The University of Manchester is offering fully-funded scholarships to 20 students who have been forced to flee their home countries due to war and persecution. These scholarships, known as the University of Manchester Humanitarian scholarships, were established in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine but are available to international applicants from any conflict-affected region. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and visa costs for both undergraduate and postgraduate-taught programs. The initiative is expected to cost approximately £5 million per year.

Professor Nalin Thakkar, the Vice-President for Social Responsibility, expressed that the war in Ukraine has greatly impacted people's educational opportunities. The University wanted to support the Ukrainian community and recognized that individuals around the world face similar challenges in reaching their potential due to war or persecution. The University of Manchester Humanitarian scholarships are part of the institution's broader social responsibility agenda, which includes other scholarship programs such as the Equity and Merit Scholarships for students from sub-Saharan Africa and the Undergraduate Access Scholarships for UK applicants who have been in care or estranged.