A UK master’s is a top goal for many Sri Lankan students — and one of the cleanest ways to take a meaningful bite out of the tuition is the British Council’s GREAT Scholarships. They’re not full rides, but a guaranteed £10,000 off a one-year course is real money. Here’s how the scheme works.
Participating universities, eligible countries, award values, and deadlines change every cycle. The details below are general guidance only — always confirm the current GREAT Scholarships list and your country’s eligibility on the British Council Study UK website before applying.
What GREAT Scholarships are
GREAT Scholarships are run by the British Council with the GREAT Britain Campaign, in partnership with UK universities. Each participating university funds one or more scholarships for students from selected countries, worth a minimum of £10,000 toward tuition for a one-year postgraduate course (about LKR 4 million off your fees). Some universities also run subject-specific GREAT awards (for example in justice and law).
How it works — the key difference
There is no single central application. The British Council publicises the scheme, but each scholarship is awarded and applied for through the individual university. So your job is to:
- check_circle Check the British Council's current GREAT Scholarships list to see which universities are participating and which countries each award covers
- check_circle Confirm Sri Lanka is eligible for the specific award you're eyeing — country eligibility varies by university and by year
- check_circle Apply to that university's course, then apply for its GREAT scholarship through its own scholarship page, by its own deadline
Pro Counsellor Tip
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Country eligibility is the catch. The list of eligible countries differs from one participating university to the next and changes each cycle — so never assume. Check each specific award’s terms to confirm Sri Lankan students can apply before you build your plan around it.
"Timing matters
GREAT awards are tied to the UK’s main September/autumn intake, and most participating universities close their GREAT applications between roughly March and May. Because you generally need a course application (or offer) in progress first, start early: get your university applications moving, then layer the scholarship application on top before the deadline.
Aiming for a funded UK master's?
We'll help you find GREAT Scholarships that Sri Lankan students are eligible for, match them to your field, and time your course and scholarship applications so you don't miss the spring deadlines.
Discuss GREAT ScholarshipsStack it with other funding
Because GREAT is a partial award, the smartest applicants treat it as one block in a funding stack — combined with personal/family funds, a university merit bursary, or other scholarships. £10,000 off, plus a departmental bursary, plus realistic savings, can turn an unaffordable UK master’s into a feasible one. Don’t view it as all-or-nothing.
The bottom line
GREAT Scholarships are a practical, winnable way to cut UK postgraduate tuition by at least £10,000 — but you apply through the university, country eligibility varies by award, and deadlines fall in spring. Check the current list carefully, confirm Sri Lankan eligibility, and apply early.
Next steps
If a UK master’s is your goal, bring us your field and shortlist. We’ll identify GREAT Scholarships open to Sri Lankans, help you apply to both the course and the award on time, and look for other funding to stack alongside it.
Written by
Lanka Scholar Editorial
Lanka Scholar Editorial is the Lanka Scholar counsellor team — senior advisors who place Sri Lankan students into universities across 18 destinations. Articles are reviewed before publication and refreshed when fees, deadlines, or visa rules change.
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