Church of Scotland/Desmond Tutu Masters Scholarships for African Students


This scholarship was set up in 2009 to commemorate the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred by the University on the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu.

During the graduation ceremony Archbishop Tutu spoke of the historic links between Africa and the University of Edinburgh: “Some of our first black physicians were people who had trained here and there is a long tradition that links this university with our part of the world.”

Applicant for Church of Scotland/Desmond Tutu Masters Scholarships must be a member of a Church of Scotland partner church in Africa. Eligible partner churches are:

  • Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana
  • Presbyterian Church of Ghana
  • Presbyterian Church of East Africa
  • Synod of the Nile of the Evangelical Church of Egypt
  • Church of Central Africa Presbyterian
  • Igreja Evangelica de Cristo em Mocambique
  • Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
  • Presbyterian Church of South Sudan
  • The Programme of Christian Muslim Relations in Africa’
  • United Church of Zambia
  • Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa 

The University of Edinburgh Information

The University of Edinburgh Grants

Church of Scotland/Desmond Tutu Masters Scholarships for African Students Established in 1583, The University of Edinburgh is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Edinburgh (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Scotland. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, The University of Edinburgh is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 40,000-44,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. The University of Edinburgh offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 436 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The scholarship will be awarded to a student from Africa who is accepted on a full-time basis for a one year postgraduate Masters programme of study within the School of Divinity. Shortlisted candidates will require to have the official endorsement from the General Secretary or the Principal Clerk of their Church.
  • The scholarship will be awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit with candidates requiring a Bachelor Degree equivalent to a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree.
  • In addition to the above academic qualifications, the selection panel will also take into account the financial circumstances of applicants to ensure that as far as possible a student’s financial situation does not impede a university education.

Offered Benefits

 The scholarship will cover:

  • Full overseas tuition fee
  • Accommodation within a Church of Scotland flat within Edinburgh
  • £500 per calendar month for living costs
  • Visa costs
  • One return airfare
  • Insurance from Church of Scotland business travel, underwritten by Aviva.

Application Process

In order to gain access to the scholarship application system applicants must have applied for admission to the University of Edinburgh.  Please note that, following the submission of an application for admission, it can take up to ten working days for all system checks to be completed and for access to be granted.

The online scholarship application form is located in EUCLID and can be accessed via MyEd our web based information portal at  https://www.myed.ed.ac.uk

When logging in to MyEd, you will need your University User Name and password. If you require assistance, please go to  http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support-guidance

Apply Here
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