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Nepali citizens cannot apply for GREAT Scholarships in 2026/27. The British Council lists 18 eligible countries for this round, and Nepal is not among them. Each award is £10,000 towards a one-year taught master's. Nepali students should look at Chevening and UK university merit scholarships instead. House of Admissions (HOA) gives free guidance from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

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January 2027 UK intake: open at many universities for selected courses — see deadlines · February 2027 open at a few universities (as of 25 October 2026) Free service

Quick answer

No. GREAT Scholarships 2026/27 are open to citizens of 18 listed countries, and Nepal is not one of them. Nepali students should plan around Chevening (next round usually opens in August 2027) and UK university scholarships.

Scholarships 4 min read

GREAT Scholarship and Nepal: Eligibility for 2026/27 Explained

Many Nepali students still read that the GREAT Scholarship is open to them. For 2026/27 it is not. Here is what the scheme is, who can apply, and the funding Nepali students can realistically pursue.

Rahul Chhetri Director, House of Admissions • Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Last updated:

Eligibility checked on 20 October 2026 against the British Council GREAT Scholarships page. The country list changes from year to year.

Students at a university award ceremony

GREAT Scholarships 2026/27: key facts

Open to Nepali citizens?
NoNepal is not on the 2026/27 listGREAT Scholarships
Eligible countries
18Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
Award value
£10,000Towards tuition for a one-year taught postgraduate course
Scale
140+ scholarshipsAt 60+ UK universities, 2026/27
Fully funded alternative for Nepal
Chevening2027/28 round closed Oct 2026; next usually opens Aug 2027Chevening application timeline
Other route
University merit awardsUsually tuition discounts, often confirmed with your offer

What Is the GREAT Scholarship?

GREAT Scholarships are a joint programme of the British Council’s Study UK campaign and UK universities. Each award is £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught postgraduate course, and in 2026/27 the British Council lists more than 140 scholarships at over 60 universities. British Council, 2026

The scheme is targeted at named countries. Each year the British Council publishes which countries are included, and universities offer awards to students from those countries only.

Is the GREAT Scholarship Open to Nepal in 2026/27?

No. The 2026/27 list has 18 countries: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Nepal is not included, so a Nepali citizen cannot apply this year.

Be careful with old advice. Earlier versions of this page, and many agency sites, still describe GREAT as open to Nepal. Check the British Council page yourself before you plan around it, and treat any agent who promises a GREAT award for a Nepali student with suspicion.

The list is reviewed each year. If Nepal is added for a future round, the British Council page and participating universities will say so, usually in the autumn before the September intake.

What Nepali Students Can Apply For Instead

OptionOpen to Nepali citizens?What it coversWhen
CheveningYesTuition, monthly stipend, return flight and visa costs for a one-year master’sApplications usually August to October; 2027/28 closed Oct 2026
University merit scholarshipsUsually yesTypically a tuition discount; amounts set by each universityRolling; often confirmed with or after the offer
Early payment discountsWhere offeredA small reduction for paying the year’s tuition upfrontAt deposit or enrolment
GREAT ScholarshipsNo (2026/27)£10,000 tuition awardNot available to Nepal this round
Commonwealth Master’sNoFull award for eligible Commonwealth citizensNepal is not a Commonwealth member

For most Nepali master’s applicants, the realistic plan combines a university award with family funds or an education loan. Chevening is the one fully funded UK government scholarship open to Nepal, and it is highly competitive.

If You Hold Citizenship of an Eligible Country

GREAT eligibility follows citizenship, not where you live. A student who holds the passport of a listed country can apply through participating universities, even when living in Nepal. Each university sets its own deadline and selection criteria, and many ask for an offer before you apply.

Living in Nepal, or studying at a Nepali university, does not make you eligible on its own.

How to Build a Realistic Funding Plan Without GREAT

  1. Price the whole year first. Add tuition, the £558 visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (about £1,164 for a one-year master’s) and living costs. See our total cost breakdown in NPR.
  2. Shortlist universities with published international awards. Note whether each award is automatic or needs a separate application, and its deadline.
  3. Apply early. Many awards are given in order of offers or have early deadlines between January and June.
  4. Plan the visa funds separately. A scholarship only reduces the funds you must show if your CAS or award letter confirms it. Read the 28-day rule guide.
  5. Consider Chevening for later. If you have two years of work experience, prepare for the next round, which usually opens in August.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Every source below was checked on 20 October 2026. Rules and fees change; the official pages are the authority.

  1. GREAT Scholarships (British Council), country list for 2026/27
  2. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK), eligible countries and benefits
  3. Chevening application timeline (Chevening (FCDO)), 2027/28 dates
  4. Student visa: money you need (GOV.UK)