Our partnership with the Cowrie Foundation

This partnership began in 2021 and supports 23 students with study and living costs during their degree, as well as providing access to both peer and professional mentoring.

The Scholarship

For 2025 entry, we have two scholarships available; one for a student studying in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and one for a student studying in any subject at the University. You can find out which University Faculty your course sits in on its course profile page.

Recipients of the Scholarship will:

• have their tuition fees paid for throughout their degree, excluding any intercalation, study abroad or industrial placement years;
• receive an annual maintenance bursary of £6,000 from the Cowrie Foundation and be paid in two instalments in October and February.

You’ll also receive an additional £2,600 from The University of Manchester through the Manchester Bursary.

Alongside the financial element of the Scholarship, you’ll also receive access to two mentoring programmes – a peer mentor (another student at The University of Manchester), and a professional mentor (working in a professional environment). You’ll meet with your mentors on a monthly basis and gain knowledge and skills to support you in successfully progressing through your course and into your chosen career.

Who can apply? 

Essential eligibility criteria

You must meet all of the following to apply:  

1. Identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups: 

• Black or Black British – Caribbean 
• Black or Black British – African 
• Mixed –  White and Black Caribbean 
• Mixed – White and Black African 
• Other Black background  

2. Have applied to study at The University of Manchester on a degree starting in September 2025.

3. Have made an application to your regional student funding authority (Student Finance England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland) for income-assessed UK government financial support. Make sure you’ve given consent to share the information with the University.

4. Have been assessed for fee status as a 'home' student.

5. Have a household income of £25,000 per annum or less, as assessed by your regional student funding authority.

Priority criteria

We’ll use information collected within your application form to confirm eligibility for this scholarship. Not all eligible students will be invited to interview.

We use additional criteria to shortlist applicants, including:

Personal factors, such as if you're:

• a care leaver or care-experienced student;
• an estranged student;
• a young carer;
• a refugee or asylum seeker;
• disabled;
• from a military family.

Socio-economic factors, such as if you:

• were eligible for free school meals during secondary education;
• live in an area of relative deprivation.

Higher education progression information, if you:

• live in a postcode of low progression to higher education;
• went to a low attaining secondary school;
• go to a low attaining sixth form/college.

Application and selection process

Applications are now open until Sunday, 27 April (11.59pm), apply now.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview in May.

The interview gives you an opportunity to tell us more about yourself and why you would benefit from receiving the Scholarship.

A small selection panel will review the application form and interviews to decide on awardees. You'll receive a decision by Tuesday, 3 June.

Still have a question?

Applicant enquiries should be sent to cowrie@manchester.ac.uk.

If you’d like to be contacted when the application form is live, please complete this registration of interest form.