Beit Trust Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Master's in the UK or South Africa for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi

The Beit Trust Scholarships 2027 round opens on 1 December 2026. The awards pay for a master's degree in the United Kingdom or South Africa for nationals and permanent residents of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, and they are fully funded: tuition, a living allowance, flights and visa costs are covered.

Applications close on 12 February 2027, according to the Trust's scholarships page, which also states that "no applications can be processed after this date." One part of the Trust's FAQ still shows an older date, so if you are applying close to the deadline, confirm it by emailing scholarships@beittrust.org.uk.

Beit Trust Scholarships 2027 at a glance

• Who: nationals or permanent residents of Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi
• Level: postgraduate, mainly master's. PhD study is considered only in exceptional cases for outstanding Beit Scholars.
• Where: UK partner universities (study starting September 2027) or South African partner universities (study starting January 2028)
• Opens: 1 December 2026
• Closes: 12 February 2027
• Interviews: usually in April, in person, in Lusaka, Harare and Blantyre

What the scholarship covers

• Full tuition and academic fees, paid directly to the university
• A living allowance
• UK visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, TB test and biometric costs
• Arrival, laptop and departure allowances
• Economy-class flights to and from your place of study

The Trust does not support spouses or dependants.

Partner universities and courses

United Kingdom: one-year taught MSc

• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of Leeds
• University of Oxford, including the Blavatnik School of Government
• University of St Andrews (Computer Science only)
• University of Strathclyde (Engineering only)

South Africa: two-year taught MSc or four-year MMed

• Rhodes University
• Stellenbosch University
• University of Cape Town
• University of Pretoria

The Trust says it gives no more than one MMed award a year.

Eligibility rules to check before you apply

• You must live in, or intend to return to, Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi after your studies.
• You must not have started the course. The Trust "cannot consider applications from those who have already begun a course."
• UK applicants must already hold an offer from the university when they apply to the Trust.
• South Africa applicants can apply without an offer, but must attach a PDF list of the universities and courses they plan to apply to. If no offer follows an award, the scholarship is withdrawn.
• Medical and veterinary applicants need 18 months of internship and at least one year of in-country posting.
• MBA programmes are not funded.

How to prepare in the next five weeks

1. Pick your course now. UK deadlines for September 2027 entry are already running, and you need an offer before you apply to the Trust.
2. Get your transcripts and references ready. University admissions will ask for them before the Trust does.
3. Write a clear return plan. The Trust funds people who will use the degree at home. Say what you will do in Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi afterwards, and why this course gets you there.
4. Plan for an in-person interview. Interviews are held in Lusaka, Harare and Blantyre in April.

For other awards with UK study options, see our listing for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027, which opens on 10 November.

Apply only through the Beit Trust's official page. Share this with a graduate in Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi who is planning a master's.