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.

Application timeline for 2025/26

1 to 31 August 2024 Scholarship application window
September 2024  Eligibility checks
1 to 31 October 2024 Academic application window
November 2024 to May 2025

Review period

June 2025

Results announced

September 2025

Start of the academic year

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