universities

These Masters scholarships are worth a minimum of £10,000. The funding must be put towards the tuition fees of a one-year postgraduate taught degree (such as an MA or MSc). If your tuition fees are lower than the scholarship amount, you can’t use the remainder for living costs.

You can find out how many scholarships are available for your country and at which British universities below:

Each university has different course criteria for the GREAT Scholarship. You’ll find that scholarships at some institutions have no restrictions on what you study, while other universities will target postgraduates in particular disciplines.

A new addition to the GREAT Scholarship scheme, this funding is aimed at international students who want to study a Masters in Law, Justice or Human Rights. The GREAT Scholarships for Justice and Law are offered in partnership with the UK’s Ministry for Justice.

There are 20 scholarships available for students beginning a relevant Masters in 2024-25 from the following countries:

• India
• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Thailand

Another addition is the GREAT Scholarship scheme for Science and Technology. Students can apply for a range of science and technology-related courses offered by participating universities in the UK.

There are multiple scholarships available for students beginning a relevant Masters in 2024-25 from the following countries:

• Bangladesh
• Ghana
• India
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Thailand

To be eligible for apply for a British Council GREAT Scholarship in 2023, you’ll need to satisfy the following entry criteria:

• You hold a passport from an eligible country
• You’re planning to study a taught Masters that begins in 2025-26
• You have a suitable Bachelors degree
• You have a background of extracurricular activities relating to your chosen subject area

Successful scholarship applicants will also need to show that they’re willing to become an ambassador for the UK higher education sector and attend a networking event for GREAT scholars.

You should first apply for an eligible Masters course at a university that’s taking part in the GREAT Scholarship programme.

When you’ve received an offer, you can apply for the scholarship from the university themselves (not the British Council).

Each institution has its own procedure for handling applications, but in general you’ll need to provide the following documents via an online form on the university website:

• Details of your academic achievements and results
• A personal statement with information on your motivations and goals
• Relevant extracurricular experience

Deadlines vary widely according to the university, ranging from late March to early June. Be sure to check the dates carefully before beginning a funding application.

• Be selective about where you apply – some universities offer more scholarships than others. Do your research!
• Don’t leave your application until the last minute – unless you thrive on stress, in which case, good luck.
• Write a striking personal statement – make it clear why you deserve the funding (and avoid clichés like "I have always dreamed of studying in the UK").
• Show your impact – universities love students who contribute beyond the classroom. Mention any voluntary work, leadership roles, or passion projects.

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