GREAT Scholarships UK 2027-28 | £10,000 for International Students

GREAT Scholarships UK 2027-28 | £10,000 Scholarship for International Students

The GREAT Scholarships UK 2027-28 provide an excellent opportunity for international students who want to pursue a one-year taught master's degree in the United Kingdom. The scholarship programme is jointly supported by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and participating UK universities. Successful students can receive £10,000 towards their tuition fees.

The programme is particularly attractive for students from countries including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. For the 2026-27 academic year, the British Council confirms that more than 140 scholarships are available through over 60 UK universities.

For Pakistani students, GREAT Scholarships can provide a valuable route to postgraduate study at participating UK universities. The scholarships are generally intended for one-year taught master's programmes, although eligible courses and application deadlines vary by university.

GREAT Scholarships UK 2027-28 – Key Details

The scholarship is not a fully funded award. Instead, the £10,000 grant is used as a contribution towards tuition fees. Students should therefore carefully calculate their remaining tuition, living expenses, accommodation, visa costs, travel and other expenses before accepting an offer.

What Are GREAT Scholarships UK?

GREAT Scholarships are an international education initiative designed to encourage talented students to study postgraduate programmes in the UK. The programme combines funding from the British Council/GREAT Britain Campaign with financial contributions from participating universities.

For eligible students, the scholarship provides £10,000 towards tuition fees for a wide range of one-year taught postgraduate programmes.

The programme also provides scholars with opportunities to connect with other international students. GREAT scholars are invited to participate in networking activities and events designed to help them develop international connections and share their experiences of studying in Britain.

Scholarship Benefits

The main benefit of the GREAT Scholarship is the substantial tuition-fee contribution.

Successful scholars can receive:

• £10,000 towards tuition fees.
• Opportunity to study a one-year master's degree in the UK.
• Access to participating UK universities.
• Academic and professional networking opportunities.
• Participation in GREAT scholar events.
• Opportunity to develop international connections.
• Experience studying in a globally recognised higher-education environment.
• Membership of a wider international GREAT scholar community.

Students should remember that the scholarship normally does not cover all study and living costs. The exact financial arrangement can vary between participating institutions.

GREAT Scholarships for Pakistani Students

Pakistan is one of the countries eligible for the GREAT Scholarship programme. The British Council's Pakistan page currently lists participating institutions for the 2026-27 academic year, including Cardiff University, City St George's, Keele University, Northumbria University, Robert Gordon University, SOAS University of London, the University of Manchester, University College Birmingham, UCL, the University of Bath, the University of Glasgow, the University of Leicester and the University of Portsmouth.

The exact participating universities and eligible programmes can change from one academic year to another, so applicants should always check the current British Council country page and the university's own scholarship page.

For example, the University of Portsmouth is offering a £10,000 GREAT Scholarship for eligible Pakistani students for selected taught master's programmes in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Similarly, SOAS University of London lists £10,000 GREAT Scholarships for Pakistani students across its full-time postgraduate taught master's programmes.

Eligibility Criteria

Although individual universities may establish additional requirements, the British Council states that GREAT scholars should generally meet several important conditions.

Applicants from Pakistan should:

• Be a passport holder and permanent resident of Pakistan.
• Hold an undergraduate degree that enables admission to a postgraduate programme.
• Demonstrate motivation and an interest in the proposed subject.
• Meet the English-language requirements of the selected UK university.
• Establish an engagement with the UK through academic and personal development.
• Be willing to attend a networking event for GREAT scholars.
• Maintain contact with the British Council and participating university.
• Be willing to act as an ambassador for the GREAT Scholarship programme.
• Be willing to occasionally share their experience with future scholarship applicants after graduation.

Applicants should note that meeting the general eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Each university conducts its own scholarship selection process.

Eligible Study Programmes

GREAT Scholarships are designed primarily for one-year taught postgraduate master's courses.

The available subjects depend on the participating university. Therefore, students should not assume that every master's programme is covered.

For instance, the University of Portsmouth's current Pakistan scholarship covers selected programmes including:

• MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL
• MA Business Communication for International Leadership
• MSc Criminal Psychology
• MSc Cybercrime, Terrorism and Security
• MSc Economic Crime
• MA Education Studies
• MSc Educational Leadership and Management
• MSc Forensic Investigation
• MA International Relations
• MSc Sociology

The university-specific scholarship page should always be checked for the latest eligible courses.

Universities Offering GREAT Scholarships

The programme is available through universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For the 2026-27 cycle, the British Council reports more than 60 participating universities.

Some institutions currently listed for Pakistani applicants include:

• Cardiff University
• City St George's, University of London
• Keele University
• Northumbria University
• Robert Gordon University
• SOAS University of London
• University of Manchester
• University College Birmingham
• University College London
• University of Bath
• University of Glasgow
• University of Leicester
• University of Portsmouth

The list should be checked for the specific intake because participating institutions and available programmes may change.

University of Manchester GREAT Scholarship

The University of Manchester offers a particularly notable GREAT Scholarship opportunity. For the 2026-27 academic year, the scholarship is worth £15,000, rather than the standard £10,000 amount shown for many GREAT awards. It is available to eligible students from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana for qualifying full-time, on-campus taught master's programmes, subject to exclusions.

This demonstrates why applicants should check individual university pages carefully. Scholarship amounts, eligible courses and conditions can differ between institutions.

How to Apply for GREAT Scholarships UK?

Step 1: Select a Participating University

Visit the British Council's GREAT Scholarship page for your country and review the participating universities.

Step 2: Check Eligible Courses

Open the scholarship page of your selected university and identify the master's programmes covered by the scholarship.

Step 3: Check University Requirements

Make sure you meet the academic, English-language and admission requirements of your selected master's programme.

Step 4: Apply for Admission

Follow the university's instructions to apply for the eligible postgraduate course.

Step 5: Apply for the Scholarship

Some universities require a separate scholarship application, while others may provide specific instructions after or alongside the admission application. Follow the process published by the individual institution.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

GREAT Scholarship deadlines vary by university. The British Council advises applicants to check the individual university pages for exact deadlines.

Step 7: Await the Decision

Participating universities manage the shortlisting, interviews, and scholarship awards. Successful candidates are informed directly by their university.

Required Documents

The exact document requirements depend on the university and master's programme. Applicants should generally be prepared to provide:

• Academic transcripts.
• Bachelor's degree certificate.
• Updated CV.
• Personal statement or motivation letter.
• Scholarship statement, if required.
• Proof of English-language proficiency.
• Academic or professional references.
• Passport or identification documents.
• Admission application documents.
• Additional documents requested by the selected university.

Students should ensure that all documents are accurate and submitted according to the university's instructions.

Application Deadline

There is no single deadline for all GREAT Scholarships UK. Each participating university sets its own application deadline.

For example, some university scholarship deadlines for the 2026-27 cycle were in April or May 2026, while other institutions may use different dates. Applicants targeting a future intake should therefore check the latest scholarship page of their chosen university rather than relying on an old deadline.

GREAT Scholarship for International Students

The GREAT Scholarship programme is open to students from 18 eligible countries. These include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

This international structure allows students from different regions to study in the UK while developing academic and professional networks.

For Pakistani students in particular, the programme can reduce the cost of a UK master's degree by providing a significant tuition-fee contribution.

Important Points to Remember

Before applying, students should remember:

• GREAT Scholarships are primarily for one-year taught master's programmes.
• The standard scholarship value is £10,000 towards tuition fees.
• The programme is partially funded, not automatically fully funded.
• Pakistan is an eligible country.
• More than 60 UK universities participate in the programme for the 2026-27 academic year.
• The eligible courses differ between universities.
• Scholarship deadlines vary by institution.
• Applicants must satisfy the university's admission requirements.
• English-language requirements apply.
• Universities manage selection and award decisions.
• Scholars are expected to participate in networking activities.
• Applicants should check official university pages for the latest information.

Final Thoughts

The GREAT Scholarships UK 2027-28 represent an important opportunity for international students seeking affordable postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. With scholarships generally worth £10,000 towards tuition fees, the programme can substantially reduce the financial cost of a one-year master's degree.

For Pakistani students, the opportunity is particularly relevant because Pakistan is included among the eligible countries and several leading UK universities participate in the programme. Students can explore universities such as Cardiff, Keele, SOAS, University of Manchester, University College Birmingham, Leicester and Portsmouth, while checking which courses and scholarship amounts are available for their intended intake.

Applicants should begin preparing early, select a suitable master's programme and carefully follow the scholarship instructions provided by the individual university. Since deadlines and eligible programmes differ, checking the latest official information is essential before submitting an application.