Global Futures Scholarships for African Students (Master's)

The Global Futures Scholarships for African Students (Master's) are a prestigious initiative by The University of Manchester, designed to attract and support academically exceptional international students. As a flagship international scholarship program, it aims to recognize academic excellence and facilitate access to world-class education at a globally renowned institution. The University of Manchester is a highly regarded Russell Group university, consistently ranked among the top 50 globally, including 28th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

These merit-based Master's scholarships form part of a larger commitment, with the University offering more than 350 partial merit-based scholarships totaling over £6 million to international undergraduate and master's students for the September 2027 intake. The scholarships reflect the University's long history of welcoming students from Africa and its dedication to fostering a diverse and vibrant academic community.

To be eligible for the Global Futures Scholarships for African Students (Master's), applicants must meet several key criteria:

• Nationalities/Domicile: The scholarships are open to international fee-paying students domiciled in the following African countries: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. To be considered domiciled, applicants must have predominantly resided in one of these countries for the last three years, with eligibility based on domicile rather than nationality.
• Academic Level: Candidates must be applying for a full-time, on-campus Master's (postgraduate taught) course at The University of Manchester.
• Academic Achievement: Applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement and merit. While specific grades can vary by program, a minimum equivalent of a 3.7 GPA for Master's students is often cited, and applicants must meet the specific course offer grade requirements.
• English Language Proficiency: General university admission requirements for English proficiency, typically IELTS 6.5+ (academic) or TOEFL 79+ (internet-based), apply.
• Age Limits: There are no explicit age limits for this scholarship.
• Field Restrictions: The scholarships are generally open to all subjects and fields of study for Master's programs. However, courses like Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BDS), or Architecture (typically undergraduate) may be excluded from some Global Futures Scholarship schemes, so applicants should verify program-specific eligibility.
• Other Conditions: Applicants must hold an offer of study for an eligible course starting in September 2027. They must be classified as 'international' for tuition fee purposes and be self-funded (not sponsored by an external government agency or commercial funder). The scholarship cannot be combined with other University of Manchester awards.

The Global Futures Scholarships for African Students (Master's) offer significant financial support in the form of a tuition fee discount.

• Tuition Fees: For eligible Master's students from African countries, the scholarship is valued at £19,000. This amount is applied directly as a discount on the published overseas tuition fees. For example, an £18,000 scholarship for Nigerian Master's students has been noted to represent between 50% and 72% of the total tuition cost, depending on the program.
• Other Expenses: It is important to note that this scholarship primarily covers tuition fees. Living expenses, accommodation, travel, visa costs, and other personal costs are generally not covered by this award.

The application process for the Global Futures Scholarships is integrated with the university admission process:

1. Identify an Eligible Course: Prospective students should first research the University of Manchester's Master's programs and select a course that aligns with their academic background and career aspirations.
2. Apply for Admission: Submit an application for admission to your chosen Master's program at The University of Manchester.
3. Receive an Offer: Applicants must secure an offer of a study place (either conditional or unconditional) for an eligible Master's course commencing in September 2027.
4. Submit Scholarship Application: Once an eligible offer has been received, an online scholarship application form will be emailed to relevant offer-holders by the International Office. You must complete and submit this form by the scholarship deadline.
5. Required Documents & Tips: While the scholarship application form itself will guide you, for both university admission and the scholarship, you will typically need to prepare:
   • Academic transcripts.
   • Academic references.
   • A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
   • A strong personal statement, which is crucial for demonstrating academic excellence and suitability for your chosen program and the scholarship.
   • Tips: Focus on crafting a compelling online application, including your personal statement, to highlight your academic merit and potential. Apply for university admission early to allow sufficient time to receive an offer and then apply for the scholarship.

The application timeline for the Global Futures Scholarships for African Students (Master's) typically revolves around the university's admission cycle:

• Application for University Admission: Students should apply for their chosen Master's program well in advance of the scholarship deadline.
• Scholarship Application Deadline: For Master's applicants from eligible African countries, the deadline to hold an unconditional offer and submit the online scholarship application form is 20 April 2027.
• Notification of Outcome: Successful candidates are generally notified of their scholarship decision by 24 May 2027.

The selection for the Global Futures Scholarships is highly competitive and merit-based, with several factors considered by the review panel:

• Academic Merit: The primary criterion for selection is academic excellence, assessed through predicted and achieved grades, as well as the overall quality of the applicant's academic profile.
• Online Application Form: The quality and content of the online scholarship application form, including the personal statement and CV, play a significant role in the selection process. Applicants should clearly articulate their motivations and achievements.
• Diversity and Representation: The University endeavors to achieve a balance in the allocation of awards based on gender, domicile, qualification type, and representation across various academic programs. Greater credit may be given to applicants for courses where students from their region are underrepresented. Research potential may also be considered for Master's candidates.
• Number of Awards: For the 2027 intake, The University of Manchester is offering over 350 partial merit-based scholarships across both undergraduate and master's levels, with a total value exceeding £6 million. More than 250 master's scholarships are available to international students, with dedicated awards for African students.
• Award Continuation: For multi-year programs (typically undergraduate), the continuation of the award is conditional on maintaining an average of at least 60% in final exams and assessments each year.