Scholarships

Scholarship

Equity and Merit Scholarships for international master’s students

The University of Manchester is committed to supporting a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Through our Equity and Merit Scholarships, we aim to empower talented individuals from the Global South to drive meaningful change in their home countries.

Equity and Merit Scholarships are open to academically excellent students from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, who can demonstrate the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their communities at local, national or regional level.

The awards are intended for applicants who would not otherwise be able to study in Manchester without financial support. We are committed to equal opportunity, and all applications are assessed on their merits. We particularly encourage women to apply.

We offer two types of scholarship:

  • Full-time, on-campus master’s (one-year)
  • Part-time, distance learning master’s (three to five years)

There are 30 scholarships (20 for full-time study and ten for online study) available for a range of courses in engineering, environment, health sciences, global development, education and law.

The scholarships cover full tuition fees, and for students who will be studying in Manchester, the award includes return international airfares, living expenses and visas.

The master’s scholarships are aimed at talented applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

To apply for a scholarship, you must:

  • be a resident citizen of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe;
  • hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with the required grade.  Your degree must be awarded before September 2025. Please check the list of Eligible Qualifications for Equity and Merit Scholarships to ensure you meet our academic requirements;
  • have at least two years’ professional experience related to your chosen field of study – this excludes unpaid internships or voluntary work;
  • be committed to returning home and be able to demonstrate the potential to make a positive impact on the future of your home country;
  • have a clear idea of how studying at Manchester will benefit both your career and the wider community;
  • have not previously studied outside of Africa (training of six months or less does not count).

Application Process

The application process involves:

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Applicants should prepare:

  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Evidence of professional experience
  • Personal statements explaining leadership potential and development impact
  • English language qualification (where required)

Step 2: Apply for the scholarship

Eligible applicants submit the Equity and Merit Scholarship application through the University of Manchester system.

Step 3: Apply for the Master’s programme

Shortlisted applicants must hold an unconditional offer for their chosen Master’s course before being considered for the scholarship.

Course availability may change and the final list for the 2027/28 academic year will be confirmed in October 2026.

Chemical Engineering

Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science

Development

Education

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Environment

Humanitarian and Conflict Response

Human Resource Management

Law

Medical and Health Sciences

Materials and Textiles

Online programmes (part-time option only)

Important Dates

Applications Open: 1 August 2026
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

Timeline:

  • September 2026 – Eligibility review
  • October 2026 – Eligible applicants invited to apply for their Master’s programme
  • November 2026 – May 2027 – Assessment period
  • June 2027 – Scholarship decisions announced
  • September 2027 – Studies begin

Why Apply?

The University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarship provides a life-changing opportunity for talented students who want to develop advanced knowledge and skills while creating positive change in their communities.

For young professionals working in areas such as climate action, environmental management, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, agriculture, governance, and social innovation, this scholarship offers a pathway to gain world-class education and strengthen their ability to address global challenges.

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