Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship 2026 (University of Nottingham) | 50% – 100% Tuition Award

The Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship 2026 at the University of Nottingham is one of the most prestigious scholarships for development available to international students from Africa, South Asia, and selected Commonwealth countries.

Established in 2001, this flagship developing scholarship supports passionate postgraduate students who are committed to creating practical solutions to development challenges in their home countries.

With tuition fee coverage of 50% or 100%, this dev scholarship is highly competitive and targeted at future leaders who can demonstrate a clear vision for driving economic, environmental, social, structural, or political change.

Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship 2026: Summary Table

What Is the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship?

The Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship is the University of Nottingham’s flagship scholarship for development-focused students. It is designed for individuals who want to use their postgraduate education to create sustainable, long-term solutions to real challenges facing their home countries.

Unlike general merit-based funding, this scholarship for the development programme prioritizes applicants who can clearly explain:

• A specific development challenge

• A practical and innovative solution

• How their chosen master’s course will help deliver that solution

This is why the scholarship is widely recognized among scholars for dev as one of the most impact-driven postgraduate funding opportunities in the UK.

Scholarship Value and Benefits

The University of Nottingham will award scholarships that cover:

• 50% of full-time master’s tuition fees, or

• 100% of full-time master’s tuition fees

Key Benefits

• Tuition fee reduction applied directly to your university account

• No repayment required

• Access to a globally respected UK postgraduate education

• Strong academic and professional credibility for development careers

Important: The scholarship covers tuition fees only. Living expenses, accommodation, travel, and other costs must be funded by the student.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To be eligible for the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be domiciled in Africa, India, or one of the eligible Commonwealth countries

• Be classified as an overseas student for fee purposes

• Hold an offer to study a full-time master’s or MRes course starting in September 2026

• Be enrolled in one of the following faculties:

  • Faculty of Engineering

  • Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

  • Faculty of Science

  • Faculty of Social Sciences

Who Is NOT Eligible?

You are not eligible for this developing scholarship if you:

• Are a current student or graduate of the University of Nottingham

• Have previously completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree outside your home country

• Are currently studying in the UK

Exception: If your previous study took place in an eligible Developing Solutions country, your application may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Eligible Countries

Africa

All African countries are eligible

Selected Commonwealth & South Asian Countries

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Montserrat, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Why Nottingham? (Why Choose the University of Nottingham)

The University of Nottingham is globally recognised for:

• Strong development-focused research

• Industry-relevant postgraduate programmes

• Excellent graduate employability

• A long-standing commitment to global development and social impact

For students pursuing scholarships for development, Nottingham provides both academic excellence and real-world relevance.

Eligible Courses

Only full-time master’s and MRes programmes within the following faculties qualify:

• Engineering

• Medicine and Health Sciences

• Science

• Social Sciences

Courses outside these faculties are not eligible for this scholarship.

How to Apply for the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship 2026

Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Degree

You must apply for and receive an offer to study a full-time masters (including MRes) at the University of Nottingham for 2026/27 before applying for this scholarship. Search for courses and find out how to apply.

Step 2: Apply via NottinghamHub

Once you have an offer:

• Log in to NottinghamHub

• Go to the Scholarships section

• Complete the Developing Solutions scholarship application

Special Notes

• MRes applicants must email: scholarship-assistant@nottingham.ac.uk for application instructions

• Two-year master’s students may apply, but the scholarship:

  • Covers one year only

  • Is applied to first-year tuition fees

Application Deadline

🕔 Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed primarily on development impact, not just academic performance.

Strong applicants will clearly demonstrate:

• A defined development challenge in their home country

• A realistic and innovative solution

• A clear link between:

  • Their chosen course

  • Course learning outcomes

  • Their development goals

Only after this is established will assessors consider:

• Motivation for studying at Nottingham

• Academic achievements and experience

Word Count Warning:
All questions have strict word limits. Responses exceeding the limit may not be reviewed, even if submitted successfully.

Scholarship Requirements & Conditions

• You do not need to accept your offer before applying

• Scholarships are awarded only to students who eventually accept their offer

• Awards are either 50% or 100% tuition fee coverage

• Results will be communicated by end of May 2026

• The scholarship is deducted directly from tuition fees

• University of Nottingham scholarships cannot be combined

  • If awarded multiple scholarships, only the highest-value award applies

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