Create your myFindAMasters account
Continue with FacebookAlready have a myFindAMasters Account? Log in
Continue with FacebookLooking to list your Masters programmes? Log in here.
GREAT Scholarships from the British Council – A Guide for 2023
Written by Ben Taylor
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.
This page will 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 2023, there are 200 GREAT Scholarships available for Masters degrees starting in the 2023-24 academic year at dozens of British universities:
- GREAT Scholarships Bangladesh
- GREAT Scholarships China
- GREAT Scholarships Egypt
- GREAT Scholarships Ghana
- GREAT Scholarships India
- GREAT Scholarships Indonesia
- GREAT Scholarships Kenya
- GREAT Scholarships Malaysia
- GREAT Scholarships Mexico
- GREAT Scholarships Nigeria
- GREAT Scholarships Pakistan
- GREAT Scholarships Turkey
- GREAT Scholarships Thailand
- GREAT Scholarships Vietnam
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 by checking out the table below:
| Country | Universities |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Aston University Cardiff University Cranfield University Keele University Robert Gordon University University of Manchester Ulster University University of East Anglia University of Hull University of Southampton |
| China | Anglia Ruskin University Arts University Bournemouth Cranfield University Keele University Nottingham Trent University University of Edinburgh Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Ulster University University of Birmingham University of Derby University of East Anglia University of Glasgow University of Kent University of Stirling University of Sussex University of York University of St. Andrews Queen's University Belfast University of Bristol University of Bath |
| Egypt |
Aston University Bournemouth University Edinburgh Napier University Imperial College London Nottingham Trent University Robert Gordon University Ulster University University of Essex University of Glasgow University of Westminster Cranfield University |
| Ghana | Keele University Ulster University University of Bolton University of Derby University of East Anglia University of Essex Univeristy of Hull University of Sussex University of Westminster University of York University of St. Andrews Bangor University University of Kent |
| India |
Arts University Bournemouth Edge Hill University Guildhall School of Music and Drama Imperial College London Keele University Nottingham Trent University Robert Gordon University Royal Northern College of Music Sheffield Hallam University University of Edinburgh Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance University College London University of Bath University of Bristol University of Essex University of Hull University of Southampton University of York University of Birmingham University of Kent University of Strathclyde University of Plymouth University of Nottingham |
| Indonesia | Cardiff University Goldsmiths, University of London Imperial College London Lancaster University Sheffield Hallam University Teeside University Ulster University University of Hull University of Nottingham University of St. Andrews University College London University of Stirling University of Plymouth |
| Kenya | Arts University Bournemouth Edinburgh Napier University Imperial College London Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University University of Manchester University of Bolton University of Leeds Aston University University of Glasgow Liverpool John Moores University Solent University University of Kent University of Hull |
| Malaysia | Anglia Ruskin University Cranfield University Imperial College London Sheffield Hallam University Teesside University Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance University of Bolton University of Hull University of Kent University of Nottingham University of Stirling University of Strathclyde University of Plymouth |
| Mexico |
Anglia Ruskin University Guildhall School of Music and Drama Goldsmiths, University of London Nottingham Trent University University College London University of Glasgow University of Hull University of Southampton University of St Andrews University of Stirling University of Manchester |
| Nigeria | Edge Hill University Imperial College London Nottingham Trent University Sheffield Hallam University University of Manchester Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance University of Bath University of Southampton University of York University of Kent Keele University University of Edinburgh |
| Pakistan | Arts University Bournemouth Cardiff University Goldsmiths, University of London Imperial College London Keele University Nottingham Trent University University of Manchester University of Bath University of Birmingham University of Derby University of Essex University of Kent University of Leeds University of Strathclyde University of York Cranfield University Robert Gordon University |
| Turkey | Cardiff University Edinburgh Napier University Goldsmiths, University of London Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University Teeside University University of Edinburgh University of East Anglia University of Glasgow University of Hull University of Stirling University of York Liverpool John Moores University University of Manchester University of Northampton University of Bradford |
| Thailand | Anglia Ruskin University Cardiff University Imperial College London Swansea University University of Manchester University College London University of East Anglia University of Kent University of Sussex University of York University of Birmingham University of Glasgow University of St Andrews University of Strathclyde University of Hull |
| Vietnam | Aston University University of Edinburgh University of East Anglia University of Hull University of Westminster University of Stirling |
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.
GREAT Scholarships for Justice and Law
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 2023-24 from the following countries:
- China
- Ghana
- India
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
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 2023-24
- 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.
Search for a Masters
Ready to find a Masters for your GREAT Scholarship? There are plenty of eligible postgraduate courses listed on our website. Alternatively, our guide to international Masters funding in the UK has lots more scholarship inspiration for you.
UK Masters Funding for International Postgraduates in 2023 – A Guide
Our guide explains the different postgraduate scholarships available for international students in the UK, as well as overseas eligibility for Masters loans.
Read more
Chevening Scholarships – A Guide for 2023
Chevening Scholarships are part of a prestigious UK Government postgraduate funding scheme specifically for international students in the UK. This page will give you an introduction to eligibility, applications and more.
Read more
Inlaks Masters Scholarships – A Guide for Indian Students
Indian students in the US and Europe can get up to $100,000 towards the cost of their Masters with an Inlaks. Find out if you're eligible, how to apply and more.
Read more
Commonwealth Scholarships for Indian Masters Students in the UK
Indian students are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Masters Scholarship, which covers the cost of a full-time, taught postgraduate course in the UK. This guide covers what's on offer and how to apply.
Read more
Chevening Scholarships for Indian Students in the UK – A Guide for 2023
Around 50 Indian students are awarded a Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK each year. Learn more about this prestigious award and how to apply!
Read more
GREAT India Scholarships – A Guide for 2023
GREAT India Scholarships offer at least £10,000 for Indian students to study a Masters at a range of top British universities.
Read moreLast updated: 19 December 2022
