The University of Glasgow is one of Scotland’s oldest and most respected universities, and its International (Global) Leadership Scholarships are designed to help talented students from around the world afford a taught Master’s degree in the UK. The award comes as a tuition fee discount worth £10,000, applied to your postgraduate fees.
What makes this scheme attractive for African applicants is its breadth: the scholarship is open across any discipline offered as a postgraduate taught Master’s programme, and the eligible country list includes Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and many other African nations. With 281 scholarships on offer, the odds are far better than for many single-award programmes.
It’s important to be clear about scope: this is a partial award. The £10,000 reduces your tuition bill but does not cover living costs, travel or the full fee, so you should plan your wider budget accordingly.
Scholarship benefits
- A tuition fee discount worth £10,000.
- Up to 281 scholarships available for the 2026/2027 academic session.
- Open to taught Master’s programmes in any discipline offered at the University of Glasgow.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ Hold an offer of a place for a postgraduate taught programme starting September 2026.
- ✔ Demonstrate academic excellence, with grades equivalent to a UK First Class Honours degree.
- ✔ Have International or EU (non-UK) fee status.
- ✔ Be a national of one of the eligible countries listed by the University, which includes many African nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania.
Application tips for African students
- Secure your programme offer first. You must hold an offer for a September 2026 taught Master’s before you can be considered, so apply for admission early to leave time for the scholarship round.
- Aim high academically. The scholarship targets students with grades equivalent to a UK First Class Honours, so present strong, well-documented results.
- Get your transcripts and degree certificates certified, and arrange certified English translations if your documents are not in English.
- Plan your English-language test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) well ahead, since universities usually require proof of proficiency for admission; book early to avoid test-centre backlogs.
- Because the £10,000 only reduces tuition, prepare a realistic budget for the remaining fees, living expenses and your UK student visa, including proof-of-funds requirements.
- Watch the official website closely — the closing date will be announced closer to the time (around Summer 2026) — and submit through the online Scholarship Portal as soon as it opens.
How to apply
To be considered, you must first hold an offer of a place for a September 2026 postgraduate taught programme at Glasgow. Applications are then made through the University’s online Scholarship Portal. Successful candidates are notified within six weeks of receiving their programme offer, and the application closing date will be published on the official site closer to the time (Summer 2026). Confirm full details and access the application form here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/globalleadershipscholarship/
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this scholarship?
International or EU (non-UK) fee-status students from the University’s eligible country list — which includes numerous African countries — who hold an offer for a September 2026 taught Master’s programme and have grades equivalent to a UK First Class Honours.
How much is the award worth?
Each scholarship is a tuition fee discount worth £10,000. It does not cover living costs or the full tuition fee.
Which programmes are covered?
Any postgraduate taught Master’s programme offered at the University of Glasgow, across any discipline. Check the official website for the full list of programmes.
When is the deadline?
The closing date is tied to the annual admissions cycle and will be announced on the official website closer to the time (Summer 2026). You must already hold a programme offer for September 2026 to be considered.
How will I know if I’ve won?
Successful candidates are notified within six weeks of receiving their programme offer.