The British Council Scholarships 2025–26 offer fully funded opportunities for international students to study in the UK without IELTS. Explore funding options including Commonwealth, GREAT, Hornby, STEM Scholarships for Women, and Global Wales awards. Applications now open for the 2025–26 academic year.
Overview: British Council Scholarships 2025–26 Without IELTS
The UK remains one of the world’s most prestigious study destinations, offering world-class universities, globally recognised degrees, and outstanding career prospects. For 2025–26, the British Council and partner institutions have announced several fully funded and partially funded scholarship programmes for international students.
A major advantage: many UK universities now accept alternatives to IELTS, meaning you can apply using tests such as Duolingo, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters, or university-specific language assessments.
These scholarships cover master’s degrees, doctoral studies, academic fellowships, and professional development programmes across multiple fields.
British Council Scholarships 2025–26: Key Opportunities
1. A.S. Hornby Trust Scholarship
This scholarship supports English language teachers who want to enhance their English teaching and academic skills in the UK.
- Designed for experienced English teachers
- Covers study in applied linguistics, ELT, or English language education
- Funded by the British Council through the Hornby Educational Trust
Eligible regions: Selected countries (varies by year)
2. Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships
One of the largest fully funded UK scholarship programmes, supporting:
- Master’s degrees
- PhD programmes
- Distance learning opportunities
- Academic, professional, and medical fellowships
Eligible regions: Commonwealth countries
Covers tuition, flights, living allowance, research costs, and additional academic support.
3. GREAT Scholarships
A prestigious one-year master’s scholarship programme funded jointly by the British Council and UK universities.
- Available across a wide range of subjects
- Awarded based on academic merit and leadership potential
Eligible regions: Selected countries (varies by institution)
4. British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
For women pursuing postgraduate degrees in:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Participating universities: 19 UK institutions
Regions: Americas, South Asia, Southeast Asia
This scholarship promotes gender equity in STEM and provides full funding for tuition, living expenses, and travel.
5. Global Wales Scholarships
A funding initiative supporting international students studying in Wales, including:
- Master’s degree scholarships
- Regional awards
- Country-specific funding streams
Eligible regions: USA, India, Vietnam, EU nations
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility varies by scholarship, but general requirements include:
- Citizenship of an eligible country
- A strong academic background
- Admission to a UK university in a relevant course
- Demonstrated leadership potential (for GREAT and STEM Scholarships)
- English language proficiency (IELTS alternatives accepted at many institutions)
- For STEM Scholarships: female applicants only
Benefits of British Council Scholarships 2025–26
Most fully funded scholarships provide:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Return airfare to and from the UK
- Visa support
- Health insurance (depending on programme)
- Research and study grants
- Access to academic networks and UK professional communities
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for British Council scholarships:
- Search for eligible scholarships
Use the British Council’s Course and Scholarship Finder or visit each programme’s official website. - Choose a UK university and programme
Ensure the course aligns with the scholarship’s eligibility rules. - Prepare your application documents
- Academic transcripts
- Passport
- CV
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- IELTS alternatives (Duolingo, TOEFL, PTE, or MOI) if accepted
- Reference letters
- Submit your application
Applications are submitted either:- Directly to the scholarship organisation (e.g., Commonwealth body), or
- Through the participating university
- Wait for shortlisting and interviews
Only shortlisted candidates receive further instructions.
Summary Table
| Scholarship Programme | Funding Type | Eligible Regions | Study Level | IELTS Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.S. Hornby Trust | Fully funded | Selected countries | Master’s | Not always required |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | Fully funded | Commonwealth states | Master’s & PhD | Alternatives accepted |
| GREAT Scholarships | Partial/Full | Selected countries | Master’s | Varies by university |
| Women in STEM | Fully funded | Americas, South Asia, SE Asia | Master’s | Alternatives often accepted |
| Global Wales Scholarships | Partial funding | USA, India, Vietnam, EU | Master’s | University-dependent |
Conclusion
The British Council Scholarships 2025–26 offer outstanding pathways for international students to access world-class education in the UK—many without needing IELTS. With programmes supporting academic excellence, gender diversity in STEM, and global talent development, these scholarships provide life-changing opportunities for students from multiple regions.
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