TL;DR: The Saïd Foundation Scholarship 2027/28 funds outstanding one-year master’s degrees at partner universities in the United Kingdom for nationals of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. Awards are fully funded and typically include tuition fees, living costs, an arrival allowance, visa and healthcare surcharge fees, and one economy return flight. Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close at 5:00pm UK time on Friday 30 October 2026. Start your application from the official Saïd Foundation apply page.
Quick facts
- Programme: Saïd Foundation Scholarships (2027/28 intake)
- Level: One-year master’s degrees only (not undergraduate or PhD)
- Study destination: United Kingdom partner universities
- Eligible nationalities: Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian
- Funding: Fully funded (tuition, maintenance/living costs, arrival allowance, visa and healthcare surcharge fees, one economy return flight)
- Application window: 1 September 2026 (9:00am UK time) to 30 October 2026 (5:00pm UK time)
- Course start: Autumn 2027 (courses beginning before September 2027 are not considered)
- Scholarships offered: About 20-30 new awards each year
What the funding covers
According to the Saïd Foundation, scholarships are fully funded and include:
- Tuition fees
- Full maintenance / living costs for the duration of the course
- An arrival allowance
- Visa and healthcare surcharge fees
- One economy return flight
A separate funding arrangement applies for scholars selected for the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, and for Chevening partner scholars. Confirm package details on the Foundation’s official pages when you apply.
Eligibility
To be eligible you should:
- Hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian nationality
- Normally be permanently resident in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon or Palestine (temporary study/work abroad may still be allowed; the Foundation is more flexible for Syrian candidates; Palestinians living in Israel may apply; Palestinian candidates normally resident in Gaza who have been displaced since 2023 may also apply)
- Hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a United Kingdom 2:1 or higher, or be in the final year of an undergraduate degree
- Have relevant work and/or voluntary experience and a clear career path on return to your home country or the region
- Demonstrate leadership potential
- Have applied (or plan to apply) for an eligible one-year master’s course, preferably at a partner university
- Meet the Foundation’s English language requirements and upload all required documents, including three references
Dual nationals are eligible if they hold one of the target nationalities and upload the corresponding passport or national ID. There is no age limit. The Foundation does not support undergraduate, PhD, or standard two-year master’s programmes.
English language requirement
The Foundation requires an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. It also accepts Duolingo (minimum overall 105 and 105 in each band) and Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) (minimum overall 80 and 20 in each band if taken before 21 January 2026, or the Foundation’s stated score rules for tests taken from that date). Only certificates dated after 1 September 2025 are accepted. You must also meet your chosen university’s English requirements.
Fields of study and partner universities
There are no restrictions on academic subjects, but you must show that your course will help you contribute to development in your home country. You should apply to one or more of the Foundation’s United Kingdom partner universities. A non-partner university may be considered only if the proposed course is not offered by a partner, and you must explain that choice clearly in the application.
Partner universities listed by the Foundation include institutions such as the University of Birmingham, the University of Bristol, the University of Cambridge, University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Durham University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Essex, the University of Exeter, the University of Glasgow, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, University College London (UCL), the University of Leeds, the University of Leicester, Imperial College London, the University of Nottingham, the University of Oxford, the Royal College of Art (RCA), and the University of York, among others. Always confirm the current partner list on the official Scholarships Programme Partners page before you apply.
Key dates (2027/28 cycle)
- Applications open: 9:00am UK time, Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Applications close: 5:00pm UK time, Friday 30 October 2026
- Eligibility check and assessment: early November 2026 until end of January 2027
- Evidence of university applications due: 29 January 2027 (if course applications open after the scholarship deadline)
- Interviews: March 2027
- Final selections informed: beginning of June 2027
- Programme start: autumn 2027 master’s courses in the UK
How to apply
- Read the Foundation’s guidance on eligibility, English language, references and required documents.
- Research up to three one-year master’s courses (listed in preference order), preferably at partner universities, and apply to those courses when they are open.
- Gather documents: high school certificate, university transcripts/graduation certificate, passport or national ID from a target nationality, English test certificate, CV (max two pages, no photo), three reference letters (academic, professional and voluntary/extra-curricular), and university offers or application evidence.
- Submit the online Saïd Foundation scholarship application before 5:00pm UK time on 30 October 2026. Applications without three references will not be considered.
- If your university course is not yet open, note that on the form and upload application evidence by 29 January 2027.
Start from the official apply page, which links to the Foundation’s online application portal. You may also email [email protected] if your question is not covered in the Scholarships FAQ.
FAQ
Is the Saïd Foundation Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The Foundation states that awards include tuition fees, full maintenance/living costs, an arrival allowance, visa and healthcare surcharge fees, and one economy return flight. Oxford, Cambridge and Chevening partner arrangements may differ.
Who can apply for 2027/28?
Applicants who hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian nationality and meet the academic, experience, English language and documentation requirements. Permanent residence is normally expected in one of the target countries, with limited flexibility described in the Foundation’s FAQ.
When is the deadline?
Applications close at 5:00pm UK time on Friday 30 October 2026.
Can I apply for a PhD or a two-year master’s?
No. The Foundation supports one-year master’s degrees only for this programme and does not currently offer PhD scholarships.
Do I need a university offer before I apply?
No, but you should apply to your chosen course(s) when they are open and provide evidence. If courses open after the scholarship deadline, upload evidence by 29 January 2027.
