Saïd Foundation Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded UK Master's Study for Applicants From Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine

Saïd Foundation Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded UK Master’s Study for Applicants From Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine

The Saïd Foundation’s 2027/28 scholarship programme is a substantial route into a one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom for talented applicants connected to Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. The Foundation says the next application window opens at 9am UK time on 1 September 2026 and closes at 5pm UK time on 30 October 2026. This is an upcoming round rather than an application window that is open on 20 August, so applicants have a useful preparation period before the portal opens.

The award is designed for people who can connect advanced study to practical development in their home country or region. It is not a general international scholarship for every nationality or every type of course. The Foundation normally supports one-year master’s courses at UK partner universities, and it expects applicants to show academic strength, relevant experience, leadership potential, and a credible plan to return and use their training in the Middle East. The programme does not restrict applicants to one academic subject, but the proposed course must be relevant and justified.

Key details

The Foundation’s FAQ says that the scholarship also includes an arrival allowance and a single economy return flight. It does not provide financial support for accompanying spouses or children, and it advises scholars to travel to the UK unaccompanied. Applicants should therefore assess family and relocation costs separately instead of assuming that “fully funded” covers dependants.

Who the scholarship is intended for

The Foundation describes its scholarship programme as a way to support outstanding people with leadership potential who can contribute to the development of its target countries. The core audience is therefore narrower than “any student from the region.” A strong applicant will be able to explain both why a particular UK master’s course is needed and how its knowledge will be used after study.

Applicants must hold Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian nationality and permanently reside in one of those countries. The Foundation says it is more flexible with Syrian candidates because of current circumstances in Syria. Palestinians living in Israel may apply. Dual nationals can apply, but they must upload a passport or national identity document showing their Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian nationality.

The academic baseline is an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK Upper Second Class, or 2:1, degree. Final-year undergraduate students may also be considered, provided they upload the transcripts available at the time of application. The Foundation publishes country-specific grade guidance, but it also warns that these comparisons are only a guide and that university entry requirements may be higher. If your grades are not an obvious match, it is sensible to ask the proposed university how it evaluates your qualification rather than relying only on a general percentage conversion.

Relevant work or voluntary experience is required, but the FAQ does not impose a minimum number of hours or years. That makes the quality and relevance of the experience more important than simply accumulating a large number. Experience could be professional, community-based, educational, public-service, technical, health-related, or connected to another field in which the applicant can show responsibility and a plausible route to impact.

What the funding covers

Saïd Foundation scholarships are described as fully funded awards for the duration of the supported course. The confirmed package includes tuition fees, full maintenance or living costs, an arrival allowance, visa fees, the UK healthcare surcharge, and one economy return flight. The Foundation does not publish one universal cash figure because tuition and living costs depend on the selected course and location. Treat the package as a cost-of-study award rather than a fixed stipend that every scholar receives in the same amount.

The award is intended for a one-year master’s course. The Foundation does not consider undergraduate or PhD applications, and it generally does not accept two-year master’s programmes. It can consider a distance-learning master’s only in exceptional circumstances, with a detailed explanation of why the applicant cannot travel to the UK; distance-learning programmes longer than two years are not considered. Courses must begin in the autumn of 2027 for this round.

The Foundation normally expects applications to be directed to partner universities. A non-partner university can be considered only when the proposed course is not available at a partner institution, and the applicant must explain that choice in the scholarship application. This is a practical eligibility issue, not a minor preference: an unexplained non-partner course can make an otherwise strong application ineligible for consideration.

English-language requirement

English evidence must be ready when the scholarship application is submitted. For the 2027/28 round, the Foundation’s stated requirement is IELTS Academic of at least 6.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each band. It also accepts the Duolingo English Test with a minimum overall score of 105 and minimum 105 in each band, and TOEFL iBT under the score rules published on its English-language page.

Only English certificates dated after 1 September 2025 will be considered for the 2027/28 scholarship. The Foundation says applicants must upload a copy of the actual test certificate, not a screenshot of results, and it will not accept a missing language certificate after submission. University requirements can be higher than the Foundation minimum, so applicants must check the requirements of each selected course separately. Meeting the Foundation threshold does not guarantee that a university will accept the same test or score.

This requirement is worth handling early. A test date close to the September opening may leave little time for a retake, score reporting, or a correction to a certificate. Put the test result in the same preparation folder as your transcripts and identity documents, and check the certificate date as well as the score.

Required documents

The Foundation’s required-documents page lists the materials that must normally be submitted with the online application. Prepare clear, legible copies of:

• your high-school marks or certificate;
• university transcripts and graduation certificate, or all available transcripts if you are in your final undergraduate year;
• your current passport or national identity card showing an eligible nationality;
• the English-language test certificate meeting the Foundation’s requirement;
• an offer letter or evidence that you have applied to a qualifying UK master’s course;
• three reference letters; and
• an up-to-date CV of no more than two sides without a photograph.

Three valid references must be uploaded before the application is submitted. The FAQ specifically says references cannot be accepted after the deadline. Ask referees well in advance, explain the course and the Foundation’s return-home purpose, and confirm that they can provide letters through the required process. A generic letter that confirms attendance but says little about leadership, work, service, or future contribution will be less useful than a specific letter grounded in observed evidence.

University offers or proof of a university application can be supplied later only in the situation described by the Foundation: the chosen course was not open for applications before the scholarship deadline. In that case, the applicant must record that the course is not currently open in the study-plan section and then upload evidence of applying by 29 January 2027. This exception is not permission to delay a course application that is already open.

How to apply and how selection works

The scholarship application is submitted through the Saïd Foundation’s online process. Before starting, read the Foundation’s eligibility, English-language, reference, and required-document guidance. Identify up to three proposed courses in order of preference and research each one carefully. The Foundation expects applicants to explain why the course and university were chosen, how the subject matters to the home country, and how the proposed study connects to a future career.

The selection process starts with an eligibility check. Only applicants who meet all of the published criteria progress to assessment. The Foundation says eligible applications are assessed by its staff, external experts, and trustees. Its published selection considerations include academic excellence, the usefulness of the subject to the home country, leadership potential, commitment to the community, future career goals, and the practical ability to use the knowledge gained in the UK after returning to the region.

Shortlisted candidates are expected to be interviewed in March 2027. The Foundation’s timetable says final selections will be made by the beginning of June 2027. Applicants who are not shortlisted are expected to be notified in March, while eligibility outcomes are sent earlier in the process. The Foundation does not provide individual feedback because of application volume, so the application should be treated as a complete case rather than a rough expression of interest.

A preparation plan for the September opening

Use the period before 1 September to settle the issues that can disqualify an application. First, confirm nationality and normal residence. Second, compare your degree and marks with both the Foundation’s guidance and the admission rules of likely UK courses. Third, obtain a valid English certificate. Fourth, shortlist partner-university courses that begin in autumn 2027 and verify their application dates and fees.

Next, build the argument that links course, career, and return. A useful plan names a problem or opportunity in the home country, explains the skills that are missing, identifies what the selected course teaches, and shows the role you could realistically take after graduation. Avoid promising to solve a national problem alone. Reviewers are more likely to trust a plan that identifies an institution, sector, community, or professional pathway where the applicant can contribute.

Give referees a concise briefing pack containing your CV, proposed course choices, a draft career plan, and the Foundation’s criteria. Ask them to describe concrete examples rather than repeat adjectives. Also draft a two-page CV that makes service, work, leadership, and results easy to find. Keep translations and file names consistent, and check that your identity document will remain valid for the relevant travel and visa process.

Once the portal opens, do not wait until the final day. Upload documents early, read every confirmation screen, and keep a copy of the submitted application. If a selected course is not yet open, use the Foundation’s stated wording and mark the course status accurately. Then set a separate reminder for the 29 January evidence deadline.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most serious mistake is treating this as an unrestricted UK scholarship. Nationality, residence, course level, course length, and return-home purpose all matter. An applicant who meets the academic standard but proposes a PhD, a non-UK university, or an unexplained two-year course is not presenting the opportunity the Foundation funds.

Another common error is submitting without the English certificate or three references. The Foundation’s rules do not describe these as optional items that can be repaired later. Do not upload screenshots when the guidance asks for a certificate, and do not assume that a university waiver removes the Foundation’s own language requirement.

Weak course reasoning is also risky. Listing a prestigious university without explaining why its specific course is necessary can make the application feel interchangeable. The strongest plans connect modules, methods, placements, or professional networks to a clearly stated return-home objective. Finally, do not claim that dependants are funded. The Foundation expressly says family-member costs are not covered.

Frequently asked questions

Can final-year undergraduate students apply?

Yes. Final-year students can be considered, but they must upload all transcripts available when they apply and later satisfy the relevant degree and university conditions.

Is there an age limit?

The Foundation’s FAQ says there is no age limit. Applicants still need the required academic record, relevant work or voluntary experience, leadership potential, and a credible course and career plan.

Can I apply for a PhD or undergraduate course?

No. The programme supports one-year master’s study in the UK. It does not consider undergraduate or PhD applications.

Do I need a university offer before applying?

Not always. If the course is open, you should apply and provide evidence. If the course does not open until after the scholarship deadline, the Foundation allows you to record that status and provide evidence of application by 29 January 2027.

How many scholarships are offered?

The Foundation says it offers approximately 20–30 new scholarships annually. That is an expected range, not a guaranteed number for every round.

Does the award pay for my family to travel with me?

No. The Foundation says it cannot provide financial support for students’ family members and advises scholars to travel to the UK unaccompanied.

Official links and next steps

Start with the Saïd Foundation application guidance. Then read the Foundation’s eligibility criteria, English-language requirements, required documents, scholarship FAQ, and 2027/28 timetable. The Foundation’s scholarship overview explains the programme’s purpose, course restrictions, partner-university route, and selection priorities.

Before the portal opens at 9am UK time on 1 September 2026, confirm your nationality and residence, book or complete the required language test, contact three referees, select realistic one-year master’s courses beginning in autumn 2027, and assemble the required files. When applications open, submit before 5pm UK time on 30 October 2026 and retain your confirmation. The value of this opportunity is substantial, but the application is selective: eligibility compliance and a persuasive plan to use the degree after returning to the region are the foundation of a credible submission.