Global Development Institute (GDI) Merit Awards

The Global Development Institute (GDI) Merit Awards provide three full scholarships for academically excellent professionals studying a GDI campus-based master’s course commencing in September 2023. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, flights to the UK, and visa costs.

The GDI is where critical thinking meets social justice.

Researchers at the GDI are addressing some of the biggest challenges the world faces, from inequality and the politics of development to globalisation.

We strive to address specific problems and make an impact in the real world.

Cutting-edge insights from our research are incorporated into our postgraduate teaching and many of our 10,000 alumni become development leaders.

For the last 60 years, The University of Manchester has been at the forefront of Development Studies and the GDI continues to drive forward new ideas promoting sustainable development and social justice for all.

For the next academic year, we’re able to offer three fully-funded scholarships for resident citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia or Uganda who have not previously studied outside Africa.

Person specification

Applicants are required to:

  • be a resident citizen of Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia or Uganda (applicants have not normally studied outside Africa, but applications coming from those who have may be considered);
  • hold a bachelor’s degree with an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) classification or its international equivalent from a high ranking university;
  • have at least 2 years of relevant post-graduation work experience (this does not include unpaid internships or voluntary work);
  • have a clear idea of how studying in Manchester will benefit both their career and the wider community.

Applicants are also required to hold one of the following English tests:

  • An overall minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS, with 6.5 in writing and no other subsections below 6.5;
  • TOEFL iBT with 100 overall and no other element below 25;
  • PTE Pearson Academic UKVI with 76 overall and no element below 70;
  • West African Education Council (WAEC) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) with a B3 or above;
  • Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), at grade B in English;
  • Ugandan Certificate of Education, at grade B;
  • Nigerian National Examinations Council (NECO) certificate at grade 4.

Please note, your IELTS, TOEFL or PTE must be taken on or after 18th September 2021. Other language qualifications must be less than seven years old at the start date of the programme, so they must be valid from 2016.

How to apply

Applications will be open from Tuesday, 1 November 2022 and will close on Saturday, 31 December 2022.

They should be made through the dedicated application form.

Decisions will be announced on the 31st March 2023.

It is not necessary to have an academic offer of admission to apply for the scholarship.

There is no advantage or disadvantage in having an academic offer.

Up to three scholarships are available. If you are selected for the scholarship you will be automatically admitted for the course of your choice.

Please note that you will be asked to electronically submit the following documents at the end of the application.

We recommend that you prepare these documents in advance as they cannot be added to your application after submissions:

  • Official scanned copies of degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) showing the subjects you have taken and the grades achieved. Temporary copies or certificates of graduation will suffice for this application;
  • English language test certificate;
  • up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV);
  • 1 letter of reference, academic or professional, on institution/company letterhead, with a recent date and referee’s email and signature;
  • a 500-word personal statement detailing how studying at The University of Manchester will benefit both your career and the wider community.