St Andrews Education for Palestinian Students (STEPS) Scholarship 2025 (Fully-funded)

This scholarship, co-funded by STEPS and the University of St Andrews, will provide funding for up to two Palestinian students to undertake a one-year postgraduate taught course of study.

STEPS (St Andrews Education for Palestinian Students) is a charity registered in Scotland: No SCO42518. It was established in January 2011 as an independent charitable foundation to provide funding for Palestinian students at the University of St Andrews.

• Table of Content
• About University of St Andrews
• University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship
• Requirements for University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of St Andrews

St Andrews is a unique and captivating place, and the University is a key part of its charm. Seven centuries of history link the students with the town, leading to the ancient and yet modern institution apparent today. For those interested in visiting or moving to St Andrews, we recommend taking a look at the town information, which describes the facilities and opportunities open to the local community. You can also find information about the University’s governance, history, and strategy for the future in the sections below.... continue reading

University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship

Application Deadline	10 Apr 2025
Country to study	United Kingdom
School to study	University of St. Andrews
Type	Postgraduate
Sponsor	University of St Andrews
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship

At least 1 award available, consisting of:

• Full tuition fees.
• Accommodation fees to cover residential university costs.
• Maintenance stipend of £400 per month.
• Travel to and from the UK (one ticket for each way).

This award is available for 1 year of postgraduate study.

Requirements for University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship Qualification

Applicants must:

• Have an offer of a full-time place on a one-year postgraduate taught Masters course (MLitt, MSc, MRes)
• Have Palestinian nationality. Priority will be given to those who are resident in the West Bank, Gaza or one of the Palestinian Refugee Camps. Your fee status classification must be international.

• Not have previously taken a degree course at a university outside the West Bank, Gaza or Lebanon.
• Not have previously completed a postgraduate degree, or be studying for a postgraduate degree at time of application.

Further criteria apply - please see Terms and Conditions below for full details.

English language requirements

You must have a valid English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) in order to be considered for STEPS, and will be required to enter your test results in the STEPS application form. You do not need to supply your English language test (e.g. IELTS) certificate with the STEPS application; however you must have already provided this documentation with your postgraduate course application. Information about postgraduate English language requirements is available on the University website.

Application fee exemption

STEPS applicants do not need to pay the £50 application fee. At the point of submitting your application to St Andrews, please contact [email protected] for further advice.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University of St Andrews STEPS Scholarship

STEPS Scholarship Criteria

1. You must be Palestinian. Priority will be given to those resident in the West Bank, Gaza or one of the Palestinian Refugee Camps. Your fee status classification must be international.
2. You must hold an offer of a full-time place on a one-year postgraduate taught course at St Andrews. Applicants without an offer by the time of the scholarship deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.
3. You must, at time of the STEPS application, meet the minimum English language requirements set by the University of St Andrews for your chosen course (see above).
4. You can explain how your studies will enable you to contribute to Palestinian civic society.
5. You are able to live in Scotland for 1 year as a single person and agree to come alone.
6. You must not have already studied at a university outside the West Bank, Gaza, Israel or Lebanon.
7. You must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree, or be studying for a postgraduate degree at time of application.
8. You agree to speak or write about your STEPS experience in Scotland.
9. You agree that STEPS financial commitment for your maintenance ends at the end of your one year course. STEPS will provide a return flight home, valid up to the end of your initial visa.
10. You give STEPS permission to contact your Director of Studies and other referees.
11. You agree to accept accommodation arrangements that may be: single room in a shared university apartment or a single room in a family home.

Any personal data you provide will be processed in strict confidence; it will not be passed on to a third party.

The outcome of your scholarship application will be available in the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application by early May 2025.

Application Deadline

April 10, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to University of St Andrews on www.st-andrews.ac.uk to apply

This scholarship is available for application through the ‘Scholarships and Funding catalogue’ in the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application.

After you have applied for your chosen postgraduate course beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, you must allow at least two working days for processing and issue of your log in details before you can apply for this scholarship.

Details about applying to a postgraduate course at St Andrews may be found on the Postgraduate Taught pages of our website.

References

You must also provide details of two referees, both of whom you must ask to submit current references on your behalf:

• The first referee must be an academic faculty member who can provide an academic reference.
• The second referee must be either an employer or community leader who can provide a personal reference.

References must be sent directly from the referees by email to [email protected].

Please note it is your responsibility to ensure these references are received by the application deadline of Thursday 10 April 2025.

Your application will not be considered unless both references have been received.

For more details visit: University of St Andrews website.