Four Greater Manchester universities will offer 10,000-pound scholarships to Indian students for the 2027-28 academic year. Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Northern College of Music, The University of Manchester, and the University of Salford joined the programme. These schools want to help students pursue one-year postgraduate courses in the United Kingdom.
Four universities in Greater Manchester will participate in the GREAT Scholarships 2027 programme, offering eligible Indian students financial support to pursue one-year postgraduate courses in the United Kingdom from autumn 2027.
The British Council announced the inclusion of Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Northern College of Music, The University of Manchester and the University of Salford in the scholarship programme, which is run in partnership with the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and participating higher education institutions.
Each scholarship will provide a minimum of 10,000 pounds towards tuition fees for a one-year taught postgraduate course during the 2027–28 academic year.
The announcement was made during the Northern England India Mission’s visit to India and was supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The delegation aims to strengthen educational partnerships between India and the UK, promote university collaborations and provide Indian students with information about courses, scholarships and student life in Northern England.
WHICH UNIVERSITIES ARE OFFERING GREAT SCHOLARSHIPS?
The four Greater Manchester universities participating in the GREAT Scholarships 2027 programme are:
Manchester Metropolitan University
Royal Northern College of Music
The University of Manchester
University of Salford
Senior representatives from these institutions are part of the Northern England India Mission delegation, which is exploring opportunities to deepen academic cooperation and build long-term partnerships with Indian institutions.
The delegation also participated in discussions on strengthening India-UK collaboration in education, with a focus on expanding academic opportunities and fostering closer institutional ties.
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT AND ELIGIBILITY
Under the GREAT Scholarships programme, eligible Indian students will receive a minimum of 10,000 pounds towards tuition fees for a one-year taught postgraduate course in the UK.
Students seeking to apply must have secured an offer of admission from one of the participating universities and meet all the entry requirements specified for their chosen course.
Applicants should check the individual university websites for course-specific eligibility criteria, application procedures and scholarship deadlines.
The scholarships are intended to help talented Indian students access postgraduate education in the UK while reducing part of the financial burden associated with international study.
COURSES AND SUBJECT AREAS COVERED
The Study UK initiative supports scholarship opportunities across a broad range of academic disciplines. These include finance, marketing, business, psychology, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), design and humanities.
Opportunities also extend to specialised programmes in arts, music and dance, reflecting the range of courses offered by participating institutions.
The inclusion of four universities from Greater Manchester is expected to broaden the academic choices available to Indian applicants, allowing them to explore programmes spanning professional, technical, creative and research-oriented fields.
WHY STUDY IN GREATER MANCHESTER?
Greater Manchester offers international students access to universities with varied academic specialisations, industry connections and cultural opportunities. The region's higher education institutions provide courses designed to combine academic learning with practical skills and professional development.
Studying in the UK can expose students to different teaching methods, international academic networks and opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Eligible graduates may also explore post-study work options, subject to the immigration rules and eligibility requirements in force at the time.
The GREAT Scholarships programme is part of broader efforts to strengthen educational and cultural links between India and the UK, while helping students gain international exposure and build professional networks.
WHAT DID THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND UNIVERSITIES SAY?
Rittika Chanda Parruck MBE, Director of Education India at the British Council, said the participation of the four Greater Manchester universities would expand postgraduate opportunities for Indian students across a diverse range of disciplines.
She highlighted the importance of international education in enabling students to learn across borders, develop global networks and gain perspectives relevant to an increasingly interconnected world.
Parruck added that initiatives such as the GREAT Scholarships help support the ambitions of Indian students while strengthening the education partnership between India and the UK.
Jo Purves, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the University of Salford, said the university was looking forward to welcoming Indian students through the scholarship programme.
She highlighted the university's industry connections and international outlook, adding that the institution aims to help students develop their skills, broaden their perspectives and make the most of the opportunities available in Greater Manchester.
Through the initiative, the participating organisations also seek to strengthen educational cooperation, cultural exchange and long-term academic relationships between the UK and countries around the world.