Scholarship Overview
What Is the Global Futures Scholarship?
The Global Futures Scholarship is The University of Manchester’s flagship international scholarship programme. For 2027 entry, the university is offering more than 350 awards to international students, with a total value exceeding £6 million. The scholarship is open to students applying for undergraduate and master’s degrees starting in September 2027.
For African students specifically, there are dedicated scholarship streams: the Global Futures Scholarships for Africa (undergraduate) and the Global Futures Scholarships for African students (master’s). These awards recognise academic excellence and provide substantial tuition fee discounts.
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Scholarship Value and Funding Details
Undergraduate Awards
Each undergraduate scholarship is worth up to £36,000 total, structured as:
- £12,000 for Year 1
- £12,000 for Year 2
- £12,000 for Year 3
The award is applied as a discount on published international tuition fees. Continuation into Years 2 and 3 is conditional on achieving 60% in final exams and assessments each year.
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Master’s Awards
Each master’s scholarship is worth £19,000, awarded as a tuition fee discount.
Eligible African Countries
The undergraduate scholarships for Africa are open to applicants domiciled in:
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- Botswana
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Mauritius
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
The master’s scholarships include the above countries plus Egypt.
Important: To be considered ‘domiciled’ in these countries, you must have predominantly resided there during the last three years. The university considers your permanent country of residence to be where you are ordinarily resident, not where you are only living for full-time education.
Eligibility Requirements
Undergraduate Eligibility
- International fee-paying student from eligible African countries
- Applying for direct first-year entry in September 2027
- Holding or working towards one of these qualifications: A-levels, IB Diploma, South African NSC or IEB, NCUK International Foundation Year, or Bridge House College Foundation
- Self-funded (not sponsored)
- Must select The University of Manchester as ‘Firm’ UCAS choice by 15 May 2027
Master’s Eligibility
- International fee-paying student from eligible African countries
- Hold an unconditional offer for a full-time, on-campus master’s course starting September 2027 by 20 April 2027
- Self-funded (not sponsored)
- Must have completed your Bachelor’s degree in Africa
Courses Not Eligible
Undergraduate: Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BDS), Architecture, courses with integrated foundation years, blended and distance learning programmes.
Master’s: MBA, MPhil, Master of Architecture (MArch), Architecture and Urbanism (MA), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), MA Architecture and Digital Design, PGCE, Clinical Medicine and Dentistry degrees, some Master’s by Research courses, blended and distance learning programmes.
Additionally, applicants who have previously studied in the UK are not eligible for undergraduate awards.
Application Deadlines
Undergraduate Deadlines
Applications are considered in two rounds based on your qualification:
- Round 1 (Early Selection): 2027-02-25 — For students taking examinations in 2026 (South African NSC/IEB or November series A Level)
- Round 2: 2027-04-08 — For all other students
Notification dates:
- Round 1 applicants: 2027-04-02
- Round 2 applicants: 2027-05-12
Master’s Deadline
- Scholarship application: 2027-04-20
- Must hold unconditional offer by: 2027-04-20
- Notification: 2027-05-24
How to Apply
You cannot apply for this scholarship until you have applied for an eligible course and received an offer from The University of Manchester.
Step-by-Step Process
- Apply for admission: Submit your application for an eligible undergraduate or master’s course at The University of Manchester through UCAS (undergraduate) or the university’s direct application system (master’s).
- Receive an offer: Wait for your academic offer (conditional or unconditional). The scholarship application form will only be made available after this.
- Receive scholarship form: Eligible offer-holders will be emailed the scholarship application form automatically. Forms are sent from December 2026 until the closing date.
- Complete scholarship application: Submit the online form before your relevant deadline, including your personal statement.
- Await decision: Notifications are sent by the dates specified above.
Selection Criteria
Scholarships are awarded based on:
- Academic excellence
- Predicted and achieved grades
- Strength of personal statement
- Overall composition of scholarship cohort (including representation across programmes, domicile, gender, and qualification background)
For South African NSC/IEB students, scholarships are based on January 2027 results plus personal statement strength.
Documents Required
The scholarship application requires:
- Completed online scholarship application form (emailed to eligible offer-holders)
- Personal statement
- For Round 1/early applicants: previous examination results, predicted grades
- For South African applicants: NSC or IEB results from January 2027
No separate documents are required beyond what is submitted for your course application, except for the scholarship-specific personal statement.
Tips for Zimbabwe and SADC Applicants
Students from Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa should note:
- South African NSC/IEB students have a dedicated early round with results-based assessment in January 2027
- Zimbabwean students with A-levels or IB should apply through Round 2 unless taking November series A-levels
- Bridge House College Foundation and NCUK International Foundation Year are accepted qualifications, providing pathways for students whose local qualifications may not directly qualify
- The three-year domicile rule means students who have recently moved for education may need to verify their eligibility carefully
Important Terms and Conditions
The university provides full terms and conditions documents:
- Undergraduate: PDF, 298KB
- Master’s: PDF, 258KB
Key conditions include maintaining 60% annual average for undergraduate continuation, full-time on-campus study requirements, and self-funding status throughout.
PhD Opportunities
For doctoral study, the University of Manchester does not offer Global Futures Scholarships. Instead, competitive bursaries are available through individual Schools and research groups. Prospective PhD candidates should contact their intended academic School directly and consult the University’s postgraduate research funding database.
