University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027 for African Students: Requirements, Value and Deadline

Securing funding for a degree in the United Kingdom is a major goal for many African students. For the September 2027 intake, the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships offer eligible international applicants an opportunity to reduce their tuition fees through merit-based awards.

The scholarships include undergraduate awards worth up to £36,000 over three years and a £19,000 tuition fee discount for eligible postgraduate taught master’s students. Applicants from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa may qualify, provided they meet the relevant academic, residency and course requirements.

However, these awards do not cover every cost associated with studying in the UK. Applicants must also understand the eligibility rules, application deadlines, course exclusions and financial responsibilities before applying.

This guide explains the scholarship values, eligible African countries, academic requirements, application process and important deadlines for the 2027 entry cycle.

University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027: Overview

The Global Futures Scholarships are merit-based awards offered by the University of Manchester to eligible international students. The scholarships provide tuition fee reductions for selected undergraduate and postgraduate taught master’s programmes.

Scholarship Detail	Information
Host institution	University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Scholarship	Global Futures Scholarships 2027
Study levels	Undergraduate and taught master’s
Target intake	September 2027
Undergraduate award	£12,000 per year, up to £36,000 over three years
Master’s award	£19,000 tuition fee discount
Eligible applicants	Students domiciled in specified African countries
Funding type	Partial tuition fee scholarship
Application method	Online scholarship form sent to eligible offer-holders
Undergraduate deadlines	25 February or 8 April 2027, depending on qualification
Master’s deadline	20 April 2027

Applicants should consult the university’s official scholarship information and the relevant country-specific page to confirm the requirements for their intended programme.

1. Scholarship Value and Financial Benefits

The value of the Global Futures Scholarship depends on whether you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate taught master’s programme.

Undergraduate Scholarship: Up to £36,000

Eligible undergraduate students can receive £12,000 per year for up to three years, giving a maximum total award of £36,000.

The scholarship is applied directly towards international tuition fees rather than paid as a cash stipend.

To retain the award in the second and third years, recipients must achieve at least 60% in their final examinations and assessments at the end of each academic year, subject to the university’s scholarship conditions.

Master’s Scholarship: £19,000

Eligible African students applying for postgraduate taught master’s programmes can receive a £19,000 tuition fee discount.

The award is applied directly to the tuition fees for an eligible one-year master’s programme. It is not a cash payment intended to cover accommodation or other living expenses.

Applicants should check the conditions for their chosen course before relying on the award as part of their financial plan.

Does the Scholarship Cover Living Expenses?

No. The Global Futures Scholarship is a partial tuition fee award, not a fully funded scholarship.

Recipients are responsible for covering any remaining tuition fees and other expenses, including:

• Accommodation and daily living costs
• Food and local transportation
• UK Student visa application fees
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), where applicable
• Flights and other travel expenses
• Books, study materials and personal expenses

Before accepting an offer, calculate the total cost of studying in Manchester and make a realistic plan for funding expenses not covered by the scholarship.

2. Eligible African Countries and Domicile Requirements

The eligible countries differ between the undergraduate and master’s scholarships. Applicants must meet the university’s domicile requirements, which relate to their ordinary residence rather than citizenship alone.

Undergraduate Scholarship: Eligible Countries

The eligible countries listed for the undergraduate award are:

• Botswana
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Mauritius
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

Master’s Scholarship: Eligible Countries

The eligible countries listed for the African master’s award are:

• Botswana
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

Mauritius appears on the undergraduate list but not the master’s list. Egypt appears on the master’s list but not the undergraduate list.

What Does Domicile Mean?

Applicants must meet the university’s ordinary domicile requirements, which include having predominantly resided in an eligible country for at least three years before applying.

Citizenship alone does not necessarily establish eligibility. The university assesses where applicants ordinarily live, so students should review the precise definition and evidence requirements in the official scholarship terms.

For example, a Nigerian citizen who has been living outside Nigeria may need to establish whether their residence history satisfies the university’s rules.

Academic Requirements at a Glance

The undergraduate and master’s scholarships have different academic conditions.

Undergraduate applicants must be applying for direct first-year entry and hold, or be working towards, an accepted entry qualification.

Master’s applicants must have at least a First Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) bachelor’s degree, or an accepted overseas equivalent. They must also have completed their bachelor’s degree at an institution in Africa.

3. Undergraduate Scholarship: Accepted Qualifications and Exclusions

The undergraduate scholarship is intended for applicants seeking direct entry into the first year of an eligible degree programme in September 2027.

The university lists the following qualifications for the African undergraduate scholarship:

• 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 working towards or already hold an accepted qualification. The scholarship is not automatically available to every student who meets the university’s general admission requirements.

Undergraduate Courses That Are Not Eligible

The university excludes the following from the African undergraduate scholarship:

• Medicine (MBChB)
• Dentistry (BDS)
• Architecture
• Courses with an integrated foundation year
• Blended and distance-learning programmes

Applicants who have previously studied in the UK are also excluded under the published eligibility conditions. The award is restricted to eligible full-time courses delivered at the university’s UK campus.

Important for Nigerian students: WAEC and NECO are not listed among the qualifications specified for this scholarship. If you intend to apply with Nigerian secondary school qualifications, check the university’s official entry requirements and scholarship terms to determine whether your qualification pathway is eligible.

4. Master’s Scholarship: Academic Requirements and Course Exclusions

The African master’s scholarship is available to eligible international fee-paying students applying for a full-time, on-campus taught master’s course beginning in September 2027.

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Be domiciled in an eligible African country.
• Be an international fee-paying student.
• Be self-funded rather than sponsored.
• Hold an unconditional offer for an eligible master’s programme by 20 April 2027.
• Submit the online scholarship application by 20 April 2027.
• Have completed their bachelor’s degree at an institution in Africa.

Minimum Academic Qualification

Applicants should have at least a First Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) bachelor’s degree, or an accepted overseas equivalent, as specified in the scholarship information provided for this opportunity.

The university’s course-specific admission requirements may be higher, so meeting the scholarship’s academic baseline does not automatically guarantee admission or a scholarship.

Master’s Courses That Are Not Eligible

The university excludes several programmes from the African master’s scholarship, including:

• MBA
• MPhil
• 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 are also excluded. Applicants should consult the full terms and conditions to confirm whether their chosen course qualifies.

Must Your Bachelor’s Degree Be From Africa?

Yes. Applicants for the African regional master’s scholarship must have completed their bachelor’s degree at an institution in Africa.

A degree obtained outside Africa makes an applicant ineligible for this particular regional award, even if the applicant is a citizen of an eligible African country.

5. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027: Application Deadlines

The scholarship deadlines depend on the level of study and, for undergraduate applicants, the qualification being taken.

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

The African undergraduate scholarship has two application rounds.

Application Round	Eligible Applicants	Deadline
Round 1	Students taking examinations in 2026, such as South African NSC/IEB or November-series A-levels	25 February 2027
Round 2	All other eligible students	8 April 2027

Applicants in Round 1 are expected to receive their decisions by 2 April 2027. Round 2 applicants are expected to receive decisions by 12 May 2027.

Where final examination results are not available by the application deadline, scholarship offers may be conditional on academic performance.

Undergraduate firm-choice deadline: 15 May 2027.

Eligible undergraduate applicants must select the University of Manchester as their firm UCAS choice by this date.

Master’s Application Deadline

The deadline for the African master’s scholarship is 20 April 2027.

By this date, applicants must:

1. Hold an unconditional offer for an eligible full-time master’s course starting in September 2027.
2. Submit the online scholarship application form.

Successful master’s scholarship applicants are expected to be notified by 24 May 2027.

Applicants should allow enough time to receive their unconditional admission offer and complete the scholarship form before the deadline.

6. How to Apply for the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship

You must first apply for admission to the University of Manchester. The scholarship application form is sent to eligible offer-holders; it is not a separate application that can be submitted before applying for an academic course.

Step 1: Choose an Eligible Degree Programme

Visit the University of Manchester official website and identify a programme that matches your academic background and career goals.

Check the following before applying:

• Course entry requirements
• Tuition fees
• Study mode and campus
• Accepted qualifications
• Scholarship eligibility
• Course-specific exclusions

Step 2: Submit Your University Application

Undergraduate applicants generally apply through UCAS, while master’s applicants should follow the application instructions on their chosen course page.

Prepare the documents required for admission. These may include:

• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Evidence of current or completed qualifications
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Academic references
• English-language test results, if required
• Other programme-specific supporting documents

The exact documents depend on your course and academic background.

Step 3: Receive an Admission Offer

Once you have applied for an eligible course and received an offer, the university will email the scholarship application form to eligible applicants.

For the undergraduate scholarship, the university states that forms will be emailed from December 2026 until the application deadline.

For the master’s scholarship, eligible offer-holders will receive the online form after being made an offer.

Check your inbox and spam folder regularly so you do not miss the invitation.

Step 4: Complete the Scholarship Application Form

Use the link provided by the university to access the scholarship form.

Complete all required sections and answer the questions carefully. The scholarship selection process considers academic merit and the quality of the application.

Make sure your responses are specific, accurate and relevant to the scholarship criteria.

Step 5: Meet the Final Conditions

Undergraduate applicants must select Manchester as their firm UCAS choice by 15 May 2027.

Master’s applicants must hold an unconditional offer and submit their scholarship application by 20 April 2027.

Review any additional conditions included in your scholarship invitation or award terms.

7. How to Write a Strong Scholarship Personal Statement

The quality of your scholarship application matters alongside your academic achievements. A strong personal statement should explain your goals, demonstrate your preparation for the course and show how the opportunity fits your future plans.

Consider addressing these four areas.

1. Academic Excellence and Relevant Experience

Explain how your academic background has prepared you for your chosen programme.

You may highlight:

• Strong grades and academic achievements
• Relevant research projects
• Academic awards or recognition
• Relevant work or practical experience
• Skills related to your intended field

Use specific examples rather than simply describing yourself as hardworking or passionate.

2. Clear Career Vision

Explain what you hope to achieve after completing your degree.

If you intend to contribute to development in Nigeria or another African country, identify the field or challenge you hope to work on and explain how your studies could help you contribute.

Make your goals realistic and connect them directly to your chosen programme.

3. Why the University of Manchester?

Show that you have researched the university and understand what makes your chosen course relevant to your interests.

You could discuss specific course modules, research opportunities, academic expertise or practical learning experiences.

Ensure that the details you mention are accurate and relevant to your programme.

4. Leadership and Contribution to Society

Provide examples of experiences that demonstrate initiative, responsibility or a commitment to helping others.

These may include:

• Community projects
• Volunteering
• Student leadership
• Professional responsibilities
• Activities in which you helped solve a problem

Explain what you did, what you learned and how the experience relates to your future plans.

Before submitting, make sure your statement answers the actual scholarship questions and follows any word limits provided by the university.

8. Important Things African Applicants Should Know

Before applying for the Global Futures Scholarships 2027, keep these points in mind:

• The scholarship is not fully funded. You must arrange funding for your remaining tuition fees and living expenses.
• Domicile matters. Eligibility is based on ordinary residence, not citizenship alone.
• The country lists differ. Confirm that your country is eligible for your intended study level.
• The master’s degree-location rule is strict. Your bachelor’s degree must have been completed at an institution in Africa.
• Undergraduate funding is conditional. Continuing the award in later years requires meeting the academic performance conditions.
• An admission offer is required. Eligible applicants receive the scholarship form after applying for an eligible course and receiving an offer.
• Course exclusions apply. Check the official terms before applying.
• Deadlines vary. Undergraduate applicants must follow the deadline for their qualification, while master’s applicants must meet the 20 April 2027 deadline.
• You must be self-funded. Sponsored applicants are not eligible under the published African scholarship conditions.

For Nigerian applicants, it is also important to plan for the UK Student visa process and the financial evidence required for the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship 2027 fully funded?

No. It is a partial tuition fee scholarship. Undergraduate recipients can receive up to £36,000 over three years, while eligible African master’s applicants can receive a £19,000 tuition fee discount.

Students must fund their remaining tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and other costs not covered by the award.

Can Nigerian students apply for the Global Futures Scholarship 2027?

Yes. Nigeria is included in the eligible country lists for both the undergraduate and African master’s scholarships.

Applicants must also meet the relevant domicile, academic, course and funding requirements.

Can I apply without an admission offer?

No. You must first apply for an eligible course and receive an academic offer. The university then emails the scholarship application form to eligible applicants.

What is the undergraduate scholarship deadline?

The deadline is 25 February 2027 for eligible students taking examinations in 2026, including specified examination pathways.

The deadline for other eligible undergraduate applicants is 8 April 2027.

What is the master’s scholarship deadline?

African master’s applicants must hold an unconditional offer and submit their scholarship application by 20 April 2027.

Can I apply for the master’s scholarship if I completed my bachelor’s degree outside Africa?

No. Applicants for the African regional master’s scholarship must have completed their bachelor’s degree at an institution in Africa.

What happens if an undergraduate scholarship recipient scores below 60%?

Continuation of the scholarship in the second and third years is conditional on achieving at least 60% in final examinations and assessments each academic year.

Students who do not meet this requirement may lose their continuing award, subject to the university’s full scholarship terms.

Does the scholarship cover accommodation and visa costs?

No. The scholarship is a tuition fee discount. Recipients are responsible for accommodation, living expenses, visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge where applicable, and other costs not covered by the award.

When will successful master’s applicants be notified?

The university states that successful applicants for the African master’s scholarship will be notified by 24 May 2027.

Conclusion: Is the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship Worth Applying For?

The University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027 provide eligible African students with an opportunity to reduce the cost of undergraduate or taught master’s study in the UK.

Undergraduate applicants can receive up to £36,000 over three years, while eligible African master’s students can receive a £19,000 tuition fee discount. However, applicants must meet the university’s domicile and academic requirements, choose an eligible course and submit their scholarship applications by the relevant deadline.

If you are planning to apply, start by identifying your preferred course, checking your eligibility and preparing your admission documents. Make sure you understand the scholarship’s funding limitations and have a realistic plan for covering the remaining cost of studying in the UK.

Ready to pursue your degree in Manchester? Visit the official University of Manchester website and its Nigeria scholarships page to review the requirements and application deadlines.

For more scholarship opportunities, application guides and study-abroad resources, keep exploring ScholarshipDreamsHaven.