The Beit Trust - The Beit Trust

Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships

You will receive a full scholarship for a Master’s degree at a partner university in the UK or South Africa. It covers all your tuition fees and academic costs, which are paid directly to the university, as well as a living allowance and economy-class flights to and from your study destination. If you are studying in the UK, the costs of your visa, the health surcharge, the TB test and biometric data will also be covered. In addition, you will receive an arrival allowance, a laptop allowance and a lump-sum departure allowance. The scholarship covers the duration of your study programme: a one-year MSc programme in the UK, a two-year MSc programme in South Africa or a four-year MMed programme in South Africa. The Beit Trust funded 2026 scholarships in the year 19. The scholarship does not apply to spouses or dependants.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a citizen of, and have permanent residence in, Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi. People of any other nationality are not eligible to apply.
• Return home: You live in one of these countries and plan to return there once you have completed your studies.
• Level: You are applying for a Master’s degree programme. PhD programmes, Bachelor’s degree programmes and MBA programmes are not eligible for funding.
• No earlier postgrad: You have not yet obtained a postgraduate qualification. If you already hold such a qualification, you will generally not be considered.
• Timing: You have not yet started the course for which you wish to apply for funding.
• University: You are applying to at least one of the Trust’s partner universities in the UK (e.g. Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds) or in South Africa (e.g. Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Pretoria, Rhodes).
• Field of study: Your degree programme falls within one of the following areas of development: medicine and health, engineering, education, economic growth, agriculture or nature conservation.
• Grades: A bachelor’s degree with a grade of ‘Distinction’ or ‘Merit’ (Upper Second Class) is preferred. Although applications with lower grades will also be considered, they will face greater competition.
• Work experience: At least three years’ relevant professional experience will be a significant advantage for your application. Leadership experience in your career, during your studies or in your social circle will be particularly highly valued.

How to apply

You apply online using the Beit Trust application form. The application window opens on 1 December 2026 and closes on 12 February 2027 at 17:00 CAT. Shortlisted candidates will attend a face-to-face interview in Lusaka, Harare or Blantyre, which usually takes place in April.

How realistic are your chances?

As only nationals of Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi are eligible to apply, the pool of applicants is far smaller than for open international scholarships. Nevertheless, around 19 places are awarded each year, and a full scholarship at top universities attracts high-calibre applicants. Please note that only one MMed place is awarded each year, making this route particularly competitive. If you clearly meet the criteria, have strong academic results, three years’ relevant professional experience and proven leadership skills, and apply to more than one partner university, your chances are good.