The Saïd Foundation Scholarship has offered educational scholarships and training opportunities since 1984. The program aims to empower people through educational opportunities and to encourage the development of the Middle East. It is targeted towards outstanding individuals with leadership potential who will be drivers of positive change within our target countries of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Said Foundation Scholarship

Course level: Master’s and Doctoral

Fields of study: There are no restrictions on academic subjects however you will be asked to provide a justification for your choice and explain the relevance and importance it will have to your home country.

Scholarship period: One-year postgraduate studies (and exceptionally two-year studies)

Institution and country:

University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Edinburgh, University of Essex, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, Goldsmiths College, King’s College London, University College London, University of Leeds, University of Leicester, London School of Economics, London Film School, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Royal Holloway, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Southampton, University of St. Andrews, University of Sussex, University of Warwick

*PhD programs can be taken only at Cambridge University or University of Oxford

Sponsor: Saïd Foundation

Number of awards: 30 scholarships annually

Scholarship inclusions:

  • Full tuition fees
  • Full maintenance/living costs for the duration of your course
  • An arrival allowance
  • A thesis allowance
  • Visa and healthcare surcharge fees
  • One economy return flight

Eligibility criteria for the Saïd Foundation Scholarship:

  • Hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian nationality and must permanently reside in one of these countries. The Foundation will consider Syrians residing elsewhere due to current circumstances in that country.
  • Hold an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to a UK 2.1 degree or higher. Candidates who are in the final year of their undergraduate degree will also be considered.
  • Have work and/or voluntary experience that is relevant to their field of study and a clear career path on completion of their studies and return to their home country or region.
  • Demonstrate leadership potential in their chosen field or sector.
  • Have applied for an eligible course at a Foundation partner university (or have legitimate exceptional reasons for applying for a non-partner university).
  • Meet the Foundation’s English language requirements (IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each band). Some universities have higher requirements so candidates are expected to meet these requirements too.

In addition to the above criteria, candidates for PhD/DPhil programs must also meet the following:

  • Apply for a PhD or DPhil course at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge only.
  • Hold an existing teaching post at a university in their home country and can clearly demonstrate the need for the proposed research in their home country.
  • Upload a supporting statement from your proposed university supervisor or other academic/professional experts which supports the relevance of the research topic and need for your studies at the PhD level in your home country.

Application deadline: October 30, 2020

How to apply for the Saïd Foundation Scholarship:

You must apply for one of the Master’s or PhD programs in one of the partner universities for the September intake. After applying to study in one of the partner universities, you may start applying online (application links will be available on 1 August).

In order to be considered for a Saïd Foundation Scholarship you will be required to submit the following documents with your online application:

  • A copy of your high school marks/certificate.
  • A copy of your university transcripts and graduation certificate. If you are in the final year of your studies, please upload all transcripts you have received to date.
  • A copy of your current passport or national ID card.
  • A copy of your English language results or confirmation of your language test date.
  • Offer letter(s) from your chosen UK universities for a postgraduate course starting in September 2020. If you have not received an offer you must provide evidence that you have applied for a place i.e. the university application ID.
  • Three reference letters.

In addition to these documents, PhD and DPhil candidates are required to submit the following:

  • A supporting statement from your proposed university supervisor or other academic/professional experts that supports the relevance of the research topic and need for your studies at the PhD level in your home country.

After submitting, your application will be assessed by the Saïd Foundation. It will first go through an eligibility check and only candidates who meet all of the eligibility criteria will progress to the assessment phase. Candidates who fail to meet all the eligibility criteria will be notified by email by early-December. All eligible candidates will be assessed by officers from the Saïd Foundation and external experts. It is during this assessment that candidates will be shortlisted for interview. If you are not shortlisted for interview, you will be notified by email in early March.

Other useful links:

Saïd Foundation Scholarship