MastersPartial 32 days left

SOAS Masters Scholarships (International)

Last verified 21 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The SOAS Master’s Scholarship (International) offers over 150 tuition fee waivers valued at £8,000 for new overseas students beginning postgraduate taught programs in the 2026/27 academic year.

Provider: SOAS University of London
Host country: United Kingdom
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Master's scholarships

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) is open to African students applying to study in United Kingdom at the Masters level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for United Kingdom
Funding: Partial
Study level: Masters
Deadline: June 30, 2026

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must hold an offer for a full-time postgraduate taught program at SOAS, be classified as an overseas fee-paying student, and hold at least a UK upper second-class (2:1) degree or international equivalent.

What the partial award covers

Full tuition

About the SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) (2026)

## Overview The SOAS Master’s Scholarship (International) is a prestigious opportunity designed to acknowledge and support exceptional overseas applicants embarking on postgraduate taught programmes at SOAS University of London for the 2026/27 academic year. With over 150 scholarships available, each valued at £8,000, this initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of tuition fees for master’s students, fostering a diverse and globally-minded academic community. ## Benefits Successful recipients of the SOAS Master’s Scholarship will receive an £8,000 tuition fee waiver, directly applied to their first year of study. This significant financial support allows students to focus more intently on their academic pursuits without the added pressure of full tuition costs. Beyond the monetary benefit, the scholarship offers recognition of academic excellence and provides an invaluable opportunity to become part of SOAS’s vibrant and diverse postgraduate community, which is renowned for its focus on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. ## Eligibility To be considered for the SOAS Master’s Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: * Hold an offer of admission for a full-time postgraduate taught programme at SOAS University of London. * Be classified as an overseas fee-paying student for tuition purposes. * Possess a minimum of a UK upper second-class (2:1) honours degree or its international equivalent. * Not be a recipient of another SOAS scholarship or a full-fee scholarship/sponsorship from any other source. It is important to note that the scholarship applies to all full-time postgraduate taught (on-campus) programmes at SOAS, excluding joint partnership programmes. The tuition fee waiver is applicable only to the first year of a two-year programme. ## Required documents While the article does not explicitly list required documents for the scholarship application itself, it is understood that applicants must first secure an offer for a postgraduate taught programme at SOAS. This typically necessitates: * Academic transcripts and degree certificates. * A personal statement. * References. * Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable). Subsequently, applicants will submit a scholarship application via the admissions portal, which usually requires a login received after applying for a course. ## Application steps Follow these steps to apply for the SOAS Master’s Scholarship: 1. **Apply for Admission:** First and foremost, you must apply for admission to a postgraduate taught programme at SOAS University of London. Ensure your application for admission is submitted by the relevant scholarship deadline. 2. **Submit Scholarship Application:** Once you have applied for a course and received your login credentials for the admissions portal, proceed to submit your scholarship application through this portal. 3. **Pay CAS Deposit:** If you are successfully awarded the scholarship, you will be required to pay a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) deposit of £4,000 as part of the acceptance conditions. ## Key dates The application deadlines for the SOAS Master’s Scholarship are staggered across three rounds: * **First round:** February 28, 2026 (11:59 pm GMT) * **Second round:** April 30, 2026 (11:59 pm BST) * **Third round:** June 30, 2026 (11:59 pm BST) Successful applicants will be notified within 10 working days of each respective deadline. ## Selection criteria Applicants for the SOAS Master’s Scholarship are selected based on academic merit and adherence to the eligibility criteria. This means that candidates with strong academic records and those who clearly meet all outlined requirements will be given preference. The selection process ensures that the scholarships are awarded to highly promising students who demonstrate the potential to excel in their chosen fields of study at SOAS. ## Tips * **Apply Early:** Given the competitive nature of these scholarships and the staggered deadlines, applying in the first or second round might increase your chances, as there are still many awards available. Don’t wait until the last minute! * **Strong Academic Record:** Ensure your academic transcripts highlight a strong performance, ideally above the required 2:1 equivalent, to stand out among applicants. * **Craft a Compelling Application:** Your application for admission to SOAS (including your personal statement and references) is crucial, as it lays the foundation for your scholarship consideration. Make sure it reflects your passion, academic achievements, and future aspirations. * **Read All Instructions Carefully:** Pay close attention to all instructions and deadlines for both your program application and the scholarship application to avoid any errors or disqualifications. * **Check Your Eligibility:** Before applying, thoroughly review all eligibility requirements to confirm you meet them, particularly regarding overseas fee status and holding a programme offer. ## Official source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the official SOAS University of London scholarship webpage: [https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/soas-masters-scholarships-international-2026](https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/soas-masters-scholarships-international-2026)

What the Partial SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition

SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) eligibility for United Kingdom applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must hold an offer for a full-time postgraduate taught program at SOAS, be classified as an overseas fee-paying student, and hold at least a UK upper second-class (2:1) degree or international equivalent.

Documents required for the SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/soas-masters-scholarships-international-2026 and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must hold an offer for a full-time postgraduate taught program at SOAS, be classified as an overseas fee-paying student, and hold at least a UK upper second-class (2:1) degree or international equivalent.". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host UK university first via UCAS (undergraduate) or the postgraduate portal. Most UK scholarship sponsors will not assess your funding application without a conditional offer letter — aim to hold this by 2 Nov 2025.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Book IELTS Academic for UKVI (target 6.5+ for UG/taught Master's, 7.0+ for research), ideally sat by 1 Jan 2026. Request sealed PDF transcripts, brief 2–3 referees in writing, and prepare your passport bio page at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/soas-masters-scholarships-international-2026, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 1 May 2026. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by June 30, 2026 (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 30 Jun 2026 deadline. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, SOAS University of London will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.
8
Plan your UK Student visa and arrival
Once funded, accept your university place to trigger your CAS, book a UKVI-approved TB test (£80–£200), then apply for the Student visa (£524 + £776/year IHS). Budget 3–6 weeks of processing and collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.

SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (June 30, 2026). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
5 Jul 2025
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
1 Jan 2026
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
1 Apr 2026
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
31 May 2026
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
30 Jun 2026
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Editorial verification note

Imported from afterschoolafrica.com editorial listing.

Last checked 5/21/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the SOAS Masters Scholarships (International)?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by SOAS University of London, and be able to relocate to United Kingdom for the duration of the programme.

Is the SOAS Masters Scholarships (International) fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is June 30, 2026. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

What UK visa do I need for the SOAS Masters Scholarships (International)?+

Most scholarship holders enter the UK on a Student visa (formerly Tier 4). You apply after receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, and must show proof of funds, your scholarship award letter, and a valid TB test certificate (required for most African nationals). Apply at least 3 months before your course start date.

Sources

UK Student visa

What English-language score do UK universities require?+

UK universities typically require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for undergraduate and taught Masters, and 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5) for research degrees and competitive programmes. For the Student visa itself, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI unless your degree was taught entirely in English in a majority-English-speaking country.

Can I stay and work in the UK after my scholarship ends?+

Yes — the Graduate Route lets you stay for 2 years after completing an undergraduate or Masters degree (3 years for a PhD) to work or look for work at any skill level, with no sponsorship required. You must apply before your Student visa expires and have completed your course at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.

Sources

Graduate visa

UK student guides

Free, country-specific guides to plan the rest of your UK study journey — from visa to first paycheck.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Related hubs

Open the broader hub pages for every country, destination and field this scholarship touches.

By destination

Study in UK