Funding

Each year, we offer a number of competitive tuition fee scholarships covering UK tuition fees for outstanding Master's applicants.

SALC funding is highly competitive and is intended to support applicants who demonstrate outstanding potential to excel in postgraduate study and make a significant contribution to their chosen discipline, profession, creative practice, or wider community.

Deadline: Midnight, 30 March.

There is no separate form specifically for this funding competition. All required materials can be provided in the application form for the course.

If you have already submitted an application for the course or you are a University of Manchester FASTTRACK applicant, you can attach the required materials for a funding application via the confirmation email.

Once you have provided the information required below, you must send a cover email to MASALCfunding@manchester.ac.uk confirming you wish to be considered for funding

How to Apply

The Case for Support is a key component of the funding application process. It provides an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their suitability for both postgraduate study and funding support.

This guidance has been updated for the 2027/28 competition to recognise the diverse nature of Master's study within SALC. While some programmes primarily assess academic achievement and research potential, others place significant emphasis on creative, professional or portfolio-based work. The School therefore recognises multiple forms of excellence and seeks to ensure that all applicants are assessed fairly according to the expectations of their discipline.

Purpose of the Case for Support

The Case for Support enables applicants to explain:

• Why they wish to undertake their chosen Master's programme.
• How their academic, creative, professional or personal experiences have prepared them for postgraduate study.
• What distinguishes them as an exceptional candidate.
• How the programme aligns with their future ambitions.
• The impact the award would have on their educational and professional development.

The panel will use the statement to assess potential, motivation, achievement and future contribution.

500 Words Limit

Applicants should use the personal statement box in the online application form for the course.

What the Panel Wants to See

1. Motivation and Programme Fit

Applicants should explain:

• Why they have chosen the programme.
• Which aspects of the programme particularly interest them.
• The academic, intellectual, creative or professional opportunities they hope to pursue.
• How the programme supports their longer-term ambitions.

Strong applications demonstrate a clear understanding of the programme and explain why the University of Manchester is the appropriate place to pursue those interests.

2. Evidence of Excellence and Potential

Applicants to Academic Programmes

Applicants should discuss:

• Academic achievements and performance.
• Dissertation, research or project work.
• Academic awards or prizes.
• Evidence of intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.
• Relevant professional experience where appropriate.

The panel will be interested in how applicants have developed intellectually and how they are prepared for advanced postgraduate study.

Applicants to Portfolio-Based Programmes

For programmes where admission includes consideration of a portfolio, audition, creative submission, screenplay, writing sample, composition, performance or equivalent evidence, applicants should discuss:

• The development of their creative practice.
• Significant creative achievements.
• Publications, performances, exhibitions, productions or commissions.
• Awards, competitions or professional recognition.
• Evidence of originality and artistic development.
• Professional experience relevant to their discipline.

The School recognises that creative excellence may be demonstrated through portfolio achievement as well as academic attainment. Applicants should therefore focus on providing evidence of the qualities most relevant to their chosen discipline.

Examples of portfolio-based programmes may include:

• Creative Writing
• Screenwriting
• Playwriting
• Music Composition
• Music Performance
• Other programmes requiring portfolio or audition-based assessment

3. Future Impact

Applicants should explain:

• Their future academic, creative or professional goals.
• How the Master's programme will help them achieve those goals.
• The contribution they hope to make within their field.
• Any plans for doctoral study, creative practice, public engagement, professional development or knowledge exchange.

The strongest applications demonstrate ambition supported by realistic and achievable plans.

4. Contribution to the SALC Community

SALC values applicants who will actively contribute to the School's intellectual and creative environment.

Applicants may wish to discuss:

• Leadership activities.
• Community engagement.
• Collaborative projects.
• Professional practice.
• Public engagement activities.
• Contributions to creative or academic communities.

Writing Advice

Successful applications typically:

• Present a clear and coherent narrative.
• Use specific examples and evidence.
• Demonstrate reflection and self-awareness.
• Explain achievements rather than simply listing them.
• Show how previous experiences have prepared the applicant for postgraduate study.
• Demonstrate future potential.
• Remain concise and focused.

Applicants should avoid generic statements and ensure that all claims are supported by evidence wherever possible.

Assessment Process

Funding applications will normally be considered alongside:

• Academic transcripts.
• References.
• Admissions application materials.
• Portfolio or audition evidence (where applicable).
• The Case for Support.

Funding decisions are based upon a holistic assessment of achievement, potential and programme-specific excellence.

No single criterion automatically determines the outcome of an application.

In the UK, funding for postgraduate loans is different depending on where you normally live – England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. 

A Postgraduate Master's Loan is available if you normally live in England, and you meet the eligibility criteria. The Loan is not means tested (it is not based on your income or your family's income) and it can be used to pay for tuition fees or living costs.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK and the University website.

These awards are intended for students from underrepresented groups. Applicants need to meet a number of criteria to be eligible. Last year, there were more eligible applications than places, so meeting the criteria is no guarantee of an award.

For more information and how to apply/discover if you are eligible, please visit the Manchester Master's Bursary page on the main University website.

Graduates of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their MA degree tuition fees here as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.

MA Classics and Ancient History part-fee scholarships (offer-holders only)

The Victoria, Heywood and Fraser MA Scholarship scheme is intended to assist students with the costs of studying for the MA Classics and Ancient History. One or more scholarships with a total value of up to £6,000 are available (issued as a reduction in your tuition fees) for offer-holders classified as ‘home’ students for tuition fee purposes.

Eligibility

All ‘home’ applicants to the MA Classics and Ancient History who have already been made an offer (conditional or unconditional) are eligible to apply.

To apply

To apply for a scholarship please submit a statement of your financial circumstances, financial barriers to education encountered, and how the grant would enable you to undertake postgraduate study. The statement should be no more than 500 words long.

Application deadline: 3 July 2026

Submit your statement to masalcfunding@manchester.ac.uk. You must include your University ID number.

Applicants from underrepresented background should consider applying for the Manchester Master’s Bursary which is dedicated to widening participation in master’s study.

MusM (Performance) part-fee bursaries (Home students only) 

Several part-fee bursaries are available (issued as a reduction in your tuition fees) for offer-holders classified as ‘home’ students for tuition fee purposes.

To apply

• All applications to the MusM Performance Studies pathway received by 4 July will be considered.

MusM part-fee bursaries

For 2025 at least one part-fee bursary is available to applicants to MusM Musicology, MusM Ethnomusicology, MusM Composition (Electroacoustic Music and Interactive Media), and MusM Composition (Instrumental and Vocal music).

Candidates who were unsuccessful for the School Awards competition will be automatically considered.

All HCRI bursary and scholarship information is available directly through the HCRI website.