Equity & Merit Scholarship 2027/28.

Opportunity Overview

The University of Manchester Equity & Merit Scholarship supports academically outstanding students from eligible African countries who may not otherwise have the financial means to pursue postgraduate education.

The scholarship is designed for individuals who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to sustainable development and positive change in their communities.

Application Opening Date

1 August 2026

Key Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution in an eligible country.
• Meet the minimum academic grade required for their country.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Show the potential to contribute to sustainable development in their home country.
• Meet the admission requirements for an eligible University of Manchester master’s programme.
• Provide an accepted and valid English-language qualification.

Applicants whose bachelor’s degree is not from a listed institution may be required to hold a master’s degree from a recognised institution.

Malawi Academic Requirements

Applicants from Malawi should hold a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree from one of the following institutions:

• Malawi University of Science and Technology
• Mzuzu University
• University of Malawi, including Chancellor College, The Polytechnic, College of Medicine and Kamuzu College

“Minimum required grade: 70% or GPA 3.0”

Applicants who do not meet the stated bachelor’s degree requirements may also be required to hold a qualifying master’s degree.

English-Language Requirements

Applicants must submit a valid English-language qualification before admission. Accepted tests include:

• IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI
• TOEFL iBT
• Pearson PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI

The required score depends on the selected academic programme. Duolingo English Test results are not accepted, and test results must not be more than two years old when the course begins.

Academic Admission

Eligible scholarship applicants must apply separately for admission to an eligible University of Manchester postgraduate programme. Academic admission applications are expected to open from 10 October 2026.

How to Apply

Confirm that your institution and qualifications are eligible, prepare your supporting documents and complete the scholarship application through the official University of Manchester application platform.

Documents to Prepare

• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal or motivation statement
• Proof of English-language proficiency
• Supporting documents demonstrating financial need
• Evidence of leadership, professional or community impact

Important Notice

“Meeting the scholarship eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee academic admission or a scholarship award. Applicants should carefully review the requirements of their selected course before applying.”

Need Application Support?

HelpAbroad Konect LLC can assist with eligibility assessment, course selection, document preparation, personal statement review and scholarship application guidance.