Ruth First Scholarships for Southern Africans at Durham University

The Ruth First Educational Trust funds one student from southern Africa to complete a taught Master's at Durham University. The award is for students who come from a historically disadvantaged background. It pays for tuition, living costs, travel and accommodation, so the selected student can focus on their studies. The goal is to give someone from the region the chance to take a postgraduate degree in the UK.

• Host: University of Durham, UK
• Level: Taught Master's degree
• Study destination: United Kingdom
• Deadline: 31 March 2015
• Number of awards: One (1)
• Covered: tuition fees, living stipend, air ticket, accommodation and meals, settlement allowance
• Target group: nationals of ten southern African countries

University of Durham, UK

You can apply for any Taught Masters Degree Programme offered at the University.

One (1) scholarship is awarded.

The scholarship is open to nationals of these countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The award covers the full payment of tuition fees. It also provides a stipend for living expenses for 12 months, one return air ticket to Durham City from your home country, and fully funded accommodation and meals at St Chad’s College. A settlement allowance is included, along with a contribution to the cost of sending your belongings home before departure.

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.

This scholarship suits a graduate from one of the listed southern African countries who has an honours degree and wants to study a taught Master's at Durham. You should not already hold a Master's degree or have studied at a university outside southern Africa. The Trust looks for applicants with a clear record of voluntary work or community involvement, such as rural development, youth projects, health or AIDS awareness, or student welfare.

Do not submit a formal application to Durham University in the hope of winning the Ruth First Scholarship. Only the successful candidate will complete the University application process once the Trust has made its selection and consulted the Department concerned. Completed application forms and supporting document must be sent to Ruth First Education Trust by 31 March 2015.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship and to access the online application form.

• Read the official guidelines and the application form carefully before you start writing.
• Prepare your supporting documents early, so you are not rushing near the deadline.
• Check whether your chosen Master's programme has extra entry conditions, such as the MBA.
• Give clear examples of your voluntary work and the causes you have supported.
• Keep a copy of everything you send to the Trust.

• Who can apply for the Ruth First Scholarship? Nationals of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe who meet the eligibility conditions.

• What does the scholarship cover? Tuition fees, a 12-month living stipend, one return air ticket, accommodation and meals at St Chad’s College, a settlement allowance, and a contribution to sending belongings home.

• What is the application deadline? Completed forms and supporting documents must reach the Ruth First Education Trust by 31 March 2015.

• Do I need to apply to Durham University first? No. Do not submit a formal university application in the hope of winning. Only the selected candidate completes the University application process after the Trust chooses them.

• Can I apply if I already have a Master's degree? No, applicants must not hold a Master's degree or have previously studied at a university outside southern Africa.