Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships – Master’s Funding at Selected UK Universities

Last reviewed: September 28, 2026, against the official scholarship sources listed below.

Current status: The 2026/27 deadlines at the universities below (between May and early June 2026) have passed, and the 2027/28 details had not been published at the time of review. Check each university’s scholarship page from early 2027, and apply for admission to your chosen course early, because most of these awards require an offer.

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, the Trust does not award money directly to students. It makes grants to UK universities towards their own master’s scholarship programmes, and each university runs the selection. The exact benefits, eligible courses, and application processes therefore vary by institution.

What the Scholarships Offer

The package depends on the university, and not every award is fully funded. Examples from the 2026/27 cycle:

University of Birmingham: awards for African students on selected International Development master’s courses, with a stipend at UKRI rates, flights and visa costs
University of Sheffield: three scholarships for students from developing countries on courses linked to the Sheffield Institute for International Development
Manchester Metropolitan University: three international master’s scholarships for eligible students on selected one-year courses
SOAS University of London: at least two awards of £32,500 towards tuition fees, without maintenance support

Read the terms on each university’s page carefully, because benefits, eligible courses and countries all differ.

Eligibility

Be a national of, or permanently living in, an eligible developing country (the lists differ by university)
Hold, or in some cases have applied for, a place on an eligible full-time master’s course at a participating UK university
Have a strong academic record. Some universities require a first-class degree
Show that you could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Priority is given to applicants from poorer countries and backgrounds

Some universities add extra rules, for example that you are self-funded, or have not previously studied outside your country of residence.

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.