Eligibility Checker: Which UK Scholarships Can You Get?

Interactive Eligibility Checker

Answer five quick questions and we'll tell you which UK scholarships you're likely to qualify for. It is a first filter only — always confirm the full rules on each official site.

GREAT Scholarships: The 18 Eligible Countries for 2026/27

The British Council's Study UK page lists these 18 countries for the 2026/27 round (over 140 scholarships). The list for autumn 2027 entry has not been published yet and can change. If your country isn't on the list for your year, you cannot apply for GREAT — no exceptions. You must hold that country's passport and be a permanent resident there.

A reported 2027/28 bidding call for universities lists 19 countries, adding Germany and the United States and leaving out France. This is unconfirmed until the British Council publishes the 2027/28 list.

Eligibility Requirements by Programme

GREAT Scholarships

• Nationality: passport holder and permanent resident of one of that year’s eligible countries (18 in 2026/27).
• Level: one-year postgraduate taught master's only. No PhDs, no undergraduate study.
• Academic: an undergraduate degree, and you must meet the entry requirements of your chosen university and programme.
• English: meet the English requirement of your chosen university (typically IELTS 6.0–7.0).
• Scholar events: the British Council invites GREAT scholars to a welcome event and a networking event during the year.
• No age limit: unlike many scholarships, GREAT has no explicit age restriction.

Chevening Scholarships

• Nationality: citizen of a Chevening-eligible country (most non-UK countries).
• Work experience: at least 2,800 hours (about two years) gained after your undergraduate degree. This is non-negotiable.
• Return home: you must return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship.
• Level: one-year taught master's programmes only (not PhD, not two-year programmes).
• Offers: apply to three different eligible UK courses and hold an unconditional offer from one by 8 July 2027.

Full Chevening eligibility guide.

Commonwealth Scholarships

• Nationality: citizen of an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country (43 for 2027/28 Master's). The UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Cyprus, Malta and Brunei are excluded.
• Residency: permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Academic: at least an upper-second-class (2:1) first degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Nomination: usually nominated by an approved body in your home country (national agency, university, etc.).
• Development focus: you must show how your study will benefit your home country's development.

Full Commonwealth eligibility guide.

Women in STEM Scholarships

• Gender: you must identify as a woman.
• Field: a STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) at a partner university.
• Country and need: passport holder and permanent resident of that year's eligible countries, with demonstrable financial need.
• Degree: all components of an undergraduate degree completed when you apply; no previous degree-level study in the UK.
• Level: one-year master's programmes at selected UK universities.
• Leadership and return: show leadership potential and a commitment to gender equality in STEM, and return home for at least two years afterwards.

Full Women in STEM eligibility guide.

Age, Grades and English at a Glance

Know Your Eligibility? Here's What to Do Next