Saïd Foundation Oxford Scholarships [APPLY NOW]

The Saïd Foundation Oxford Scholarships are prestigious awards designed to support outstanding students from the Middle East to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

These scholarships aim to foster educational development and leadership skills among students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, enabling them to make significant contributions to their home countries upon completion of their studies.

The program provides full financial support, including tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs, allowing scholars to focus entirely on their academic and personal growth.

By investing in the education of future leaders, the Saïd Foundation seeks to promote positive change and development in the region.

Quick Overview

• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Institution/Organization: Saïd Foundation 
• Program Name: Saïd Foundation Oxford Scholarships
• Fields of Study: open to all eligible course at a Foundation partner university
• Type: Masters
• Gender Eligibility: All genders
• Award Amount: £30,000
• Application Deadline: 31st October, 5pm UK time.

About Saïd Foundation

The Saïd Foundation has been providing educational grants and training opportunities since 1984. The programme strives to empower people through educational opportunities while also encouraging Middle Eastern growth. It is aimed for excellent individuals with leadership potential who will drive good change in our target countries of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Saïd Foundation Oxford Scholarships applicant must:

1. Hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian citizenship and permanently dwell in one of these nations. Due to the current situation in Syria, the Foundation will accept Syrians who reside elsewhere
2. Have an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 degree or above. Candidates in the final year of their undergraduate studies will also be considered.
3. Have relevant job and/or volunteer experience in their field of study, as well as a defined professional plan after completing their education and returning to their home country or region.
4. Demonstrate leadership abilities in their chosen field or sector.
5. Have applied for an eligible course at a Foundation partner university (or have compelling grounds to apply to a non-partner university).
6. Have met the Foundation’s English language criteria (click here for further information). Some universities have higher criteria, and candidates must also meet their chosen university’s English language standards.
7. Upload all required documentation.

Application Deadline

Applications close at 5pm UK time on Thursday 31st October 2024.

References

References are an important part of the scholarship selection process, and they will be considered when your application is reviewed. Candidates must collect THREE distinct reference letters from three different referees and attach them to their application form before completing their application.

References will not be accepted after an application is submitted or the deadline has passed. Candidates must obtain their own reference letters; the Saïd Foundation cannot collect references on their behalf.

Candidates lacking three references will not be considered for the Saïd Foundation scholarship.

It is very important to choose your referees wisely. They must be known to you and are not a relative or close personal friends. You must submit three references: one academic, one professional, and one voluntary.

An academic referee

1. They must be an academic who has taught you.
2. They should comment in detail on your academic ability including your final position in the class (e.g. 1st out of 15 students).
3. They should also comment on your ability to complete a demanding postgraduate program in the UK.

A professional referee

1. They can be either a current or recent employer.
2. They should provide feedback on your role and experience, as well as how it relates to your selected course.
3. They should also comment on your leadership abilities, experience, and capacity to influence change in your field.
4. If you have no professional experience, you have to provide a second academic or volunteer reference.

A voluntary or extra-curricular referee

1. They should be an individual who can provide feedback on your volunteer or community service.
2. They should comment on your role and how long you’ve been involved in the volunteer or extracurricular activity.
3. They should also comment on your dedication to the role and highlight any major accomplishments.

Note References must:

1. Be written in English, signed by the referee and provided on official headed paper where possible.
2. Include contact details for the referee (both a telephone number and an email address). If you are selected for an interview the Saïd Foundation will contact your referee to verify the information they have provided.
3. Be written in support of your application for a Saïd Foundation scholarship. References that have been written for other purposes will not be accepted.

You should download our Guidance for Referees and give a copy to each of your referees.

Required Document

Here are list of documents needed for the Saïd Foundation Oxford Scholarships:

This section addresses common questions about the Saïd Foundation Oxford Scholarships. Here you would be provided with vital information which would help you make an informed decision.

I am a dual national, am I eligible to apply?

Yes, we accept applications from applicants who hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian citizenship who also have another nationality. Your application must include a copy of your passport or national ID proving that you are Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

No, there is no age limit for applicants.

Does the Saïd Foundation apply tuition fee caps?

No, we do not apply caps on tuition fee for programs such as MBAs. In certain cases, the Saïd Foundation may only provide partial scholarships due to exorbitant tuition rates.

I’d like to bring my spouse and children to the UK. Will the Foundation cover these costs?

The Foundation is unable to provide financial assistance to students’ family members and recommends that students travel to the UK alone.

Can I pursue a distance-learning program?

In exceptional circumstances the Saïd Foundation may consider a distance-learning master’s degree program at a UK university. Candidates looking to study a distance learning program must provide detailed arguments to support their choice in their scholarship application form and explain why they are unable to travel to the UK.

The Saïd Foundation will not consider distance-learning programs that take more than two years to complete.