Beacon Change Makers University Scholarships 2026

The Beacon Scholarship is a change-maker programme that offers access for financially disadvantaged students from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to undergraduate programmes of study at world-class schools and universities.

The scholarship is awarded to students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda looking to study a 3-4 year undergraduate course (excluding medicine).

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 15, 2026
• Study LevelUndergraduate
• SponsorBeacon Change Makers
• Eligible CountryKenya , South Africa , Tanzania , Uganda , Zambia

Benefits

Full tuition fees covered

Requirements

To be eligible for this scheme, candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• their normal residence is in Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda
• leadership capabilities:
  • academic excellence
  • achievement in sport, music or drama
  • social influence and communication
  • citizenship
• a capacity to study independently overseas
• financial need for study, ie annual gross household income not exceeding £80,000 (US$100,000)
• that they are aged 18-21
• a commitment to return to their home country within one month of degree completion

If a candidate is seeking to apply for The Beacon Scholarship for entry into any University, they will need to already have received an offer to study from the university.

Applicants must:

• Obtain an offer from a UK Beacon Partner University.
• Apply for a Beacon Scholarship for University.

Scholarship awards are made on the strength of four key leadership criteria:

1. Academic performance
   Candidates need to be in the top 10% of their peer group and predicted to achieve at least AAA at A-Level, or 36-38 points in the IB.
2. Extracurricular achievement
   Evidence of excellence in sport, music or drama.
3. Social influence and communication
   Popularity amongst peers, and the ability to motivate others.
4. Citizenship
   Selfless contribution to local communities or civic groups.

Selection Process

• Proven record of academic excellence
  Grades should be in the top 10% of the year group, and predicted at least AAA at A-Level or 36-38 points in IB.

• Achievement in sports, music, or drama
  Certification of outstanding achievement.

• Social influence and communication skills
  Have held positions of responsibility, demonstrating confidence and leadership.

• Citizenship
  Tangible evidence of community service and involvement

• English proficiency
  Able to converse fluently and write proficiently in English.

• Financial need
  Can demonstrate financial disdvantage within the scholarship eligibility threshhold.

• Potential to contribute fully to university life
  Keen to get involved in societies, clubs and other activities, and galvanise others.

• Intention to return home to a leadership role
  Ambitious to change policies and processes in home country, and contribute to its development.

• Changemaker qualities
  Can demonstrate the capacity to initiate change and to lead, inspire, and take others with them.

The scholarship covers full tuition fees only. Recipients are responsible for covering maintenance costs (living expenses, compulsory UK government surcharges, and airfares). Award recipients must open an Education Fund bank account and deposit a minimum balance.

Selection process also includes

1. Nomination by your current school head.

2. Completion of UCAS application.

3. Offer of admission from a Beacon Partner University.

4. Eligibility Assessment Form.

5. Interview and assessment by Beacon.

15 September 2025	OPENING DATE – New Scholarship Nominations for 2026/27 academic year
15 January 2026	CLOSING DATE – New Scholarship Nominations
11 February 2026	CLOSING DATE – New Scholarship Applications
20 June 2026	CLOSING DATE – Scholarship Continuation Applications for 2026/27 academic year

Application Deadline

January 15, 2026

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to Beacon Change Makers on beaconchangemakers.com to apply

For more details, visit the Scholarship webpage