ELIGIBILITY:

Any full-time (1 year) master’s degree programme and any full-time research degree programme beginning in the 2026/27 academic year

Applicants to courses within the College of Development Studies, Economics and Finance, and College of Law, Anthropology and Politics are particularly encouraged to apply.

This scholarship is open to African nationals who are ordinarily resident in Africa.

This scholarship is open to international fee-paying applicants only.

New admissions only (programmes starting in 2026/27).

Applicants for the MA scholarship must possess or expect to be awarded an international equivalent to a first-class honours degree from a UK university. Applicants with a non-UK degree must be in the top rank as evidenced by references and transcripts. Applicants with a 2:1 may also apply but will not be given preference.

Applicants for the MPhil/PhD scholarship must possess or expect to be awarded an international equivalent to a master’s degree with distinction from a UK university. Applicants with a non-UK master’s degree must be in the top rank as evidenced by references and transcripts. Applicants with merit may also apply but will not be given preference.

Scholarship applicants must have applied to SOAS but are not required to have received an offer of admission by the scholarship deadline. An unconditional offer will need to have been received by the time the selection panel meets to discuss scholarship applications.

Applicants must meet the English language condition of their offer of admission to study at SOAS, if applicable. If your offer is conditional on English, please arrange your English test and ensure you meet the English requirements as soon as possible.

Please note that this scholarship does not cover funding for pre-sessional courses.

BENEFIT:

Master’s award: £27,730.

PhD award: tuition fees and stipend of up to £22,780