British Council HESPAL - Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians 2026

Founded in 2010, the HESPAL programme is a unique scholarship scheme supporting the capacity-building of academics and the institutional development of higher education institutions in Palestine. It also aims to foster renewed and sustainable links between Palestinian and UK universities and create lasting professional networks to sustain scholar’s longer-term career.

HESPAL objectives are to:

• Contribute to the creation of Palestine’s next generation of senior academics.
• Develop sustainable institutional links between Palestinian and UK universities.
• Support professional networks to sustain the scholar’s longer-term career

• Table of Content
• About British Council
• British Council Masters Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of British Council Masters Scholarship
• Requirements for British Council Masters Scholarship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

British Council Masters Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of British Council Masters Scholarship

The scholarship covers the main expenses for selected scholars, including:

• Academic tuition fees, through fee waivers offered by participating UK partner universities.
• Living allowance for the 12 months duration of master’s programmes.
• Arrival allowance and thesis allowance.
• Additional allowance (for 2026 scholars) to contribute toward visa, health insurance and/or travel costs.

Scholars are expected to cover all other expenses and any unforeseen costs.

Requirements for British Council Masters Scholarship Qualification

To be eligible for the HESPAL 2026 cycle, applicants must be:

• Palestinian from the Gaza Strip (including displaced Gazans).
• Applying for a master’s (MA) programme only — PhD applicants are not eligible.
• Employed by or part of the academic staff at a Gazan university.
• Nominated by their Gazan university.

Applicants will be required to provide a valid English-language certificate accepted by the UK university to which they are applying.  

Women, displaced academics, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Support for applicants with disabilities will be provided where programme capacity and available funding allow.

Documents Required for Application

• One recent passport sized photo.
• Copy of Passport (or ID).
• An official copy of the academic certificate for all higher education qualification including BA, MA or/and PhD (in English).
• Nomination and proof of employment letter from home university.
• A valid English-language certificate accepted by the UK university to which applicants are applying.

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars' Program at ALCHE 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applicants nominated by their Gaza universities must follow the process outlined in the application guidance notes and submit their HESPAL application by the specified deadline. The process includes:

1. Identifying the UK partner universities and preferred programme of study 
2. Applying directly to at least three programmes offered by UK partner universities.
3. Submitting the HESPAL online application and uploading the required supporting documents.

For more information, kindly visit British Council scholarship webpage.