Apply for a University Scholarship

Beacon Scholarships are only available to students who are nationals of, and ordinarily resident in either KENYA, UGANDA, TANZANIA, ZAMBIA or SOUTH AFRICA.

Please read carefully the Eligibility Criteria and all other requirements before registering (Note: International Foundation Year; Apprenticeship courses, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Sciences is excluded. There is strong competition for these scholarships, and shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an interview, and a leadership assessment workshop with other candidates.

1. Eligibility Criteria

• National of, and ordinarily resident in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or South Africa
• Proven record of academic excellence: meeting high-grade requirements for UK university entry
• Achievement in Sport, Music, or Drama
• Social Influence and Communication: holding positions of responsibility, demonstrating confidence and leadership among peers
• Citizenship: tangible evidence of community service and involvement
• Other factors include:
  • English proficiency
  • Financial need 
  • Potential to contribute fully to university life
  • Intention to return home to a leadership role, possibly after some time working in an international environment
  • Changemaker: demonstrating capacity to lead and ‘take people with them now’  

2. Financial Need - Disclosure Requirements

• Candidates and their Parents/Guardians/Sponsors must demonstrate financial need and complete full financial disclosure with verified documents to qualify for The Beacon Scholarship for University.
• Applicants with a gross household income above US$100k are unlikely to qualify.
• The scholarship covers full tuition fees only. Recipients are responsible for covering maintenance costs which include: living costs such as accommodation and subsistence, compulsory UK government surcharges, and airfares to and from their home country. These maintenance costs are typically around £15k (US$20k) annually.
• Award recipients must open an Education Fund bank account and deposit in it a minimum balance of £15k (US$20k) for the first year. For the second and subsequent years, a statement from the Education Fund bank account showing a minimum balance of £15k (US$20k) is required for scholarship continuation.

3. Application Process

1. Candidate registers on The Beacon Scholarship website and downloads Nomination Form and Eligibility Assessment Form.
2. Candidate completes UCAS application and any necessary university funding applications. You should submit your UCAS application by 31 December to ensure you meet Beacon Scholarship deadlines. Please note: Nomination and Eligibility Assessment Forms are not application forms.  
3. Head's Nomination Forms submitted to Beacon by School Head by Wednesday 15 January 2025. 
4. Candidate receives offer of admission from university (ongoing until April) and sends copy of offer letter to Beacon along with completed Eligibility Assessment Form.
5. Beacon invites eligible offer-holding candidates to complete full Beacon Scholarship Application Form.
6. All Application Forms should be received by Beacon by Wednesday 12 February 2025.
7. Nominated candiates who have not received offers by 31 January should contact info@beaconscholarship.com. 
8. Shortlisted candidates attend Beacon interview and assessment.
9. Beacon and Beacon Partner University jointly decide on scholarship recipients. 
10. Successful candidates receive Award Letter from Beacon and accept Award Terms and Conditions by completing Award Acceptance Form. All award decisions will be made in time for UCAS deadlines. 
11. Once A-level/IB results are published, and offers go ‘Unconditional’. 

4. Register to Access Nomination Form & Eligibility Assessment Form

PLEASE NOTE: Key Dates for Nominations. Nominations and Applications received after the Closing Date will be considered for the next academic year.

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2025 entry. 

Register to download a Nomination & Eligibility Form