Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

The University of Edinburgh and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) will offer at least one scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK and commencing an undergraduate study in the academic year 2026-2027.

The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation wants to fund 100 Black British students through UK universities in the next decade. More information on the Foundation can be found here

Higher Education has the power to transform lives – not just of those who study at Edinburgh, but also for their families and communities. I am proud that we are part of the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, which will help our ongoing commitment to ensure that students from as wide a range of backgrounds as possible can not only study here, but feel that they truly belong and have the opportunity to thrive.

Professor Peter Mathieson Principal, the University of Edinburgh

The Scholarship will cover:

  • your tuition fees*, and
  • a stipend of £5,000 per annum to help with your living expenses

The Scholarship is tenable for the duration of your programme of study, which is typically four years, but can be longer. This award does not affect your eligibility for an Access Edinburgh Scholarship (£1,000 - £5,000 per annum, depending on your circumstances), and both awards can be held at the same time. The total available towards your living expenses is therefore up to £10,000 for every year of your course.

*The full cost of your tuition fees, which for most 'rest of UK' students is £9,535 per annum, will be covered by the scholarship. If you are resident in Scotland your fees will be covered by SAAS.


To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

  • Have one of the following categories of ethnicity: Black Caribbean; Black African; Black Other; Mixed – White/Black Caribbean; Mixed – White /Black African; or Other mixed background that includes Caribbean heritage.
  • Be starting a first undergraduate full time degree programme at the University of Edinburgh in the 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Have been assessed for fee status as a 'home' student (meaning that you ordinarily live in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland).
  • Have a household income below £34,000 per annum.

We will assess applications using the following:

  • Household income - Applicants with a household income below £34,000 per annum are eligible to apply.
  • Your application statement of between 600 and 900 words explaining:

 

  1. What achievements, academically and/or personally, you are most proud of. This could include overcoming a challenging personal circumstance. There is no right or wrong answer, we are keen to hear your story.
  2. Why the scholarship would be beneficial to your studies and how it would help you to achieve your academic goals.
  3. How your education would be of future benefit to your community and/or society.

Other factors - We may consider any other personal or academic circumstances that could have influenced or impacted applicants in their education to date. 


All eligible applicants must complete our online enquiry form below by 23:59 (GMT) on Tuesday 14th of April 2026. 

Forms submitted after this date will not be considered.

Enquiry Form

Shortly after completing the enquiry form you will receive a link to an online application form via email. Please complete the form and submit it by 23:59 (GMT) on Tuesday 21st of April 2026.

We will not consider any applications received after this deadline date.

 


We aim for all applicants to receive notification of the outcome of their application by June 2026. If successful, you will be invited to attend an informal online video call.


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