Windle Trust International - Windle Trust International

What the Windle Trust International scholarship gives you

You will receive a full scholarship for a one-year Master’s programme in the UK. This includes all your tuition fees, a monthly living allowance for the entire duration of your studies, and a return flight between your home country and the UK. You will also receive leadership training, the opportunity to attend conferences and workshops, social support, and assistance with your applications for a place at university and for a Commonwealth scholarship. The Windle Trust International is a British charity. For over 30 years, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and UK universities, it has been funding higher education for people in East Africa affected by conflict.

Who can apply

• Where you live and come from: You come from East Africa, Central Africa or the Horn of Africa and live in Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan or Somalia. In Kenya, you must have a connection to the Garissa or Turkana regions. In Uganda, you need a connection to the West Nile, Karamoja, Acholi, Lango or Teso regions. If you have recognised refugee status, you can live anywhere in Kenya or Uganda.
• Background: You are a refugee, an internally displaced person or otherwise affected by a conflict.
• Degree: You hold a very good first-class degree degree:, at least a British ‘Upper Second’ (2:1) or an equivalent qualification. This corresponds to a ‘First’, ‘Upper Second’, ‘Distinction’ or ‘Very Good’, or a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2/4.0 or 4.0/5.0.
• Work experience: You have at least two years’ relevant professional experience or voluntary work since obtaining your first university degree.
• English: You have an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, having achieved at least 6.0 in each section.
• Financial need: You cannot afford to pay for your studies yourself.
• Return home: You are prepared to return to your home country within one month of completing the programme.
• Field of study: All subject areas are open. Priority is given to education, public health, development, agriculture, law, engineering and IT.
• Women: Priority is given to women, with the aim of ensuring that at least half of the scholarship recipients are women.

How to apply

You should apply directly to Windle Trust International between 15 May and 12 June. If you are shortlisted, you will attend an interview, either in person in your home country or online. Windle will then support you with your application to a university and for a Commonwealth scholarship. The final decision rests with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is highly selective. You must come from specific regions affected by conflict, hold a very good university degree and provide evidence of a refugee or conflict background. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants is smaller than for open scholarships. Nevertheless, the aid organisation points out that funds are limited and many people meet the eligibility criteria, although the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission makes the final decision. Your chances are better if you clearly meet the requirements, are a woman, or belong to a particularly disadvantaged group. Apply early and set out your reasons in detail.