The Scholarships Programme offers 100% tuition fee Masters scholarships to support British Muslims to study at UK universities. The scholarships are aimed at those who wish to advance in their careers and bring positive change to their communities and beyond. We invite applications from people who are dedicated to:
The aim is to support emerging leaders who have a high level of commitment to the community as well as the aspirations to lead and inspire in their respective field.
Please note that the scholarships are only open to those who qualify for Home Fees status in the UK, and applications from international students will therefore not be considered.
Moreover, scholarships will only be awarded to British Muslims with career aspirations in the following areas:
We shall not be accepting applications for science, health policy, or mathematics courses.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. THE NEXT CYCLE WILL RUN FROM JANUARY 2024
40 institutions have so far joined the Aziz Foundation Preferred Partner scheme and fulfilled the conditions of admittance.
Scholarships will be offered only to candidates studying Masters degrees at the institutions listed below. For institutions where selected courses are not specified, all courses in the eligible subject areas are on offer.
In addition to our preferred partners, we currently have the following institutional partners. Scholarship applications must be made DIRECTLY to these institutions:
Applicants should meet all of the following requirements:
The Aziz Foundation prioritises scholarships for candidates who can demonstrate that they cannot afford all or part of the tuition fees for their proposed Masters course.
In addition to the above criteria, you will have to demonstrate that you would not be able to self-fund your course. The Foundation will apply the following test, using information you supply, social indicators and available data, to determine your financial means:
The assessment will include some or all of the means testing criteria above, variously weighted, and will contribute to the panel’s final decision on the candidate.
If you successful, it is a mandatory requirement as a condition of your award that you undertake at least one of the following:
Applications are submitted online. The application form includes questions about previous education, work experience, financial means, a statement of no more than 1,000 words about how you meet the Foundation’s criteria, and the names of two referees.
If your application is shortlisted you will be invited to attend an interview.
The interview will be 30-45 minutes exploring questions around:
The assessment and awards process will be carried out over two cycles in 2023:
|
Cycle |
Application dates | Interview dates | Award dates |
| 1 | 9th Jan from 12 noon – 31st March, 12 noon | Feb-April | Mid May |
| 2 | 2nd April from 12 noon – 30th June, 12 noon | May-July | Late July |
Applications for 2023/24 are now closed.
The earliest start for courses we can consider is June 2023.
If your course starts between June 2023-August 2023, you must apply during cycle 1, otherwise we will not be able to consider your application.
For courses starting from September 2023, you may apply in either cycle.
You may apply only once in any given year (either in cycle 1 or cycle 2 but not both).
Have a question about Aziz Foundation or our scholarship
program? Use our FAQ section for some quick answers.
Who are these Scholarships for?
Muslims who wish to raise aspirations and standards and facilitate better representation of British Muslim communities in civil society.
What are the opening and closing dates for these applications?
Scholarship applications can be submitted from 12pm (noon) Tuesday 11th January and the final date to submit an application will be 12 noon Friday 30th June. Late applications will not be considered.
How do I make an application?
From January 2023, you can make an application through the Aziz Foundation website. You may only apply once in any given year.
What is the process time for this scheme?
Applicants will be notified within 6-8 weeks whether they have been shortlisted for an interview. The assessment and awarding process will be carried out over two cycles. The earliest start for courses we can consider is June 2023. If your course starts between June 2022-August 2022, you must apply during cycle 1, otherwise we won’t be able to consider your application. For courses starting from September 2022, you may apply in either cycle.
Do I need to wait for an offer before applying for a scholarship?
No, you can and should apply for both the scholarship and course simultaneously. You must apply to a course as well as the scholarship. However, the only exception is if you are applying to Manchester Metropolitan University, in which case you will need to hold an offer from the institution beforehand.
What criteria will be used in assessing the application?
We shall be looking for candidates to demonstrate that they are able to fulfil at least some of the following criteria: ● Able to successfully complete their proposed course of study ● Dedication to bettering British Muslim communities and wider society ● Experiencing financial barriers to pursuing further study ● The course will benefit career prospects and/or assist in development in current career geared towards community service ● Willingness to advocate on behalf of communities ● Desire to proactively tackle Islamophobia in society
Are there any restrictions that apply on courses that are covered by the scholarships?
Courses applied for must be at Masters level. We do not fund PhDs, Undergraduate courses, PGCEs, LPCs or PG Dips. Please also consider the specific exemptions that apply to individual partnerships. Moreover, courses will be awarded in the following subject areas only: ● Law: Candidates who hold high aspirations to excel in the legal profession and especially those who wish to become judges ● Media & Journalism: Candidates driven to champion greater diversity and inclusivity in the media ● Tech & Creative Content: Candidates with a desire to ensure better representation n the tech and creative industries ● Policy: Candidates with a passion for influencing public policy in the UK, to ensure that it is equitable and responsive to the needs of minority communities, especially Muslim communities (excluding health policy) For the 2021-22 academic year, we will NOT be funding courses within the science, engineering and mathematics disciplines, including health policy.
Is there any financial limit to your scholarships?
There is currently no upper limit to the funding we offer. However, please note that we cover tuition fees only and that more expensive courses may receive partial funding only (up to 100%). We will not consider bearing the cost of maintenance.
When must my course start?
The course you are applying for must commence in the academic year 2023-24, entry from June onwards. You may therefore also apply for entry in January 2024. Please note that applicants hoping to gain admission to courses commencing early (i.e. prior to September) will have to apply in the first application cycle (see above).
Does the course have to be full-time?
No. We also fund part time courses and online courses.
Does the course have to be at a British university?
Yes, as long as the University has opted into the Foundation’s Preferred Partners scheme. Please see above for the full list.
Can I be funded to undertake a second Masters?
You can be funded, as long as you meet the other stipulated requirements.
If I have started a two year Masters, can I be funded for the second year?
Yes, as long as the second year commences in the academic year 2023-24.
Who is eligible for this scheme?
Those who qualify for Home Fees status. International students will not be considered.
Will there be an interview?
Yes. Shortlisted candidates will usually be invited to attend an interview face-to-face at our office in central London or remotely. However, due to social distancing restrictions all candidates in the first cycle will be interviewed remotely. Due to the high volume of applications we process, it will not be possible to provide you individual feedback on your application. If you are not notified a month after submission, please assume your application has not progressed to the next stage.
Will my financial circumstances be assessed?
Yes. Means testing will be carried out on the information supplied in the application form and, if shortlisted, at the interview stage. This will examine the financial barriers faced and take into account the following, although this should not be taken as an exhaustive list: ● Home address ● Secondary school(s) attended ● Amount of student debt (this ought to be evidenced with appropriate documentation) ● First generation to go to university ● Financial commitments, dependents and caring responsibilities
