The British Council on Thursday announced the GREAT Scholarships 2026–27 in partnership with the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign.
The UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, British council has maintained a steady presence in India for the past years and sent a stream of Indian students to acclaimed universities in the United Kingdom.
For the 2026–27 academic year, GREAT Scholarships include a bundle of 12 postgraduate scholarships offered across various subjects for students from India by famous UK Universities. Worth a minimum of £10,000, each scholarship aims to fund tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.
Which universities have rolled out these scholarships?
A host of UK universities have offered scholarships in partnership with British Council some of the higher education institutions listed in the official release include include Anglia Ruskin University, Norwich University of the Arts, Queen’s University Belfast, Royal College of Art, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Bristol and University of Surrey among others.
The scholarships span across a diverse range of disciplines, including Finance, Marketing, Business, Psychology, STEM, Design and Humanities, as well as Arts, Music and Dance programmes.
Four participating universities are offering GREAT Scholarships specifically in creative and performing arts disciplines, underscoring the rising interest in arts education at UK among international students.
How to apply for GREAT Scholarships: Step-by-step guide
Indian students who meet the English requirements posted by the listed universities and hold an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for the GREAT scholarships. Aspirants can follow the listed steps to successfully avail the scholarship.
Step 1: Shortlist participating universities
Applicants should begin by visiting the official GREAT Scholarships universities page to identify institutions and courses offering the scholarship. Each university publishes its own list of eligible programmes and criteria.
Step 2: Apply through the university website
Once shortlisted, candidates must apply for individual scholarships directly through the respective university’s scholarship webpage. The application process, documents required and selection criteria vary by institution.
Step 3: Track application deadlines
There is no single deadline for GREAT Scholarships. Deadlines differ across universities and courses. Applicants are advised to check the institution-specific deadlines carefully to avoid missing out.
Step 4: Await selection results
Shortlisted candidates are informed directly by the universities about the outcome of their applications. The selection process is managed independently by each participating institution.
Step 5: Scholarship disbursement
For successful applicants, scholarship funds are released by the respective universities after registration for the academic programme, in line with institutional timelines.
While applying students must remember that applications are university-specific and not centralised hence final decision rests with the select institution. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection, as per the statement released by the British council, academic scores would serve as the key parameter of selection. Applying early can improve chances of selection due to limited slots.