External scholarships

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External funding organisations

These awards are not administered by SOAS. Please contact the external organisation directly for information on scholarships and application procedures.

TitleDescription
1st Formations Business ScholarshipOffers awards of £500 for anyone studying a business-related degree at an officially recognised UK Institution.
1st Art Gallery1st Art Gallery offers one $1000 scholarship prize per academic year to a student studying Arts or Liberal Arts. For new and continuing students.
ACLS: The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist StudiesFor PhD students and Postdoctoral Fellows for research on a wide range of topics relating to Buddhism.
AAUW American FellowshipAAUW American Fellowships support women scholars who are pursuing full-time study to complete dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research full-time, or preparing research for publication for eight consecutive weeks. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Ask PreetoFor citizens residing within USA borders studying from the US via online distance learning.
Aziz FoundationThe Aziz Foundation is a family charitable foundation established in 2015, offering 100% tuition fee Master’s scholarships to British Muslims committed to improving British society. The focus of their work is developing new leadership from within British Muslim communities and enabling them to participate positively in wider society.
BAJS Postgraduate StudentshipsOpen to postgraduate or prospective postgraduate students of all nationalities. Dissertation (or proposed dissertation) must be in the field of Japanese studies. For PhD students, it will normally be expected that students will be using Japanese language materials in your research.
Bestway FoundationProvides tuition fee support to students of Pakistani, Indian, Sri Lankan & Bangladeshi origin both home as well as overseas students for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.
British CouncilOffers a range of grants aimed at overseas students interested in undertaking their studies in the UK.
British Federation of Women GraduatesOffers a range of awards to women doctoral students.
The British Institute of Persian StudiesOffers grants to scholars wishing to pursue research in various fields of Persian, Iranian and wider Persian world studies.
Canadian Centennial Scholarship FundFor students from Canada enrolled on postgraduate programmes in the UK.
Canada Memorial Foundation ScholarshipsFor British students or graduates wishing to pursue a postgraduate course at a university or other appropriate institution in Canada.
The Charles Wallace TrustThe four Charles Wallace trusts (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma/Myanmar) support a number of fellowship schemes and aid for postgraduate students.
Chevening ScholarshipsChevening are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. Awards are typically for a one-year master’s degree.
The Citadel Capital Scholarship FoundationOpen to Egyptian nationals and those residing in Egypt wishing to study at master's level.
Commonwealth ScholarshipsOpen to citizens of a Commonwealth country other than the UK, seeking information about UK scholarships for full-time study at both master's and doctoral level.
Commonwealth Scholarships for citizens from high income Commonwealth countriesFor full-time doctoral study. Eligible Commonwealth countries - Anguilla; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Bermuda; British Virgin Islands; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Cayman Islands; Cyprus; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands.
Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships

Applications are open for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for PhD candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to spend 12 months at a UK university as part of their doctoral studies in their home country. The scholarships are aimed at high-quality graduates whose proposed research has a developmental focus and who have the potential to become influential teachers or researchers in their home countries.

Split-site Scholarships are delivered through an existing institutional or departmental link between the candidate's home university and proposed UK university.

Council for British Research in the LevantSponsors research throughout countries of the Levant (Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria).
Crown Prince's International Scholarship ProgramOffers grants to citizens of Bahrain.
Cumberland Lodge ScholarshipThe two-year Cumberland Lodge Scholarship programme offers doctoral students based at UK universities the opportunity to set themselves apart, by deepening their understanding of pressing social issues and developing new skills in communication, public engagement and interdisciplinary working.
Daesan Foundation Research Grants for Korean LiteratureFor postgraduate students working on Korean literature at institutions outside of Korea.
The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
  • Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies: The Daiwa Scholarship in Japanese Studies is a postgraduate scholarship programme to fund UK graduates in Japanese Studies on postgraduate Japan-related courses in either Japan or the UK. Strong Japanese language ability will be a key selection criterion. The Daiwa Foundation is able to support up to six scholars at any one time.
  • Daiwa Scholarships: The Daiwa Scholarship is a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan, following a month of Japanese tuition in the UK. They offer young and talented UK citizens with strong leadership potential, the opportunity to acquire Japanese language skills, and to access expertise and knowledge relevant to their career goals. Japanese language knowledge is not required. 
Educations.com Scholarships€5000 scholarship open to students from any country who are planning to study a master's degree at a European university.
Forty-Nine Thirteen FoundationResearch Grant available to advance the education of the public through encouraging, conducting, or making possible the conduct of research into the history of the Ottoman Empire and Islamic societies.
Fundacion Caja Madrid ScholarshipsPostgraduate scholarships to study at universities or research institutions of the awardee's choice in the United States, Canada or Europe (outside Spain). Subject areas: Social and Legal studies, Biomedical studies, Natural Sciences, Physics and Mathematics, and Music.
Fulbright Commission ScholarshipsFor U.S. applicants interested in studying in the UK and vice versa.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship SchemeThis scheme aims to recruit and support the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong for a period of three years. The Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the Chinese University of Hong Kong warmly welcomes postgraduate students interested in their PhD programme in Chinese Language and Literature to apply through this scheme.
Gerda Henkel FoundationGrants for research and PhD scholarships for German and foreign scholars in the fields of Historical Humanities.
Global Perspectives ScholarshipMyUS.com is offering an annual “Global Perspectives” scholarship of $2,500 – focused on the role of experiential learning in preparing global-ready graduates.
Global ScholarshipsScholarship search engine dedicated to supporting international students through scholarship opportunities. Offering three international students a $1,000 scholarship for studies beginning in September 2024.
Goodenough CollegeOffer a range of accommodation scholarships to enable master's and PhD students (Home/EU and International) to live in Goodenough accommodation.
GyanDhanGyanDhan is offering a scholarship opportunity to students who aspire to study outside of India. The scholarship programs are designed to help students achieve their academic goals.
Harry Frank Guggenheim FoundationGrants for those undertaking research in the fields of violence, aggression, and dominance.
Horowitz FoundationGrants for current PhD candidates in Social Sciences.
The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural HeritageINTACH-UK Trust offers travel scholarships to India for UK citizens.
Indonesia UK DIKTI Scholarship ProgrammeFor lecturers in Indonesia to study for doctorate programmes.
Inlaks ScholarshipsFor master's and PhD candidates. Open to all Indian nationals who hold a good degree from a recognised university and are resident in India at the time of application. All applicants must have done their first degree in India. Candidates must be below 30 years of age on the first of July in the year of application. Preference will be given to candidates who have not yet studied abroad.
Ishibashi Foundation ScholarshipsThe Ishibashi Foundation offers a scholarship through Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) to graduate students who are planning to conduct research in art history in one of the selected universities in Japan.
Japan Foundation Endowment CommitteeProvides small grants to support research in the academic field of Japanese Studies within degree-awarding institutions in the United Kingdom.
The Korean Foundation Graduate Studies FellowshipsFor foreign MA or PhD candidates currently enrolled on a graduate program and conducting research on topics related to Korea within the contexts of Humanities, Social Sciences or Arts and Culture Studies.
The Leverhulme TrustStudy Abroad Studentships support an extended period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning in any overseas country, with the exception of the USA.
London Goodenough Association of CanadaSupports Canadians undertaking graduate study in London.
The London Pass Education ScholarshipGo City is offering 6 1-day London Pass allowance and a £3,000 academic scholarship award to put towards any university costs for students enrolled at a UK college or university.
MastersCompare Postgraduate ScholarshipOffers a postgraduate scholarship to help master's students and prospective master's students in the UK.
Marshall ScholarshipsOffers scholarships to American graduates interested in studying at master's and research level in the UK.
MBI Al Jaber Foundation ScholarshipsOpen to all Arab residents of the Middle East who have an unconditional offer for a master's programme.
MyUS Global Perspectives ScholarshipThe Global Perspective Scholarship is aimed at providing students studying abroad, as well as international students financial aid for developing an essay detailing why they chose an international program. 
OPEC Fund for International DevelopmentFor students in developing countries pursuing graduate studies in a development-related field.
Orient- Institut IstanbulOffers stipends to support PhD research visit to the Institut.
Prisoners of Conscience Appeal FundHelps individual prisoners of conscience both in exile in the UK and overseas.
Rapid Formations Entrepreneur Scholarship ProgrammeApplicants must have secured a place to study, have demonstrable entrepreneurial attitude and leadership skills and provide clear evidence of the need for additional financial support. 
The Richard Bonney Literary FundThe Richard Bonney Literary Fund provides small grants annually for individual researchers.
Rueben Singh ScholarshipFor undergraduate students at a UK university.
Robert H. N. Ho Family FoundationFellowship and grant competitions in arts and culture and Buddhist Studies
Saïd Foundation ScholarshipsA number of fully-funded master’s scholarships are available for outstanding individuals from the Levant region to study at partner universities in the UK. 
The Society of Architectural Historians in Great Britain Postgraduate Research BursariesSupports students undertaking research in the discipline of Architectural History.
Snowdon Masters ScholarshipsOffered by the Global Disability Innovation Hub and Snowdon Trust. This scholarship aims to accelerate disabled leaders through postgraduate study, the scholarships will invest in inspirational disabled leaders funding up to £15,000 for a UK master's course and a £15,000 stipend while studying.
Spotcap Fintech FellowshipEach year, the Spotcap Fintech Fellowship programme provides £8,000 to one British student studying a one-year master’s or MBA course in a Fintech related field (e.g. Finance, Business, Law).
StepsTogetherSteps Together Group is committed to helping people reclaim control over their life against the devastating effects of alcohol or drug addiction. Their scholarship program will financially support people to give a new direction to their life. 
The Thouron AwardGraduates of British universities receive support for up to two years for a graduate (postgraduate) degree program at the University of Pennsylvania. It offers a wide range of postgraduate courses – in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Architecture & Regional Planning, Law amongst others.
The Toyota-Shi Trevelyan TrustScholarships of up to £5,000 per award are available to assist UK resident students pursue a course of study/work placement in Japan. Good knowledge of the Japanese language and pursuing a course in a related field essential. 
Trudeau Foundation Doctoral ScholarshipsFor Canadian citizens applying to a doctoral program in the disciplines of Social Sciences and Humanities, or for those studying full-time in the first or second year of such a program at a foreign university. Each university will have its own deadlines to select the students whose files will be forwarded to the Foundation before the final deadline. At SOAS, applicants are required to submit their applications 4 weeks before the Foundation final deadline.
Turkiye ScholarshipsFor students interested in undertaking research in Turkey.
UK Study OnlineFor undergraduate and postgraduate students taking online courses at UK universities.1 award of £1,000 and two awards of £500 are available for contribution towards tuition fees.
University of London Care Leavers & Estranged Student ScholarshipThe University of London is offering up to three scholarships for care leavers and estranged students commencing their studies in 2023/24. The University of London will provide a standard single study bedroom at Nutford House or an en-suite room at College Hall, for one calendar year. 
Visas For Future Annual ScholarshipThe Visas For Future Annual Scholarship program promotes environmental sustainability and education and offers an award of $1,000.

Other scholarship and funding resources

These are scholarships and funding search resources which are not administered by SOAS. Please contact the external organisation directly for information on the funding offered.

TitleDescription
Education UK Scholarship DatabaseInformation on funding and studying in the UK for overseas students.
European Funding GuideSearch engine for grants, scholarships and awards for those undertaking their studies in the EU.
Find A MastersMasters degree search engine which provides information on funding for EU and overseas students.
Find A PhDResearch degree search engine which provides information on funding for EU and overseas students.
HDFC Credila Education LoansInformation on loans for eligible Indian students.
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)Financial aid, scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad.
LånekassenInformation on loans and scholarships for Norwegian students.
ProspectsAdvice on careers and further study.
The Scholarship HubSearch and apply for UK and EU scholarships, grants and bursaries.
Scholarship SearchSearch engine for scholarships for UK and EU study.
UK Study Online1 x £1,000 & 2 x £500 Towards Your Tuition Fees
Turn 2 UsSupport for those experiencing financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
WeMakeScholarsSearch engine designed for Indian students to search for relevant awards.