Beit Trust Scholarship application opens encourage others to apply

The Beit Trust offers annually a number of Postgraduate Masters or PhD Scholarships abroad for  studies or research to graduates who are domiciled in Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe (the beneficial area) Scholarships are taken up at a university in the United Kingdom, Ireland or South Africa, for study in a subject of the individual's choice appropriate to the needs of the beneficial area.  Duration is normally for a maximum of three years at the discretion of Trustees.  Completed applications must reach The Beit Trust not later than 31st August 2015.

In addition, shared awards for a taught Masters Degree are offered at the University of Cambridge (BC); University of Cape Town (BCT); Imperial College London (BI), the University of Leeds (BL); Rhodes University (BRU); Stellenbosch University (BS) and the University of Witwatersrand (BW).

BC  Postgraduate Scholarship expenses are shared equally between The Beit Trust and the Cambridge Trust  at the University of Cambridge, especially at Clare Hall.

BCT Postgraduate Masters and Doctorate Scholarship expenses are shared between The Beit Trust and the University of Cape Town.

BI  Postgraduate Scholarship expenses are shared between The Beit Trust and Imperial College.

BL Postgraduate Scholarship expenses are shared between The Beit Trust and the University of Leeds, which undertakes the administration.

BRU Postgraduate Scholarship expenses are partly met by Rhodes University. The Beit Trust handles the administration.

BS  Postgraduate Scholarship expenses are shared between the Beit Trust and Stellenbosch University. The Beit Trust handles the administration.

BW Postgraduate Scholarship expenses are shared between The Beit Trust and the University of Witwatersrand.

The Beit-COSECSA Surgical in-country Scholarship is open to trainee surgeons, as set out at the foot of this page.

There is no academic difference between shared Postgraduate Scholarships and solely Beit-funded Postgraduate Scholarships, but, for economic and pastoral reasons, selection boards generally favour partner-universities. Many Beit Scholars choose the Africa-friendly partner- universities listed above where shared costs permit a larger number of scholarships to be offered to the beneficial area.

The Beit Trust is constrained by Act of Parliament to sponsoring ONLY students who are domiciled within Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe. The Trust cannot consider applications from those who have already commenced their course.

All applicants (except medical and veterinary doctors) must be under 30 years of age on 31 December of the year of application. Some experience of work after completion of a first degree is also desirable. Doctors and vets must be under 35 years of age on 31 December and should have completed 18 months of internship and preferably a one-year rural posting in the relevant country.

The extent of a Beit Postgraduate Scholarship Grant is:

Fees and costs of tuition and related academic expenses are paid by the Trust direct to the universities.

Payment of a personal allowance, index linked in accordance with guidance from an independent authority covering maintenance support.

Other allowances are paid for arrival, a laptop and printing of a thesis, and return home.

Economy Class air passages are provided by the Trust for the initial journey to the place of study, and for the return at the end of the course.

No allowances are paid for spouses or other family members.

Prospective applicants, who must hold at least a degree of class 2.1, i.e. Merit or Distinction, should obtain details of the awards and application requirements from:-

Application lists open on 1 June and should be made to: The Beit Trust Representative, P.O. Box CH 76, Chisipite, Harare, ZIMBABWE. (Office: 5 Ludlow Rd., Newlands, Harare) E-Mail: beitrust@africaonline.co.zw.

Please note that all documents including independent references must be received by The Beit Trust by 31 August.

Only those applicants who state that they intend to return to work in the relevant country upon completion of the scholarship, and who can, if short-listed, present themselves for interview before a Beit Postgraduate Scholarship Selection Board in Harare, Blantyre or Lusaka at the beginning of December, will be considered.

Selection is highly competitive, and only Postgraduates with at least a Merit (equivalent to a good 2.1 from a UK university) in their first degree are likely to succeed.  The selectors favour practical and useful disciplines that are likely to offer a clear benefit to the beneficial area. Because of their high cost, MBAs and PhDs are very seldom awarded in the UK, but a taught MBA at an established university in South Africa is acceptable.