Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Two scholarships will be awarded to support talented Black African and Caribbean Heritage students from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds in September 2026 thanks to a partnership between The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation and Birkbeck, University of London.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Black British, resident in the UK, and begin their first undergraduate degree at Birkbeck in September 2026.

Continued receipt of the scholarship, year-on-year, is dependent on satisfactory academic progression.

Applicants will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:

• identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups:
  • Black or Black British (Caribbean)
  • Black or Black British (African)
  • Mixed (White and Black Caribbean)
  • Mixed (White and Black African)
  • Other Black background
• have firmly accepted an offer of a place on a first undergraduate full-time degree programme at Birkbeck beginning in September 2026
• have been assessed for fee status as a 'home' student
• have an annual household income of no more than £35,000
• have applied for and received confirmation that they will be in receipt of full, income assessed financial support for higher education students for the 2026-2027 academic year from their regional student funding authority (Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland).

Value

Scholarship recipients will:

• have their tuition fees paid for throughout their degree, excluding any study abroad or placement years
• receive an annual maintenance bursary of up to £10,000.

Deadline

Eligible offer holders can apply for the scholarship until 31 May 2026.

How to apply

Applicants will need to complete an online application form and include a personal statement of no more than 700 words covering the following:

• why the scholarship will benefit your studies
• how it would help you achieve your academic goals
• how your education will be of future benefit to your community and/or society
• the academic and personal achievements you are most proud of.

Eligible applications will be assessed by Birbeck, University of London and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation.

Awards may be withdrawn if Birkbeck or The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation become aware that successful scholars have not met eligibility criteria or to have provided false information.

All applicants will receive an email informing them whether or not their application has been shortlisted for interview. Interviews will be held in late June/early July

The interview will give you an opportunity to tell us more about yourself and why you would benefit from receiving the scholarship.

A small selection panel will review the application form and interviews to decide on awardees. You'll receive a decision after 13 August 2026, the day on which A level results are published.

If you would like to apply for The Cowrie Foundation Scholarship, please complete the online application form.