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The Manchester Masters Bursary

The Manchester Masters Bursary provides financial support for students from underrepresented groups who undertake postgraduate taught degrees at the University of Manchester.

Key information

Award value
Paid directly to you
£4000 (£2,000 per year for 2 years if part-time)
Award length
One academic year (full time study) or two academic years (part-time study)
Study level
Postgraduate Taught
Fee status
Home (UK)
Number of awards available
50
Student type
Current, Prospective
Application deadline
31 May 2026
Eligible students
Low income households Free school meals Disabled students Care experienced or Care Leaver Young carers Black students Refugee students
Applicable subject areas
Most postgraduate taught degrees, some exceptions apply

Still unsure if this is for you? Then please contact us

Applications for this award have closed.

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.

Scheme eligibility

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:

Students on the following courses are not available to receive this bursary:

You cannot receive this bursary if:

Priority criteria

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:

Socio-economic factors:

Higher education progression information:

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.

Application and selection process

How to apply

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.

Terms and conditions

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

Contact

For enquiries about this award, please contact us