Master’s Bursary for UK and EU Students at University of Manchester

The University of Manchester offers the Manchester Master’s Bursary to widen participation in master’s study and support students from underrepresented backgrounds who want to access postgraduate study at the university.

The bursary applies to eligible master’s study at The University of Manchester. Eligible programmes include LLM, MA, MEd, MBA, MEnt, MPH, MPhil, MRes, MSc, MSc by Research and MusM.

The university says not all eligible students will receive an award. It prioritises applicants according to how many of the priority criteria they meet and the nature of those criteria.

Recipients receive a £4,000 maintenance bursary. It is paid in three instalments over one year for full-time study, or in six instalments over two years for part-time study. Successful applicants must agree to the terms and conditions before receiving the bursary.

• You must be studying your first master’s qualification.
• You must be studying an LLM, MA, MEd, MBA, MEnt, MPH, MPhil, MRes, MSc, MSc by Research or 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.
• Your course must start in September 2026.
• Your study must be 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 2021.
• You cannot receive the bursary if you receive course funding from an employer, a public funding body or an undergraduate loan such as the NHS, PGCE or Integrated Master’s.
• You cannot receive the bursary if you are receiving any other University funding, except fee discounts such as the Alumni discount.
• You cannot receive the bursary if you are doing a distance learning course and you completed your undergraduate degree more than five years ago.
• You must meet at least one priority criterion.
• Priority criteria include belonging to one of these 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.
• Priority criteria include being a care leaver or care-experienced student.
• Priority criteria include being an estranged student.
• Priority criteria include being a young carer.
• Priority criteria include being a refugee or asylum seeker.
• Priority criteria include being disabled.
• Priority criteria include being from a military family.
• Priority criteria include having been eligible for free school meals during secondary education.
• Priority criteria include having lived in an area of relative deprivation when applying to your undergraduate university course.
• Priority criteria include having lived in a postcode of low progression to higher education when applying to your undergraduate course.
• Priority criteria include having gone to a low attaining secondary school.
• Priority criteria include having gone to a low attaining sixth form or college.

• A £4,000 maintenance bursary.
• Three instalments over one year for full-time study.
• Six instalments over two years for part-time study.

1. Read the terms and conditions.
2. Submit an application for the bursary.
3. Provide a supporting statement explaining how the bursary will support your master’s study.
4. Submit supporting evidence if asked, based on the criteria you meet.
5. Wait for the university to assess applications and prioritise eligible students according to the priority criteria.

• A supporting statement.
• A letter confirming local authority care for at least 13 weeks.
• A Student Finance notification of award letter confirming the full maintenance award received.
• A Student Loan Company letter showing your home postcode at the start of undergraduate study, if it met the relevant geo-demographic indicator.
• A Disabled Students’ Allowance notification of award letter from Student Finance and/or a letter from your university’s disability office confirming the support received.
• A document providing evidence of current immigration status, including recognition as a refugee, asylum seeker or holder of humanitarian protection status.
• A carers allowance award letter, a letter from your GP, or a Carer ID card.
• Evidence of estranged status assessed by Student Finance during undergraduate studies, or a Word document with further information.