Scholarships · checked 20 October 2026
GREAT Scholarship for Nepali Students: Can You Apply in 2026–27?
The GREAT Scholarship is worth £10,000 towards a one-year master’s, but only students from the countries the British Council lists can apply. Here is the current list, and what Nepali students can apply for instead.
Can Nepali Students Get a GREAT Scholarship?
Nepali students cannot apply for GREAT Scholarships in 2026/27. The British Council lists 18 eligible countries, from Bangladesh and India to Vietnam, and Nepal is not one of them. Each award is £10,000 towards a one-year master’s. Nepali students can apply for Chevening and for university merit scholarships instead.
No, not for 2026/27. If you have read that GREAT is “open to Nepal”, that information is out of date or wrong. Check the British Council’s page before you plan around any award.
Key facts
Checked against the sources cited on 20 October 2026.
- Open to Nepal in 2026/27
- NoBritish Council, GREAT Scholarships
- Eligible countries
- 18: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and VietnamBritish Council
- Award
- £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught master’sBritish Council
- Funded by
- The UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign, the British Council and participating universitiesBritish Council
- Open to Nepal instead
- Chevening (2027/28 round closed in October 2026) and university merit awardsChevening
What Is the GREAT Scholarship?
GREAT Scholarships give £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught master’s at a participating UK university. The UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign, the British Council and the universities fund them together. Each university decides which courses and how many awards it offers, and you apply to the university, not to the British Council.
The scheme is country-based. Each year the British Council publishes the countries whose citizens can apply. For 2026/27 there are 18, and Nepal is not one of them.
Before you rely on any scholarship page
Older pages, including earlier versions of this one, described GREAT as open to Nepal. Always check the country list on the British Council’s page for the year you will start, because it changes from year to year.
Which Scholarships Can Nepali Students Apply For?
- Chevening: fully funded master’s awards from the UK government, open to Nepali citizens with at least two years of work experience. The 2027/28 round closed in October 2026; the next round usually opens in August. See the Chevening guide.
- University merit scholarships: many universities give international students £1,000 to £6,000 off tuition, often automatically. See merit scholarships.
- Early payment and alumni discounts: some universities reduce fees if you pay in full or have studied with them before.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are not an option either: Nepal is not a Commonwealth country. See Commonwealth scholarships and Nepal.
How to Fund a UK Master’s from Nepal Without GREAT
Check the current lists
Confirm which national schemes are open to Nepali citizens for your start year: Chevening is; GREAT and Commonwealth are not.
Shortlist universities with awards
Look for automatic international awards and merit scholarships on each university’s fees page.
Apply early
Many merit awards go to applicants who hold an offer by a set date.
Plan the visa money
Show tuition still owed plus up to nine months of living costs, held for 28 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The British Council’s list for 2026/27 has 18 countries, and Nepal is not one of them.
For 2026/27: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.
£10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught master’s at a participating UK university.
The list changes each year, so it is possible, but nothing has been announced. Check the British Council’s page before each application cycle.
Chevening, which is fully funded, and university merit scholarships and discounts. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are not open to Nepal.
Chevening asks for at least two years (2,800 hours). Most university merit awards do not.
Yes. Tuition already paid or covered by an official award comes off the tuition you must show; you still show living costs unless the award covers them.
No. HOA’s admissions and scholarship guidance is free for students.
Key Terms
- GREAT Scholarship
- £10,000 towards a one-year UK master’s for citizens of the countries listed each year by the British Council.
- Chevening
- The UK government’s fully funded master’s scholarship, open to Nepali citizens.
- 28-day rule
- Visa money must stay in the account for 28 days in a row, ending no more than 31 days before you apply.
Sources
Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 20 October 2026. If an official page and this page disagree, the official page is right.
- British Council, GREAT Scholarships
- Chevening, Who can apply
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- The Commonwealth, Member countries
- UK Visas and Immigration, Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants
About This Guide
Written by House of Admissions (HOA), a UK-only education consultancy founded in 2016 with offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. All 20+ HOA counsellors hold the British Council’s UK counsellor certification. HOA’s guidance is free to students. Reviewed by Rahul Chhetri, Director. This is admissions guidance, not immigration advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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