University of York GREAT Scholarship (UK) 2027/2028 Guide
The University of York GREAT Scholarship 2026/27 closed on May 11, 2026, and this cycle was open only to applicants from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Kenya — four scholarships total, one per country. If you’re Nigerian and searching for this scholarship, the most important thing to know is that Nigeria was not on this year’s list, even though it was eligible the previous cycle.
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York’s GREAT Scholarship eligible-country list changes every year, and understanding how that rotation works matters more than memorizing any single year’s list, since the countries eligible for 2027/28 won’t necessarily match either of the last two cycles.
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How the GREAT Scholarship’s Country List Works
This is the detail almost every post about this scholarship gets wrong by treating the current year’s country list as fixed. It isn’t. For 2025/26, York’s GREAT Scholarship covered China, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam — seven countries, eight awards. For 2026/27, that list dropped to four countries — China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya — with Greece, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam all removed, and Kenya added as new. That’s not a clerical inconsistency; it’s how the GREAT Scholarship programme actually operates. The British Council and GREAT Britain Campaign negotiate country allocations with each partner university annually, and York’s specific list shifts based on those negotiations each year.
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The practical implication: if your country was eligible last cycle but you missed it, don’t assume you’re automatically covered next cycle. And if your country isn’t on this year’s list, don’t assume you’re permanently excluded. Check York’s official GREAT Scholarship page directly once the 2027/28 cycle is announced, rather than relying on last year’s list — including this post’s own record of the 2026/27 countries above.
University of York GREAT Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | University of York GREAT Scholarship |
| Host Country ⇒ | United Kingdom (UK) |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate (one-year taught Master’s) |
| Benefits ⇒ | £10,000 tuition fee deduction |
| Funded by ⇒ | British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, in partnership with the University of York |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya (2026/27 cycle only — list changes annually, confirm current countries before assuming eligibility) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 2026/27 cycle closed May 11, 2026. Watch for the 2027/28 cycle announcement, typically expected in early 2027 based on this cycle’s pattern |
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Eligibility Requirements — For Whichever Cycle Is Currently Open
These are the standard conditions York applies once a cycle is live, beyond simply being a citizen of that year’s eligible country list.
- Be a permanent resident and passport holder of one of that cycle’s eligible countries
- Hold a conditional or unconditional offer to study a one-year postgraduate taught course at the University of York by the stated deadline — you do not need to have accepted the offer yet
- Be liable to pay fees at the overseas rate, with any fee status assessment completed by the deadline
- Have met any English language condition attached to your offer by the deadline
You are not eligible if you:
- Already hold a 100% tuition fee scholarship or are fully sponsored by another source
- Are a current University of York student who began your studies in a previous year
- Are enrolled in an excluded programme — this has included Hull York Medical School, the International Pathway College, distance or online learning courses, part-time courses, Kaplan International College London, the MA Public Policy (Mundus MAPP), CASPPER, or any Master’s course lasting longer than one year
- Are a partnership or exchange student, including visiting students
Note that some cycles carry additional country-specific conditions. For example, Malaysian applicants in past cycles were required to apply for a specific Law and Human Rights-related programme rather than any postgraduate course. Confirm whether your eligible country carries a similar restriction once the next cycle opens.
What the Scholarship Covers
Each award is worth £10,000, paid directly as a deduction against your tuition fees rather than as cash to the student. The number of awards has varied by cycle — four scholarships for 2026/27, one per eligible country, compared to eight scholarships across seven countries the cycle before. Beyond the direct funding, recipients are recognised as a GREAT ambassador for the University of York and the British Council, which typically includes participation in promotional and outreach activity connected to the programme.
Required Documents
You’ll need a completed online scholarship application form, along with written responses to specific questions about your chosen course and your future goals — these responses are assessed directly, not treated as a formality. Proof of nationality may be requested to confirm your eligibility against that cycle’s country list. Because most of York’s scholarship assessment happens through the standard postgraduate admissions application, keeping your course application complete and your transcripts and certificates ready in advance shortens the gap between receiving your offer and being able to submit a strong scholarship application.
How to Prepare for the Next GREAT Scholarship Cycle
- Apply for admission to a one-year postgraduate taught programme at the University of York as early as you can — you need a conditional or unconditional offer before the scholarship application deadline, and course application processing takes time.
- Once the next cycle is announced, confirm your country is on that specific year’s eligible list. Don’t assume based on a previous cycle, including this one.
- If your country carries a course-specific restriction — as Malaysia has in past cycles — confirm exactly which programmes qualify before you commit to a course choice.
- Prepare strong, specific answers to the scholarship’s course-interest and career-goals questions well before the deadline, since a competitive academic record with a first-class degree or equivalent is preferred. Still, the answers to these questions are part of the actual assessment, not a checkbox.
- Meet any English language condition attached to your offer as early as possible — this must be resolved by the scholarship deadline, not just your course admission deadline.
- If awarded, accept the scholarship offer and make York your firm choice within the timeframe stated in your award email. Missing that window means the scholarship is reallocated to a reserve candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nigeria eligible for the University of York GREAT Scholarship?
Not for the 2026/27 cycle. Nigeria was eligible for the 2025/26 cycle but was removed from the list for 2026/27, replaced by Kenya. Eligible countries change every cycle, so check the current list directly before assuming Nigeria is included or excluded for future cycles.
Is the University of York GREAT Scholarship still open for 2026/27?
No. Applications closed May 11, 2026. The next cycle, 2027/28, has not yet been announced.
Why did the eligible countries change between cycles?
The British Council and GREAT Britain Campaign negotiate country allocations with each partner university annually. York’s specific country list is part of that yearly negotiation, which is why it shifts from cycle to cycle rather than staying fixed.
Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application, or does my course application cover it?
You need both — a course application to the University of York for a one-year postgraduate taught programme, and a separate GREAT Scholarship application form with written responses about your course interests and career goals.
What happens if I’m awarded the scholarship but miss the acceptance deadline?
The scholarship is reallocated to a reserve candidate. If you’re awarded, accept the offer and confirm York as your firm choice within the exact timeframe stated in your award email — there’s no stated grace period.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official University of York GREAT Scholarship website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the University of York, the British Council, or the GREAT Britain Campaign.
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