Applications are now open for the Fully Funded 2025/26 Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships for Study in the UK and South Africa

AdminSeptember 25, 2024

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Application Deadline: 7 February 2025

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded 2025/26 Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships for Study in the UK and South Africa

Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships

In 2024, the Trust awarded 21 Scholarships at British and South African universities, by means of generous academic partnerships with leading institutions. Beit Trust Scholarships are for Postgraduate degrees only. The Trust do not provide scholarships for undergraduate work and the postgraduate focus is on Masters Degrees. The Trust not offer scholarships for Ph.D. research ab initio. Only under exceptional circumstances, and for Beit scholars of outstanding merit, will the Trustees consider extending support to Ph.D. level.

The next round of Beit Scholarships to be awarded is for the academic year beginning September 2025 for universities in the UK; and January 2026 for universities in South Africa.

Eligibility Requirements

By Act of Parliament, the Beit Trust supports ONLY applicants who are nationals of Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi, who are permanent residents, live there and/or intend to return to their country after their studies.

The following criteria are all considered when assessing your application:

Academic Capability: the Trust look first at those with a Distinction or Merit (Upper Second Class) in their undergraduate degree. Those with Lower Second Class or Credit/Pass degrees, while not ineligible to apply, will struggle to beat the competition.

Those who already hold a postgraduate degree are likely only in the most exceptional cases to be considered for a Beit Postgraduate Scholarship. The Trust usually decides to offer the opportunity to worthy candidates who do not already have a postgraduate qualification.
Professional Work Experience: important in the award of a scholarship. This should be relevant to the proposed field of study. As a guide, at least three years’ work experience, backed by a positive employer’s reference, can boost an application. The Trust values work experience in itself, but also as an index to leadership potential in your chosen field.
Voluntary Work: the application form asks about this, as evidence of pro bono engagement with your community. This is not however essential, and is not in itself a sufficient alternative to professional work experience.

Leadership Qualities: these are important to the Trust, as an indication of your ability to contribute to economic and social uplift, to the benefit of the people of your country.
References: these help us make a rounded assessment of you on paper. Referees are most effective when they can point to evidence-based examples of leadership, achievement and professional potential beyond the ordinary.
Relevance of your course of study: the Trust’s focus is on developmental academic disciplines: i.e. those which contribute to the advancement of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi in fields such as medicine, health, engineering, education, economic growth, agriculture and conservation. These categories are not exhaustive.

The Trust does not consider applications for MBAs.
Return to your own country: your stated willingness to do this is important.
Choice of university: you must apply only within the Trust partner universities. Applying for more than one provides a better chance of selection.

Doctors and Vets should have completed 18 months of internship and at least a one-year posting in country. Experience in rural practice is especially welcome.
The Trust cannot consider applications from those who have already begun a course.

What does Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships Cover?

Fees, tuition costs and related academic expenses. These are paid by the Trust direct to the Partner Universities.

A personal allowance, index-linked in accordance with guidance from an independent authority, covering maintenance support.
Other allowances are paid for arrival, a laptop and departure.
Economy Class tickets are provided for the initial journey to the place of study, and on final return.