Social services stand as a cornerstone of any thriving society, with professionals who are dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities through overwhelming challenges. From safeguarding vulnerable children and advocating for social justice to providing mental health support and assisting with life’s transitions, social workers are at the forefront of creating positive change. Their work spans diverse settings, including healthcare, education, and community services, making a tangible difference in the lives of countless people.  Therefore, if you are a student in Africa with a passion for social services, this post will guide you on the top 5 scholarships you could apply for in the UK. 

Every year, hundreds of African students aspiring for social work are awarded scholarships in the UK. And with the rising interest in services, more and more students seek these opportunities, making it a highly competitive hurdle. However, with the right guidelines on the suitable scholarships, you will stand out with numerous opportunities to grab.

What Is Social Service?

Social service encompasses a range of organized activities and programs designed to promote the well-being of individuals and society. It’s about providing support, resources, and advocacy to those facing various challenges, from poverty and mental health issues to child welfare and aging.

Who is a Social Worker?

A social worker is a trained professional who is dedicated to helping the social functioning and overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities at large. Social workers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand the complexities of social problems and to help people overcome their challenges, advocating for social justice and equality. They often act as a bridge, connecting people with the resources and support systems they need.

What Social Workers Do?

Social workers perform a wide variety of tasks depending on their specialization and the needs of their clients. Some common responsibilities include:

• Assessment: Evaluating individuals’ and families’ needs and challenges.
• Counseling and Therapy: Providing emotional support, guidance, and therapeutic interventions.
• Case Management: Coordinating services and resources for clients, such as housing, healthcare, and employment assistance.
• Advocacy: Speaking on behalf of clients to ensure their rights are protected and their needs are met.
• Crisis Intervention: Responding to emergencies and providing immediate support.
• Community Outreach: Engaging with communities to identify needs and develop programs to address them.
• Policy Development: Working to create and implement social policies that promote social welfare.
• Research: Contributing to the understanding of social issues and the effectiveness of interventions.

Within The Social Service

The field of social service is broad and encompasses many different roles and specializations. Some professions within social service include:

• Social Workers: This is a general term, but often refers to those providing direct services, case management, or community work.
• Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): Licensed professionals who can diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders.
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers: Focus on the well-being of children and families, often working within school systems or child protective services.
• Healthcare Social Workers: Assist patients and their families in navigating the healthcare system, providing emotional support and resources.
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: Work with individuals struggling with mental health issues or substance use disorders.
• Geriatric Social Workers: Specialize in working with older adults and their families.
• Community Social Workers: Focus on addressing social issues and promoting well-being within specific communities.
• Social and Human Service Assistants: Provide support to social workers and clients with administrative tasks and direct care.
• Marriage and Family Therapists: While often a separate license, they work within the broader scope of family well-being and often collaborate with social workers.
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists: Work within the criminal justice system to supervise and rehabilitate offenders.
• Rehabilitation Counselors: Help individuals with disabilities achieve their personal, social, and vocational goals.
• Community Health Workers: Work to improve the health of their communities through outreach, education, and advocacy.

This list is not exhaustive, but it provides a glimpse into the diverse range of professions that fall under the umbrella of social service. Below are mouth-watering opportunities for you.

1. University of Dundee-Chancellor’s Africa Scholarship

The University of Dundee offers the Vice Chancellor’s Africa Scholarship to support international students from Africa pursuing both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. This scholarship is specifically for individuals who have already applied to and received an offer for a full-time, on-campus course commencing in September 2025.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must hold International Fee Status as determined by the university and be currently residing in an African country.   
• This scholarship extends its support to postgraduate programs, including the Social Work MSc. This makes it a particularly relevant opportunity for those aiming to specialize in social work at the Master’s level.   

Scholarship worth:

Successful candidates will receive £4,000 per year towards their tuition fees, with the potential for this to accumulate to a maximum of £20,000 for their studies. This financial assistance is directly applied as a reduction to the tuition costs. 

For more information, please visit: University of Dundee Scholarship

2. University of Dundee – Africa Community Scholarship 

The University of Dundee also offers the Africa Community Scholarship as an additional support layer for African students. This is a top-up scholarship specifically for applicants already awarded either the Vice-Chancellor’s Africa Scholarship or the Global Excellence Scholarship.

Eligibility:

• Similar to the Vice Chancellor’s scholarship, applicants must have applied to study at the University of Dundee for September 2025 and received an offer for a full-time, on-campus course.
• Hold International Fee Status and
• Currently residing in an African country is also a prerequisite.   

This scholarship supports both postgraduate and undergraduate programs, and importantly, it includes eligibility for the Social Work BA (Hons) and Social Work MSc programs. This provides an additional financial boost for African students pursuing social work degrees at various levels.   

The financial benefit of the Africa Community Scholarship is a one-off payment of £2,500 for the first year of study. While it’s a single payment, it can significantly help with initial expenses.   

The application process for the Africa Community Scholarship is also automatic. Students who meet the eligibility criteria and have been awarded one of the primary scholarships will be automatically considered. The closing date for this scholarship aligns with the Vice Chancellor’s Africa Scholarship: Sunday, 31 August 2025 at 23:59 (UK time).   

For more information, please visit: University of Dundee-Africa Community

3. University of Lincoln – Africa Scholarship

The University of Lincoln’s Africa Scholarship is designed to facilitate access to postgraduate level study for students from across Africa, except Egypt. This scholarship targets individuals holding a Conditional or Unconditional Offer from the University of Lincoln for a full-time postgraduate taught program commencing in either September 2025 or January 2026.   

While the official documentation specifies that the scholarship is for postgraduate taught programs, and Master’s programs fall under this category, it does not explicitly list specific programs like Social Work. However, given its broad applicability to postgraduate taught courses, it is highly likely that Master’s programs in Social Work would be eligible. Aspiring students are advised to verify the eligibility of their specific program of interest with the university.   

The Africa Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount ranging from £4,000 to £5,000 for the first year of studies. The exact amount awarded depends on the classification of the applicant’s prior degree. Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree with at least the equivalent of a 2:1 classification, or a Pre-Master’s degree with a comparable classification, may automatically receive £5,000. Those with a 2:2 classification may receive £4,000. Eligible students may also be able to benefit from an additional discount through the Advance Full Payment Discount or Early Payment Discount schemes.   

The application process for the Africa Scholarship at the University of Lincoln is automatic. Students who meet the eligibility criteria and hold the required offer will be automatically considered for the scholarship. While the scholarship is available for programs starting in September 2025 and January 2026, specific application deadlines for these entry points are not detailed in the provided source. It is recommended to contact the International Office at the University of Lincoln for precise deadline information.   

For more information, please visit: University of Lincoln - Africa Scholarship

4: University of Glasgow – African Excellence Award 

The University of Glasgow’s African Excellence Award aims to support academically outstanding students from across Africa in their pursuit of Master’s level study. This prestigious award targets individuals with a strong academic record and a desire to become “Future World Changers”. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence equivalent to a UK 1st Class Honours degree. They also need to hold an offer for a postgraduate taught one-year Master’s program for the September 2025 intake. Additionally, applicants must have International fee status, be domiciled in Africa and hold a passport from an eligible African country. A clear career and/or development plan, to be outlined in the application form, is also required, and shortlisted candidates will need to provide evidence of meeting the UKVI maintenance/living costs by 30th June 2025.   

Scholarship worth:

The University of Glasgow African Excellence Award provides a full tuition fee waiver for successful candidates. This significant financial support allows students to fully concentrate on their academic pursuits without the burden of tuition costs.   

Eligible countries:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

To apply for this scholarship, candidates need to click on the “Apply now” button on the scholarship webpage and complete the application form. The deadline for submitting the scholarship application is 31st March 2025. It’s important to note that while an offer of a place on the Master’s program is not required to initially apply for the scholarship, it is necessary to be considered for an interview.   

For more information, please visit: University of Glasgow

5: The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship

University College London (UCL) offers The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship for talented individuals from Sub-Saharan African countries who wish to pursue a Master’s degree within The Bartlett faculty. This is a golden opportunity for aspiring students from Africa.

Eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be a national of and resident in one of The Bartlett’s approved list of Sub-Saharan African countries and not holding British or dual British citizenship.
• Applicants should not have previously received funding for a Master’s degree outside of the approved SSA countries.
• A crucial requirement is having an offer of admission to a Bartlett Master’s course for the 2025-26 academic year, conditional only on English language proficiency, by 28 March 2025.
• Financial need, as assessed by UCL, is also a key consideration.
• Additionally, the scholarship prioritizes candidates who are forced migrants or are the first generation in their family to attend university at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.   

This scholarship applies to any Master’s course offered by The Bartlett faculty. To determine if a specific Social Work Master’s program is available within The Bartlett, prospective students should consult the list of programs available by department. Navigate this page to explore the various departments within The Bartlett and their respective Master’s course offerings to identify if a suitable Social Work program aligns with your interests.   

The Bartlett Promise Scholarship provides an extensive support package, including full overseas tuition fees and an annual allowance of £16,008 to cover living and study expenses. It also covers a return flight from the student’s home country, UK Student visa costs, English language assessment fees, health test costs, the NHS Immigration Health Supplement charge, and provides ongoing academic and career support. This comprehensive support aims to remove many of the financial barriers associated with international study.   

The application process involves several steps. Firstly, applicants must apply for admission to a Bartlett Master’s course starting from 17 October 2024. Upon receiving an admission letter (from December 2024 onwards), students can then apply for The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Scholarship between 14 February and 28 March 2025. The deadline to submit the scholarship application is 28 March 2025 at 23:45 GMT. It is essential to have secured an offer of a place on a Bartlett Master’s course by this deadline to be eligible for the scholarship.   

For complete details and the application portal, please visit: The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master's Scholarship

To sum this all up, the field of social work offers a deeply rewarding career path for those committed to making a positive impact on society. For aspiring social workers from Africa, pursuing advanced studies in the UK can provide invaluable knowledge and skills. While the challenges of studying abroad, particularly financial constraints, can seem daunting, the availability of scholarships like the ones highlighted above offers a beacon of hope and opportunity.

These scholarships represent a commitment from UK universities to fostering global talent and supporting individuals who will contribute to the well-being of their communities. Aspiring students are strongly encouraged to explore these opportunities further, carefully review the eligibility criteria and application processes, and take the necessary steps to submit their applications before the respective deadlines. By leveraging these valuable resources, future African social work leaders can gain access to world-class education, overcome financial barriers, and ultimately return to make a significant difference in the lives of others. The journey may have its hurdles, but with dedication and the support of these scholarships, the dream of becoming a qualified and impactful social worker in Africa can become a reality. Remember to visit the official websites linked above for the most up-to-date information and detailed guidance on each scholarship program.