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GREAT Scholarships

Aims to enable southern African students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University.

International Scholarships
Two students walking in a Durham street chatting

Summary

The Ruth First Educational Trust aims to enable southern African students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University. Southern Africa is defined for this purpose as comprising the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Scholarships make an important contribution towards social, educational and economic development in the region. In addition to their value to individuals they have a wide developmental impact, within and beyond southern Africa.

Ruth First Scholars have played positive leadership roles in their communities and are chosen for their active commitment to good causes and their academic ability.

Many former Ruth First Scholars now hold important positions in the public and private sectors in southern Africa and have become inspirational role models for young people.

Amount
  • Full payment of tuition fees
  • Stipend for living expenses - 12 monthly payments
  • One return air ticket from the home country to the UK and the cost of return travel between the UK airport and Durham City
  • Fully funded accommodation and meals at St Chad's College
  • 'Settling in allowance' on arrival
  • A contribution towards the cost of a UK visa and the UK Health surcharge
Year of Entry Applicants for programmes commencing in September/October 2024
Number of awards available One
Level of study Taught Masters degree programmes
Mode of study Full-time
Programmes All programmes except MBA
Duration One year

Eligibility

Geographical Criteria

Applicants must be a national of one of the following countries:

  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Republic of South Africa
  • Swaziland
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Not sure if you're eligible? Contact us for advice.

How to apply

  1. Apply for a course

    Submit an academic application to Durham University for one of the eligible programmes by 10 March 2024.  Provide evidence of your Ruth First Scholarship application to colleagues in our admissions service.

    Durham University Applicant Portal

  2. Complete a scholarship application

    Submit an online scholarship application form by 10 March 2024.

     

     

    Application Deadline

    10 March 2024

     

     

    When candidates will hear the outcome of their application

    End June 2024

  3. Ask us

    For further information or advice:

Guidance

More about this scholarship

Applicants should:

  • hold a relevant honours degree of sufficient standard to be admitted to your chosen Master's course; and
  • not hold a Master's degree, nor have previously studied at a university outside southern Africa, and
  • show evidence of active involvement in and commitment to voluntary work for the benefit of causes such as rural or urban community development; young people or educational projects; charitable organisations; health or AIDS awareness projects; student welfare or guidance; the defence of human rights; the promotion of equal opportunities or social justice; environmental sustainability. If you have a paid job that involves working in such areas, you should show evidence of leadership and commitment beyond the requirements of the job

The Trust and Durham University aim to award the Scholarship to individuals who not only have the academic and personal qualities to enable them to complete and benefit from a postgraduate course but who will also act as positive ambassadors for their home countries in Durham and put their enhanced knowledge and skills to good use for the benefit of the societies to which they return in Africa.

Durham University makes every effort to ensure that the information published or contained on its website is accurate. However, the University cannot guarantee the information may not subsequently be altered owing to circumstances beyond the University's reasonable control. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) changes in Government policy or change of law. Whilst any changes will be incorporated into the University's website any person wishing to clarify the details of a particular scholarship/s should contact the University at scholarships.advice@durham.ac.uk.

 

Get in touch

If you have any questions about whether you are eligible for a scholarship or the application process, get in touch with our Scholarships and Student Funding Office:

Scholarships and Student Funding Office

Durham University

Palatine Centre

Stockton Road

DH1 3LE, UK