GREAT Scholarships are a UK study-funding initiative jointly run by the British Council and the UK government’s GREAT Campaign, together with participating UK universities. Each scholarship provides at least £10,000 toward the tuition fees of a one-year taught postgraduate (master’s) course at a UK higher education institution.
The programme runs annually; in the 2026 round it targets students from 14 countries who plan to enrol at a UK university in autumn 2026. A parallel “GREAT Scholarships for science and technology” strand offers the same award to the same countries for science and technology master’s subjects, including engineering such as sustainable engineering.
Benefits & funding
- A minimum of £10,000 toward tuition fees for a one-year taught master’s degree.
- The award is jointly funded: the British Council / GREAT Campaign contributes £5,000 per scholarship and the participating university contributes at least £5,000.
- Around 120 scholarships were made available for the 2026 round, offered by UK universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Available across a wide range of subjects in the general strand; the science and technology strand covers a range of subjects, including artificial intelligence, sustainable engineering and psychology.
Eligibility
- Be a citizen and resident of one of the 14 eligible countries: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey or Vietnam.
- Intend to study a one-year full-time taught postgraduate (master’s) course at a participating UK university.
- Meet the academic entry requirements and any English-language requirements set by the individual university and course.
- Each university sets its own course list, number of awards and selection criteria.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Bangladesh · China · Egypt · Ghana · India · Indonesia · Kenya · Malaysia · Mexico · Nigeria · Pakistan · Thailand
+ 2 more
Türkiye · Vietnam
Residence required
Bangladesh · China · Egypt · Ghana · India · Indonesia · Kenya · Malaysia · Mexico · Nigeria · Pakistan · Thailand
+ 2 more
Türkiye · Vietnam
Education required
Bachelor
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1On the GREAT Scholarships site, open your country’s page to see which UK universities offer scholarships to students from your country and which courses are covered.
- 2Apply for admission to the relevant master’s course at the chosen UK university, following that university’s instructions.
- 3Submit the university’s GREAT Scholarship application before that university’s own deadline (deadlines vary by institution, typically in spring of the application year).
Program timeline
2025-09 (approx.)
UK universities complete bidding to offer 2026 scholarships.
2026 spring
University-specific student application deadlines (these vary, generally April–May).
2026 autumn
Scholars enrol at UK universities for the 2026-27 academic year.