- Fully fundedFunding Type
- Zimbabwe, Zambia, MalawiEligible Countries
- Master's degrees (1-2 years)Study Level
- UK & South AfricaStudy Destinations
- ~19 awards/year (est.)Number of Awards
- Founded 1906Provider History
At a glance
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Funding
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Max amount
Rolling
Deadline
Zimbabwe
Country
The Beit Trust
Provider
The Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships offer fully funded Master's degree opportunities for students from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi at selected partner universities in the UK and South Africa. Established in 1906, the Beit Trust is a charitable organization dedicated to fostering economic and social development in Southern Africa through education. In 2026, the Trust awarded 19 scholarships, primarily for taught Master's degrees, to support studies in development-related fields such as medicine, engineering, education, and agriculture. The programme covers comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and other study-related costs, for one-year UK programmes or two-year (and some four-year MMed) South African programmes. Applicants are expected to possess strong academic records, relevant professional experience, and a clear commitment to contributing to their home countries upon graduation. The scholarship aims to develop skilled professionals and future leaders who can drive progress within their communities. Prospective scholars must apply directly to eligible universities and then submit a separate scholarship application to the Beit Trust, ensuring all required documents are prepared in advance of the deadline. The application window for studies commencing in September 2027 (UK) or January 2028 (South Africa) typically opens in December and closes in February. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are usually held in April. Treat the figures and dates here as estimates and confirm current-cycle details on the official website.
What's covered
- Tuition and Academic Fees — Full tuition and academic fees, paid directly to the university.
- Living Allowance — A living allowance to support scholars during their studies, estimated to be ~GBP 18,180 per year (est.) for UK.
- Travel Costs — Economy-class flights to and from the study destination.
- Visa and Health Surcharge — UK visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge for UK-bound scholars.
- Additional Allowances — Allowances for arrival, a laptop, departure, tuberculosis testing, and biometric costs.
How to apply
Applying for the Beit Trust Scholarship involves a two-step process: first securing admission to an eligible university, then submitting a separate application to the Trust. All documents must be prepared in advance as the online application cannot be saved.
- Secure University Admission — For UK universities, apply directly to one or more partner universities and inform them of your Beit Trust application. You must receive an offer (conditional or unconditional) before applying for the scholarship. For South African universities, you may apply for the scholarship before receiving an offer, but you must provide a list of intended universities and courses.
- Obtain SAQA Certificate (South Africa only) — If applying to a South African university, obtain a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation for your foreign undergraduate qualifications, unless applying for an MMed programme. This process can take up to ~90 days and costs approximately ~R2,500 (est.).
- Prepare Application Documents — Gather all required documents, including degree certificates, transcripts, CV, personal statement, and a valid passport copy. Ensure references are ready to be submitted directly by your referees.
- Complete Online Scholarship Application — Fill out the Beit Trust online application form in one sitting, as progress cannot be saved. Submit your application between the opening and closing dates.
Eligibility
Nationality & ResidencyMust be a national and permanent resident of Zimbabwe, Zambia, or Malawi.
Academic StandingGenerally requires an undergraduate Honours degree with a First or Upper Second Class classification, or equivalent. Candidates with lower classifications may face strong competition.
Previous StudyApplicants who already hold a postgraduate degree are generally not considered, except in exceptional circumstances.
Professional ExperienceAt least three years of relevant professional experience, supported by a positive employer reference, is highly valued.
Commitment to Home CountryMust demonstrate a clear intention to return to their home country after completing studies, with the proposed degree aligning with development priorities.
Medical and veterinary applicants have additional requirements, including at least 18 months of internship and one year of in-country posting. Experience in rural practice may be beneficial.
Eligible countries
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi
Deadlines
Main Application2027-02-12
Selection
Scholarship recipients are selected based on merit, eligibility, and alignment with the Beit Trust's criteria. Shortlisted candidates are invited for compulsory in-person interviews, typically held in Lusaka, Harare, and Blantyre. Not all interviewed candidates receive a scholarship, and final selection prioritizes those who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership potential, professional experience, and a clear commitment to returning to their home countries.
Verified sources
- Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships 2027globalsouthopportunities.comannouncement
- The Beit Trust Official Websitebeittrust.org.ukofficial
About the provider
The Beit Trust is a charitable organization founded in 1906, dedicated to supporting postgraduate education and development initiatives in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. It aims to cultivate skilled professionals and future leaders within these countries.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarship?
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The Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarship is a fully funded program offered by The Beit Trust for Master's study in the UK and South Africa, exclusively for eligible students from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.
What does the scholarship cover?
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The scholarship offers comprehensive financial support, including full tuition fees, a living allowance, economy-class flights, UK visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and additional allowances for arrival, a laptop, and departure.
What is the value of the award?
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The scholarship is fully funded, covering all essential study and living costs. While a specific monetary value is not stated, it includes tuition and academic fees paid directly to the university, and a living allowance (e.g., ~GBP 18,180 per year for UK universities, est.).
Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?
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Eligible applicants must be nationals and permanent residents of Zimbabwe, Zambia, or Malawi, hold a strong undergraduate degree, have relevant professional experience, and commit to returning to their home country after studies.
Which countries are eligible for this scholarship?
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The scholarship is exclusively for nationals of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. The study destinations are selected partner universities in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
What study levels does this scholarship support?
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The scholarship primarily supports one-year taught Master’s (MSc) programmes in the UK and two-year taught Master’s (MSc) or four-year Master of Medicine (MMed) programmes in South Africa.
What is the application deadline for the next cycle?
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The application deadline for the 2027/2028 cycle is February 12, 2027. Applications typically open on December 1, 2026.
How do I apply for the Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarship?
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Applicants must first secure admission to an eligible partner university and then submit a separate online scholarship application to the Beit Trust. All required documents must be prepared beforehand as the online form cannot be saved.
What documents are required for the application?
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Required documents include university offer letters (or a list of intended courses for South Africa), undergraduate degree certificates and transcripts, a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (if applicable for South Africa), a CV, a personal statement, a recent photograph, a valid passport copy, and three references.
How are scholarship recipients selected?
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Selection is based on merit, eligibility, and alignment with the Trust's criteria. Shortlisted candidates are required to attend in-person interviews, generally held in Lusaka, Harare, and Blantyre.
What is the duration of the scholarship and is it renewable?
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The scholarship duration typically aligns with the program length: one year for UK Master's degrees and two years for South African Master's degrees (or four years for MMed). The scholarship is not explicitly stated as renewable, but covers the full program duration.
Where can I confirm the details of this scholarship?
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You should confirm all current-cycle details, including eligibility, application procedures, and deadlines, directly on the official Beit Trust scholarship website.