ongoing scholarship

Do you have fresh, innovative ideas to tackle major development challenges in your home country? The Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship at the University of Nottingham might be your launchpad. This scholarship supports passionate students who want to make a tangible impact through their studies in key fields. This opportunity provides you with full or partial funding and a supportive environment to transform your dreams into reality.

At the end of this post, you will be equipped with everything you need to know, from what the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship is, what they look for, what it covers, how to apply, and more.

What Exactly Is This Scholarship?

• A fully or partially funded master-level scholarship (includes MRes) for international students from Africa, India, and select Commonwealth countries.

• Offers 50% or 100% of full-time master’s tuition fees for one year.

• Located at the University of Nottingham, UK.

• First launched in 2001, it’s one of Nottingham’s flagship scholarships for students who want to bring about development change.

Who’s Eligible?

You qualify if you:

• Are from one of the eligible countries:
  Africa (all nations), India, or selected Commonwealth countries (such as Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.)

• Hold a valid offer to start a full-time master’s (or MRes) degree in the 2026/27 academic year in one of the following faculties at Nottingham:

  • Faculty of Engineering

  • Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

  • Faculty of Science

  • Faculty of Social Sciences

You are not eligible if:

• You are currently a student or graduate of the University of Nottingham

• You did your undergraduate/postgraduate degree outside your home country (unless studied within the eligible Developing Solutions country and assessed case-by-case)

• You are currently studying in the UK

Important Dates & Key Details

• Application Deadline: Wednesday, 15 April 2026

• Outcome Announcement: By the end of May 2026

What You’ll Get (Benefits)

• A scholarship covering 50% or 100% of your tuition fees for the first year only. (Even for 2-year master’s courses, the award is only for the first year.)

• Opportunity to study in high-impact faculties and programmes, aligning with your ambition to contribute to economic, environmental, structural, social, or political challenges in your home country.

Application & Selection Criteria

How to Apply

1. Apply (and receive an offer) for a qualifying full-time master’s (or MRes) programme at Nottingham for the 2026/27 intake in one of the eligible faculties.

2. Once you have the offer, apply for the Developing Solutions Scholarship through Nottingham’s application system, NottinghamHub.

3. If you’re applying for an MRes, email the scholarships team at scholarship-assistant@nottingham.ac.uk for instructions.

What They Assess

• They look for how clearly you can propose a development solution for your home country — one that aligns with what you plan to study, and has real potential for impact.

• Academic merit, achievements, motivation for choosing Nottingham, and relevant experiences.

• Strong, concise responses: pay attention to word limits; exceeding them may mean your answers are not reviewed.

 Things to Know (Special Notes)

• Scholarship is applied to your tuition fee; you won’t receive the money directly.

• It is not combinable with other University of Nottingham international scholarships — if you qualify for multiple, only the highest-value one will count.

• For two-year master’s programs, you must be able to cover the second year’s tuition (if any). The scholarship supports only the first year.

Why This Scholarship Stands Out

• It’s not just financial help — it’s about impact. The focus is on your innovation, your plan to make things better in your home country.

• Offers substantial financial relief for many, especially with either full or half tuition covered.

• Opens doors in disciplines that are in demand globally, especially in development, health, science, and social sciences.

• Fantastic reputation of the University of Nottingham lending prestige and increasing chances in research, job market, or further academic pathways.

 Tips to Make a Strong Application

• Define a clear development project: What is the problem you want to solve? Why is it important in your country? How will your master’s study enable you to address it?

• Connect your past experiences: Even small volunteer work, internships, or community engagements count if they link to your proposed solution.

• Highlight relevancy between your chosen course and your solution — make it obvious how the coursework will help.

• Choose your referees wisely: Someone who can speak to your leadership, creativity, and capacity to complete projects.

• Stick to word limits: Clarity, conciseness, and following rules show you’re detail-oriented.

Take Action & Apply Now

The application for the 2026 intake is now open. Gather every necessary document and proceed with your application immediately.

👉 To start your application, check out the official scholarship page: Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship – University of Nottingham👉 When you have your offer to study, apply through NottinghamHubvia the scholarships section of your application system.