₹12 lakh UK scholarship for Indians: 4 Manchester universities join GREAT Scholarships 2027

Indian students aiming for a UK master’s degree in 2027 just got four new options. The British Council has announced that four universities from Greater Manchester will offer GREAT Scholarships for the 2027 intake, each worth a minimum of £10,000 (around Rs 12 lakh) towards tuition fees. The universities are Manchester Metropolitan University, the Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Manchester, and the University of Salford.

The announcement came during the visit of the Northern England India Mission to India. It is part of the GREAT Scholarships programme, which the British Council runs with the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign and participating UK universities.

What a GREAT Scholarship covers

Each scholarship gives a minimum of £10,000 towards the tuition fee of a one-year postgraduate taught course in the UK for the 2027-28 academic year. Students start their courses from autumn 2027.

This is tuition-only support. It does not cover flights, accommodation, or living expenses. Plan your budget around that before you apply.

Who can apply: the five conditions

You qualify if you meet all of these conditions:

• You are a citizen and resident of India.
• You hold an undergraduate degree that supports entry into your chosen postgraduate course.
• You can show real motivation and interest in your chosen subject.
• You meet the English language requirement set by the university.
• You have received an offer of admission from one of the participating universities.

Which subjects are covered

The scholarships span a wide range of fields: Finance, Marketing, Business, Psychology, STEM, Design, Humanities, Arts, Music, and Dance programmes. The Royal Northern College of Music’s inclusion makes this a strong year for Indian students in music and performing arts too.

“The Northern England universities offer a great opportunity for students in India, as there is a breadth of opportunities available across the region. The inclusion of four Greater Manchester universities in the GREAT Scholarships 2027 programme adds further depth to these opportunities.” Rittika Chanda Parruck MBE, Director Education India, British Council

How to apply: get the university offer first

This is the part most students get wrong. You cannot apply for the scholarship before the university accepts you. The order is fixed:

1. Pick a participating university and an eligible one-year postgraduate course.
2. Apply for admission and secure an offer of entry (conditional or unconditional).
3. Open the university’s own scholarship page and follow its GREAT Scholarship application steps.
4. Submit transcripts, a personal statement, and any documents the university asks for.
5. Meet the university’s own deadline. Deadlines differ across universities, so confirm yours early.

Start with the British Council’s official GREAT Scholarships 2027 page to identify participating universities, then switch to the individual university page for your course to apply.

Timing: apply early, visas are tighter now

There is one more thing to factor into your planning. UK universities must now keep their student visa refusal rate below 5 percent, down from the earlier 10 percent limit. The rule took effect on June 1, 2026. Institutions that cross the limit risk losing their sponsor licence, which is why some universities have started withdrawing admission offers from international applicants.

A Financial Times analysis of Home Office data found that 10.5 percent of UK study visa applications were withdrawn in the first half of 2026, up from 2.3 percent in the same period last year. Indian applicants are among those affected. What this means for you: prepare complete documentation, meet every deadline, and respond to university requests fast. A strong, clean application matters more than ever.

More scholarships on your list

If a UK master’s is your goal, the GREAT Scholarships are not your only shot. Students staying in India can check the Rs 50,000 scholarship for women students in STEM, whose October 15 deadline falls today, and the UP Scholarship 2026-27, where fresh applications close on October 31. Browse our scholarship alerts section for everything open right now.

Do not sit on this one. Offers, deadlines, and seats all move fast, and the 2027 intake window is already open.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are part of GREAT Scholarships 2027?

The newly announced names are Manchester Metropolitan University, the Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Manchester, and the University of Salford. More participating universities are listed on the British Council’s official GREAT Scholarships page.

How much money does a GREAT Scholarship give?

Each GREAT Scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 (around Rs 12 lakh) towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate taught course in the UK. It is not a full-ride scholarship and does not cover travel, accommodation, or living expenses.

Who is eligible for the GREAT Scholarships 2027?

You must be an Indian citizen and resident, hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for the postgraduate course you want to study, and meet the English language requirement set by the university. You must also receive an offer of entry from a participating university.

What is the application deadline for GREAT Scholarships 2027?

There is no single deadline. Each participating university sets its own dates, so check the scholarship page of the university you are applying to. British Council guidance asks universities to select their scholars by June 30, 2027.