Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of financial support packages to help you succeed at university, no matter your income or background.
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
The Cowrie Foundation Scholarship supports Black African and Caribbean heritage students, from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds, to access and succeed within higher education.
Key information
- Tuition fee
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Paid directly to you
- £6,000 per academic year
- Other
- Peer mentoring and professional mentoring
- Award length
- Duration of UG course, subject to reassessment each year.
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Fee status
- Home (UK)
- Number of awards available
- 2
- Student type
- Prospective
- Application deadline
- 26 April 2026
Still unsure if this is for you? Then please contact us
The Cowrie Foundation scholarship is a partnership between the University of Manchester and the Cowrie Foundation, which supports students from Black African and Caribbean heritage, from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds, through providing financial support for the duration of their undergraduate studies.
This partnership began in 2021 and will support 23 students over seven years with study and living costs during their degree, as well as providing access to both peer and professional mentoring.
Scheme eligibility
Essential criteria are criteria you must meet to be considered for this scheme. Students who do not meet this criteria will not be considered for this award. The essential criteria for this scheme are as follows:
- You must identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups: Black or Black British – Caribbean, Black or Black British – African, Mixed – White and Black Caribbean, Mixed – White and Black African, Other Black background
- You must have applied to study an undergraduate degree at The University of Manchester starting in the year that you are applying for this scholarship
- You must have been assessed for fee status as a 'home' student;
- You must have submitted an application to your regional student funding authority (Student Finance England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland), had a full household income assessment, and consented to share your Student Finance information with your university;
- You must have a household income of £35,000 per annum or less, as assessed by your regional student funding authority;
Priority criteria
Priority criteria are additional criteria we use based on the information you have provided us to make our final selection decisions. The priority criteria for this scheme are as follows:
Personal factors:
- If you are a care leaver or care-experienced student;
- If you are an estranged/independent student;
- If you are a young carer;
- If you are a refugee or asylum seeker;
- If you have a disability;
- If you are from a military family;
Socio-economic factors:
- If you were eligible for free school meals during secondary education;
- If you live in an area of relative deprivation.
Higher education progression information:
- If you live in a postcode of low progression to higher education;
- If you went to a low attaining secondary school;
- If you go to a low attaining sixth form/college.
Application and selection process
How to apply
Students must complete the application form to be considered for this award. Within the application, you will be asked to evidence each of the eligibility and priority criteria that you meet.
We will then use your application form, your supporting evidence and the UCAS information you have provided as an applicant to shortlist.
Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to an interview, which will allow us to finalise our selection of students.
Terms and conditions
Sharing your household income information
When completing your Student Finance England Application, you will need to ensure you have selected the option to consent to share your household income information with the Universities you have applied to or hold an offer with. Without this we cannot access that information, and we will not be able to consider your application for this scheme.
Breaks in funding
This award is not provided during study years abroad, placement years, or if a student takes a study interruption.
Your course offer and this scheme
Receipt of this award is subject to you meeting you course offer commitments and registering at the University of Manchester in the year of entry specified in the application form.
Engaging with donors
This scheme is generously supported by a donor. Successful applicants will be expected to provide regular updates on their progress to the donor and meet with them as part of the terms and conditions of receiving the award.
Understanding your fee status
This scheme uses your fee status as part of its eligibility criteria. Find out more about how the University of Manchester assesses tuition fee statuses here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/tuition-fee-status/
Application and Selection
Completing an application for this award does not guarantee you will receive this award
Applicants must meet eligibility criteria and be in a position to verify their circumstances in order to apply. Applicants who do not meet the criteria will not be considered for an award
Contact
For enquiries about this award, please contact us