The University of Manchester, United Kingdom, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Global Futures Scholarships. This prestigious award is open to both undergraduate and master’s students from eligible African countries.
Valued at more than £4.5 million, the scheme provides over 300 scholarships to outstanding students commencing their studies in September 2026.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
- Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Nigeria | Kenya | Ghana | Egypt | Botswana | Tanzania | Zimbabwe | South Africa
- Reward: £30,000 (Undergraduate) | £18,000 (Master’s)
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline:
- Undergraduate: April 9, 2026
- Master’s: April 23, 2026
Scholarship Details
The Global Futures Scholarships are part of the University of Manchester’s commitment to empowering international students with access to world-class education. The awards aim to support talented students who are ready to influence global challenges such as poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, social justice, and sustainable urban development.
The university will provide over 300 scholarships, with a combined value of £4.5 million. Undergraduate applicants will benefit from merit-based awards spread across three years, while postgraduate applicants will receive support through highly competitive scholarships based on academic excellence and the quality of their scholarship application.
Eligibility Criteria
- General Requirements:
- Applicants must be domiciled in one of the eligible African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa) for the past three years.
- Candidates must be self-funded (not sponsored).
- Applicants for Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BDS), Architecture, or any courses with an integrated foundation year are not eligible.
- The award is only for full-time, on-campus programmes at the University of Manchester (distance learning and blended learning are excluded).
- Applicants who have previously studied in the UK are not eligible.
- Undergraduate Applicants:
- Must be applying for direct first-year entry in 2026.
- Eligible qualifications include:
- A-Levels
- IB Diploma
- South African NSC or IEB
- NCUK International Foundation Year
- Must have selected the University of Manchester as their FIRM UCAS choice by May 25, 2026.
- Postgraduate Applicants:
- Must hold an unconditional offer for a full-time, on-campus master’s course starting in September 2026.
- Must submit a scholarship application form (emailed to eligible offer-holders) by April 23, 2026.
- Courses excluded include: MBA, MPhil, Master of Architecture (MArch), Architecture and Urbanism (MA), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), PGCE, Clinical Medicine, and Dentistry.
Scholarship Benefits
- Undergraduate Awards:
- Over 100 merit-based scholarships of £30,000 each.
- Each award is valued at £10,000 per year for three years, conditional on maintaining at least a 60% academic average each year.
- Award applied as a discount on published international tuition fees.
- Master’s Awards:
- Over 200 merit-based scholarships available.
- Each scholarship is worth £18,000.
- Selection is based on academic excellence and the strength of responses in the application form.
- Award applied as a discount on published international tuition fees.
Required Documents
Applicants are expected to provide:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Proof of domicile in an eligible African country
- Offer letter from the University of Manchester
- Scholarship application form (for master’s candidates)
- Updated CV and personal statement
How to Apply
- For Undergraduate Applicants:
- Apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate programme at the University of Manchester.
- Select Manchester as your FIRM choice via UCAS by May 25, 2026.
- Eligible applicants will automatically be contacted regarding the scholarship.
- For Master’s Applicants:
- Apply for admission to an eligible master’s programme.
- Hold an unconditional offer by April 24, 2026.
- Submit the online scholarship application form (sent to offer-holders) by April 23, 2026.
- Successful candidates will be notified by May 29, 2026.
Click HERE to Apply for the Scholarship
