
The Raheem Sterling Scholarships for Black British students
The University of Manchester and Kings College London are proud to partner with The Raheem Sterling Foundation to offer scholarships to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds.
Apply
Applications have now closed.
About the scholarship
The Raheem Sterling Foundation envisions a world where young people will always have the support they need in the pursuit of improving their opportunities, their future careers and their quality of life.
Through his charitable organisation, Raheem Sterling is dedicated to helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds break down barriers to success, find their voice, and realise their true potential in the world.
Manchester is a place that holds special meaning for Raheem, and we are delighted to be working with the Foundation to support its efforts to increase social mobility and remove obstacles for talented young people from the Greater Manchester region, helping them to reach their potential.
The Foundation will fund seven students on undergraduate degree programmes at The University of Manchester over the next three years.
The first two scholarships are available to students starting a three- or four-year degree course in 2023/24. Students on four-year degrees will receive the award for the first three years of their course only.
Students who are successful in securing a scholarship at Manchester will be required to share an update on their progress with the Raheem Sterling Foundation on an annual basis.
Award funding and length
The award will be paid in the form of an annual fee waiver of £9,250 and a cash award of £8,000 per student for a maximum of three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Students will not receive funding for repeat years, a year abroad or interruptions.
The scholarship is available for the duration of a student’s three-year or four-year programme of study (depending on the start year), subject to satisfactory progression.
Awards will be issued in Semester 1 for the 2023/24 academic year if students have met the terms of their course offer and completed registration with the University.
This scholarship will only fund students for the first three years of a degree course. If students are on a course that is longer than three years, additional years of study can be financed through Student Finance England or by other means.
Eligibility criteria
You must meet the following essential criteria to be considered for this scholarship – we may use the information provided on your UCAS form to help check these details.
1. 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
2. Have a home post-code located within Greater Manchester.
3. Have firmly accepted an offer of a place with The University of Manchester on a three-year, full-time degree programme starting in the 2023/24 academic year by the UCAS acceptance deadline (see UCAS guidance on replying to offers).
4. Have been assessed for fee status as a UK student (see UCAS student finance eligibility information).
5. Made an application to your regional student funding authority for income-assessed UK government financial support for higher education students. The regional student funding authority for this scholarship is Student Finance England. Please make sure you’ve given consent to share the information with the University – we’ll use this information to determine eligibility too.
Preferred candidates will also meet one or more of the following priority criteria:
- Have a household income of £35,000 per annum or less.
- Be care-experienced.
- Be an estranged student.
- Have a contextual offer from the University.
We’ll use information from your UCAS and Student Finance England applications, and our own applicant records to check whether you meet any of the above priority criteria.
How to apply
Applications have now closed.
Selection process
- We’ll create a shortlist of applicants based on application form answers.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview at The University of Manchester campus in mid to late June. The interview provides a chance to tell us more about yourself and why you would benefit from receiving this scholarship. The interview will take around 40 minutes.
- A small selection panel comprised of University of Manchester staff will make a final decision on who will be awarded the scholarship based on the application form and the interview.
Applicant enquiries should be sent to rsfsadmin@manchester.ac.uk.
Applicant FAQs
Can I apply if I haven’t selected The University of Manchester as my firm choice yet?
Yes, you can still apply if you are yet to select The University of Manchester as your firm choice, but you must select the University as your firm choice in line with the UCAS acceptance deadlines that apply to you. If you don’t, you’ll no longer be eligible for the scholarship.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the application and assessment process?
Please email any queries to rsfsadmin@manchester.ac.uk.
How do I know if I have a contextual offer?
Your offer letter from the University should inform you of whether you have been made a standard or contextual data offer. You can also check and see if you're eligible for a contextual offer using our contextual offer eligibility checker tool.
Can I apply if I have deferred my entry from 2022?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
I'll be applying to The University of Manchester to start in 2024. Can I apply for a 2024 scholarship now?
No. Applications for 2024 entry will open next in the academic year during the UCAS 2024 entry application cycle.
What happens if my interview date clashes with my Y13 exams or assessments?
Please let us know as soon as possible by emailing rsfsadmin@manchester.ac.uk. We will look to find a new date in June that works for you and our interview panel.
What should I do if I need help with the costs of travelling to campus for an interview?
We’ll be able to reimburse you for any reasonable bus, train or tram travel you need to get from your home or school/college in Greater Manchester to our campus. We’ll advise you of the process for this if you are invited to interview.
I have applied for the Cowrie Scholarship already; can I apply for this one too?
You’re able to apply for this scholarship, even if you have applied for the Cowrie Scholarship; but you can only be awarded one. If you are selected as a Cowrie Scholarship recipient and wish to accept it, you will need to withdraw from consideration for a Raheem Sterling Scholarship.