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Ruth First Scholarships for Southern Africans at Durham University

Posted August 5, 2026

Application Cycle Concluded

The listed deadline for this opening was March 1, 2015. Application criteria, required documents, and preparation guidelines below remain active for upcoming academic cycles. Explore active live openings below.

Coverage / FundingFinancial Support Available
Degree LevelMasters
Location / ModeUnited Kingdom
DeadlineMar 1, 2015

About this opportunity

Durham University offers the Ruth First Scholarship to students from Southern Africa pursuing a Master's degree. The scholarship honors Ruth First, a South African anti-apartheid activist and journalist who was assassinated in 1982. It is designed to support academically strong students from the region who want to study at one of the UK's leading research universities. The scholarship covers full tuition fees for a one-year taught Master's program at Durham. It also provides a monthly stipend to help with living costs while you study in the UK. The exact stipend amount varies by year, but it is intended to cover accommodation, food, and everyday expenses in Durham. You will be responsible for your own travel to the UK, visa costs, and any additional personal spending. Durham University is a collegiate institution in northeast England, founded in 1832. It consistently ranks among the top universities in the UK and globally, with strong departments in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The university is known for its research output and its historic castle and cathedral, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Around 20,000 students study there, including a significant international community. Living in Durham means a compact city with a low cost of living compared to London. Renting a room in shared accommodation typically costs between £400 and £600 per month. The city is safe, walkable, and well connected by train to Edinburgh and London. Winters are cold and damp, with temperatures often near freezing from December to February. International students on a UK Student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, which helps with day-to-day costs. This scholarship is competitive and aimed at students who show both academic excellence and a commitment to social justice, reflecting Ruth First's legacy. If you are from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, or Lesotho and have a strong undergraduate record, this is a realistic path to a funded Master's in the UK. Use Oppora's CV Builder Studio to polish your academic CV before you apply, and run your personal statement through Oppora's AI Cover Letter Generator to make sure it clearly connects your background to Ruth First's values.

Benefits

  • Full tuition fees covered for a one-year taught Master's program
  • Monthly stipend provided for living costs in Durham
  • Access to Durham University's collegiate system and student support services
  • Opportunity to study at a globally ranked research university in the UK

Eligibility

  • Open to citizens of Southern African countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, and Lesotho
  • Must hold an offer of admission to a full-time taught Master's program at Durham University
  • Must demonstrate strong academic achievement in previous studies
  • Must show a commitment to social justice, human rights, or community development, reflecting Ruth First's work
  • Must be able to fund your own travel to the UK, visa application, and any additional personal expenses
Guide: Work Visa Process →

Required Documents

  • Completed scholarship application form
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • Personal statement explaining your academic interests and commitment to social justice
  • Two academic references
  • Copy of your passport or national ID
  • Proof of admission offer from Durham University

How to Apply

  1. Apply for admission to a taught Master's program at Durham University and receive an offer.
  2. Submit the Ruth First Scholarship application with your transcripts, personal statement, references, and proof of admission.
  3. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Ready to start your application?

Submit your materials before the official deadline.

Apply Now
Oppora Editorial Application Tip

Verify all official guidelines and eligibility criteria directly with the host institution before submitting. Prepare your transcript evaluation, referee letters, and motivational statement early to avoid deadline bottleneck delays.

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Oppora Editorial Analysis

Official Application Strategy & Recommended Tools

Competitiveness Rating:Moderate

Selection Committee Priorities

  • •Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in United Kingdom to Ruth First Scholarships For Southern Africans At Durham University's strategic goals.
  • •Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
  • •Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.

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Common questions about this opportunity

The application deadline is March 1, 2015. Most scholarship portals close at midnight in the host institution's timezone — avoid submitting in the final 24 hours to prevent technical issues.
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