University of Manchester Scholarships For International Students

The University of Manchester offers a wide array of scholarships to help make a world-class education accessible for international students. These awards are primarily merit-based and are available for various levels of study, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees. The most prominent is the Global Futures Scholarship, which provides significant tuition fee discounts, with awards up to GBP 30,000 for undergraduates and GBP 10,000 for master’s students. Beyond this, many faculties, like the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Alliance Manchester Business School, offer their own dedicated scholarships. For those pursuing PhDs, funding is highly competitive but often comes from prestigious sources like Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) or university-funded schemes. Furthermore, the university actively participates in highly sought-after external scholarship programs such as the Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT Scholarships, which can offer full funding covering tuition, living expenses, and travel.

This guide will walk you through the important scholarship opportunities available, their eligibility criteria, and the application process, so you can focus on what truly matters—your abroad studies.

Types of University of Manchester Scholarships

The University of Manchester provides a range of scholarships designed to support a diverse population of international students across various levels of study. These opportunities can be categorized into several important types:

• Merit-Based University Scholarships: The most prominent is the Global Futures Scholarship, which offers significant tuition fee discounts for exceptional international students. These awards, valued up to GBP 30,000 for undergraduates over three years and GBP 10,000 for postgraduate taught students, are awarded based on academic excellence and are open to students from a wide range of countries. Separate application forms are emailed to eligible offer-holders for consideration.
• Faculty and School-Specific Scholarships: Many individual faculties and academic schools, such as the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Alliance Manchester Business School, offer their own scholarships. These are often partial awards but are sometimes automatically considered for all successful applicants to a particular program, without the need for an additional application.
• Research and PhD Scholarships: Funding for postgraduate research is typically highly competitive and often tied to specific projects or training programs. The university’s President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards are prestigious, fully-funded studentships for top-tier PhD candidates. Other opportunities include Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which can cover tuition fees and a living stipend. Some research scholarships are also advertised by individual supervisors or departments.
• External and Partner Scholarships: The university is a partner institution for several highly-regarded external scholarship schemes. These include the Chevening Scholarships (fully funded for future leaders), Commonwealth Scholarships (for students from Commonwealth countries), and GREAT Scholarships (offering tuition fee contributions). The university’s official website provides details on these and other external sources of funding like the Marshall Scholarship and Fulbright Awards.
• Equity and Merit-Based Scholarships: The Equity and Merit Scholarships are a notable example of the university’s commitment to supporting talented students from specific developing countries who demonstrate both academic potential and financial need. These awards are often fully-funded, covering tuition and living costs.

List of University of Manchester Scholarships

The University of Manchester offers various scholarships for international students, with different types of awards available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees. The scholarships are typically based on academic merit and are designed to provide financial relief for a wide range of students.

Scholarship Type	Coverage	Eligibility & Application
Global Futures Scholarships	Undergraduate: Up to GBP 30,000 (GBP 10,000 per year) tuition fee discount.   Postgraduate: Up to GBP 10,000 tuition fee discount.	For international students from a list of eligible countries. Requires a separate application after receiving an offer.
President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards	Fully funded: Full tuition fees plus a generous annual stipend (GBP 25,980 for 2025/26), and a research allowance.	For top-tier PhD candidates. Nomination is made by the academic department.
Faculty- and School-Specific Scholarships	Varies, typically a partial tuition fee discount ranging from GBP 1,000 to GBP 5,000 or more.	Based on academic merit and the specific program/school you apply to. Some are automatic, others require an application.
Chevening Scholarships	Fully funded, including tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, and a return airfare to the UK.	For applicants from Chevening-eligible countries with leadership potential. Must apply directly through the Chevening website.
Commonwealth Scholarships	Fully funded, covering tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.	For students from Commonwealth countries who demonstrate financial need. Requires application through a national nominating agency.
GREAT Scholarships	A minimum of GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.	For students from a specific list of countries. A collaboration between the British Council and the university. Requires a separate application.
Equity and Merit Scholarships	Fully funded, covering full tuition fees, international airfares, and living expenses.	– For academically outstanding students from specific developing countries who demonstrate financial need.  – Requires a strong academic record and a commitment to return to their home country to contribute to its development.  – Open for both on-campus and distance learning master’s programs in specific fields.

Details of University of Manchester Scholarships

The University of Manchester offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, with awards available at all levels of study. These scholarships fall into several categories, including university-specific awards, faculty-specific funding, and prestigious external scholarships. I have provided a detailed breakdown of each scholarship type in the previous heading.

Global Futures Scholarships

These are the University’s primary merit-based scholarships for international students, offering a significant tuition fee discount to reward academic excellence. Awards are distributed based on academic merit, predicted and achieved grades, and a dedicated scholarship application form. The scholarships are a tuition fee discount and not a cash award. For undergraduate students, awards can be up to GBP 30,000 (GBP 10,000 per year over three years), and for master’s students, they can be up to GBP 10,000. Eligibility is tied to specific countries, with scholarships for regions like South Asia and Africa. An online scholarship application is required after you receive your academic offer.

Benefits	A scholarship worth up to GBP 10,000, awarded as a tuition fee discount for undergraduate students, or a GBP 10,000 tuition fee discount for master’s students.
Eligibility	Open to international students from specific countries (including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) applying to full-time, on-campus undergraduate or master’s degrees. Must be self-funded and have a conditional or unconditional offer from the university. Undergraduate applicants must be working towards specific qualifications like A-levels or IB Diploma.
Application Process	An online scholarship application form will be emailed to all eligible offer-holders. You must have an offer for an eligible course before you can apply for the scholarship.
Deadline	Undergraduate: Submit the online application by March 26, 2026. Successful applicants notified by May 1, 2026. Master’s: Hold an offer and submit the online application form by April 24, 2026. Successful applicants notified by June 1, 2026.
Official Link	Global Futures Scholarships

Equity and Merit Scholarships

These scholarships are specifically for academically talented students from some of the world’s most economically challenged countries, with the goal of supporting future leaders who will contribute to their home communities. The awards are fully funded, covering full tuition fees, a living stipend, visas, and return airfares for on-campus master’s students. For distance learning, full tuition is covered. To be eligible, you must be a resident of a specific African country (e.g., Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zimbabwe), have a strong academic record, and a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience. An application must be submitted by the deadline, and candidates will be invited to complete an academic application for an eligible master’s course.

Benefits	A fully-funded scholarship, including tuition fees, living expenses, and airfare to and from the UK. The value can be up to GBP 30,000.
Eligibility	For master’s students from specific countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe). Applicants must have a strong academic record (a bachelor’s degree with an excellent grade) and at least two years of professional work experience related to their chosen field of study.
Application Process	Applications for the 2026 academic year open in August 2025. Applicants must complete an online application form.
Deadline	The application deadline for September 2026 entry is August 31, 2025.
Official Link	Equity and Merit Scholarships

President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards

These are the University of Manchester’s most prestigious and competitive scholarships for PhD students. They are open to all nationalities and are aimed at attracting the world’s most outstanding postgraduate research candidates. Successful applicants receive a fully funded studentship, which includes full tuition fees at the international rate and an enhanced annual stipend. To be considered, you must have an outstanding academic record, typically a first-class undergraduate degree and a master’s degree at a merit or distinction level. There is no separate application for this award; candidates are nominated by their academic department based on their PhD program application.

Benefits	A fully-funded PhD scholarship covering tuition fees, a stipend, and a research training grant.
Eligibility	For outstanding doctoral students from around the world. Eligibility is tied to the strength of your academic record and research proposal.
Application Process	Candidates are typically nominated by their academic department after they have applied for a PhD program. There is not a separate application for the award itself.
Deadline	The selection for the 2026 cohort will begin in early 2026. Review of applications will run from December 2025 to January 2026, with offers extended in February 2026.
Official Link	President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards

Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s prestigious global scholarship program, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and partner organizations. Designed for emerging leaders from around the world, the scholarship enables individuals to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university. The awards are fully funded, covering tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, and travel costs to and from the UK. To be eligible, applicants must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, have at least two years of work experience, and hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a postgraduate program. A key condition of the scholarship is that recipients must return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the award ends.

Benefits	A fully-funded award covering university tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return airfare to the UK, and additional grants to cover essential expenditures.
Eligibility	Open to citizens of a Chevening-eligible country (not including the USA or EU). Must have an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 honours degree and at least two years of work experience. Applicants must also apply to three different UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from one of them by the specified deadline.
Application Process	Applications are made through an online system. You must submit your application with a personal statement, work experience details, and academic transcripts.
Deadline	Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are expected to open in August 2025 and close in November 2025. The deadline for Türkiye applicants is October 7, 2025.
Official Link	Chevening Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships are a prestigious, fully funded scholarship program from the UK government. They’re designed to help talented students from Commonwealth countries pursue postgraduate study in the UK. The awards are managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and aim to support students who can’t otherwise afford to study abroad. The scholarships focus on candidates whose proposed studies will contribute to the development of their home country and align with one of the CSC’s six development themes, such as strengthening health systems or promoting global prosperity. The selection process is highly competitive, based on academic merit, the quality of your research proposal, and your potential to make a positive impact.

Benefits	A fully-funded scholarship covering university tuition fees, a living stipend, and airfare to and from the UK.
Eligibility	Open to citizens or permanent residents of a Commonwealth country (excluding the UK) who are unable to afford to study in the UK without a scholarship. You must hold an undergraduate honours degree of at least a UK 2:1.
Application Process	Applications are submitted through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s Online Application System and often a National Nominating Agency (e.g., the Ministry of Education in your home country).
Deadline	The deadline for applications for the 2026-27 academic year is October 14, 2025.
Official Link	Commonwealth Scholarships

GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships are a joint initiative by the British Council and the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, in partnership with UK universities. They offer a significant financial award to international students pursuing a one-year taught postgraduate degree. The University of Manchester is a participating institution, and its GREAT Scholarships provide a minimum of GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees. To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country on the designated list, which can vary annually, and hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a postgraduate program. Unlike some other scholarships, the application process is managed directly by the university, not the British Council, so you must first apply for and receive an offer from an eligible course at the University of Manchester before applying for the scholarship separately.

Benefits	A minimum of GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year taught postgraduate master’s degree. This scholarship is strictly a tuition fee waiver and does not cover living expenses, accommodation, or travel.
Eligibility	Applicants must be citizens and residents of one of the participating countries on the official list. You must have an undergraduate degree, meet the English language requirements of the specific UK university, and have received a conditional or unconditional offer for a one-year postgraduate course.
Application Process	The application is a two-step process. First, you must apply for and secure an offer for an eligible postgraduate course at a participating UK university. Once you have the offer, you must then apply for the scholarship directly through the university’s official scholarship page. The scholarship is not applied for through the British Council.
Deadline	Typically fall between February and May of 2026.
Official Link	GREAT Scholarships

Also Read: University of Manchester PTE Requirement

Tips for a Successful University of Manchester Scholarship

Securing a scholarship at a prestigious institution like the University of Manchester is a significant achievement that requires careful preparation and a strategic approach. Scholarships are highly competitive, and the university evaluates applicants on a range of criteria, including academic merit and the quality of their application materials.

Here are important tips to help you maximize your chances of success:

• The most important factor is a strong academic record. The university looks for top-tier grades and achievements that demonstrate your potential for success in your chosen field.
• Carefully review the specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship you are interested in. Many awards, such as the Global Futures Scholarship, are for students from specific countries, while others require a separate application after you receive an offer.
• Highlight any extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or leadership roles. Emphasize how these experiences have prepared you for university and how you plan to contribute to both the university and your community.
• Proofread your application thoroughly for any spelling or grammar errors. A polished application shows you are serious and organized.

Why Study at the University of Manchester?

The University of Manchester is a globally renowned institution with a rich history of innovation and a strong reputation for academic excellence, research, and graduate employability. Here are the important reasons why it’s a top choice for students from around the world:

• A leading research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide.
• The University of Manchester is the most targeted university by the UK’s top graduate employers. With an award-winning careers service and strong industry connections, its courses are designed with employability in mind.
• The university has a high graduate employment rate, with over 94% of its graduates going into jobs or further study.
• It also provides excellent career support to graduates for two years after they complete their degree, offering resources for job hunting, interview preparation, and networking.
• Manchester itself is a vibrant, multicultural, and welcoming city. It is one of the most popular student cities in the UK, offering a unique blend of industrial heritage and modern culture.
• The city is a hub for music, arts, and sports, with a diverse population where over 200 languages are spoken. The university’s main campus is at the heart of the city, with a wide range of amenities, including shops, cafes, and cultural attractions, all within walking distance.
• With over 44,000 students from more than 170 countries, the university boasts one of the largest international student communities in the UK.
• The University of Manchester is recognized globally for its commitment to social and environmental impact. It is the only university in the world to rank in the top ten of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for its contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Also Read: List of Manchester University Notable Alumni

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