Equity and Merit Scholarships for international master’s students
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals set the direction toward a better, more sustainable future for all. Our Equity and Merit Scholarships aim to empower young professionals in the Global South to deliver solutions to meet these interlinked goals.
Equity and Merit Scholarships are for academically excellent students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their home countries.
The awards are intended for those who cannot afford to study in 51¸£ÀûÉç without a scholarship. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and all applications are considered on their merit. We particularly encourage women to apply.
We offer two types of scholarship:
- Full-time, on-campus master’s (one-year duration).
- Part-time, distance learning master’s (three to five years duration).
There are 30 scholarships (20 for full-time study and ten for online study) available for a range of courses in engineering, environment, health sciences, development, education, textiles and law. The scheme is open to applicants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The scholarships cover full tuition fees, and for students who will be studying in 51¸£ÀûÉç, the award includes return international airfares, living expenses and visas.
Our master’s scholarships are aimed at talented applicants, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
To apply for a scholarship, you will need:
- to be a resident citizen of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda or Zimbabwe, and have not previously studied outside of Africa (training of six months or less does not count);
- at least two years of professional experience related to your chosen field of study (this does not include unpaid internships or voluntary work);
- a bachelor’s degree (you must have graduated before September 2024) with an overall excellent grade. The awards are for academically outstanding students and typically this means that you are in the top 10% of your class;
- to be committed to returning home and able to demonstrate the potential to make a positive impact on the future of your home country;
- a clear idea of how studying at 51¸£ÀûÉç will benefit both your career and the wider community.
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
- MSc Advanced Computer Science
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc Cyber Security
- Data Science (Computer Science Data Informatics)
- MSc Machine Learning
- MSc Robotics
Development
- MSc Development Economics and Policy
- MSc Digital Development
- MSc Global Development (Development Management)
- MSc Global Development (Environment and Climate Change)
- MSc Global Development (Globalisation, Trade and Industry)
- MSc Global Development (Migration, Mobility and Displacement)
- MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects
- MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development
- MSc Organisational Change and Development
Education
- MA Education for Sustainable Environment
- MA International Education
- MA International Education (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- MA International Education (Higher Education)
- MA International Education (TESOL)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Environment
- MSc Climate Change: Science, Society and Solutions
- MSc Data Science (Applied Urban Analytics)
- MSc Data Science (Environmental Analytics)
- MSc Green Infrastructure
Humanitarian and Conflict Response
Human Resource Management
- MSc Human Resource Development (International Development)
- MSc Human Resource Management (International Development)
- MSc Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- MSc International Human Resource Management and Comparative Industrial Relations
Law
- LLM International Economic Law
- LLM International Financial Law
- LLM Public International Law
- LLM Security and International Law
- LLM Transnational Dispute Resolution
- MA Security and International Law
Medical and Health Sciences
- MPH Master of Public Health (on campus)
- MSc Audiology
- MSc Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- MSc Biological Sciences
- MSc Health Data Science
- MSc Infection Biology
- MSc Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science
- MSc Medical and Molecular Virology
- MSc Medical Microbiology
- MSc Model-based Drug Development – Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modelling
Materials and Textiles
- MSc Corrosion Control Engineering
- MSc International Fashion Retailing (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
- MSc Polymer Materials Science and Engineering
Online programmes (part-time option only)
- MPH Public Health (Online)
- MSc Analytical Chemistry and Measurement Science (Online)
- MSc Data Analytics and Social Statistics (Online)
- MSc Global Health (Distance Learning)
- MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development (Distance Learning)
- MSc Occupational Hygiene (Distance Learning)
- MSc Occupational Medicine (Distance Learning)
- MSc Pollution and Environmental Control (online)
- MSc Sustainable Electrical Power Systems Engineering (Online)
- MSc Transformative Oncology (Online)
Applications for September 2026 entry will open on Friday, 1 August 2025 and close on Sunday, 31 August 2025. You can view a to help you prepare.
Application process
If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Equity and Merit Scholarship programme you will be invited to make an academic application for your chosen master’s course.
Please do not apply for academic admission until you are directed to do so.
An offer of admission will be required before your application can be shortlisted. You will be provided with guidance on this when you are instructed to apply for admission.
We will be in touch with every applicant to inform you of the outcome of your application by June 2026.
Application timeline for 2026/27
| 1 to 31 August 2025 | Scholarship application window |
| September 2025 | Eligibility checks |
| 1 to 31 October 2025 | Academic application window |
| November 2025 to May 2026 |
Review period |
| June 2026 |
Results announced |
| September 2026 |
Start of the academic year |
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