Aziz Foundation Masters Scholarship

Level of study
Postgraduate taught masters
Subject area
Arts and Law, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences
Nationality
UK
Type of Award
Charity/Trust
Deadline for applying
Closes 13/06/2025

Award Description

Applications are for 2025 entry are due to open soon; a provisional deadline has been provided of June 2025 but you are encouraged to check the finalised date on the Aziz Foundation website once open: https://www.azizfoundation.org.uk/scholarships-application/.

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:

  • Effective Advocacy and Enhancing Public Perception – facilitating better representation and contribution of Muslims to civil society to combat Islamophobia and positively transform perceptions of British Muslims  
  • Community Service and Social Development – raising the aspirations and standards within British Muslim communities 

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.

Means Testing and Zakat Eligibility
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.

These scholarships are being given as Zakat. Therefore, applicants will have to self-assess to determine their Zakat eligibility (please use the Islamic Relief and/or NZF Zakat calculator(s) as an indicator. If you do not owe any Zakat, you will be eligible).

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:

  • A list of the secondary school(s) you attended, which acts as an important social indicator
  • The amount of your student debt
  • Information relating to your financial circumstances on the application form, including caring responsibilities, dependents and existing commitments
  • Whether you are the first in your family to enter Higher Education
  • We shall utilise existing government data, such as the the Department for Levelling Up’s Index for Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and Office for Students’ (OfS) place-generated data and social indices (e.g. POLAR, TUNDRA, Adult HE 2011,Uni Connect Areas), which provides information on general trends on access to Higher Education and participation rates by postcode, indicating rates of social mobility and deprivation

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. 

Value of Award

Up to 10 awards offering a 100% tuition fee payment.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be eligible for Home fees status
  • Be active within a Muslim community and demonstrate intimate knowledge of issues affecting British Muslim communities
  • Demonstrate long-term commitment to community/societal development within Britain 
  • Show how the course will increase their effectiveness in one of the following areas relating to British Muslims: 
    • Effective Advocacy and Enhance Public Perception – facilitating better representation and contribution of Muslims to civil society to combat Islamophobia and positively transform perceptions of British Muslims 
    • Community Service and Social Development – raising the aspirations and standards within British Muslim communities

In addition to the above, candidates are also expected to have

  • Excellent understanding of their chosen industry and how to progress within it, prior experience and/or achievements in the field
  • Knowledge of how the course will enable them to generate social impact

Eligible subject areas:

  • Arts & Culture
  • Media & Journalism
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Sustainability/Environment
  • Law
  • Policy (excluding Health Policy)
  • Philanthropy and Grant Making

How to Apply

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:

  • Challenges facing British Muslims
  • Vision and hopes for change
  • Personal qualities needed to succeed
  • Financial barriers faced

 

Applications are for 2025 entry are due to open soon; a provisional deadline has been provided of June 2025 but you are encouraged to check the finalised date on the Aziz Foundation website once open: https://www.azizfoundation.org.uk/scholarships-application/.

Contact

Aziz Foundation
scholarships@azizfoundation.org.uk

Website
https://www.azizfoundation.org.uk/scholarships-application/