University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarships 2027/28 – Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships for International Students
Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships at the University of Manchester
Are you an academically excellent student from the Global South looking to study for a master’s degree in the UK?
The University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarships 2027/28 offer fully funded opportunities for eligible students from selected African countries who demonstrate academic excellence, professional experience and the potential to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
For the 2027/28 academic year, 30 scholarships are available:
- 20 scholarships for full-time, on-campus master’s study.
- 10 scholarships for part-time, distance-learning master’s study.
The scholarships cover full tuition fees. For successful students studying on campus in Manchester, the award also includes return international airfares, living expenses and visa costs.
Application window: 1 August 2026 – 31 August 2026
Important: Applicants must submit their scholarship application by 31 August 2026.
Scholarship Provider
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is one of the UK’s leading universities and is located in Manchester, England.
Visit the University of Manchester official website
Scholarship Name
Equity and Merit Scholarships for International Master’s Students
Study Level
- Master’s degree
- Full-time, on-campus study
- Part-time, distance learning
Study Duration
Full-time: One year
Part-time online: Three to five years, depending on the programme
Number of Scholarships
30 scholarships
- 20 full-time scholarships
- 10 online/part-time scholarships
Eligible Countries
The scholarship is open to residents and citizens of:
- Ethiopia
- Malawi
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
Applicants must meet the university’s eligibility requirements and demonstrate the potential to make a meaningful contribution to sustainable development in their communities or home countries.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Equity and Merit Scholarship provides substantial financial support for eligible students.
For all successful scholars
The scholarship covers:
- 100% of tuition fees
For students studying on campus in Manchester
The scholarship also includes:
- Return international airfare
- Living expenses
- Visa costs
This makes the opportunity particularly valuable for students who would otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate study in the UK.
Who Is Eligible?
The University of Manchester states that the scholarships are intended for talented applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential to contribute to sustainable development.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements.
1. Citizenship and Residency
You must be a resident citizen of one of the following countries:
- Ethiopia
- Malawi
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
2. Bachelor’s Degree
You must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with the required academic grade.
For the 2027/28 scholarship cycle, your degree must have been awarded before September 2025.
Applicants should check the university’s official list of eligible qualifications to confirm that their academic qualification meets the requirements.
Check the Eligible Qualifications for Equity and Merit Scholarships
3. Professional Experience
Applicants must have at least two years of professional experience related to their chosen field of study.
Unpaid internships and voluntary work do not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement.
4. Commitment to Returning Home
Applicants must be committed to returning to their home country and demonstrate their potential to make a positive contribution to its future.
5. Clear Career and Community Goals
You should be able to clearly explain:
- How studying at the University of Manchester will benefit your career.
- How your proposed master’s degree will benefit your community.
- How you intend to use your knowledge and experience to contribute to sustainable development in your home country.
6. Previous Study Outside Africa
You must not have previously studied outside Africa.
Training lasting six months or less does not count as previous study outside Africa.
Women Are Particularly Encouraged to Apply
The University of Manchester states that it is committed to equal opportunity and particularly encourages women to apply for the Equity and Merit Scholarships.
Eligible Master’s Courses
The scholarships are available for a range of master’s programmes in areas including:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cyber Security
- Machine Learning
- Robotics
- Global Development
- Education
- Environment
- Health Sciences
- Humanitarian and Conflict Response
- Human Resource Management
- Law
- Materials and Textiles
The final list of courses available for the 2027/28 academic year is expected to be confirmed in October 2026.
Chemical Engineering
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering
- MSc Subsurface Energy Engineering
View Chemical Engineering master’s programmes
Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Systems Management
- MSc Commercial Project Management
- MSc Construction Project Management
- MSc Engineering Project Management
- MSc Management of Projects
- MSc Mechanical Engineering Design
Computer Science
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Advanced Computer Science
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc Cyber Security
- MSc Machine Learning
- MSc Robotics
These programmes may be particularly attractive to applicants interested in technology, software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced computing.
Development
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Development Economics and Policy
- MSc Digital Development
- MSc Global Development
- MSc Global Development (Development Management)
- MSc Global Development (Environment and Climate Change)
- MSc Global Development (Globalisation, Trade and Industry)
- MSc Global Development (Politics, Governance and Development Policy)
- MSc Global Development (Poverty and Inequality)
- MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management
- MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects
- MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development
- MSc Organisational Change and Development
- MSc Research Methods with International Development
Education
Eligible programmes include:
- MA Education for Sustainable Environment
- MA Educational Leadership
- MA International Education
- MA International Education (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- MA International Education (Higher Education)
- MA International Education (TESOL)
- MA TESOL
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Advanced Control and Systems Engineering
- MSc Communications and Signal Processing
- MSc Electrical Power Systems Engineering
- MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
Environment
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Climate Change: Science, Society and Solutions
- MSc Data Science (Urban Analytics)
- MSc Data Science (Earth and Environmental Analytics)
- MSc Environmental Governance
- MSc Environmental Impact Assessment and Management
- MSc Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction
- MSc Geographical Information Science
- MSc Global Urban Development and Planning
- MSc Green Infrastructure
- MSc Pollution and Environmental Control
Humanitarian and Conflict Response
Eligible programmes include:
- MA Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
- MA Peace and Conflict Studies
- MSc International Disaster Management
Human Resource Management
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Human Resource Development (International Development)
- MSc Human Resource Management (International Development)
Law
Eligible programmes include:
- LLM Corporate Governance
- LLM Intellectual Property Law
- LLM International Business and Commercial Law
- LLM International Economic Law
- LLM International Financial Law
- LLM Public International Law
- LLM Security and International Law
Medical and Health Sciences
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc Audiology
- MSc Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- MSc Biological Sciences
- MSc Cell Biology
- MSc Clinical Immunology
- MSc Computer-Aided Drug Discovery for Cancer Therapeutics
- MSc Health Data Science
- MSc Infection Biology
- MSc Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science
- MSc Medical and Molecular Virology
- MSc Medical Microbiology
- MSc Model-based Drug Development – Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modelling
Materials and Textiles
Eligible programmes include:
- MSc International Fashion Marketing
- MSc International Fashion Retailing
- MSc International Fashion Retailing (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
- MSc Materials Engineering for Sustainability in Demanding Environments
- MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering
- MSc Textile Technology (Technical Textiles)
Online Master’s Programmes
The following programmes are available under the part-time distance-learning option:
- MPH Public Health (Online) – 3 to 5-year option
- MSc Analytical Chemistry and Measurement Science (Online)
- MSc Data Analytics and Social Statistics (Online)
- MSc Global Health (Distance Learning)
- MSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response (Distance Learning)
- MSc Occupational Hygiene (Distance Learning)
- MSc Occupational Medicine (Distance Learning)
- MSc Pollution and Environmental Control (Online)
- MSc Sustainable Electrical Power Systems Engineering (Online)
- MSc Transformative Oncology (Online)
How to Apply
Scholarship applications for September 2027 entry opened on:
1 August 2026
The application deadline is:
31 August 2026
Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their application.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements carefully before applying.
You should confirm that you:
- Are a citizen and resident of an eligible country.
- Hold the required bachelor’s degree.
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
- Meet the other scholarship requirements.
- Have not previously studied outside Africa, subject to the university’s stated exception for short training.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
The University of Manchester provides a sample application form that applicants can use to prepare.
View the sample application form
Step 3: Submit the Scholarship Application
Eligible applicants can submit the 2027/28 scholarship application through the official application form.
Apply for the Equity and Merit Scholarship 2027/28
What Happens After You Apply?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, the University of Manchester will invite you to apply for your chosen master’s programme.
You will also be required to provide a recognised English language qualification that meets the requirements of your selected course.
Important: Master’s Offer Requirement
To be shortlisted for the scholarship, you must hold an unconditional offer for your chosen master’s course.
Applicants should therefore pay close attention to the university’s master’s application requirements and deadlines.
2027/28 Scholarship Application Timeline
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| 1–31 August 2026 | Scholarship applications open |
| September 2026 | Applications reviewed for eligibility |
| 1–31 October 2026 | Eligible applicants invited to apply for their chosen master’s course |
| 30 November 2026 | Deadline to submit English language qualification |
| November 2026 – May 2027 | Applications assessed |
| June 2027 | Scholarship decisions announced |
| September 2027 | Academic year begins |
Key Facts at a Glance
Scholarship: Equity and Merit Scholarships
University: The University of Manchester
Study level: Master’s
Entry year: September 2027
Scholarship places: 30
Full-time places: 20
Online/part-time places: 10
Tuition: Fully covered
On-campus support: Tuition fees, return international airfare, living expenses and visa costs
Eligible countries: Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe
Application opens: 1 August 2026
Application deadline: 31 August 2026
Decisions: June 2027
Important Advice for Applicants
This scholarship is highly targeted, so applicants should carefully demonstrate more than academic ability.
Your application should clearly communicate:
- Your academic achievements.
- Your relevant professional experience.
- Why you have selected your chosen master’s programme.
- How the degree will advance your career.
- The development challenges you want to address.
- How your proposed study will benefit your community and country.
- Your plans to return home and apply your knowledge after your studies.
Applicants should also ensure that their academic qualifications and professional experience satisfy the university’s specific requirements before submitting an application.
Don’t Miss the Deadline
If you are eligible and interested in studying for a master’s degree at the University of Manchester, this is an opportunity worth considering.
The scholarship application deadline is 31 August 2026.
Start preparing your documents early and submit your application through the official University of Manchester application channel.
Apply Now
Official Equity and Merit Scholarship application – 2027/28
Official University of Manchester scholarship information
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees. For students studying on campus in Manchester, the award also includes return international airfare, living expenses and visa costs.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be resident citizens of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe and must meet the university’s academic, professional and other eligibility requirements.
Can applicants from Nigeria apply?
No. Based on the eligibility information provided by the University of Manchester, the 2027/28 Equity and Merit Scholarship is currently restricted to citizens and residents of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Can I apply without work experience?
The scholarship requires at least two years of relevant professional experience. Unpaid internships and voluntary work do not count toward this requirement.
Can I study online?
Yes. There are 10 scholarships for part-time distance-learning master’s programmes, with eligible programmes generally taking three to five years.
When does the application close?
The scholarship application closes on 31 August 2026.
When will successful applicants be notified?
The University of Manchester states that scholarship decisions will be announced in June 2027.
When does the academic year begin?
Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies in September 2027.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes. Scholarship eligibility, eligible courses, deadlines and funding arrangements can change. Applicants should verify all requirements and submit their applications through the official University of Manchester channels before making any decisions.
University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarship 2027/28
Application deadline: 31 August 2026
If you meet the eligibility requirements, apply early and carefully review the official scholarship guidance before submitting your application.