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

- Link: https://scholarshipnations.com/allan-nesta-ferguson-scholarships/
- Published: 2026-08-10T09:00:00+00:00
- Author: Scholarship Nations Team

_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

 1. Identify participating universities and check which courses are eligible for the
    Ferguson Trust scholarship.
 2. Apply for admission to the eligible master’s programme and secure an offer.
 3. Follow the university’s specific instructions for applying for the scholarship (
    this may be a separate form or an integrated process).
 4. 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/](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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