The Desmond Tutu/Church of Scotland Masters Scholarship

Overview

The scholarship will be awarded to a student from Africa (belonging to one of the Churches listed below) who is accepted on a full-time basis for a one-year postgraduate Masters programme of study within the School of Divinity and who has an official endorsement from the General Secretary or Principal Clerk of their Church.

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."

Award

We are offering one scholarship which will cover: 

• Full overseas tuition

• Accommodation (possibly shared) within a Church of Scotland flat within Edinburgh

• Monthly allowance

• Visa costs

• One return airfare

• Insurance from Church of Scotland Business travel.

The award will be tenable for one academic year.

All scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and will engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award.  We offer our postgraduates a range of training and development opportunities appropriate to their programme of study.

The Church of Scotland anticipated the student will be part of a Church of Scotland community while in Edinburgh.

Eligibility

The scholarship will be awarded to a new applicant who has applied for admission to a postgraduate taught Masters or Masters by Research degree programme of study at the University commencing in September 2025.

Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree at undergraduate level.

Both taught Masters and Masters by Research programmes are eligible for this award.  Applications will be considered from applicants from African countries wishing to study on a full-time postgraduate Masters programme in the School of Divinity.

 Applicants must be affiliated with one of the following churches:

• Synod of the Nile of the Evangelical Church of Egypt

• Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana

• Presbyterian Church of Ghana

• Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Kenya

• Church of Central Africa Presbyterian:

  • General Synod

  • Synod of Blantyre

  • Synod of Livingstonia

  • Nkhoma Synod

• Igreja Evangélica de Cristo em Moçambique

• Presbyterian Church of Nigeria

• Presbyterian Church of South Sudan

• United Church of Zambia

• Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa

Students on PG programmes longer than one year may apply but must be aware that this funding is for one year only, therefore students are advised to budget accordingly. 

Criteria

The Scholarship will be awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit with candidates requiring an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree.

The scholarship deadline is 23:59 (UK Time) on 15th April 2025.