GREAT Scholarship For International Students UK
What are the GREAT Scholarships?
The GREAT Scholarships is a UK-based initiative jointly funded by the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, in partnership with various UK universities. Its aim is to attract outstanding students from certain countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK, by helping with tuition fees and promoting academic/ cultural exchange.
Criteria — Who can apply
While eligibility varies slightly depending on the University and country, the general criteria include:
- Citizenship or nationality of eligible countries. Examples: Ghana, Nigeria, India, Malaysia, Egypt, etc.
- Applying for a full-time taught postgraduate (master’s) programme in the UK.
- Having an undergraduate degree of a certain standard — often a UK equivalent of at least 2:1 (or sometimes a “First class” degree) or strong academic performance.
- Meeting the English language requirements. Universities typically require proficiency in English if it is not your native language.
- Being self-financing students (those not already holding major funding from other sources) in many cases.
- Willingness to act as an ambassador or representative: engage with the British Council / GREAT Scholarship programme, attend networking events, maintain contact, sometimes promote UK higher education.
Specific universities may add more (e.g., being domiciled in certain countries, applying to certain faculties or subject areas).
What the scholarship covers
Here’s what the GREAT Scholarships generally offer:
- A tuition-fee waiver / reduction — often £10,000 off the tuition fee for the one-year postgraduate course.
- It is not a full scholarship in most cases: other costs (e.g., living expenses, travel, visa, accommodation, books) are generally not covered. The recipient is expected to cover those.
- The scholarship is usually applied as a discount on your fees rather than a stipend or monthly cash.
How to apply
Here are the usual steps (with variations depending on institution):
- Find a participating university / programme. Check which UK universities are offering GREAT Scholarships for your country. Review which courses are eligible. (britishcouncil.org.gh)
- Apply for admission to the selected postgraduate course before or by the deadline. The scholarship is contingent on getting an offer to study.
- Submit scholarship application (or expression of interest), if required. Some universities have separate applications or forms for scholars; others consider you automatically if you meet criteria.
- Prepare required documents: academic transcripts, degree result, references, proof of citizenship/passport, English language tests, motivation statement or personal statement explaining why you deserve the scholarship and how the course fits in your future plans.
- Meet deadlines strictly. Universities have deadlines both for course admission and for scholarship applications or expression of interest.
- Post-selection obligations: If selected, you may have to attend networking events, act as an ambassador, share feedback, etc.
Common mistakes to avoid
From patterns observed among applicants, here are things people often mess up — and how to avoid them:
| Mistake | Why it hurts | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Missing the deadline | Once past, there’s usually no flexibility. | Start early; use calendar reminders; double-check UK-time zones. |
| Poorly written personal statement / motivation essay | Even with good grades, a weak statement can lose you the scholarship. | Tailor your statement to that course; show clear motivations, aspirations; show who you are beyond grades. |
| Applying without meeting eligibility requirements | Wastes effort; likely to be rejected early. | Read all criteria carefully (degree classification, country, course, funding status, etc.). If in doubt, contact admissions or scholarship office. |
| Overlooking required documents or failing to verify them | Missing transcripts, proof of citizenship, etc., can stall or disqualify your application. | Make a checklist; gather certified copies; ensure translation if needed. |
| Applying too late / waiting for results | Sometimes you need your degree result before the deadline; predicted grades may not suffice. | Know what your university accepts (predicted grades or final result); plan ahead. |
| Assuming it covers everything | Thinking GREAT covers living, travel, or visa costs when often it does not. | Plan your budget knowing you’ll need to raise funds for non-tuition costs. |
Relatable examples
- Example 1: A student from Ghana wants to study a one-year master’s in Environmental Science at a UK university. She has a 2:1 degree, meets English language requirements, applies for admission by the deadline, and submits the GREAT scholarship form. She is awarded a £10,000 tuition fee waiver. She still needs to cover accommodation, visa, flights, etc., but the scholarship makes the cost of tuition much more manageable.
- Example 2: An Indian student applies for specific courses eligible under a GREAT Scholarship (e.g. at St George’s, or other participating institution). Because those courses have interviews, the student prepares well, gets strong references, demonstrates especially in the statement how the degree fits their long-term goal (say research or public health). Because many applicants may have similar grades, that personal component becomes the differentiator.
- Example 3: A Nigerian applicant applies for the scholarship at University of Southampton: they must not only meet academic and English language criteria, but also show willingness to be a scholarship “ambassador,” contributing to promoting UK higher education. If the applicant focuses only on academic – without giving thought to what they will do after graduation, or how this degree contributes to their home country, they may be less competitive.
Final thoughts
The GREAT Scholarships are a great opportunity (no pun intended) — especially for international students from certain countries — to reduce the cost of studying a UK master’s course. However:
- They are competitive, so strong academic records are necessary, but not always sufficient. The personal statement, references, and clarity of purpose matter a lot.
- It helps to be well-organized: ensure you know deadlines, gather all documents ahead, double-check eligibility, budget realistically for everything (tuition, living, visa, travel).
- Think of this as not just “how to reduce fees,” but also what you will do with the opportunity: how will the degree benefit your future, your community, your field. That often comes across strongly in applications.
