Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships 2026 – Fully Funded Master’s Opportunities in the UK
Last updated: August 10, 2026
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust partners with selected UK universities to offer master’s scholarships for students from developing countries. These awards aim to support education that contributes to poverty reduction, peace, and development.
Unlike large centralised programmes, Ferguson Trust scholarships are offered through individual universities. The exact benefits, eligible courses, and application processes therefore vary by institution.
Typical Benefits
Depending on the university, the scholarships often include:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- A maintenance/living stipend
- In some cases, contribution towards travel or visa-related costs
Some awards are fully funded while others provide substantial partial funding.
Eligibility
- National of or permanently domiciled in an eligible developing country (lists differ by university)
- Hold an offer for an eligible master’s programme at a participating UK university
- Strong academic background
- In many cases, preference is given to candidates who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK
Participating universities in recent cycles have included the University of Birmingham, University of Sheffield, Manchester Metropolitan University and others. Eligible courses are usually in fields related to international development, law, politics, journalism, public health or related areas.
How to Apply
- Identify participating universities and check which courses are eligible for the Ferguson Trust scholarship.
- Apply for admission to the eligible master’s programme and secure an offer.
- Follow the university’s specific instructions for applying for the scholarship (this may be a separate form or an integrated process).
- Submit all required documents by the university’s scholarship deadline.
Deadlines are typically in the first half of the calendar year for programmes starting in September/October.
Trust website: https://fergusontrust.co.uk/
Disclaimer: Because these scholarships are administered by individual universities, you must check the specific pages of each participating university for current offers, eligibility lists, benefits and deadlines.
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