If studying at one of Britain’s most respected universities has felt out of reach because of the cost, the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2026 might be exactly what changes that.
This is one of the most generous scholarship programs currently available to international students heading to the UK, and applications are already open.
Here is everything you need to know before you apply.
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What Are the Global Futures Scholarships?
The Global Futures Scholarships are a University of Manchester initiative designed to bring talented international students to its campus in September 2026. For this academic year, the university is offering more than 300 scholarships with a combined value of over £6 million.
The awards are split across two groups. There are more than 100 scholarships available for undergraduate students and more than 200 for students applying to master’s degree programs. Both are applied as tuition fee discounts, meaning the money comes directly off what you owe the university each year.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, the strength of your predicted or confirmed grades, and the quality of your personal statement.
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How Much Money Can You Receive?
For undergraduate students, each scholarship is worth up to £30,000 spread across three years of study. That works out to £10,000 off your tuition in year one, £10,000 in year two, and £10,000 in year three.
To keep receiving the award in your second and third years, you need to maintain at least 60% in your final exams and assessments each year. Fall below that threshold and the scholarship does not continue automatically.
For master’s students from eligible African countries, the scholarship is valued at £18,000 applied as a single tuition fee discount for your postgraduate program.
These are not small top-up awards. For many students, this level of support makes the difference between studying in the UK being possible or not.
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Which Countries Are Eligible?
The Global Futures Scholarships are open to international students domiciled in selected countries. To qualify as domiciled in a country, you must have primarily lived there for the past three years.
For undergraduate applicants from Africa, the eligible countries are Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
For master’s applicants from Africa, the eligible countries are Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Egypt is the one addition at postgraduate level that does not appear on the undergraduate list.
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Who Qualifies to Apply?
Beyond country eligibility, there are a few other conditions you need to meet. You must be an international fee-paying student enrolled full time in an eligible program at the University of Manchester.
You must be self-funded, meaning you are not receiving sponsorship from a government body or external organization. And you must demonstrate strong academic performance throughout your application.
Undergraduate applicants must also confirm the University of Manchester as their firm UCAS choice by May 25, 2026.
Some programs are excluded from the scholarship. You cannot use this award if you are applying for Medicine, Dentistry, or Architecture. Courses with an integrated foundation year, blended or distance learning programs, and applicants who have previously studied in the UK are also not eligible.
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What Qualifications Are Accepted?
For undergraduate applicants, the university accepts the following qualifications when considering scholarship decisions:
A-levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC or IEB), the NCUK International Foundation Year, and Bridge House College Foundation.
Scholarship decisions will be based on your predicted grades, your past academic results, and what you write in your personal statement.
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How to Apply
The application process is straightforward, but it follows a specific sequence that you need to understand before you start.
Step 1: Apply to the University of Manchester
First, you apply for an eligible undergraduate or master’s program through the standard admissions process. You cannot apply for the scholarship before doing this.
Step 2: Wait for Your Offer
Once the university makes you a conditional or unconditional offer, eligible applicants will automatically receive the scholarship application form by email. You do not need to hunt for it.
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Scholarship Application
Fill out the scholarship form carefully. Your personal statement carries real weight in the selection process, so invest proper time in writing it well.
Step 4: Await the Outcome
The university evaluates all applications based on academic performance and personal statement quality. It also aims to maintain balance across gender, country, course of study, and qualification type when making awards.
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Key Deadlines to Know
The deadlines vary depending on which qualification you hold, so pay close attention here.
If you are applying with A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, or the NCUK International Foundation Year and your results are not yet available, your deadline is April 9, 2026, with notifications going out by May 18, 2026.
If your final exam results are not yet available when you apply, your scholarship offer may be made conditional on your actual grades when they come out.
Why the University of Manchester Is Worth It
The University of Manchester consistently ranks among the top universities in the UK and is globally recognized across science, engineering, business, and the humanities. Students from over 160 countries study there, making it one of the most genuinely international campuses in Britain.
Its graduate employment record is strong. Manchester alumni are sought after by employers worldwide, and the university has deep connections across industries that benefit students long after graduation.
For international students who earn one of these scholarships, the combination of financial support, academic reputation, and career opportunity is hard to match.
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Ready to Apply?
Visit the official scholarship page for full details and country-specific information: University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships
Start your course application first, watch your email for the scholarship form once you receive an offer, and give your personal statement the time it deserves. With more than 300 awards on the table, your chances are real if you put in the work.
Want more fully funded and partial scholarship opportunities for international students? Browse our latest scholarship listings for more options in the UK, Europe, and beyond.