The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, is inviting interested and qualified African students to apply for the 2026 Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships.
The SOAS Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate opportunity valued at £32,500, which is applied toward tuition fees for eligible Master’s degree programmes, with any remaining balance paid to successful scholars as a stipend.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: SOAS University of London
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £32,500
- Deadline: February 6, 2026
Scholarship Details
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships are awarded annually by the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Foundation to support African nationals and residents who wish to pursue taught Master’s degree programmes at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. The scholarship is specifically targeted at students who are resident in Africa and demonstrate outstanding academic excellence.
For the 2026 academic cycle, two Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships have been established for African students who intend to commence their studies at SOAS in the 2026/27 academic year. The scholarship is awarded strictly on the basis of academic merit and must be taken up in the year awarded, as deferrals to subsequent academic years are not permitted. Through this initiative, the Foundation aims to expand access to high-quality postgraduate education for academically exceptional students from low-income and lower-middle-income African countries.
Eligibility Criteria
To be qualified for the SOAS London Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a national of an African country and resident in Africa
- Be resident in a low-income or lower-middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank, and preferably from a low-income household
- Hold an undergraduate degree at First Class level
- Have applied for admission to SOAS (an offer is not required by the scholarship deadline but must be received before final selection)
- Meet the English language requirements of the SOAS offer of admission as soon as possible
- Note that the scholarship does not cover pre-sessional English or preparatory courses
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants of the SOAS London Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship will receive:
- A total scholarship value of £32,500
- Full or partial coverage of tuition fees
- Any remaining balance paid as a living stipend
Candidate Assessment
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship is awarded based on academic merit. Candidates will be assessed by an Advisory Panel made up of three academic members. Evaluation is based solely on the information provided in the scholarship application, including:
- Academic performance and degree results
- Academic references
- Personal statement and other relevant supporting information
Application Deadline
- Scholarship applications must be submitted no later than 23:59 (UK local time) on February 6, 2026
- Applicants must also submit a complete online application for their chosen Master’s programme
- It is strongly recommended to apply for admission at least six weeks before the scholarship deadline to ensure an offer is available during shortlisting
How to Apply
To apply for the SOAS London Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships:
- Step 1: Apply for admission to a Master’s degree programme at SOAS by completing the online application form
- Step 2: Apply for the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship through the official scholarship application form before 12:00pm (midday UK local time) on February 6, 2026
- Ensure all applications are complete and submitted on time, as late or incomplete applications will not be considered
Notification of Results
- Scholarship shortlisting and selection are expected to be completed by the end of April 2026
- Successful candidates will be contacted first
- Unsuccessful applicants will be notified after all scholarship awards have been allocated
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