The University of Exeter scholarships for African students 2027/28 offer a £10,000 postgraduate tuition-fee discount to eligible international students from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria entering qualifying master’s programmes. The award reduces first-year tuition fees and can help students lower the cost of studying at the university’s UK campuses.
Eligible applicants do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. However, they must meet the nationality, international fee-status, programme and enrolment requirements. Not every master’s course qualifies, and the university’s detailed terms specify different deadlines for September 2027 and January 2028 entry.
This guide explains who qualifies, what the scholarship covers, which courses are eligible, how to receive the award and what applicants should confirm before relying on the funding.
University of Exeter Postgraduate Scholarships 2027/28: Overview
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Exeter, United Kingdom |
| Academic year | 2027/28 |
| Study level | Postgraduate taught master’s |
| Scholarship value | £10,000 |
| Funding type | First-year tuition-fee discount |
| Eligible countries covered | Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria |
| Separate scholarship application | Not required |
| Intended applicants | Eligible self-funded international students |
| Study location | Eligible UK campus-based programmes |
| September 2027 deadline | 31 July 2027, according to the detailed terms |
| January 2028 deadline | 1 December 2027 for eligible programmes |
The scholarship provides a one-year tuition-fee discount. The university’s terms confirm the £10,000 award for all four countries, but applicants planning to begin in January 2028 must wait for confirmation of the eligible programmes for that entry period.
Which African Countries Are Eligible?
The country-specific scholarship scheme covers applicants from four African countries:
| Country | Scholarship value |
|---|---|
| Egypt | £10,000 |
| Ghana | £10,000 |
| Kenya | £10,000 |
| Nigeria | £10,000 |
Applicants must hold citizenship or a passport from one of these countries and qualify for international tuition-fee status. They must also hold an offer for an eligible programme and meet the scholarship’s other conditions.
Although Exeter publishes separate award pages for each country, the university groups these awards under one set of 2027/28 terms and conditions. Applicants should verify their eligibility against those terms rather than assume that nationality alone guarantees the award.
ExeterWhat Does the £10,000 Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship provides a £10,000 reduction in first-year tuition fees. It is not a cash grant and cannot pay for accommodation, food, flights, visa fees or other living expenses.
For example, if an eligible master’s programme charges £25,000 in annual tuition fees, the discount would leave £15,000 to pay for that year. This example assumes the student qualifies for the full award and has no other applicable fee adjustments.
The scholarship lasts for one year and does not automatically renew for subsequent years of study. Exeter deducts the award from the student’s first-year tuition fees following enrolment. The university says the deduction should appear in the student’s online account within the first four weeks of study.
Applicants must therefore budget separately for their remaining tuition fees and living costs in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following conditions to qualify for the 2027/28 country-specific scholarship.
Citizenship and international fee status
Applicants must be citizens or passport holders of Egypt, Ghana, Kenya or Nigeria and qualify as international students for tuition-fee purposes.
An offer for an eligible master’s programme
Applicants must hold a conditional or unconditional offer to study an eligible postgraduate taught programme at the University of Exeter in the 2027/28 academic year.
The course must meet the scholarship’s subject-area and programme restrictions. An offer for a master’s degree does not automatically make the student eligible.
Meeting offer conditions and enrolling
Applicants must meet the conditions stated in their admission offer, including confirming their place and paying any required tuition-fee deposit by the deadline in their offer letter. They must then enrol on the eligible programme during the 2027/28 academic year.
Deferring a 2027/28 offer, changing fee status or transferring to an ineligible programme will invalidate the scholarship offer under the published terms.
Self-funded status and other funding
Exeter intends these awards for self-funded students. If an external organisation, government or scholarship programme will finance the student’s tuition fees, the student must inform the university before enrolment because the external funding may invalidate or replace the award.
The university normally allows only one of its tuition-fee scholarships per student. If Exeter offers a student multiple scholarships, the higher-value award generally applies unless the relevant terms expressly permit a combination.
Students receiving external funding, other than personal loans, should send a copy of their funding award letter to pg-ad@exeter.ac.uk to clarify how it affects eligibility.
Eligible Subject Areas
For September 2027 entry, Exeter lists eligible UK campus-based postgraduate taught programmes within the following academic areas. Eligibility applies to qualifying programmes, not automatically to every course within a department.
Environment, Science and Economy
- Computer Science
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Ecology and Conservation
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance and Accounting
- Geography
- Management
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
Health and Life Sciences
- Biosciences
- Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
- Health and Care Professions
- Health and Community Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health and Sports Sciences
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
- Arab and Islamic Studies
- Archaeology and History
- Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology
- Communications, Drama and Film
- English and Creative Writing
- Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies
- Law School
- School of Education
- Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy and Anthropology
Applicants should verify their exact course against the university’s programme information and scholarship terms before accepting an offer.
Which Courses Are Excluded?
The university excludes the following programmes or programme types from the country-specific postgraduate taught scholarships:
- One Planet MBA
- MRes Economics
- MRes Finance (Pathway to PhD)
- MSc Island Biodiversity and Conservation
- Clinical Psychology programmes delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR)
- DEdPsych Educational Child and Community Psychology
- MA International Film Business
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) with Applied Study
- Law programmes delivered by the University of Law
- MA Law (SQE1)
- MA Law (Conversion)
- LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)
- SQE Preparation Courses
- MiPDAL Dual Masters in Intellectual Property Law
- Graduate Law LLB
- Postgraduate Certificates
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Degree Apprenticeships
- Fully online or distance-learning programmes
If your intended programme appears on this list, do not assume the scholarship will cover it. If you cannot determine whether your course qualifies, contact Exeter’s International Scholarships team before making a financial commitment.
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How to Apply
You do not need a separate scholarship application. Exeter automatically considers eligible applicants who apply for a qualifying programme by the relevant deadline.
Follow these steps:
- Choose an eligible master’s programme. Check the course details and confirm that it is UK campus-based and not excluded.
- Apply for admission. Submit your postgraduate application and supporting documents through the university’s admissions process.
- Review your offer. Check the conditions, including any tuition-fee deposit requirement and payment deadline.
- Confirm your scholarship eligibility. Check your nationality, international fee status, programme and intended entry period against the published terms.
- Meet the conditions and enrol. Confirm your place, pay any required deposit by the deadline in your offer letter and enrol on the eligible programme.
Automatic consideration does not mean that every applicant will receive the award regardless of eligibility. Keep your offer and scholarship correspondence, and contact the university if you need written confirmation of your entitlement.
Deadlines for the 2027/28 Intake
The detailed scholarship terms specify the following deadlines:
| Entry period | Deadline | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| September 2027 | 31 July 2027 | Applies to eligible September-entry programmes |
| January 2028 | 1 December 2027 | Applies only to eligible January-entry programmes |
Exeter may consider late applicants at its discretion, but applicants should not rely on an extension. The university has not yet published the complete list of programmes eligible for January 2028 entry.
Important deadline clarification: Exeter’s country-specific award pages currently display 31 August 2027 in their summary sections. However, the detailed 2027/28 terms specify 31 July 2027 for September entry. Because the dates conflict, applicants should seek written clarification from Exeter rather than assume the later date applies. Working towards 31 July 2027 is the safer approach for September entry.
Is the University of Exeter Scholarship Fully Funded?
No. This is a partial tuition-fee scholarship, not a fully funded award.
The £10,000 discount reduces first-year tuition fees but does not provide a separate allowance for accommodation, food, travel or other living costs. Students must plan how they will pay the remaining tuition fees and cover their expenses in the UK.
Applicants who need additional funding should explore other options, but they must confirm whether external sponsorship or another scholarship affects their eligibility for this Exeter award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt apply?
Yes. Exeter lists a £10,000 country-specific postgraduate taught scholarship for eligible international students from all four countries for 2027/28. Applicants must meet the nationality, fee-status, programme and enrolment requirements.
Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship?
No. Eligible applicants receive automatic consideration when they apply for an eligible master’s programme by the applicable deadline. They must still meet their offer conditions and enrol.
Does the scholarship cover every master’s programme?
No. The award applies to eligible UK campus-based postgraduate taught programmes in specified academic areas. Exeter excludes several named programmes, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, degree apprenticeships, and fully online or distance-learning programmes.
Can I use the scholarship for living expenses?
No. The university deducts the award from first-year tuition fees. It cannot be paid as cash or used for accommodation and other living expenses.
Can I combine it with another Exeter scholarship?
Normally, no. Exeter’s terms state that students cannot normally receive more than one university tuition-fee scholarship. If the university offers multiple awards, the higher-value scholarship generally applies unless the relevant terms expressly permit a combination.
Can January 2028 applicants receive the award?
The terms provide a 1 December 2027 deadline for eligible January-entry programmes. However, Exeter has not yet published the complete list of programmes eligible for January 2028. Applicants should confirm their course’s eligibility before relying on the award.
Final Thoughts
The University of Exeter’s £10,000 Postgraduate Taught Scholarship offers eligible students from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria an opportunity to reduce the cost of studying for a master’s degree in the UK. Because the university considers eligible applicants automatically, students do not need to prepare a separate scholarship application. They must still secure admission to an eligible programme, meet the offer conditions and enrol within the applicable entry period.
Before relying on the award, check that your intended course qualifies, confirm the deadline directly with Exeter and calculate how much tuition and living expenses you will still need to cover. The scholarship provides a tuition-fee discount rather than full financial support, so planning for the remaining costs is essential.
For September 2027 entry, work towards the 31 July 2027 deadline stated in the detailed scholarship terms until Exeter clarifies the conflicting date on its summary pages. If you plan to begin in January 2028, confirm that your programme is eligible before making financial commitments.
Your next step is to review the official terms, apply for an eligible master’s programme and contact Exeter if any part of your eligibility or entry deadline remains unclear.
Official Scholarship Information
Before applying, review the University of Exeter Postgraduate Taught Scholarship Terms and Conditions for 2027/28. The official document outlines eligible countries, scholarship values, programme exclusions, application deadlines and funding restrictions.
Applicants should confirm their course eligibility and the applicable deadline directly with the University of Exeter before making financial commitments.
