Equity and Merit Scholarships
Master's scholarships for talented applicants from six African countries who could not otherwise study in Manchester, covering full tuition and, for on-campus students, flights, living costs and visa.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s
Destination
United Kingdom
Funding
30 scholarships in total: 20 for full-time on-campus one-year master's and 10 for part-time distance-learning master's (3 to 5 years). Full tuition fees; students studying in Manchester also receive return international airfares, living expenses and visas.
Eligible applicants
Citizens and residents of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe
Photo: Michael D Beckwith, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Equity and Merit Scholarships is offered by University of Manchester for Master’s study in United Kingdom. Details were checked against the provider’s official page on October 13, 2026.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- English testA recognised English language qualification meeting the course requirement must be provided by 30 November 2026 if found eligible.
- Scholarship application formRequired
- English language qualificationRequired
What this scholarship covers
Tuition fees
Included
Return international airfare
May be included
Living expenses
May be included
Visa costs
May be included
30 scholarships in total: 20 for full-time on-campus one-year master's and 10 for part-time distance-learning master's (3 to 5 years). Full tuition fees; students studying in Manchester also receive return international airfares, living expenses and visas. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 13, 2026
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
See official criteria
Scholarship scope
University-specific
Last eligibility check
October 13, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Resident citizen of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe.
- International eligibility
- For September 2027 entry the scholarship form was open 1 to 31 August 2026 and has closed. Applicants found eligible are invited to apply for a master's course (1 to 31 October 2026) and must hold an unconditional offer before being shortlisted.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with the required grade, awarded before September 2025; eligible qualifications are listed on a linked document.
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Experience and personal requirements
- Financial needRequired
- Aimed at applicants who would not be able to study in Manchester without financial support and who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- United Kingdom
Official eligibility summary
Applicants must be resident citizens of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe, hold a bachelor's degree with the required grade, and have at least two years of paid, field-related work experience. They must not have previously studied outside Africa (training of six months or less does not count). Applicants must show commitment to returning home and potential to make an impact there; the scheme targets disadvantaged backgrounds and particularly encourages women.
Applicant profile
- Citizens and residents of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe
Study route
- Master’s study in United Kingdom
Current-cycle criteria
- Applicants must be resident citizens of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe, hold a bachelor's degree with the required grade, and have at least two years of paid, field-related work experience. They must not have previously studied outside Africa (training of six months or less does not count). Applicants must show commitment to returning home and potential to make an impact there; the scheme targets disadvantaged backgrounds and particularly encourages women.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Degree evidence
How to apply
- 1
Submit the scholarship application form during the August window.
- 2
If eligible, you are invited to apply for your chosen master's course.
- 3
Hold an unconditional offer for the course before shortlisting.
- 4
Provide an English language qualification by the stated date.
Application timeline
Application cycle
September 2027 entry: scholarship applications 1 to 31 August 2026; course invitations 1 to 31 October 2026; English qualification by 30 November 2026; assessment November 2026 to May 2027; outcomes in June 2027.
Confirm the current dates on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
University of Manchester
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 13, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
No exact deadline is listed here. Check the official provider page for the next application cycle.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.