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United Kingdom Open for September 2026 entry — applications close 14 May 2026

SOAS Director's Scholarship

The SOAS Director's Scholarship is one of the UK's most generous fully-funded postgraduate awards — full tuition fees plus a London-rate maintenance stipend of around £18,000 for a one-year Master's. SOAS is the UK's leading centre for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, so this scholarship is particularly relevant for Sri Lankan applicants in International Development, South Asian Studies, Politics, Law, Economics, and the Languages of South Asia. Only a small handful are awarded each year — highly competitive, but the South Asian specialism gives Sri Lankan applicants a credible angle.

SOAS University of London

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

Full Tuition + £18,000 (LKR 7.2M) Stipend

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Duration

1-Year Master's

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Awards

3 per Year

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Offer for a SOAS Master's

You must have applied for, or hold an offer for, a one-year full-time taught Master's at SOAS for September 2026 entry by the scholarship deadline. Part-time and PhD students are not eligible.

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First-Class Honours

First-class honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification). Sri Lankan applicants typically need a first-class from Colombo, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, or an upper-second from a leading UK / US / Australian university.

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International or UK Applicant

Open to both Home (UK) and Overseas fee-paying students. Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka are eligible — and demonstrated South Asian regional connection often strengthens the application.

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Financial Need + English

Financial need is a stated selection criterion alongside merit. English requirement is typically IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in writing for most SOAS Master's programmes — slightly higher than the UK average.

account_tree Application Process

Apply to SOAS by mid-April

Submit your Master's application via the SOAS online portal. Aim to have your offer in hand at least a month before the scholarship deadline. Late applications without offers are not assessed.

Complete the scholarship application by 14 May

Apply via the SOAS Scholarships Portal. Submit a 1,000-word personal statement covering academic motivation, financial need, and how the award will support your career goals back in Sri Lanka or in international development.

Departmental + central review

Your application is first ranked by the academic department, then forwarded to the Director's Scholarship committee. Shortlisting happens in June. Some applicants are invited for a 20-30 minute online interview.

Final outcome

Successful applicants are notified by late June. The scholarship is paid in instalments — tuition direct to SOAS, maintenance to your UK bank account in 3 termly payments after enrolment.

Why SOAS?

SOAS, University of London, is the only Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. It has trained generations of policymakers, diplomats, and development specialists from across South Asia — Sri Lankan SOAS alumni populate the foreign service, multilateral institutions, and academia.