Introduction
The Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity offered by the University of Nottingham for international students from Africa, India, and selected Commonwealth countries who want to make a meaningful impact in their home nations through higher education. This scholarship supports passionate individuals who can propose practical solutions to pressing economic, social, environmental, or political challenges.
What Is the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship?
The Developing Solutions Scholarship is the flagship master’s scholarship programme at the University of Nottingham, established in 2001. It provides significant tuition fee support — either 50% or 100% — for students admitted to full-time master’s or MRes programmes in the UK.
Therefore, this scholarship is intended to enable future leaders to study at a world-class university and apply their knowledge to real-world development issues in their home countries.
Scholarship Benefits
Students selected for this scholarship can receive:
- 50% or 100% tuition fee reduction for the first year of a full-time master’s or MRes programme at the University of Nottingham.
- Opportunity to study in an internationally recognized research university in the United Kingdom.
- Access to academic resources, expert faculty, and a global network of development-focused professionals.
Note: The scholarship applies only to tuition fees and is not paid to students directly; living expenses and other study costs must be covered independently.
Eligible Courses
This scholarship is available to students admitted to full-time master’s (including MRes) programmes at the University of Nottingham, specifically in:
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Firstly, be domiciled in Africa, India or a selected Commonwealth country as listed by the University https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/funding/developing-solutions-masters-scholarship
- Be classified as an overseas (international) student for tuition fee purposes.
- Hold an offer (conditional or unconditional) to start a full-time master’s or MRes programme at the University of Nottingham (UK) for the 2026/27 academic year.
- Demonstrate a vision and plan showing how your studies will help you contribute to development solutions in your home country.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Current students or graduates of the University of Nottingham.
- Applicants who have studied and earned a degree outside their home country (exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Students currently studying in the UK.
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Apply for Admission
- First, search and apply for your desired full-time master’s programme (including MRes) via the University of Nottingham course application portal.
- You must receive an offer before you can apply for the Developing Solutions Scholarship.
Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship
- Once you have your offer, log in to NottinghamHub (the university’s application system) and complete the scholarship form.
- Provide detailed responses that clearly show your development vision and how your chosen degree will enable it.
Important: Each question has a strict word limit. Therefore, answers exceeding the specified word count may not be reviewed.
Step 3: Submit and Wait for Results
- Scholarship applications are reviewed alongside academic merit and the strength of your development proposal.
- Applicants are usually notified of the award decision by end of May 2026.
Application Deadline
Wednesday, 15 April 2026 — This is the deadline to submit your scholarship application after receiving your offer to study at Nottingham.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Start early: Get your master’s offer first — without it, you can’t apply for the scholarship.
- Plan your development vision: Your answers should clearly explain how your study will solve a challenge in your home country.
- Relate your programme to impact: Link your chosen degree to the skills you need to achieve your solution.
- Prepare strong documents: Finally, a persuasive statement, clear goals, and relevant achievements strengthen your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I apply for the scholarship before I have an offer?
No — you must have an offer to study at Nottingham before applying for the scholarship.
Q2: Does this scholarship cover living costs?
No — it only covers tuition fees (50% or 100%) and does not include living expenses.
Q3: Can I combine this scholarship with other Nottingham scholarships?
No — you will receive highest value scholarship if multiple scholarships awarded.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship at the University of Nottingham is a highly competitive and impactful opportunity for international students who want to drive positive change in their communities through postgraduate education in the UK. With careful preparation and a strong development vision, this scholarship can significantly reduce your financial burden and open doors to global opportunities.
