Marshal Papworth Scholarships in Agriculture for Developing Countries (UK)

The Marshal Papworth Fund pays for students from developing countries to study agriculture or horticulture in the UK. It covers 1-year Masters degree programmes at participating universities and also runs a 10-week short course. Both routes are taught at UK institutions, and the Masters award meets tuition fees plus living expenses.

• Host: Marshal Papworth Fund, United Kingdom
• Level: Masters degree and a 10-week short course (BTEC Certificate in Agriculture)
• Study destination: participating UK universities and colleges
• Who can apply: students from developing countries
• Awards: 15 Masters scholarships and 22 short course scholarships over 2 years
• Masters value: tuition fees and living expenses, on average worth £19,000 per student
• Deadline: applications from partner universities by the end of the second week of April, or the last day before the Easter break, whichever is earlier

Masters scholarships are offered at these participating UK universities and colleges:

• Aberystwyth University
• Cranfield University
• Bangor University
• Royal Agricultural College
• Harper Adams University (this is also where the Marshal Papworth 10-week Short Course is taught)
• The University of Reading
• Writtle University College

These Masters courses are eligible for the scholarship:

• MSc Development and Project Planning
• MSc International Development
• MSc Project Planning and Management
• MSc Land Reclamation and Restoration
• MSc Integrated Landscape Ecology
• MSc Environmental Water Management
• MSc Water and Sanitation for Development
• MSc Conservation Management
• MSc Crop Production (Horticulture)
• MSc Crop Production (Agriculture)
• MSc Post Harvest Technology
• MSc Livestock Production Science
• MSc Environment and Development
• MA Development Economics
• MA Agriculture and Rural Development
• MSc Water Security and International Development
• MSc Environment and Development
• MSc Applied Development Studies
• MSc Communication and Development
• MSc Food Security and Development
• MSc Agroforestry
• MSc Environmental Forestry
• MSc Conservation & Land Management
• MA Social Development and Sustainable Livelihoods
• MSc Integrated Pest Management
• MSc Agricultural Sciences and Production Systems
• MSc Entomology

The Marshal Papworth 10-week short course at Harper Adams University leads to a BTEC Certificate in Agriculture.

Over 2 years, the fund provides 15 Masters scholarships and 22 short course scholarships.

The awards are open to students from developing countries.

For the 10-week short course at Harper Adams University, the award covers 240 hours of tuition, including 10 hours of IT tuition, paid directly to the university. It also includes visa assistance, flights to and from the UK, transport to and from Heathrow airport, on-site accommodation at Shuttleworth College in the Halls of Residence, meals in the college’s garden restaurant, an allowance for food costs when self-catering at weekends, and a schedule of cultural visits.

For the Masters programmes, the scholarship covers tuition fees and provides for living expenses. It applies to a 1-year postgraduate course and is on average worth £19,000 per student. Scholarship awards by university are listed on the official website.

You must be a national of and resident in a developing country, meaning a country with a GNI per capita below US$11500. Candidates who fully meet the course criteria are shortlisted against 3 main criteria: academic excellence, professional experience in community development and/or agricultural development (including experience gained in a voluntary capacity), and the potential to contribute to development in your home country after finishing the degree programme.

You should also be a talented individual who can show the potential, at the end of the Masters programme, to motivate people and communities in your home country towards positive change. A good command of the English Language is required.

This suits graduates from developing countries who want a UK Masters in agriculture, horticulture or development-related fields and who plan to return home to put the training to work. If your record shows strong academic results plus practical or voluntary work in community or agricultural development, you fit the profile the fund shortlists.

Applications are currently closed.

You cannot apply directly to the Marshal Papworth Fund for a Masters scholarship. Apply directly to one of the participating universities instead. Once you are accepted onto a course, the university or college selects candidates it believes are eligible and forwards the student’s application and CV to the Marshal Papworth Fund for consideration. Applications from partnering universities and colleges must arrive no later than the end of the second week of April, or the last day before the Easter break, whichever is the former.

For the 10-week course at Harper Adams University, which starts in May, apply through the accredited organizations listed at this link before their deadline.

Check the official website (link below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

• Who can apply for the Marshal Papworth Scholarships? Nationals of and residents in developing countries, meaning countries with a GNI per capita below US$11500, who meet the course criteria.
• What does the Masters scholarship cover? Tuition fees and living expenses for a 1-year postgraduate course, on average worth £19,000 per student.
• Can I apply to the fund directly? No. You apply to a participating university, and the university forwards eligible candidates’ applications and CVs to the fund.
• When is the deadline? Partner universities and colleges must send applications by the end of the second week of April, or the last day before the Easter break, whichever is earlier.
• What does the short course include? 240 hours of tuition including 10 hours of IT tuition, visa assistance, flights and airport transport, on-site accommodation, meals, a weekend food allowance and cultural visits.

• Read the official scholarship and course guidelines before you start, and check which universities offer the course you want.
• Prepare your documents early, including your CV, since the university forwards it to the fund.
• Confirm the English language requirement of your chosen course and sit any test well ahead of the deadline.
• Show your development experience clearly, including voluntary work, and explain how you will use the degree at home.
• Submit your university application in good time so the institution can shortlist and forward it before the April cut-off.