Not every Nigerian applying to a UK master’s programme has two years of work experience to put toward a Chevening application, or the patience for the Commonwealth Scholarship’s nomination process. If that’s you, the GREAT Scholarships programme, a UK tuition scholarship for Nigeria run through individual universities rather than a central board, is worth a close look. It hands eligible Nigerian students up to £10,000 off tuition for a one-year UK postgraduate course, and unlike Chevening or Commonwealth, it doesn’t require prior work experience.
This guide covers what GREAT Scholarships actually pay for, who qualifies, which UK universities take part, and how the application process works, since it runs differently from the two other major UK scholarship routes.
What Are GREAT Scholarships?
GREAT Scholarships UK is the collective name for postgraduate tuition awards jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council, working with individual UK universities that opt in each year. As a British Council GREAT Scholarship, it’s administered university by university rather than through one central board. The programme targets applicants from a set list of partner countries, and Nigeria has consistently been included in recent cycles alongside countries like Ghana, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Unlike Chevening or the Commonwealth Scholarship, which are centrally administered and fully fund a scholar’s tuition, living costs, and flights, GREAT Scholarships are a tuition fee contribution, typically around £10,000, awarded by individual participating universities rather than a single central body. Each university sets its own courses, award amount, and deadline within the wider programme.
If you’re weighing GREAT against Chevening or Commonwealth, our Commonwealth Scholarship guide includes a full comparison table of all three. The short version: GREAT is faster to apply for and has fewer eligibility hurdles, but it covers less of your total cost. It’s also worth understanding the difference between fully funded and partial scholarships before you decide which route fits your budget.
What Does a GREAT Scholarship Cover?
- A tuition fee reduction of around £10,000 (some universities offer more, depending on the course and institution)
- Applied directly to one academic year of a taught postgraduate (master’s) course
- Awarded per university, not as a lump sum you receive directly
GREAT Scholarships do not typically cover living costs, flights, or visa fees. You’ll need to budget for those separately, or combine a GREAT award with a personal savings plan, a top-up scholarship, or part-time work permitted under your visa conditions. If extra funding is a concern, our guide on finding top-up scholarships for Nigerian students in the UK, Canada, and Germany can help close that gap.
Who Is Eligible for GREAT Scholarships as a Nigerian Applicant?
General eligibility across participating universities includes:
- Be a Nigerian citizen and permanent resident of Nigeria
- Hold, or be on track to receive, an undergraduate degree that meets your chosen UK university’s admission requirements
- Apply for a one-year, full-time, taught postgraduate (master’s) course at a participating institution
- Meet that university’s own academic and English language requirements
- Not currently be studying or residing in the UK
Notably, GREAT Scholarships do not require a minimum number of years of work experience, which is what makes them accessible to recent graduates who wouldn’t yet qualify for Chevening. That said, individual universities can set additional criteria, such as being willing to act as a UK study ambassador after graduation or attending a GREAT Scholars networking event, so always check the specific requirements on your target university’s page before applying.
Which UK Universities Offer GREAT Scholarships to Nigerians?
The list of participating universities changes every cycle, since institutions bid annually for a limited number of scholarship allocations. In the 2026-27 academic year, more than 60 UK universities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland took part, offering awards across fields like engineering, business, computing, public health, and law.
Because the list shifts each year, always confirm current participants and available courses on the official British Council Study UK Nigeria page before you start applying, rather than relying on a university list from a previous cycle. For GREAT Scholarships 2027 (enrolling autumn 2027), individual universities are expected to publish their participation and course lists in late 2026 and early 2027, so check back as that cycle approaches.
How to Apply for a GREAT Scholarship
Unlike Chevening’s single central portal, GREAT Scholarships are applied for directly through each participating university, which means the process looks slightly different:
- Check the current list of participating universities on the British Council’s Study UK Nigeria page for the cycle you’re applying to.
- Apply for admission to your chosen master’s course first. Most universities require you to have an offer, or be in the process of applying for one, before you can be considered for the scholarship.
- Complete that university’s specific GREAT Scholarship application, usually a short form or supplementary essay, separate from your course application.
- Submit before that university’s deadline. Deadlines vary significantly by institution, some close as early as spring for the following autumn intake, so start checking as soon as the new cycle’s university list is published.
- Wait for the university’s decision. Since each institution runs its own selection process, timelines and communication vary.
Because you’re essentially managing two applications at once (course admission and scholarship), it helps to get your personal statement or essay in strong shape early, since some universities ask for a short statement explaining why you’d make a good GREAT Scholar and UK study ambassador.
GREAT Scholarships vs. Chevening vs. Commonwealth
| GREAT | Chevening | Commonwealth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | ~£10,000 tuition contribution only | Full tuition + stipend + flights | Full tuition + stipend + flights + family allowances |
| Work experience required | No | Yes, 2 years | Not always required, but competitive |
| Where you apply | Directly to each university | Central Chevening portal | CSC portal + Federal Scholarship Board |
| Best for | Recent graduates, partial funding | Experienced professionals wanting full funding | Development-focused candidates, Nigeria nominating route |
For the fuller breakdown, including deadlines by cycle, see the comparison table in our Commonwealth Scholarship guide.
Tips to Strengthen Your GREAT Scholarship Application
- Apply to your course early. Since the scholarship application usually follows your course application, a late course application means a late scholarship application too.
- Don’t assume one university’s deadline applies to another. Each participating institution runs its own timeline, so track deadlines individually if you’re applying to more than one.
- Show genuine interest in the “ambassador” role. Many universities specifically look for candidates willing to promote UK study to future applicants after graduation. Mention any relevant experience, mentoring, community outreach, content creation, in your statement.
- Budget for the gap. Since GREAT doesn’t cover living costs, have a clear plan (savings, family support, part-time work, or a top-up scholarship) ready to show you can fund the rest of your stay if a university asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do GREAT Scholarships cover living expenses in the UK?
No. GREAT Scholarships provide a tuition fee contribution only, typically around £10,000. Living costs, flights, and visa fees are not included.
Do I need work experience to apply for a GREAT Scholarship?
No. Unlike Chevening, GREAT Scholarships don’t require a minimum number of years of work experience, making them more accessible to recent graduates.
Can I apply for a GREAT Scholarship without a university offer?
Most participating universities require you to have applied for, or already hold, an offer for their master’s course before considering you for the scholarship, since the two applications are closely linked.
Are GREAT Scholarships only for Nigerian students?
No. They’re offered to students from a set list of partner countries each cycle. Nigeria has been included in recent years, alongside countries like Ghana, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, but the exact list can change.
Final Thoughts
GREAT Scholarships won’t cover your entire cost of studying in the UK the way Chevening or Commonwealth can, but they’re faster to apply for, open to recent graduates, and available at over 60 UK universities. If you’re weighing your options across all three programmes, it’s worth applying broadly rather than betting everything on one route. Check the official British Council Study UK Nigeria page for the current list of participating universities and start your course application early.
This article is for informational purposes. Participating universities, award amounts, and deadlines change every cycle, so always confirm current details directly with the British Council and your target university before applying.
