Explore the Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Master’s Study in the UK and South Africa
Overview
The Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships provide funding for students from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi to undertake postgraduate studies at selected partner universities in the United Kingdom and South Africa. The programme supports development-related disciplines such as medicine and health, engineering, education, economic growth, agriculture and conservation. The next scholarship round supports studies beginning in September 2027 at UK partner universities and January 2028 at South African partner universities.
Who Can Apply
Candidates must be nationals and permanent residents of Zimbabwe, Zambia or Malawi who live in, or intend to return to, their home country after completing their studies. Applicants must not have already started the course for which they seek funding, and those who already hold a postgraduate degree are generally not considered except in exceptional circumstances. Eligible candidates are expected to hold an undergraduate Honours degree with a First or Upper Second Class classification, or an equivalent qualification, and should have relevant professional experience, leadership potential, and a clear intention to return home. Medical and veterinary applicants must have completed at least 18 months of internship and at least one year of in-country posting.
What You Get
Successful applicants receive comprehensive financial support that covers full tuition and academic fees paid directly to the university, alongside a living allowance. Additional support includes UK visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge for UK-bound scholars, tuberculosis testing, biometric costs, and allowances for arrival, departure, and a laptop. Economy-class flights to and from the study destination are also provided. The financial support does not cover spouses or dependants.
Requirements
Applicants must apply to one or more designated partner universities, which in the United Kingdom include the University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Leeds, University of Oxford, University of St Andrews, University of Strathclyde, and the Blavatnik School of Government. South African partner universities consist of Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Cape Town. Supported programmes include one-year taught MSc programmes in the UK, and two-year taught MSc or four-year Master of Medicine programmes in South Africa, all of which must include a research component. Specific departmental restrictions apply at certain institutions, and applicants to Cambridge must observe the university's published application and funding deadlines.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply for admission to an eligible university and submit a separate scholarship application to the Beit Trust. Candidates applying to UK universities must receive a university offer before submitting their Beit Trust scholarship application, and must inform the institutions of their scholarship application. Candidates applying to South African partner universities may submit their scholarship application before receiving a confirmed university offer, provided they include a PDF list of the universities and intended courses within the scholarship application.
Key dates
Applications open on 1 December 2026. Applications close on 12 February 2027, and late submissions cannot be processed.