Are you an outstanding graduate from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zimbabwe looking to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the UK? The University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarships 2027–2028 offer an exceptional opportunity for talented individuals committed to driving sustainable development in their home countries.
The scholarships cover full tuition fees, living expenses, return flights, visa costs, and other essential support for eligible students pursuing selected master’s programmes at one of the UK’s leading universities.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Institution: University of Manchester
- Study Level: Master’s Degree
- Study Location: United Kingdom
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Eligible Countries: Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
- Number of Scholarships: 30
- 20 Full-time, on-campus scholarships
- 10 Part-time, online scholarships
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
- Study Begins: September 2027
About the University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarships
The University of Manchester is committed to promoting a more equitable and sustainable future by supporting talented individuals from the Global South who have the potential to create lasting social impact.
The Equity and Merit Scholarships are designed for academically excellent students from disadvantaged backgrounds who would otherwise be unable to study at Manchester without financial assistance.
The programme particularly encourages women applicants and seeks future leaders committed to improving their communities through education, innovation, research, and public service.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants for the full-time on-campus programme will receive:
- Full tuition fees
- Return international airfare
- Visa costs
- Living expenses
- Comprehensive financial support throughout the programme
Students awarded the online master’s scholarship will receive:
- Full tuition fee coverage for eligible distance-learning programmes
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be citizens and residents of one of the following countries:
- Ethiopia
- Malawi
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a resident citizen of one of the eligible countries.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution that meets the University’s academic requirements.
- Have completed the bachelor’s degree before September 2025.
- Possess at least two years of relevant professional work experience (unpaid internships and volunteer work do not count).
- Demonstrate commitment to returning home after graduation.
- Show strong potential to contribute to sustainable development at the community, national, or regional level.
- Clearly explain how studying at the University of Manchester will advance both their career and their country’s development.
- Not have previously studied outside Africa (except training lasting six months or less).
Eligible Master’s Programmes
Course availability may change and the final list for the 2027/28 academic year will be confirmed in October 2026.
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Mechanical Engineering
- 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
- MSc Advanced Computer Science
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc Cyber Security
- MSc Machine Learning
- MSc Robotics
Development
- 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
- 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
- MSc Advanced Control and Systems Engineering
- MSc Communications and Signal Processing
- MSc Electrical Power Systems Engineering
- MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
Environment
- 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
- MA Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
- MA Peace and Conflict Studies
- MSc International Disaster Management
Human Resource Management
- MSc Human Resource Development (International Development)
- MSc Human Resource Management (International Development)
Law
- 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
- 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
- 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 programmes (part-time option only)
- MPH Public Health (Online) 3- to 5-year option only
- 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)
Application Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1–31 August 2026 | Scholarship applications open |
| September 2026 | Eligibility review |
| October 2026 | Eligible applicants invited to apply for master’s programmes |
| 30 November 2026 | English language qualification deadline |
| November 2026 – May 2027 | Application assessment |
| June 2027 | Scholarship decisions announced |
| September 2027 | Programme begins |
How to Apply
Scholarship applications for September 2027 entry will open on 1 August 2026 and close on 31 August 2026.
You can view a sample application form to help you prepare.
To apply, use this: Equity and Merit Scholarships: 2027/28 application form.
Applications for the University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarships 2027–2028 are open from 1 August to 31 August 2026.
Applicants who meet the scholarship eligibility requirements will be invited to submit an application for their chosen master’s programme. Shortlisted candidates must obtain an unconditional offer from the University before the final scholarship selection.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the sample application form and begin preparing supporting documents early.
Why Apply?
The University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarships provide more than financial support—they invest in future leaders who are committed to addressing pressing development challenges across Africa. Whether your passion lies in engineering, public health, education, environmental sustainability, international development, law, or technology, this scholarship offers an opportunity to gain a world-class education while developing the skills needed to create lasting impact in your community.
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
