Your comprehensive guide to the TOP CHARITY Scholarship powered by the Omenaa Foundation at SOAS University of London.
📊 QUICK SUMMARY TABLE
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎓 Scholarship Name | TOP CHARITY Scholarship (powered by Omenaa Foundation) |
| 🌍 Host Country | United Kingdom |
| 🏫 Host Institution | SOAS University of London |
| 📚 Degree Level | One-year full-time taught Master’s (postgraduate) |
| 💰 Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| 💰 Award Value | Full tuition fees + Maintenance stipend of c. £24,000 |
| 👥 Eligible Countries | All nationalities; applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation and/or female are particularly encouraged to apply |
| 📅 Application Period | Currently OPEN for 2026/27 entry |
| ⏳ Programme Duration | 12 months |
| 🔗 Official Link | soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/top-charity-scholarship-powered-omenaa-foundation |
1. WHAT IS THE TOP CHARITY SCHOLARSHIP?
The TOP CHARITY Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award established with funds generated by TOP CHARITY, one of the most prestigious charity events in Poland . It is co-organised by the Omenaa Foundation, OmenaArt Foundation, and Wilanów Palace with support from Corporate Connections .
The Omenaa Foundation is a charitable non-governmental organisation initiated by Omenaa Mensah that supports education in the broadest sense, grounded in the belief that education empowers young people to decide their own lives, build independence and create a better future for themselves and their communities . With this in mind, the foundation prioritises support in regions where access to education remains challenging—especially in the poorest areas of Africa .
Key Facts:
- One scholarship available for the 2026/27 academic year
- Provides full tuition fees plus a maintenance stipend
- Applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation and/or female are particularly encouraged to apply
- Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply
2. FINANCIAL BENEFITS (EXTENSIVE BREAKDOWN)
The TOP CHARITY Scholarship is fully funded. Below is a detailed breakdown of exactly what is covered :
| Benefit Category | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 💷 Tuition Fees | Fully covered | Full overseas tuition fees paid directly to SOAS |
| 🏠 Maintenance Stipend | c. £24,000 | Living expenses for the duration of the programme |
| ✈️ Travel | Not specified | Check with SOAS for any additional funding |
| 🛂 Visa Costs | Not specified | Check with SOAS for any additional funding |
Total Estimated Value:
- Tuition Fees (Overseas): Approximately £25,000–£30,000 (varies by programme)
- Maintenance Stipend: c. £24,000
- Total Estimated Value: Approximately £50,000+ for the academic year
⚠️ Important Notes:
| Note | Details |
|---|---|
| No Pre-sessional Funding | This scholarship does not cover funding or allow for pre-sessional programmes |
| Full-Time Only | Must be a new admission starting in September 2026 |
3. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Citizenship & Residency
3.2 Academic Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Degree | Minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree from a UK university or international equivalent |
| New Admission | Must be a new admission starting in September 2026 |
3.3 Fee Status
3.4 University Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Offer of Admission | Must hold an unconditional offer for their programme by the time the scholarship panel meet |
3.5 Excluded Programmes
| Excluded | Reason |
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional programmes | Not covered by this scholarship |
| Part-time courses | Must be full-time |
| Distance Learning | Must be on-campus |
4. FIELDS OF STUDY / ELIGIBLE COURSES
4.1 Course Eligibility
The TOP CHARITY Scholarship is available for any full-time taught Master’s programme at SOAS University of London .
4.2 About SOAS
SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) is a unique institution dedicated to the humanities and social sciences with a focus on the developing world—Africa, Asia, and the Middle East . It serves as a conduit between Western systems and the Global South .
4.3 Finding Eligible Courses
Browse all postgraduate taught programmes at SOAS:
- SOAS Course Directory: soas.ac.uk/study/find-a-course
4.4 Excluded Programmes
| Excluded | Reason |
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English | Not supported by this scholarship |
| Part-time courses | Not eligible |
| Distance Learning | Must be on-campus |
| Undergraduate degrees | Only postgraduate |
5. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & DOCUMENTS
Required Documents Checklist
text
☐ Complete SOAS Master's programme application ☐ Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts (2:1 minimum) ☐ Two academic references ☐ Personal statement ☐ Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) ☐ Unconditional offer from SOAS (required before panel meeting)
Step-by-Step Application Process :
Important Notes:
6. APPLICATION TIMELINE (2026/27 ENTRY)
Note: SOAS scholarships for 2026/27 opened throughout November 2025 to January 2026 . The TOP CHARITY Scholarship is currently OPEN .
7. NIGERIA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
7.1 Nigerian Eligibility
✅ YES – Nigerian citizens ARE eligible for the TOP CHARITY Scholarship. Applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation are particularly encouraged to apply .
7.2 Nigerian Applicants: Strongly Encouraged
7.3 Nigerian Scholarship Context
SOAS has a strong commitment to supporting students from Africa. The university’s mission recognises the Global South not just as subjects of research, but as regions that offer profound insights into transnational issues . Nigerian applicants have been successful at SOAS, including the Beena Sondhi LLM Scholarship recipient from India (similar competitive awards) .
8. SELECTION CRITERIA (How Winners Are Chosen)
The TOP CHARITY Scholarship is awarded based on :
| Criterion | What They Look For |
|---|---|
| Academic Merit | Minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree or international equivalent |
| Regional Priority | Applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation are particularly encouraged |
| Gender Priority | Female applicants are particularly encouraged |
| Commitment to Education | Alignment with Omenaa Foundation’s mission to empower young people through education |
| Unconditional Offer | Must hold an unconditional offer by the time the panel meet |
9. ABOUT THE OMENAA FOUNDATION
The Omenaa Foundation is a charitable non-governmental organisation initiated by Omenaa Mensah .
Foundation Mission:
“Its work supports education in the broadest sense, grounded in the belief that education empowers young people to decide their own lives, build independence and create a better future for themselves and their communities.”
Focus Areas:
10. TIPS FOR A STRONG APPLICATION
10.1 Apply for Admission Early
“Applicants applying for scholarships must submit an application for admission as soon as possible. Please note that complete applications for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of year. You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.”
10.2 Secure Unconditional Offer
You must hold an unconditional offer by the time the scholarship panel meet . Apply well in advance to allow time for any conditions to be cleared.
10.3 Highlight African Connection
As applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation are particularly encouraged to apply , ensure your application clearly demonstrates your African connection and how your studies will benefit your home country.
10.4 Female Applicants: Highlight Your Profile
Female applicants are particularly encouraged to apply . If you are a female applicant, make sure to highlight your achievements and potential contributions.
10.5 Research SOAS Thoroughly
SOAS has a unique focus on the developing world—Africa, Asia, and the Middle East . Show in your personal statement how SOAS’s approach aligns with your academic and career goals.
11. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q1: Are Nigerian students eligible for the TOP CHARITY Scholarship?
A: Yes. Nigerian citizens are eligible and are particularly encouraged to apply as applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation .
Q2: Is the TOP CHARITY Scholarship fully funded?
A: Yes. It provides full tuition fees and a maintenance stipend of approximately £24,000 .
Q3: How much is the maintenance stipend?
A: The maintenance stipend is approximately £24,000 for the academic year .
Q4: How many scholarships are available?
A: One scholarship is available for the 2026/27 academic year .
Q5: Do I need a degree from a UK university?
A: No, but you must have a minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree from a UK university or international equivalent .
Q6: Can I apply if I am not from Africa?
A: Yes. Applicants of all nationalities are eligible, but applicants ordinarily resident in an African nation are particularly encouraged to apply .
Q7: Does the scholarship cover pre-sessional programmes?
A: No. This scholarship does not cover funding or allow for pre-sessional programmes .
Q8: What degree classification do I need?
A: A minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) is required .
Q9: Do I need a university offer before applying?
A: You must apply for admission as soon as possible. You will need an unconditional offer by the time the scholarship panel meet .
Q10: When does the scholarship close?
A: The scholarship is currently OPEN for 2026/27 entry . Check the SOAS website for specific deadline dates.
12. TOP CHARITY SCHOLARSHIP VS. OTHER SOAS SCHOLARSHIPS
13. IMPORTANT NOTES & DISCLAIMERS
⚠️ No Pre-sessional Funding
“This scholarship does not cover funding or allow for pre-sessional programmes.”
⚠️ Must Hold Unconditional Offer
“Hold an unconditional offer for their programme by the time the scholarship panel meet.”
⚠️ Only One Award Available
“There is one TOP CHARITY powered by Omenaa Foundation Scholarship available for 2026/27.”
ℹ️ Apply for Admission Early
Allow up to 4–6 weeks for admission decisions .
14. USEFUL LINKS & RESOURCES
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official TOP CHARITY Scholarship | soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/top-charity-scholarship-powered-omenaa-foundation |
| SOAS Postgraduate Taught Scholarships | soas.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships-bursaries-and-awards/postgraduate-taught-scholarships |
| SOAS Admissions | soas.ac.uk/study |
| Omenaa Foundation | omenaafoundation.com |
15. FINAL CALL TO ACTION
✅ Ready to apply?
- Check eligibility – confirm you meet the 2:1 degree requirement
- Research SOAS programmes – find an eligible Master’s course
- Apply for admission – submit your programme application as soon as possible
- Secure unconditional offer – by the time the scholarship panel meets
- Apply for the scholarship – via the SOAS admissions portal
“Education empowers young people to decide their own lives, build independence and create a better future for themselves and their communities.” – Omenaa Foundation
Good luck with your application! 🍀
This guide is for informational purposes. Always verify details on the official SOAS website before applying.
Leave a Reply