University of Nottingham Scholarships 2027: Automatic Awards and Developing Solutions

Last verified: 22 October 2026. We checked these University of Nottingham scholarships against the university’s official funding pages.

Nottingham’s scholarships for international students fall into two groups. First, there are automatic awards you get without applying: £3,000 (three thousand pounds) for Masters students starting in 2027 and £5,000 (five thousand pounds) for top undergraduates. Second, there are competitive awards, led by Developing Solutions, which can cover 50% or 100% of Masters tuition. This guide explains both, plus what Nottingham has confirmed for 2027 and what it has not.

University of Nottingham scholarships at a glance

Automatic £3,000 Masters scholarship

For 2027 entry, Nottingham deducts £3,000 (three thousand pounds) from your Masters tuition automatically. In other words, there is no form to fill in.

Eligibility checklist

• You must pay international fees.
• You must start year one of a full-time, UK campus-based taught Masters.
• Your award must be an MA, MSc, MArch, MBA, LLM, MPA, MPH or MMedSci.
• You must be self-funded and not receiving any other university award or external sponsorship.

For a two-year Masters, the discount applies to the first year’s fees only. Also note that the scheme excludes students progressing from Kaplan pathways (University of Nottingham International College or Digital Pathways).

Automatic £5,000 undergraduate scholarship

If you achieve AAA at A-level or the international equivalent, Nottingham awards £5,000 (five thousand pounds) off your first-year fees. Again, you do not need to apply.

• You must start year one of a full-time, UK campus-based degree such as a BA, BSc, MSci, BEng, MEng, LLB, BArch, MMath or MNutr.
• However, the award excludes Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Medicine and Foundation Year programmes.
• You must be self-funded.

Developing Solutions: the big University of Nottingham scholarship for Africa and South Asia

Developing Solutions is Nottingham’s flagship Masters award, running since 2001. It covers 50% or 100% of tuition for one year. As of 12 October 2026, however, the page still describes September 2026 entry and says the deadline has passed. So the details below are last year’s rules, and Nottingham may change them for 2027.

• Countries: all of Africa, plus India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia and other listed Commonwealth countries.
• Faculties: Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, or Social Sciences.
• Not eligible: current Nottingham students or graduates, people already studying in the UK, and anyone whose degree was earned outside their home country (with case-by-case review for study in another eligible country).
• Selection: above all, your vision and a tangible plan for a solution to a challenge in your home country, linked to your course.

Because this award rewards a concrete development plan, start drafting yours now. Our scholarship application guide shows how to structure it.

Can you combine University of Nottingham scholarships?

No. Nottingham says its international scholarships cannot be combined with other university scholarships. If you win more than one, it applies only the single highest-value award. Moreover, the automatic awards are for self-funded students, so government, employer or charity sponsorship rules you out of them. Developing Solutions is the exception, as it is open to sponsored students.

Worked example: automatic award vs Developing Solutions

To illustrate, imagine Chidi from Enugu holds an offer for an MSc in Engineering. Suppose the fee were £30,000 (thirty thousand pounds). This is a hypothetical figure, so check your course page for the real fee.

• With the automatic Masters award: £30,000 minus £3,000 = £27,000 (twenty-seven thousand pounds) to pay.
• With a 50% Developing Solutions award: £15,000 (fifteen thousand pounds) to pay.
• With a 100% Developing Solutions award: £0 tuition, although living costs still apply.

Since only the highest award applies, Chidi would not get £3,000 on top of a Developing Solutions award. Either way, he must still show living costs for his visa, as our UK student visa financial requirements guide explains.

How to apply for University of Nottingham scholarships

1. Apply for your course. Every Nottingham scholarship needs a course offer.
2. Check you are self-funded. For the automatic awards, confirm you have no external sponsorship, because that rules you out.
3. For automatic awards, just enrol. The £3,000 and £5,000 awards come off your fees without a form.
4. For competitive awards, use NottinghamHub. In the 2026 cycle, applicants used the scholarships section of NottinghamHub after receiving an offer.
5. Respect word limits. Nottingham warns that it may not review answers over the word count, so check each answer before you submit.

Timeline for University of Nottingham scholarships in 2027

University of Nottingham scholarships change every year. According to the official FAQ, new awards are usually advertised from November. So the September 2027 round may appear from November 2026.

Here is a simple plan for a masters applicant:

1. October to November 2026: Choose your course and check that it sits in an eligible faculty.
2. November 2026 onwards: Apply for the course early. The FAQ says research and masters course applications must arrive at least six weeks before a scholarship’s closing date.
3. After your offer: Log in to NottinghamHub with the ID in your offer letter. Scholarships show on the Finance tab only when you are eligible and the round is open.
4. After the closing date: A staff panel reviews applications. It is not first come, first served. Results normally arrive by email within six weeks.

Also note that you cannot defer a scholarship. If you defer your offer to 2028, you must reapply in that year’s round.

How to write a strong Developing Solutions statement

The official criteria come in two stages. First, the panel checks your vision and a tangible plan to solve a specific challenge in your home country. Next, it looks at your reasons for choosing Nottingham, your achievements and your academic merit. Therefore, build your answers in the same order.

A simple structure

• The problem: Name one economic, environmental, structural, social or political challenge at home. Keep it narrow.
• Your plan: Explain what you will do after graduating, with clear steps.
• The course link: Connect your plan to the course’s learning outcomes. Name the modules that help.
• Why Nottingham: Give reasons tied to the course, not the city.

For example, imagine Ade from Ibadan, who has an MSc offer in an engineering subject. He could describe unreliable power for small businesses in his area. Then he could map two modules to a pilot project he plans to run on his return. This example is only illustrative.

Finally, check each word limit. The system does not stop you at the limit, yet the FAQ warns that longer answers may not be reviewed.

Notes for applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India and Pakistan

All African countries, India and Pakistan appear on the 2026/27 Developing Solutions country list. However, three rules catch many applicants:

• You are not eligible if you are currently studying in the UK.
• A degree earned outside your home country normally rules you out. Study in another eligible country is assessed case by case.
• Current students and graduates of the University of Nottingham cannot apply.

In addition, the official terms say Developing Solutions is the one international scholarship open to sponsored students. In contrast, the £3,000 and £5,000 automatic awards are for self-funded students only.

Kenyan applicants should also watch the GREAT Scholarships. For 2026 entry, Nottingham offered one award of at least £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) each to students from mainland China, Indonesia and Kenya. A 2027 round had not been announced on 22 October 2026. Rules can change between rounds, so check the official page before you apply for any University of Nottingham scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Are University of Nottingham scholarships fully funded?

Only the 100% Developing Solutions award covers full tuition, and even that does not include living costs. For fully funded options, see our fully funded Masters scholarships list.

Do I need to apply for the £3,000 Masters scholarship?

No. It is automatic for eligible self-funded international students starting in 2027.

When will Developing Solutions open for 2027?

Nottingham has not announced 2027 dates yet. We will update this guide when it does, so check back or watch the official page.

Can I defer a University of Nottingham scholarship if I defer my offer?

No. The official terms say scholarships cannot be deferred, even when your academic offer is. You must reapply in the following year’s round with a confirmed offer.

Can sponsored students apply for the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship?

Yes. The official terms list Developing Solutions as the exception to the self-funded rule. However, the automatic £3,000 and £5,000 awards are for self-funded students only.

Official sources

• Official page: International Postgraduate Masters Scholarship
• Official page: Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship
• Official page: Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship
• Official page: GREAT Scholarships
• Official page: Masters scholarships
• University of Nottingham – International scholarships FAQ
• University of Nottingham – International scholarship terms and conditions

Scholarship terms change. Always confirm details on the official pages before you apply.