GREAT Scholarships | Study in the UK with Funding

The GREAT Scholarships program is a great chance for Pakistani citizens to study for a postgraduate degree in the UK. It's funded by the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council, along with several UK universities. The program helps talented international students, like those from Pakistan, by offering financial support for a top-notch education.

The GREAT Scholarships are individual awards from various UK universities, each giving at least £10,000 to help cover tuition for one-year master's programs. The British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign manage the overall program, but details like the courses, how to apply, and extra perks can differ depending on the university. This initiative aims to draw in talented students and encourage cultural and educational exchanges between the UK and countries like Pakistan.

Programs Offered

GREAT Scholarships cover a bunch of subjects, from STEM fields like engineering and math to business, law, social sciences, and humanities. What you can get depends on the universities and what scholarships they have available.

For instance, some schools might offer scholarships in areas like:

• Science and Tech: Degrees in engineering, computer science, environmental studies, and similar fields.
• Law: Postgraduate programs in areas like law, international justice, and human rights.
• Sustainability: Courses focused on climate change, environmental policy, and development.

To find out which specific programs qualify for the GREAT Scholarship at your chosen university, just check their scholarship page on their official site or the British Council's Study UK website.

Benefits

The fundamental benefit of the GREAT Scholarships is the large financial contribution it makes to your tuition payments, thereby reducing the financial burden of studying abroad. Beyond the monetary component, here are several major benefits:

• Financial Assistance: A minimum of £10,000 off your tuition fees for a one-year Master's program. This makes high-quality UK education more accessible.
• Access to Prestigious UK Universities: Scholars have access to some of the UK's finest institutions, known for their academic excellence, research resources, and diverse learning settings.
• Enhanced employment Prospects: Studying in the United Kingdom opens up global employment options. UK universities frequently provide specific career services and networking events, which can be quite useful for gaining internships and job placements after graduation.
• Cultural Immersion: The scholarship allows you to experience UK culture directly, make international connections, and gain a worldwide perspective.
• Ambassador Role: Winning scholars often have to represent the GREAT Scholarships and UK colleges, sharing what they’ve learned and inspiring the next generation.
• Networking: Lots of scholarships come with chances to meet up with other GREAT scholars in the UK at various events.

Eligibility

While exact criteria may differ significantly based on the participating university, the overall eligibility requirements for Pakistani citizens are as follows.

• Citizenship: You must be a Pakistani citizen (or a current Pakistani resident).
• Academic Qualification: You must have an undergraduate degree that enables you to enroll in a postgraduate program in a UK university. Most universities demand the equivalent of a UK 2:1 degree qualification.
• Offer of Admission: To be eligible, you need to apply and get either a conditional or unconditional offer for a full-time, one-year postgraduate course at a UK university that takes part in this. This applies to the upcoming academic year, like the September 2025 intake.
• English Language Proficiency: You must meet the English requirements of the university you're applying to. Usually, this means getting a good score in tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
• Motivation and Engagement: It's important to show that you're really interested in your subject and that you have the academic skills to back it up. Universities often want students who are ready to be a part of the UK education scene and represent their school well.
• Commitment to Impact: Some scholarships ask you to prove that you care about making a difference in Pakistan after you finish your studies. You should explain how your education in the UK will help improve things back home.
• No Other Funding: You usually can't have any other funding from a UK university or another outside source that pays for the same costs.

How to Apply

Research

• To identify participating institutions and suitable postgraduate programs, visit the British Council's Study UK website as well as the websites of individual UK universities.
• Choose a course and university that corresponds with your ambitions and provides a fantastic scholarship for Pakistani students.

Apply for University Admissions

• Submit your complete application for admission to your preferred UK University’s postgraduate program.
• Before applying for the scholarship, you must first get an admission offer from the university.

Apply to the Scholarship

• When you have received a university offer, apply for the GREAT Scholarship directly through the university's scholarship site or designated form.
• Create a powerful personal statement (or video submission, if necessary) outlining your academic/career aspirations, reasons for choosing the UK, and how the scholarship will help you contribute to Pakistan.
• Pay particular attention to all university dates for admission and scholarship applications, as they differ.

Await the results

• The institution will evaluate your scholarship application based on both academic merit and your statement.
• The university normally notifies successful applicants a few months before the start of the academic term.
• Scholarship funds are normally credited to your tuition payments at registration.

FAQs

1. How much is the GREAT Scholarship worth?

Each GREAT Scholarship is worth at least £10,000 for tuition fees for a one-year master’s program.

2. Can I apply for more than one GREAT Scholarship?

You can apply for multiple scholarships at different universities, but usually, you can only accept one GREAT Scholarship if you get it. If you win more than one, you'll often get the one with the highest value.

3. Does the scholarship cover living expenses or accommodation?

Generally, GREAT Scholarships only apply to tuition fees and don't cover living expenses, housing, or maintenance costs. You'll need to show that you can manage the rest of your tuition and living expenses.

4. What are the academic requirements for Pakistani students?

Most universities want a degree that’s equivalent to a UK 2:1 honors degree. Make sure to check the specific entry needs for your course and university.

5. Is there an age limit for the GREAT Scholarship?

There’s usually no strict age limit, but these scholarships are for folks going for Master’s degrees, which suggests some prior academic experience.

6. How competitive are these scholarships?

GREAT Scholarships are quite competitive, especially for popular areas like STEM and business. A strong academic background, a solid personal statement, and relevant experience can help your chances.

7. When are the application deadlines?

Deadlines can vary a lot between universities. It’s really important to check the specific deadlines for admission and scholarship applications on the universities’ websites. For the 2025-26 academic year, many deadlines are around April and May 2025.

8. Where can I find the official list of participating universities?

You can find the latest list of UK universities offering GREAT Scholarships for Pakistani students on the British Council's Study UK website (study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships-funding/great-scholarships/pakistan).

9. Do I need to provide a separate English language test if my previous education was in English?

Some universities might skip the English language test if your degree was fully taught in English, but it’s usually still needed. Always check the specific requirements of your chosen university.