Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians (HESPAL)
- Entry
- 2026
The Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians (HESPAL) is a UK scholarship programme developed in partnership with Palestinian universities to strengthen the Palestinian higher education (HE) sector, responding to its needs and priorities.
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 scholars' longer-term careers.
Full details can be found on the British Council website.
Value of award (per year)
The University of St Andrews will cover:
- The cost of tuition fees for the programme
The British Council will cover:
- A living allowance for scholars covering the period of 12 months for master’s degree scholars.
- Arrival allowance
- Thesis allowance
Scholars are expected to cover all other expenses including travel costs, visa fees, health insurance, IELTS examination fees, and any other unperceived costs.
Duration of award
One year
At what stage of my course application can I apply for this scholarship?
You will need to apply for both a Masters degree at St Andrews and a HESPAL Scholarship. We recommend applying for your chosen courses of study before or at the same time as applying for a HESPAL Scholarship.
Application restrictions
Study level
Available to students studying at:
Domicile for fee status
Schools
Available to students in the following Schools and Departments:
Application assessment
Available to
Mode of study
Geographical criteria
Additional criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must:
- be a resident citizen of the Palestinian Territories.
- be currently employed by a Palestinian university and nominated by this university.
- hold a Bachelor’s degree from a Palestinian university with a minimum grade of very good (and equivalent to at least a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree from the UK).
- sign a written undertaking to return to Palestine and work in their university on completion of their degree.
Full details of the eligibility criteria can be found on the British Council website.
How to apply
Students should apply for both a full-time masters degree at St Andrews and a HESPAL Scholarship. Candidates for a Scholarship at the University of St Andrews should complete the university's application form for postgraduate taught course, and provide the necessary additional documentation. Please see our Postgraduate Taught Programmes webpage for further information.
Applicants must complete the HESPAL application form in collaboration with their Palestinian university. Palestinian universities will then nominate their selected candidates and send all nominee applications to the British Council Palestine. The British Council Palestine will check applications for eligibility and co-ordinate the selection of applications with the University of St Andrews. They will also be responsible for the final placement of scholars.
For full details of how to apply, please visit the British Council website.
Terms and conditions
Full details can be found on the British Council website.
When will I know the outcome?
For full details of the timeline, please visit the British Council website.
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