UK scholarships open to Bangladeshi students for 2027: Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon and university awards, with deadlines, eligibility and visa tips.
Bangladeshi students can apply for several UK scholarships for 2027 entry, but most are for postgraduate study and competition is strong. The main fully funded options are Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships. Partial awards include GREAT Scholarships (£10,000 towards tuition) and university scholarships, some of them specifically for students from Bangladesh, often worth £2,000–£10,000. Elite awards such as Gates Cambridge and Oxford's Clarendon Scholarships are also open to Bangladeshi applicants.
This guide brings together the 2027 options, deadlines, eligibility and the practical steps that improve your chances. It also explains which awards are fully funded and which only reduce your tuition fee.
Scholarship details were checked on official websites in October 2026. Many 2027/28 university awards had not yet been published, and amounts, eligibility and deadlines can change. Always confirm the current terms on the official page before applying.
Key Takeaways
Chevening 2027/28 applications closed in early October 2026. The next cycle normally opens around August each year.
Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships for 2027 close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 UK time. Bangladeshi applicants must apply through a national nominating agency, which may set an earlier deadline.
GREAT Scholarships give £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year master's. They are not fully funded.
Some universities, such as Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, have offered £10,000 awards open to Bangladeshi students, but not every international scholarship includes Bangladesh.
Most university scholarships are partial, so you still need to show the remaining tuition and living costs for your Student visa.
Fully Funded UK Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government's flagship scholarship for future leaders. It funds a one-year master's degree and generally covers tuition fees, a living allowance, return flights and some other costs.
Bangladesh eligibility: Bangladesh is a participating country.
Key requirements: at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, an undergraduate degree, applications to three eligible UK courses, and a commitment to return to Bangladesh for at least two years after the scholarship.
2027/28 timeline: applications are now closed. Shortlisting is expected in mid-February 2027, interviews in March–April 2027 and results from mid-June 2027. Selected scholars must hold an unconditional offer by 8 July 2027.
Next steps: if you missed this cycle, start preparing now for the 2028/29 cycle, which typically opens around August.
Official sources: Chevening Bangladesh, Chevening eligibility, Chevening timeline
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, these scholarships support students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh.
What it covers: full tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly stipend of £1,712 (or £2,000 in the London area) and other allowances.
Eligibility includes: at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent by September 2027 (or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification), no previous master's-level study in the UK, inability to afford UK study without the award, and a commitment to return home.
Deadline: the CSC online application closes at 16:00 (UK time) on 20 October 2026 for study starting in September 2027.
Nomination: you cannot apply directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. In Bangladesh, the CSC lists the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education as the national nominating agency. Nominating agencies can set their own earlier deadlines, so check their circular urgently.
Official sources: Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, CSC national nominating agencies
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Bangladesh eligibility: eligible.
What it covers: up to 36 months of tuition, airfare, a monthly stipend at the same rates as the master's scholarship, fieldwork support and family allowances in some cases.
Deadline: the same CSC deadline of 20 October 2026. University teachers in Bangladesh may be nominated through the University Grants Commission; check the current national notice.
Official source: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Gates Cambridge and Clarendon Scholarships
Gates Cambridge: full-cost scholarships for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. Applicants outside the USA apply through the international round, with deadlines of 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course (Gates Cambridge timeline).
Clarendon Scholarships (Oxford): cover course fees and a living grant. Applicants are considered automatically if they apply for an eligible graduate course by the December or January deadline (Clarendon Fund).
Note: there is no Rhodes Scholarship constituency for Bangladesh, and the Global Rhodes Scholarship is currently suspended, according to Rhodes House.
GREAT Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students
GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the British Council and UK universities. Each award is worth at least £10,000 towards tuition for a one-year taught master's. They do not cover living costs.
2026/27: Bangladesh was one of the participating countries, with awards listed at universities including Cranfield, Keele, Manchester, Ulster, UEA, Glasgow, Hull and Portsmouth.
2027/28: at the time of checking, the British Council had not yet published the full Bangladesh list. The University of Glasgow has already published its GREAT 2027 award: a £10,000 fee waiver for Bangladeshi applicants on most taught master's programmes, with a deadline of 30 April 2027 (Glasgow GREAT 2027).
How to apply: apply for admission to the university first, then follow each university's GREAT application process and deadline.
Official sources: GREAT Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships Bangladesh
UK University Scholarships Open to Bangladeshi Students
University scholarships are the most common type of funding. Most are partial tuition discounts, and many are automatic for eligible self-funded international students. Examples from official pages:
Confirmed for 2027/28 entry
University of Exeter: £10,000 off first-year tuition for self-funded Bangladeshi citizens on eligible taught master's courses starting in September 2027, allocated automatically to eligible applicants (Exeter Bangladesh PGT scholarship).
University of Glasgow Global Leadership Scholarship: £10,000 tuition fee waiver for eligible international students, including Bangladeshi applicants, on one-year taught master's programmes starting in September 2027 (Glasgow Global Leadership Scholarship).
University of Nottingham: an automatic £3,000 International Postgraduate Masters Scholarship for eligible international students starting in 2027 (Nottingham international scholarships).
Bangladesh or South Asia awards to watch (2026 versions)
These awards were available for 2026 entry. Their 2027 versions had not been published when we checked, so amounts and deadlines may change:
University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship (South Asia): £10,000 for eligible master's applicants domiciled in Bangladesh (Manchester Bangladesh scholarships).
University of Birmingham Bangladesh Postgraduate Chancellor's Scholarship: £10,000 for students domiciled in Bangladesh (Birmingham Bangladesh scholarship).
University of Nottingham Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship: 50% or 100% tuition for students from eligible countries, including Bangladesh, in selected faculties (Developing Solutions).
Northumbria University: a £3,000 automatic postgraduate scholarship for South Asian students, including Bangladesh.
Check eligibility carefully: not every "international" or "regional" scholarship includes Bangladesh. For example, the University of Sheffield's 2027 International Postgraduate Scholarship for selected regions does not list Bangladesh as an eligible country.
Lower-fee universities can also be a practical way to reduce costs. Read our guide to the cost of studying in the UK from Bangladesh to compare total budgets.
PhD Funding in the UK
Besides Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, many UK PhD studentships are funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and universities. UKRI states that its studentships are open to international students, although the number of international awards is usually limited (often to around 30% of a programme's studentships). PhD funding is usually advertised by individual universities, departments and doctoral training centres, so check them directly. Read our guide to funded PhD options abroad for Bangladeshi students.
2027 Scholarship Calendar at a Glance
Early October 2026: Chevening 2027/28 applications closed.
20 October 2026: Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships CSC deadline (national nominating agency deadlines may be earlier).
8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027: Gates Cambridge international round, depending on course.
December 2026 – January 2027: Oxford course deadlines for Clarendon consideration.
Spring 2027: many GREAT and university scholarship deadlines (for example, Glasgow GREAT on 30 April 2027).
Summer 2027: deadlines for many automatic university scholarships and final Chevening results.
How to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
Start early. Many scholarships require an offer or a separate application months before your course starts.
Choose courses carefully. Your course should connect clearly to your past studies, work experience and future goals in Bangladesh.
Write a focused personal statement or essay. Show leadership, impact and specific plans rather than general ambitions. See our SOP writing guide.
Get strong references. Choose referees who know your work well. Our guide to recommendation letters can help.
Prepare documents. Keep transcripts, certificates, English test results, CV and passport ready.
Read every eligibility rule. Check nationality, residence, self-funding requirements, course exclusions and deadlines.
Scholarships and Your UK Student Visa
A partial scholarship reduces your tuition fee, but you still need to show the remaining first-year tuition and living costs of £1,171 per month outside London or £1,529 per month in London, for up to nine months (GOV.UK Student visa money rules). Your university should record any scholarship or fee discount on your CAS. If a government or official sponsor funds you, you will normally need evidence from that sponsor. Read our guide to student visa financial proof from Bangladesh.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming GREAT or university scholarships are fully funded.
Missing nominating agency deadlines for Commonwealth Scholarships.
Applying for awards that do not include Bangladesh in their eligible countries.
Using generic essays for every scholarship.
Relying on outdated scholarship lists instead of official pages.
Paying anyone who promises a guaranteed scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK scholarships are fully funded for Bangladeshi students?
Chevening and Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships are the main fully funded options. Gates Cambridge and Clarendon are also highly competitive full-cost awards.
Can I get a UK scholarship for a bachelor's degree?
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships are rare. Some universities offer partial undergraduate awards, so check individual university pages.
Is IELTS required for UK scholarships?
Most scholarships require you to meet the university's English requirements. Some universities accept alternatives to IELTS for degree-level study, but requirements vary.
When should I apply for Chevening 2028?
Chevening usually opens in August and closes in early October. Start preparing your essays, course choices and references well before the window opens.
Does a scholarship reduce my visa bank balance?
Yes, if the scholarship or fee discount reduces your outstanding tuition and is recorded on your CAS. You still need to show the remaining fees and required living costs.
Who nominates Bangladeshi candidates for Commonwealth Scholarships?
The CSC lists the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education as Bangladesh's national nominating agency. Check its current circular for the national deadline.
Get Help with UK Scholarships and Applications
Scholarship success depends on the right course choices, strong essays and careful timing. Southern Trip Limited can help Bangladeshi students identify UK scholarships they may be eligible for, plan applications and deadlines, and prepare SOPs and documents. Scholarship decisions are made only by the funding bodies and universities, so we focus on helping you submit strong, accurate applications.
Explore our scholarship guidance service, read our broader guide to scholarships for Bangladeshi students in other countries, or contact Southern Trip Limited to book a UK counselling session.