The Adam Smith Business School (ASBS) Global Impact Scholarship is a generous award offered by the University of Glasgow in the UK. It is designed for ambitious students who want their studies to translate into real-world change, and it rewards those who have shown resilience, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference through their academic or personal lives.
For an African applicant, this is a rare chance to study a business, finance, economics, or management Master’s at a respected UK institution without the burden of tuition fees — and with a living stipend on top. Four scholarships are available, each combining a full fee waiver with a £15,000 stipend.
The award is tied to a wide range of postgraduate taught programmes at the Adam Smith Business School, from Economics and International Finance to Sustainability & Corporate Governance, so students from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and many other eligible countries can find a course that fits their goals.
Scholarship benefits
- A full tuition fee waiver for your eligible postgraduate taught programme.
- A £15,000 stipend to help with living costs.
- Four scholarships available for September 2026 entry.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You are a national of one of the eligible countries listed by the scheme (this includes many African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and more).
- ✔ You hold a conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible postgraduate taught programme at the Adam Smith Business School for September 2026 entry.
- ✔ Your chosen course appears on the list of eligible programmes (for example Business Analytics, International Finance, Management, Financial Technology, or Sustainability & Corporate Governance).
- ✔ You can demonstrate academic excellence with grades equivalent to a UK First Class Honours degree.
Application tips for African students
- Secure your programme offer first. Because the scholarship requires a conditional or unconditional offer, apply for admission to your chosen ASBS Master’s well ahead of the scholarship round deadlines.
- Sort out English-language requirements early. If your course requires IELTS or TOEFL, book your test in good time, as slots and result delays can be a problem in many African countries.
- Get your transcripts and degree certificates certified — and translated into English where needed — so they are ready when you submit your application.
- Prepare for the video stage. Shortlisted applicants must submit a 2-minute video on the Adam Smith Business School’s mission and values, so research what the school stands for and rehearse a clear, authentic message.
- Show your impact. This award favours resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to positive change, so build your application around concrete examples from your academic or personal life.
- Line up strong recommenders early. Ask lecturers or employers who know your work well, and give them enough time to write detailed, specific references.
- Apply in the earlier round if you can. With two rounds (February and May), submitting early gives you more time and a better shot at the four available places.
How to apply
Applications are currently closed, but here is how the process works. You register and submit through the Apply Now button on the official scholarship website. Assessment runs in two rounds, with deadlines of 23 February 2026 and 18 May 2026 at 11:59AM. Each round has two stages: first your online application is reviewed, and if you succeed you are invited to the second stage, where you submit a 2-minute video relating to the Adam Smith Business School’s mission and values. Video submission deadlines are 2 March or 26 May, depending on your round. Check the official page for the full instructions and to access the form when applications reopen: https://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/asbsglobalimpactscholarship/
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the ASBS Global Impact Scholarship?
Nationals of the eligible countries — a long list that includes many African nations — who hold an offer for an eligible Adam Smith Business School postgraduate taught programme starting September 2026 and who meet the academic standard.
What does the scholarship cover?
It provides a full tuition fee waiver plus a £15,000 stipend to support living costs.
What academic level do I need?
You must demonstrate academic excellence with grades equivalent to a UK First Class Honours degree.
What are the deadlines?
The scholarship is assessed in two annual rounds, with deadlines of 23 February 2026 and 18 May 2026 at 11:59AM. Video submission deadlines follow on 2 March or 26 May depending on your round.
How many scholarships are available?
Four scholarships are offered for September 2026 entry.
Do I need an offer before applying for the scholarship?
Yes. You must already hold a conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible ASBS programme, so apply for admission early.