Said Foundation - Said Foundation - UCL Joint Scholarships

What you get

You will receive a scholarship of fully funded place for a one-year Master’s programme at University College London (UCL) in the UK. The Saïd Foundation will cover your full tuition fees, your living costs for the entire duration of your studies, a settlement allowance, visa fees and health insurance surcharge, as well as a return economy-class flight. UCL will also cover 20% of your tuition fees, which will be paid automatically once you have been selected as a Saïd scholar and have received an offer of admission from UCL. Each year, the Saïd Foundation awards approximately 20 to 30 new scholarships at its partner universities in the UK to support students from the Middle East. This funding does not apply to family members travelling with you.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You must hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian nationality and normally reside in one of these countries. People with dual nationality are eligible to apply provided they hold one of these passports, and Palestinians living in Israel may apply. More flexible arrangements apply to Syrians.
• Degree: You hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a British 2:1 or a higher qualification, or you are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree.
• Course: You are applying for a one-year Master’s programme with lectures at UCL. Bachelor’s, PhD and two-year Master’s programmes are not eligible for funding.
• Field of study: You are free to choose any topic, but you must explain why your degree programme is important for the development of your home country.
• Experience: You have professional or voluntary experience relevant to your field of expertise. There is no minimum number of hours or years required.
• Leadership: You can demonstrate leadership qualities and set out a clear career plan for the period following your return.
• English: You meet the English language entry requirements (IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.0 in all sections, TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 80 or Duolingo with a minimum score of 105) as well as all other requirements set by UCL.
• Age: No age limit.

How to apply

You apply directly to the Saïd Foundation via its online portal. At the same time, apply to UCL for a place on the Master’s programme. The application period for 2027/28 begins on 1 September 2026 and ends on 30 October 2026 (17:00 UK time). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews in March 2027, and final decisions will be made by early June 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is restricted to certain nationalities and countries of study, meaning that only students from four countries who wish to undertake a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom are eligible to apply. The pool of applicants is therefore significantly smaller than for open scholarships. With around 20 to 30 places available each year across all partner universities, competition for these places is nevertheless fierce. Good academic results are crucial, as is a convincing explanation of how your studies will contribute to the development of your home country. If you clearly meet these criteria and can demonstrate genuine leadership qualities as well as your intention to return home, your prospects are good.