Ruth First Scholarship 2026 – Durham University

The Ruth First Educational Trust enables southern African students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University. The scholarship supports full-time taught Master’s programmes (excluding MBA) for one year. Scholars receive tuition, a monthly living stipend, return air travel, accommodation and meals at St Chad's College, a settling-in allowance, UK visa and health surcharge payment.

Ruth First Scholars are selected for academic ability, leadership qualities, and active commitment to voluntary work and social development in their communities. Past scholars hold influential roles in public and private sectors across southern Africa.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
2. Value: Fully funded – tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation & meals, travel, settling-in allowance, visa and UK Health surcharge
3. Study Level: Master’s (Taught Programmes, excluding MBA)
4. Sponsor: Durham University
5. Eligible Country: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Eligibility Criteria for Ruth First Scholarship 2026 – Durham University

Applicants should:

1. hold a relevant honours degree of sufficient standard to be admitted to your chosen Master's course; and
2. not hold a Master's degree, nor have previously studied at a university outside southern Africa, and
3. 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 organisations; health or AIDS awareness projects; student welfare or guidance; the defence of human rights; the promotion of equal opportunities or social justice; and environmental sustainability. 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

The Trust and Durham University aim to award the Scholarship to individuals who not only have the academic and personal qualities to enable them to complete and benefit from a postgraduate course but who will also act as positive ambassadors for their home countries in Durham and put their enhanced knowledge and skills to good use for the benefit of the societies to which they return in Africa.

Applicants must be a national of one of the following countries:

1. Angola
2. Botswana
3. Eswatini
4. Lesotho
5. Malawi
6. Mozambique
7. Namibia
8. Republic of South Africa
9. Zambia
10. Zimbabwe

Benefits of Ruth First Scholarship 2026 – Durham University

1. Full payment of tuition fees
2. Stipend for living expenses - 12 monthly payments
3. One return air ticket from the home country to the UK and the cost of return travel between the UK airport and Durham City
4. Fully funded accommodation and meals at St Chad's College
5. 'Settling in allowance' on arrival
6. Payment of the cost of a UK visa and the UK Health surcharge

How to Apply

Apply for a course

1. Submit an academic application to Durham University for one of the eligible programmes by 28 February 2026. Provide evidence of your Ruth First Scholarship application to colleagues in our admissions service.
2. Durham University Applicant Portal

Complete a scholarship application

Submit an online scholarship application form by 28 February 2026.

Application Deadline

28 February 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Ruth First Scholarship 2026 – Durham University