Ruth First Educational Trust Scholarships 2023/2024 for Southern African Students to Study at Durham University – UK

The Ruth First Educational Trust is seeking applications for its Scholarship program to enable southern African students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Durham.

Application Deadline: 28th February 2023

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

To be taken at (country): University of Durham, UK

About the Ruth First Award: Scholarships make an important contribution towards social, educational and economic development in the region. In addition to their value to individuals they have 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, as well as for 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.

Type: Taught Master’s Degree programmes

Eligibility: Applicants should:

• hold a relevant honours degree of sufficient standard to be admitted to your chosen Master’s course (further conditions apply to the MBA programme), 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 organizations; health or AIDS awareness projects; student welfare or guidance. 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 aims 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.

Number of Awardees: 1

Value of Ruth First Scholarship: 

• 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

The Trust cannot provide additional support for dependants, nor for travel during the period of the Scholarship.

Duration of Scholarship: One year

How to Apply for Ruth First Scholarship: Please ensure you submit the both the documents listed below by the deadline date

1. Apply for a course

   Submit an academic application to Durham University for one of the eligible programmes by 28th February 2023.  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 28th February 2023.

   Application Deadline

   28th February 2023

   When candidates will hear the outcome of their application

   End June 2023

Visit Scholarship Webpage for details