The Manchester Masters Bursary provides financial support for students from underrepresented groups who undertake postgraduate taught degrees at the University of Manchester.
The Manchester Masters Bursary provides financial support for students from underrepresented groups who undertake postgraduate taught degrees at the University of Manchester. Many students can struggle to progress into postgraduate studies due to personal, educational, financial and socioeconomic barriers. This bursary provides financial support to student communities who face multiple barriers.
Essential criteria are criteria you must meet to be considered for this scheme. Students who do not meet this criteria will not be considered for this award. The essential criteria for this scheme are as follows:
- You must be studying your first master’s qualification, and studying for an LLM, MA, MEd, MBA, MEnt, MPH, MPhil, MRes, MSc, MSc by Research, MusM.
- You must have been assessed for fee status as a ‘home’ student for both your Undergraduate and Master’s degree course.
- You must have started your undergraduate course after September 2012.
- You must be studying an eligible Master’s degree at The University of Manchester, starting in September 2026, full-time or part-time for a maximum of two years.
- You must have graduated from your Undergraduate degree in the last five years (no earlier than June 2022)
- You must meet at least on of the priority criteria to be eligible.
Students on the following courses are not available to receive this bursary:
- Postgraduate certificates/diplomas (PGCert, PGDip, PGCE);
- Integrated undergraduate master’s (MChem, MMath);
- Master of Architecture (MArch);
- MA Architecture and Urbanism;
- MSc Physician Associate Studies;
- Doctoral degrees (PhD)
You cannot receive this bursary if:
- You receive course funding from an employer, a public funding body or an undergraduate loan (such as the NHS, PGCE, Integrated Master’s)
- You are receiving any other University funding (not including fee discounts, such as the Alumni discount)
- You are doing a distance learning course, and you completed your undergraduate degree more than five years ago
Priority criteria are additional criteria we use based on the information you have provided us to make our final selection decisions. The priority criteria for this scheme are as follows:
Personal factors:
- If you are a care leaver or care-experienced student;
- If you are an estranged/independent student;
- If you are a young carer;
- If you are a refugee or asylum seeker;
- If you have a disability;
- If you are from a military family;
- If you identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups:- Black or Black British – Caribbean, Black or Black British – African, Mixed – White and Black Caribbean, Mixed – White and Black African, Other Black background .
Socio-economic factors:
- If you were eligible for free school meals during secondary education;
- If you lived in an area of relative deprivation when applying to your undergraduate university course.
Higher education progression information:
- If you live in a postcode of low progression to higher education;
- If you went to a low attaining secondary school;
- If you go to a low attaining sixth form/college.
Not all eligible students will be successful in their application. We’ll prioritise students based on the number and nature of the priority criteria that you meet.
You must apply for this scheme by completing the application form.
Depending on which criteria you meet, below are examples of the documentation you may use to verify your status: you may be asked to submit additional documents as supporting evidence, including:
- Been in local authority care (for at least 13 weeks): A letter confirming this.
- Geo-demographic indicator: Student Loan Company letter showing your home postcode at the start of undergraduate study, if it met the relevant indicator.
- Disabled Students’ Allowance: Notification of award letter from Student Finance, and/or a letter from your university’s disability office confirming the support you received.
- Refugee/asylum status: Document providing evidence of your current immigration status, including recognition as a refugee, asylum seeker or holder of humanitarian protection status.
- Carers allowance award letter, a letter from your GP, or Carer ID card
- Estranged from your family: Evidence of your estranged status assessed by Student Finance during your undergraduate studies or a Word document with further information.
Your supporting statement:
The supporting statement is your chance to provide further detail as to how the bursary will support you during your master's study. We encourage you to consider the following questions when writing your statement:
- What eligibility criteria do you meet?
- What has been your key barrier(s) to progression into masters study?
- What specific costs will the bursary cover?
- How will the bursary change your ability to study?
- How will the bursary support your successful completion of your masters degree and further career progression?
Terms and Conditions
You can learn more about the Manchester Masters Bursary by reading the terms and conditions. These will be sent to all successful applicants, and must be agreed in order to receive the bursary.
Breaks in funding: This award is not provided during study years abroad, placement years, or if a student takes a study interruption.
Your course offer and this scheme: Receipt of this award is subject to you meeting you course offer commitments and registering at the University of Manchester in the year of entry specified in the application form.
Engaging with donors: This scheme is generously supported by a donor. Successful applicants will be expected to provide regular updates on their progress to the donor and meet with them as part of the terms and conditions of receiving the award.
Understanding your fee status: This scheme uses your fee status as part of its eligibility criteria. Find out more about how the University of Manchester assesses tuition fee statuses here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/tuition-fee-status/
Application and Selection: Completing an application for this award does not guarantee you will receive this award
For enquiries about the recruitment process contact us