What UK Master’s Programmes Offer Strong Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students?
Studying a master’s degree in the UK can cost £20,000–£35,000+ just in tuition in many cases, plus living, travel, visa, and other costs. For Bangladeshi students, that’s a big investment—especially given currency fluctuations and financial responsibilities at home. Scholarships help reduce or remove tuition burdens, provide stipends, and in some cases cover travel/visa costs. These are the strongest, best-known scholarships and funding options currently available (2025-26), with relevant eligibility details.
UK Government & Multilateral Scholarships
University-Specific Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students
University |
Scholarship Name |
Amount / Type of Support |
Specifics & Notes |
University of Sussex |
Sussex Bangladesh Scholarship (Master’s) |
£4,000 fee reduction for eligible Bangladeshi students starting Sep 2025. |
Automatically applied for eligible applicants; restricted to certain faculties (Engineering & Informatics, Business School). Students must be self-financing. |
University of Birmingham | Bangladesh Postgraduate Chancellor’s Scholarship |
6 awards of £10,000 each toward tuition fees (first year only) for full-time master’s programmes starting Sept 2025. |
Must be from Bangladesh; having strong academic credentials helps; check Birmingham’s deadlines. |
How to Choose the Right Scholarship Program
Here are what Bangladeshi applicants should check carefully:
- Deadline timing: Chevening opens in Aug–Oct; GREAT & university scholarships usually close earlier (Feb–Apr or earlier, depending on institution). Don’t miss dates.
- Eligibility Requirements Include a Degree class, English language proof (IELTS/TOEFL), and sometimes work experience (especially for Chevening). If your undergraduate result is not exactly UK equivalent, see if the university offers foundation or pre-master’s entry pathways.
- What is covered: Some scholarships only cover tuition; others include stipend, travel, visa, etc. Know what costs you’ll still have. For example, GREAT covers tuition discount only.
- Combining sources: Some scholarships can be stacked (a fee waiver + government/UK council awards), others cannot. Read the specific terms. For example, Sussex’s scholarship is not combinable with other Sussex-funded ones.
- Institution/Subject Fit: Some scholarships are subject-specific (engineering, public policy, health etc.), or restricted to certain faculties. For example, Nottingham’s Developing Solutions covers engineering, social sciences, and other relevant fields.
Fresh Scholarships & Updates for 2025-26
Here are some of the most recent opportunities with fresh deadlines/announcements:
- Chevening Bangladesh 2026-27 applications are open from 5 August to 7 October 2025. GOV.UK
- GREAT Scholarships Bangladesh (2025-26) offers 10 postgraduate-level scholarships of ~£10,000 each toward tuition in UK universities. British Council
- Sussex Bangladesh Scholarship (Masters) 2025: £4,000 fee reduction for eligible master’s students starting September 2025. Deadline 1 September 2025.
- Bangladesh Postgraduate Chancellor’s Scholarship (University of Birmingham): 6 × £10,000 awards for master’s students starting Sep 2025.
Practical Tips for Bangladeshi Applicants to Maximize Chances
Start Early & Organize Your Documents
Getting your transcripts, references, degree equivalency, IELTS/TOEFL ready ahead of deadlines improves your chances.
Build Strong Application Essays Focusing on Impact
Especially for Chevening, Developing Solutions, and GREAT: highlight leadership, community engagement, or plans to return and benefit Bangladesh.
Aim for Good Academic Performance
Higher class of undergraduate degree, strong subject background (especially for technical or engineering subjects), helps in merit-based scholarships.
Use University-Specific Support
Contact the international admissions office of the university in Bangladesh. Some offer Bangladesh country pages that show exactly what grades, English requirements etc. they expect.
Plan Financially Beyond Tuition
Even with a scholarship, you may still need to cover expenses such as airfares, visa fees, living costs, and deposits. Create budgets in both GBP and your local currency (BDT) to avoid any surprises.
Best Scholarship Options & What Each Offers
Scholarship/Fund |
Expected Benefit for Bangladeshi Students |
Ideal For Whom |
Chevening |
Fully covers everything (tuition, stipend, travel, etc.) |
High academic + leadership potential; strong communication; plan ahead |
GREAT Scholarships |
Significant tuition fee discounts (~£10,000) |
Students who just need help with high UK fees want broad subject choices |
Developing Solutions (Nottingham) |
50-100% tuition scholarship |
Students with strong proposals and a matching subject area, interested in development impact |
Sussex & Birmingham University awards |
Partial fee reduction (e.g. £4,000 or £10,000) |
Good academic standing; plan to cover the remainder via other funds or savings |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to apply separately for each scholarship?
Yes. Most require you first to get an offer from a UK university and then apply to the scholarship. Chevening, GREAT, etc., all have separate application processes.
Can I combine scholarships?
Sometimes yes, but most university-funded awards have rules about stacking. Always check with the scholarship office of the university. Sussex, for example, disallows combination with other Sussex funds.
What English test score do I need?
Often, IELTS 6.5–7.0 is required for many master’s programmes; some scholarships don’t explicitly set minimums beyond university requirement. Check each scholarship & university’s page.
Get Personalised Scholarship Guidance
Our experienced education counsellors can help you find the right UK master’s programmes, shortlist scholarships like Chevening, GREAT, and university awards, guide you through deadlines, and prepare winning applications. Book a free consultation today and take the first confident step towards studying in the UK!
If you are a Bangladeshi student seeking a UK master’s with strong scholarship support in 2025, your top bets are:
-
Chevening for full-support and broad prestige.
-
GREAT Scholarships for sizeable tuition discounts.
-
University scholarships like those from Nottingham, Sussex, Birmingham, etc., to fill in either full or part of the costs.
Start early, build a strong profile, check deadlines, and tailor each application to the mission/values of the scholarship. With careful planning, you can maximize your chances of going to a UK university without overwhelming debt.