Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians (HESPAL)

Who it is for

• Support for junior academics employed by Palestinian universities to study for a Master's programme or PhD at King's College London HESPAL aims to create the next generation of senior academics who can maintain international quality standards at Palestinian universities and develop renewed and sustainable links between Palestinian and UK
• universities..
• The scheme will upgrade academic staff in Palestinian universities through a Masters or PhD Scholarship programme..
• The British Council Palestine and King's College London hold an agreement to jointly support up to 2 Master's Scholarships and 1 PhD Scholarship at King's College London each year..
• Applicants must meet HESPAL eligibility requirements:.
• be a resident citizen of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip)..
• Be currently employed by one of the Palestinian partners universities..
• Be nominated by their employer Palestinian university..
• Have a written commitment to return to work for their Palestinian university after the completion of their studies, for a duration agreed upon with their university..
• Have a valid English language IELTS certificate with an appropriate grade for their selected course of study &ndash, other certified English exams might be accepted..
• Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply..
• Individuals displaced are encouraged to apply..
• Applicants must meet King's eligibility requirements for the Master's Scholarship:.
• Have 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).
• have IELTS certification appropriate for the course and university (normally at least 6.5, sometimes higher depending on the subject)..
• Applicants must meet King's eligibility requi

Good to know

The scholarship covers main expenses for its selected scholars, including:. Academic fees (in the form of a fee waiver offered by participating UK partner universities).. Living allowances for scholars covering the period of 12 months for master's degree scholars and 3 years for PhD scholars (or the duration specified by the programme and approved by the British Council &ndash, subject to availability of funds).. Arrival and 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.. NB: Scholarships do not cover the costs for any accompanying family.. Exact official public KCL record revalidated 2026-09-11, unsupported precision omitted.