Equity and Merit Scholarships for international master’s students

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals set the direction toward a better, more sustainable future for all. Our Equity and Merit Scholarships aim to empower young professionals in the Global South to deliver solutions to meet these interlinked goals.

Equity and Merit Scholarships are for academically excellent students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their home countries.

The awards are intended for those who cannot afford to study in Manchester without a scholarship. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and all applications are considered on their merit. We particularly encourage women to apply. 

We offer two types of scholarship:  

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

There are 40 scholarships (30 for full-time study and ten for online study) available for a range of courses in engineering, environment, health sciences, development, education, textiles and law. The scheme is open to applicants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. 

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.

Eligibility

Our master’s scholarships are aimed at talented applicants, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

To apply for a scholarship, you will need: 

  • to be a resident citizen of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe, and have not previously studied outside of Africa (training of six months or less does not count);
  • at least two years of professional experience related to your chosen field of study (this does not include unpaid internships or voluntary work);
  • a bachelor’s degree (you must have graduated before September 2022) with an overall excellent grade. The awards are for academically outstanding students and typically this means that you are in the top 10% of your class;
  • to be committed to returning home and able to demonstrate the potential to make a positive impact on the future of your home country;
  • a clear idea of how studying at Manchester will benefit both your career and the wider community.

Full list of courses where scholarships are available

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

How to apply

 Applications will open again on 1 August 2023 for September 2024 entry.

Apply now

Please view a sample application form (PDF document, 256KB) to help you prepare.

Application timeline for 2024/25

1 to 31 August 2023 Application window
September 2023 to May 2024  Review period
June 2024 Results announced
September 2024 Start of the academic year 

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