Royal Holloway, University of London, in partnership with the British Council and GREAT Britain Campaign
Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship 2027 — £10,000 for Nigerian Master's Students in the UK
Royal Holloway, University of London, is offering a £10,000 GREAT Scholarship to one eligible Nigerian student beginning a full-time taught Master's degree in January 2027. The award is designed to reduce tuition fees for a high-achieving student who meets the university's admission and English-language requirements and demonstrates a strong academic motivation. Applicants must hold a Nigerian passport, reside in Nigeria and apply for their chosen Master's course by 9 November 2026 before submitting the separate scholarship application by 15 November 2026.
This page is an informational summary. Requirements and dates can change. Confirm every detail on the official provider website before taking action.
About the programme
The GREAT Scholarships programme is an initiative supported by the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and participating UK universities. It aims to help eligible international students access postgraduate education in the United Kingdom through financial assistance towards tuition fees.
For January 2027 entry, Royal Holloway is offering two GREAT Scholarships: one for a student from Nigeria and one for a student from India. Each award provides a £10,000 tuition-fee reduction.
The scholarship is open to eligible applicants across Royal Holloway's full-time taught Master's subjects, provided they meet the admission requirements and the scholarship's country-specific conditions.
This is a competitive award. Applicants must first apply for an eligible Master's course and then submit a separate scholarship application.
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Nigerian passport.
- Be resident in Nigeria.
- Have completed an undergraduate degree.
- Apply for a full-time taught Master's programme at Royal Holloway starting in January 2027.
- Meet the university's academic entry requirements for the chosen course.
- Meet Royal Holloway's English-language requirements.
- Demonstrate motivation and a genuine interest in the proposed subject.
- Be willing to participate in the GREAT Scholars community and related networking activities.
- Be willing to maintain contact with Royal Holloway and the British Council and, where requested, share their experience with prospective students as a scholarship ambassador.
Applicants must submit their Master's course application by 9 November 2026. Once they receive an offer, they must submit the scholarship application by the separate scholarship deadline.
The university also states that a GREAT Scholar may not hold another Royal Holloway scholarship alongside this award.
What does the scholarship cover?
The successful applicant receives a £10,000 reduction in tuition fees for their eligible Master's programme.
The scholarship reduces the amount the student must pay the university. It is not advertised as a fully funded scholarship and does not automatically cover:
- Remaining tuition fees after the award.
- Accommodation and living expenses.
- Flights to and from the United Kingdom.
- Student visa application fees.
- Immigration health charges or other immigration-related expenses.
- Books, transportation and personal costs.
Applicants should calculate the full cost of their intended course and make sure they can cover any expenses not paid by the scholarship.
The precise tuition balance will depend on the selected Master's programme and its published international tuition fee.
Which courses are eligible?
The GREAT Scholarship is available for eligible full-time taught Master's degrees beginning in January 2027.
Royal Holloway offers postgraduate courses across several subject areas. Applicants should use the university's course finder to identify courses with a January start and confirm that their preferred programme is accepting applications.
Course finder: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/
Not every Master's programme necessarily offers a January intake. Applicants should confirm the start date and entry requirements for their chosen course before applying.
How to apply
The application process has two stages: admission to a Master's programme and the separate scholarship application.
Stage 1: Apply for a Master's degree
- Visit Royal Holloway's official postgraduate application page: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/applying/postgraduate/how-to-apply/
- Choose a full-time taught Master's programme that accepts students for January 2027 entry.
- Check the course's academic requirements, English-language requirements, tuition fees and start date.
- Prepare your academic documents and submit the course application through Royal Holloway's applicant portal.
- Submit the course application by Monday, 9 November 2026.
Stage 2: Apply for the GREAT Scholarship
- Visit the official GREAT Scholarship page: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/scholarships/royal-holloway-great-scholarships/
- Once you have received an offer for your eligible Master's course, access the scholarship application through the university's applicant portal.
- Prepare a supporting statement of no more than 400 words explaining why you should receive the award.
- Address the three areas required by the university: your academic achievements, why you chose the course and how the scholarship will help you achieve your future goals.
- Submit your scholarship application by 11:59 p.m. UK time on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
Applicants should follow the instructions on the official scholarship page and applicant portal. The university warns that supporting statements exceeding the 400-word limit will automatically be rejected.
What should the scholarship statement include?
Royal Holloway requires a supporting statement of no more than 400 words. It should cover:
1. Academic achievements
Explain the academic achievement you are particularly proud of and why it matters to you. Use a specific example rather than simply listing qualifications.
2. Why you chose your Master's degree
Explain how the programme connects to your previous education, professional interests or career plans. Show that you have researched the course and understand what it offers.
3. Your future goals
Describe what you hope to achieve after your studies and how the scholarship would help you reach those goals.
Your statement should be personal, specific and supported by genuine examples. Make sure it follows the word limit and answers all three parts of the university's instructions.
Documents required
There are two related document requirements: those for the Master's admission application and those for the scholarship application.
For the Master's course application
Royal Holloway's general postgraduate application guidance lists the following documents, where applicable:
- Personal statement.
- Final or interim academic transcript, including English translations where required.
- Final degree certificate, including English translation where required.
- Evidence of English-language proficiency, if necessary.
- Reference or referee details where specified.
- Portfolio, research proposal or writing samples for courses that request them.
- Relevant work-experience evidence, where required.
- Passport details for applicants who need a UK student visa.
The exact requirements depend on the course.
For the GREAT Scholarship
Applicants must submit a supporting statement of no more than 400 words through the scholarship application process.
The university's scholarship instructions should be followed for any additional information requested through the applicant portal.
Selection criteria
The scholarship statement is assessed on how effectively and convincingly it explains:
- Academic achievements and why they matter.
- The applicant's reasons for selecting the proposed Master's degree.
- Future aspirations and how the scholarship will support those goals.
Applicants must also meet the nationality, residence and admission conditions.
Because only one GREAT Scholarship is available for a Nigerian student at Royal Holloway for this intake, competition is expected. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
Important dates
- 9 November 2026: Deadline to apply for the eligible Master's course.
- 15 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. UK time: Scholarship application deadline.
- 20 November 2026: Applicants are expected to be notified of the outcome.
- 24 November 2026: Deadline for successful applicants to confirm acceptance.
- January 2027: Master's programme begins.
Applicants should monitor their email and applicant portal after submission in case the university requests further information.
Important information before applying
- The award is for a Nigerian applicant who holds a Nigerian passport and resides in Nigeria.
- You must apply for an eligible full-time taught Master's degree starting in January 2027.
- You must submit the course application by 9 November to be considered for the scholarship.
- You must submit the separate scholarship application by 15 November.
- Your supporting statement must not exceed 400 words.
- The award covers tuition fees, not all the costs of studying in the UK.
- You cannot hold another Royal Holloway scholarship alongside the GREAT Scholarship.
Official links
Scholarship information: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/scholarships/royal-holloway-great-scholarships/
Scholarship application portal: https://royalhollowayacuk.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login
Postgraduate application instructions: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/applying/postgraduate/how-to-apply/
Course finder: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/
Enquiries: international@royalholloway.ac.uk
Official source
Use the official provider's website for current eligibility rules, application instructions, fees and deadlines.
Visit official websiteSource verification date: October 28, 2026. This is not a guarantee that the opportunity remains open.
