The University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships offer eligible students from selected African countries an opportunity to reduce the cost of studying in the United Kingdom. Undergraduate applicants can receive up to £36,000 over three years, while eligible African students applying for master’s degrees can receive a £19,000 tuition-fee discount.
However, the scholarships are not open to every African student. The University of Manchester applies different eligibility rules to undergraduate and master’s applicants, including different country lists, academic requirements and application deadlines.
This guide explains how much the scholarships are worth, who qualifies, how to apply and what applicants should check before submitting their applications.
University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship provider | University of Manchester, UK |
| Entry year | September 2027 |
| Study levels | Undergraduate and master’s |
| Undergraduate award | £12,000 per year for three years, up to £36,000 |
| Master’s award for eligible African students | £19,000 |
| Funding type | Partial tuition-fee scholarship |
| Undergraduate eligible countries | Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe |
| Master’s eligible countries | Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe |
| Undergraduate deadlines | 25 February or 8 April 2027, depending on qualification |
| Master’s deadline | 20 April 2027 |
Important: The undergraduate and master’s scholarships have different eligibility rules. Check the requirements for your intended study level rather than assuming that qualifying for one award means you qualify for the other.
How Much Are the Scholarships Worth?
The award depends on whether you intend to study for an undergraduate degree or a master’s programme.
Undergraduate scholarship: Up to £36,000
Eligible undergraduate students can receive £12,000 per year for three years. The scholarship is applied as a discount on published international tuition fees rather than as a cash allowance for living expenses.
Continuation into the second and third years depends on achieving at least 60% in the relevant examinations and assessments each year.
For example, an eligible Nigerian student awarded the scholarship for a three-year undergraduate course could receive £12,000 towards tuition in each year, provided the student satisfies the renewal conditions.
Master’s scholarship: £19,000
Eligible African master’s applicants can receive a £19,000 discount on published overseas tuition fees.
This contribution can substantially reduce tuition costs, but it is not a fully funded package covering every expense. Applicants should budget separately for accommodation, food, travel, visa-related costs and any tuition balance remaining after the scholarship.
Before accepting an offer, compare the award with the actual tuition fee for your chosen course.
Which African Countries Are Eligible?
The university publishes separate country lists for undergraduate and master’s applicants.
Undergraduate applicants must be domiciled in one of these countries:
- Botswana
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Mauritius
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
Master’s applicants must be domiciled in one of these countries:
- Botswana
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
The distinction matters. Mauritius appears on the undergraduate list but not the master’s list, while Egypt appears on the master’s list but not the undergraduate list. Applicants should use the relevant list for their intended programme.
What does domicile mean?
Domicile is not simply another word for nationality. The university requires applicants to have predominantly resided in the relevant country during the last three years. It considers the country where applicants are ordinarily resident, rather than a country where they live solely to pursue full-time education.
For example, Nigerian citizenship alone does not establish eligibility if an applicant’s residence circumstances do not meet the university’s requirements.
If you have lived in several countries or your circumstances are unclear, seek clarification from the university before relying on your eligibility.
Undergraduate Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
The undergraduate awards are for eligible international students entering the first year of an undergraduate course at Manchester in 2027.
1. Meet the country and funding conditions
You must be domiciled in one of the seven eligible African countries, qualify as an international fee-paying student and be self-funded rather than sponsored.
2. Hold an eligible qualification
The university lists the following qualifications for the African undergraduate awards:
- A-levels
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Independent Examinations Board (IEB)
- NCUK International Foundation Year
- Bridge House College Foundation
Applicants must be applying for direct first-year entry in 2027 and have, or be working towards, one of these qualifications.
If your qualification is not listed, do not assume that it is acceptable. Confirm your position with the university before proceeding.
3. Apply for an eligible course
The award applies to eligible full-time courses delivered at the university’s UK campus in Manchester.
The university excludes Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BDS), Architecture and courses with an integrated foundation year. Applicants who have previously studied in the UK are also ineligible under the published criteria. Blended and distance-learning programmes are not eligible.
Read the full terms and conditions to confirm that your intended course qualifies.
4. Demonstrate academic merit
The university assesses applicants on academic merit, which can include previous examinations, predicted or achieved grades and the scholarship application, including the personal statement.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. The university makes the final selection from eligible applicants.
5. Meet the UCAS firm-choice requirement
Successful undergraduate applicants must select the University of Manchester as their firm UCAS choice by 15 May 2027.
This is separate from the scholarship application deadline. Submitting the scholarship form does not remove the need to meet this condition.
Master’s Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
The African master’s scholarships have a separate set of requirements.
1. Meet the domicile and funding conditions
Applicants must be domiciled in Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa or Zimbabwe.
They must also qualify as international fee-paying students and be self-funded rather than sponsored.
2. Hold an unconditional offer by 20 April 2027
You must hold an unconditional offer for an eligible full-time, on-campus master’s course beginning in September 2027 by 20 April 2027.
You must also submit the online scholarship application by the same date.
This makes early admission planning particularly important. Submitting a course application before the deadline is not enough if you have not obtained the required unconditional offer.
3. Have completed your bachelor’s degree in Africa
The university excludes applicants who obtained their bachelor’s degree outside Africa from the African master’s scholarship.
This condition is separate from nationality and domicile. For example, a Nigerian applicant who meets the residence requirements but completed their bachelor’s degree outside Africa would not meet this published eligibility condition.
4. Apply for an eligible programme
The award covers eligible full-time, on-campus master’s programmes in Manchester. The university lists several exclusions, including:
- MBA and MPhil programmes
- Master of Architecture (MArch)
- Architecture and Urbanism (MA)
- Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
- MA Architecture and Digital Design
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Clinical medicine and dentistry degrees
- Some master’s-by-research courses
- Blended and distance-learning programmes
Because the exclusions are programme-specific, check the full terms before selecting a course on the assumption that it qualifies.
Explore our guide to the Wesleyan African Scholars Program 2027: Eligibility, Funding & How to Apply
How to Apply for the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships
The process involves applying for admission and completing a separate scholarship application.
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Confirm that your country of domicile, qualification, intended course and study level meet the relevant scholarship conditions.
Step 2: Apply for an eligible course. Submit your academic application for a programme beginning in September 2027, following the university’s admission requirements.
Step 3: Receive your scholarship form. The university emails the form to relevant offer-holders after they apply for admission and receive an offer. For master’s applicants, the form may be issued after a conditional or unconditional offer, but an unconditional offer is required by the final deadline.
Step 4: Complete the form carefully. Provide accurate information about your academic background and other requested details. Address the application questions directly, using relevant achievements and evidence rather than generic statements.
Step 5: Submit before the applicable deadline. Undergraduate deadlines depend on the qualification you are taking. Master’s applicants must submit the scholarship form and hold the required unconditional offer by 20 April 2027.
Step 6: Monitor your email. Check your inbox and spam folder for the form, acknowledgements and further instructions. If you believe you are eligible but have not received the form, contact the university rather than waiting until the deadline.
Important Deadlines for 2027 Entry
The university publishes the following deadlines for the African awards.
| Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate round one: specified examination routes, including South African NSC/IEB and November-series A-level examinations | 25 February 2027 |
| Undergraduate round two: other eligible applicants | 8 April 2027 |
| Master’s unconditional offer and scholarship application | 20 April 2027 |
| Undergraduate UCAS firm choice | 15 May 2027 |
The university expects to notify undergraduate round-one applicants by 2 April 2027 and round-two applicants by 12 May 2027. Successful African master’s applicants are expected to be notified by 24 May 2027.
For undergraduate applicants whose examination results are not available by the application deadline, scholarship offers may be conditional on academic performance.
Do not assume that every undergraduate applicant follows the same deadline. Check which round applies to your qualification and consult the official terms before submitting your application.
Practical Eligibility Scenarios: Would You Qualify?
These examples illustrate how the published rules work. They are not scholarship decisions.
Scenario 1: A Nigerian applying for an undergraduate degree
A Nigerian applicant has predominantly resided in Nigeria during the last three years, is self-funded, is taking A-levels and intends to enter the first year of an eligible course.
Assessment: The applicant may meet the main country, domicile and qualification requirements. They must still satisfy the course conditions, submit the scholarship application, demonstrate academic merit and meet the UCAS firm-choice requirement.
Scenario 2: A Nigerian applying for a master’s degree
A Nigerian applicant completed a bachelor’s degree at a university in Nigeria and has applied for an eligible master’s programme.
Assessment: The applicant may qualify if they meet the domicile and funding requirements, obtain an unconditional offer by 20 April 2027 and submit the scholarship application by the same date. Admission and eligibility do not guarantee an award.
Scenario 3: A Mauritian applying for a master’s degree
A student domiciled in Mauritius wants to apply for the African master’s award.
Assessment: Mauritius appears on the undergraduate list but not the master’s list. The student should check whether another Manchester scholarship is available rather than assume the undergraduate rules apply.
Scenario 4: A Nigerian whose bachelor’s degree was obtained outside Africa
The applicant meets the domicile requirements and has an unconditional master’s offer but completed their bachelor’s degree outside Africa.
Assessment: The applicant does not meet the published African master’s scholarship condition concerning where the bachelor’s degree was obtained.
These examples demonstrate why checking every eligibility condition is more reliable than relying on nationality or an admission offer alone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming the scholarship is fully funded. Both African awards are tuition discounts. Calculate your remaining tuition and living costs before accepting an offer.
Confusing nationality with domicile. Your citizenship does not automatically establish that you meet the university’s residence requirements.
Using the wrong country list. Mauritius and Egypt appear on different study-level lists. Confirm that your country qualifies for your intended programme.
Assuming admission guarantees a scholarship. The scholarship has a separate application and merit-based selection process.
Applying too late. Master’s applicants must have an unconditional offer by 20 April 2027, not merely an outstanding admission application.
Ignoring course exclusions. Not every programme offered by Manchester is eligible. Check the full conditions before committing to an application.
Missing the UCAS firm-choice requirement. Undergraduate applicants must select Manchester as their firm choice by 15 May 2027.
Final Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, confirm the following:
- My country of domicile is eligible for my intended study level.
- I meet the university’s three-year residence requirement.
- My qualification and intended course meet the scholarship conditions.
- I satisfy the international fee-paying and self-funded requirements.
- I have applied for admission to an eligible September 2027 course.
- I understand how and when the scholarship form will be sent.
- I know which deadline applies to my qualification or study level.
- I have checked the award against my tuition and living costs.
- I have read the full official terms and conditions.
- I understand the additional UCAS requirement if applying for an undergraduate award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerian students apply for the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027?
Yes. Nigeria appears on both the undergraduate and African master’s country lists. Applicants must still satisfy the relevant domicile, academic, course and funding conditions.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
No. The undergraduate award is worth up to £36,000 over three years, while the African master’s award is a £19,000 tuition-fee discount. Neither should be assumed to cover all living expenses.
Can I apply before receiving an offer?
You should begin with your academic application. The university emails scholarship forms to relevant offer-holders. Master’s applicants must ultimately hold an unconditional offer by 20 April 2027.
Can master’s applicants from Mauritius apply?
Mauritius is not included in the published list for the African master’s award. Applicants should check the university’s country-specific information for other funding options.
Does the scholarship cover accommodation and travel?
The African awards are tuition-fee discounts. Applicants should budget separately for accommodation, travel and other expenses not covered by the award.
Where can I confirm the latest requirements?
Consult the official University of Manchester global futures scholarships page and the relevant country-specific information. Read the full terms and conditions before submitting your application.
Final Thoughts
The University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027 offer eligible African students a valuable opportunity to reduce their tuition costs. However, eligibility differs by study level, country of domicile, qualification and course.
Start by checking whether you qualify, then apply for admission early and follow the correct scholarship application process. Most importantly, understand what the award covers and prepare a realistic budget for the remaining costs.
For the latest eligibility requirements, application instructions, and scholarship details, visit the official university of Manchester for Global Scholarship page
