HESPAL British Council - Higher Education Scholarship Palestine (HESPAL)

What you get

You will receive a fully funded one-year master's degree in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers:

• Your tuition fees, which were waived by the partner university in the UK
• A living allowance for the 12 months of your Master’s degree
• An arrival grant
• A thesis writing allowance
• An additional allowance for visa fees, health insurance and travel expenses

The programme is run by the British Council in Palestine and has been supporting Palestinian researchers since 2010. They study at one of the partner universities in the UK, such as Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Bath, the University of Bristol or the University of York. You are responsible for covering any other or unexpected costs yourself.

Who can apply

• Where you're from: You are Palestinian and come from the Gaza Strip. Academics who have also been displaced from the Gaza Strip are eligible to apply.
• Degree level: You are applying for a Master’s programme. Applications for a PhD programme will not be accepted during this application round.
• Your job: You work as a research assistant at a university in Gaza.
• Nomination: Your home university in Gaza must nominate you.
• English: You hold an English language certificate that is recognised by your chosen British university.
• Especially welcome: Women, displaced academics and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

First, apply directly to at least three degree programmes at the British partner universities. Then submit the HESPAL online application together with your supporting documents. Your home university in Gaza must nominate you. A nomination does not guarantee a place on the course, as the decision is made jointly by the British Council and the UK universities.

How realistic are your chances?

The criteria for awarding this scholarship are very strict. You must be a researcher based in the Gaza Strip, have been nominated by your home university, and have been offered a place on a Master’s programme in the United Kingdom; as a result, the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you meet these criteria and are already working at a university in the Gaza Strip, a well-tailored application has a genuine chance of success. Please note that the application window for 2026/2027 is currently closed; please keep an eye out for the opening of the next application round.