Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarship 2026

Overview

The Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarship provides fully funded master's degrees at select UK universities for students from low-income and lower-middle-income countries. The trust was established to promote education, international friendship, and world peace. It partners with several UK institutions to cover full tuition fees, accommodation, and a monthly living stipend.

Participating universities include Sheffield, SOAS University of London, Manchester Metropolitan, Aston, the University of East Anglia, and others. Each university runs its own Ferguson Scholarship with specific eligible courses, application procedures, and selection criteria. The core rules are consistent across all: you must be a national of a World Bank-classified low or lower-middle-income country, you must not already hold a qualification at or above the level you are applying for, and you must be self-funded (no support from other scholarship bodies or governments).

The scholarship targets students who have never studied outside their home country. This reflects the trust's goal of providing genuinely transformative international educational experiences. Eligible courses tend to focus on international development, global justice, public policy, journalism, and related fields aligned with the trust's peace and development mission.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust
Host Country	United Kingdom
Degree Levels	Master's
Value	Full tuition fees plus maintenance stipend (GBP 12,500 at Sheffield; varies by university, typically GBP 6,000–15,000 for living costs)
Deadline	April–June 2026
Duration	1 year (full-time master's program)
Eligible Nationalities	Nationals of World Bank-classified low-income and lower-middle-income countries (89+ countries)
Official Website	https://fergusontrust.co.uk/

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You need a strong undergraduate degree, typically first-class or upper-second-class (or equivalent). You must not already hold a qualification at or above the level of the course. Eligible courses vary by university. At Sheffield, the scholarship covers MSc International Development, LLM International Law and Global Justice, MA International Political Economy, MA Global Journalism, and MA International Public and Political Communication.

Nationality Requirements

You must be permanently domiciled in a country classified as low-income or lower-middle-income by the World Bank. That covers about 89 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Latin America. Each university publishes its specific eligible country list.

Language Requirements

English proficiency meeting the host university's requirements is mandatory. Expect IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall (with minimum component scores) or equivalent TOEFL scores. Requirements vary by university and course.

Work Experience

No formal work experience is required for most Ferguson programs. That said, relevant experience in international development, education, or related fields strengthens your application. Sheffield, for example, favours candidates with development sector experience.

Other Requirements

You must be classified as an overseas student for tuition fee purposes. You must be self-funded, meaning no financial support from a research council, government, private enterprise, charity, or similar body. The scholarship cannot be combined with other funding. You must not have previously studied outside your home country. The scholarship cannot be deferred.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition fee waiver for the master's program
• Maintenance stipend for living expenses (GBP 12,500 at Sheffield; amounts vary by institution)
• University accommodation support at some institutions (Sheffield covers maintenance for university accommodation)
• Exposure to an international academic environment and diverse student community
• Access to university career services, libraries, and research facilities
• No requirement to repay the scholarship upon completion

How to Apply

1. Check eligible courses and universities: Visit the Ferguson Trust website and the international scholarship pages of participating universities (Sheffield, SOAS, Manchester Metropolitan, Aston, UEA, and others). Find out which courses are eligible for the 2026-2027 cycle.
2. Apply and receive an offer from the host university: Submit a standard application for the master's program. You need an offer of admission for an eligible course before the Ferguson Scholarship can consider you. Some universities consider you automatically; others require a separate scholarship application.
3. Complete the scholarship application if required: Some universities have a separate scholarship form. At Sheffield, shortlisted candidates are contacted by May 15, 2026 and must submit a scholarship application by June 1, 2026.
4. Provide supporting documents: Submit academic transcripts, a personal statement about your motivation and development goals, evidence of financial need, and any other materials the university specifies.
5. Await selection panel decision: A panel at the host university evaluates applications on academic profile, study rationale, relevant experience, and future goals. Results come out between May and July. At Sheffield, results are announced by July 5, 2026.

Required Documents

• Completed course application to the host university
• Academic transcripts and bachelor's degree certificate
• Personal statement explaining motivation for postgraduate study and career goals
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
• Copy of valid passport
• Evidence of domicile in an eligible low-income or lower-middle-income country
• Declaration confirming self-funded status (no other scholarship or government funding)
• Reference letters as required by the university's admission process
• Separate scholarship application form if required by the specific university

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	Varies by university; course applications typically open October–November 2025 for September 2026 entry
Application Deadline	Varies by university. University of Sheffield: shortlisted candidates contacted by May 15, 2026; scholarship application deadline June 1, 2026. Other universities have their own timelines.
Results Announced	University of Sheffield: July 5, 2026. Other universities: typically May–August 2026.
Course Start	September 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Explain clearly how the master's degree connects to development challenges in your home country. The Ferguson Trust supports education that contributes to peace and development, so your application must show this link.
• Be specific about what you plan to do after graduation. Name the sector, type of organization, or role you want to pursue and explain why this degree is necessary for that path.
• Highlight relevant work experience in development, education, community organizing, or related fields. Practical commitment to development work matters to selection panels.
• If you have never studied outside your home country, frame that as an asset. The trust specifically targets students for whom international study will be genuinely transformative.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying from a country not classified as low-income or lower-middle-income by the World Bank. Check the current classification before applying.
• Already holding a qualification at or above the course level. If you have a master's degree or equivalent, you are ineligible.
• Trying to combine the Ferguson Scholarship with other funding. The scholarship requires self-funded status: no support from other scholarships, governments, or organizations.
• Applying for a course not listed as eligible at that specific university. Each university has a defined list.
• Trying to defer the scholarship. It must be taken in the year offered and cannot be carried forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which UK universities offer the Ferguson Scholarship?

Participating universities include Sheffield, SOAS University of London, Manchester Metropolitan, Aston, and the University of East Anglia, among others. The list may change by year, so check the Ferguson Trust website and individual university scholarship pages.

What does the Ferguson Scholarship cover?

Full tuition fees plus a maintenance stipend. At Sheffield, that means GBP 12,500 stipend plus accommodation. At Aston, it covers GBP 22,500 in tuition and GBP 6,000 for living costs. Amounts differ by institution.

Which countries are eligible?

You must be permanently domiciled in a World Bank-classified low-income or lower-middle-income country, covering about 89 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of the Middle East, and Latin America. Examples: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

Can I apply if I already have a master's degree?

No. You must not already hold a qualification at or above the level of the course. An existing master's degree makes you ineligible.

Can I combine the Ferguson Scholarship with other funding?

No. You cannot hold the scholarship alongside funding from a research council, government, private enterprise, charity, or any other scholarship. This is a strict condition.

Do I need to have studied abroad before to be eligible?

The opposite. The Ferguson Trust prioritises applicants who have never previously studied outside their home country. That is central to the trust's mission of providing genuinely new international experiences.

Which courses are eligible for the Ferguson Scholarship?

Eligible courses vary by university. At Sheffield, the list includes MSc International Development, LLM International Law and Global Justice, MA International Political Economy, MA Global Journalism, and MA International Public and Political Communication. Check each university's scholarship page for its specific list.

Can the Ferguson Scholarship be deferred?

No. It must be taken in the year awarded and cannot be deferred to a future academic year.

How many Ferguson Scholarships are available?

Sheffield offers three for 2026 entry. Other universities offer one to three awards each. The total across all participating institutions is 10-15 per year.

Is there an age limit for the Ferguson Scholarship?

No formal age limit exists. The scholarship is intended for people at the early stages of their postgraduate career who have not yet obtained a master's-level qualification.

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