UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN (WITH THE COWRIE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION)
University of Aberdeen Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
full · bachelors
- Full tuition coverageCore benefit
- ~£8,000/year (€9,400 est.) stipendMaintenance grant
- 2 scholarshipsPlaces available
- Household income £25,000 or lessNeed threshold
- 3+ years of supportDuration
- Black British Home/RUK studentsEligibility
At a glance
full
Funding
€9k
Max amount
Jul 31, 2026
Deadline
United Kingdom (Home or Rest of UK fee-paying students only)
Country
University of Aberdeen (with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation)
Provider
The University of Aberdeen, founded in 1495, offers the Cowrie Foundation Scholarship in partnership with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) for the 2026/2027 academic year. It is a fully funded undergraduate award aimed at Black British students from low-income backgrounds, supporting them through their first degree. There are 2 scholarships available at Aberdeen for the cycle, part of the Cowrie Foundation's wider goal to support over 100 students across UK universities within 10 years. Each award covers full tuition fees for the duration of the undergraduate programme plus an annual maintenance stipend of up to £8,000 (about €9,400 (est.) per year) towards living expenses, with support continuing for the typical 3 or more years of the degree subject to satisfactory academic progress. To qualify, applicants must identify as Black British within the defined ethnic categories, hold Home or Rest of UK fee status, have a total household income of £25,000 or less, and have firmly accepted an offer at Aberdeen. They must also apply for full income-assessed student finance and write a personal statement of up to 700 words covering their goals and community impact. International and postgraduate students are not eligible. Because the maintenance amount, the number of awards, and the closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official University of Aberdeen page before you apply.
What's covered
- Full tuition fees — Full tuition fee coverage for the entire duration of the undergraduate programme at the University of Aberdeen.
- Maintenance stipend — An annual maintenance stipend of up to £8,000 (about €9,400 (est.) per year) to help with living expenses.
- Multi-year support — Support throughout the full degree (typically 3 or more years), subject to satisfactory academic progress each year.
- Mentorship and inclusion — Access to mentorship and inclusion in a supportive learning community committed to student success.
- Reduced financial barriers — Removal of tuition and a major part of living costs so recipients can focus on academic and campus life.
How to apply
Applications are made through the Cowrie Foundation's official application form, with financial evidence and a personal statement.
- Accept your Aberdeen offer — Firmly accept an offer to study a full-time first undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen for 2026/2027.
- Apply for student finance — Apply for full income-assessed student finance from your regional funding body (Student Finance England, SAAS, Student Finance Wales, or Northern Ireland) and consent to share the assessment.
- Submit the application form — Complete the official Cowrie Foundation application form for the scholarship.
- Provide financial evidence — Submit financial evidence from your student finance body confirming your assessed household income of £25,000 or less.
- Write your personal statement — Write a personal statement of up to 700 words on how the scholarship supports your goals, your achievements, and how your education will benefit your community, then submit before the deadline around 31 July 2026 (est.).
Eligibility
Ethnic backgroundMust identify as Black or Black British Caribbean, Black or Black British African, Mixed White and Black Caribbean, Mixed White and Black African, or Other Black background.
Admission statusMust have firmly accepted an offer to study a full-time first undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Fee status and incomeMust be a Home or Rest of UK fee-paying student with a total household income of £25,000 or less per year.
Student financeMust apply for full income-assessed student finance from the relevant funding body and consent to share the assessment with the university.
International students and postgraduate (or non-first-degree) students are not eligible. Home student status is determined by the university based on residency and the legal right to live in the UK.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom (Home or Rest of UK fee-paying students only)
Deadlines
2026/2027 academic year~31 July 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are evaluated by the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation and the University of Aberdeen on merit, financial need, and alignment with the Foundation's mission to promote racial equality in higher education. The personal statement of up to 700 words, covering academic and professional goals, community benefit, and meaningful achievements, is central to the assessment. Two scholarships are awarded at Aberdeen for the 2026/2027 cycle, and support continues each year subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Verified sources
- University of Aberdeenabdn.ac.ukofficial
- University of Aberdeen - Fees, Funding and Scholarshipsabdn.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom, located in Scotland and offering a wide range of undergraduate programmes. It partners with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, a charity promoting racial equality in higher education, to fund Black British students from low-income backgrounds.
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.
Who can apply for the Cowrie Foundation Scholarship?
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Black British students with Home or Rest of UK fee status and a household income of £25,000 or less who have firmly accepted an offer to study at the University of Aberdeen in 2026/2027.
What costs does the scholarship cover?
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Full tuition fees plus a maintenance grant of up to £8,000 (about €9,400 (est.)) per year.
How many scholarships are available?
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Two scholarships are available at the University of Aberdeen for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Is this scholarship available for postgraduate study?
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No; it is only available for first-time, full-time undergraduate students.
Can international students apply?
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No; the scholarship is open only to Home or Rest of UK fee-paying students who identify as Black British.
How long does the support last?
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It supports the full undergraduate degree (typically 3 or more years), subject to satisfactory academic progress.
How do I know if I am a 'Home' student?
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You must be classified by the university as a Home or Rest of UK student for tuition fee purposes, based on residency status and the legal right to live in the UK.
What is the household income threshold?
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Your total household income must be £25,000 or less per year, evidenced by your student finance assessment.
Is a personal statement required?
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Yes; a personal statement of up to 700 words covering your goals, community benefit, and achievements is required.
Which fields of study are eligible?
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All undergraduate programmes offered by the University of Aberdeen are eligible for your first undergraduate degree.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline falls around 31 July 2026 (est.); confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official page.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official University of Aberdeen and Cowrie Foundation pages linked in the sources section.