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South Africa Undergraduate Partial Funding

Canon Collins Trust Leigh Day Scholarship 2026: LLB Funding for Fort Hare & UWC Students

The Canon Collins Trust Leigh Day Scholarship provides R40,000 per year for up to two years to LLB students at the University of Fort Hare and University of the Western Cape. Open to SADC nationals in their 2nd or 3rd year of study, with strict prohibition on AI-generated application materials.

September 23, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: 5 days left

Quick Overview

Host CountrySouth Africa
University/OrgUniversity of Fort Hare, University of the Western Cape
Degree LevelUndergraduate
Funding TypePartial Funding
Fields of StudyHuman Rights, Law
DeadlineSeptember 30, 2026

Scholarship Overview

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You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

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Overview

The Canon Collins Trust Leigh Day Scholarship supports future legal professionals in South Africa who are committed to advancing justice and human rights. Established through partnership with Leigh Day & Co, a London-based law firm specialising in personal injury and human rights law, this award targets students at two historically significant South African universities: the University of Fort Hare and the University of the Western Cape.

The scholarship reflects Canon Collins Trust’s long-standing priority of investing in law and human rights education. By supporting students who will shape South Africa’s legal systems, the programme aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of developing just and equitable legal frameworks.

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What the Scholarship Covers

Awards are set at R40,000 per academic year, with funding available for a maximum of two years. This financial support is disbursed directly into your student account, creating a flexible funding structure:

  • First allocation: tuition fees
  • Remaining balance: accommodation, textbooks, study materials, and other education-related expenses

Beyond financial assistance, scholars gain access to Canon Collins Trust’s professional network through:

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  • An annual conference for current scholars
  • Multiple smaller networking events throughout the year
  • Ongoing engagement with a community of legal and human rights practitioners

Scholarship holders are expected to actively participate in these activities and contribute to the network’s development.

Who Can Apply

This scholarship has narrowly defined eligibility criteria. You must satisfy all requirements below:

  • Nationality: Citizen of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Zambia, or Zimbabwe
  • Academic standing: Strong academic record with demonstrated extra-curricular involvement
  • Programme and year: Currently in 2nd or 3rd year of LLB studies at University of Fort Hare or University of the Western Cape
  • Completion timeline: Must finish LLB coursework no later than December 2027

The scholarship supports students entering their 3rd or 4th year in 2027. Both full-time and part-time study modes are eligible, including distance learning arrangements.

Critical Application Rule: AI Prohibition

Canon Collins Trust enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy on artificial intelligence use in applications. This includes:

  • ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, or any similar generative AI tools
  • AI-assisted editing or refinement of personal statements
  • Any AI-generated content, regardless of subsequent human modification

Applications containing AI-assisted content face immediate disqualification without further consideration. All materials must be entirely your original work.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Canon Collins Trust online portal. Follow this process:

  1. Review the detailed application guidelines on the Canon Collins Trust website
  2. Prepare all required materials ensuring complete originality
  3. Complete the online application form with accurate contact information
  4. Submit well before the deadline to avoid technical failures

Important timing warning: The application portal experiences severe traffic spikes as deadlines approach, causing slow loading, glitches, and failed submissions. Late applications are categorically rejected. Submit early to guarantee your application reaches the system.

Selection and Notification

All application outcomes are communicated via email. Do not email Canon Collins Trust to inquire about your application status. Ensure your provided email address is accurate and regularly monitored.

For application guidance, follow @canoncollinstrust on social media and subscribe to the Scholarship Alert service for practical tips.

Why This Matters for SADC Applicants

For Zimbabwean and SADC region students, this scholarship offers several strategic advantages:

  • Regional currency stability: Rand-denominated awards avoid exchange rate volatility affecting USD or GBP scholarships
  • Targeted institutional support: Focus on Fort Hare and UWC—universities with strong track records of producing human rights lawyers
  • UK legal sector connection: Leigh Day & Co partnership creates potential pathways for international legal exposure
  • Network effects: Canon Collins Trust alumni work across SADC in judiciary, civil society, and government legal services

The two-year funding maximum aligns with the typical duration remaining for 2nd and 3rd year students, providing comprehensive coverage through degree completion.

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

R40,000 per academic year for maximum two years; paid to student account covering fees first, then accommodation, books, and study-related expenses

Eligibility Criteria

SADC nationals (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe); 2nd or 3rd year LLB students at University of Fort Hare or University of the Western Cape; completing coursework by December 2027; strong academic record with extra-curricular involvement

Required Documents

Not specified in source materials; applicants should consult Canon Collins Trust application guidelines for required documents

Application Process

1) Review application guidelines on Canon Collins Trust website, 2) Prepare original materials without AI assistance, 3) Complete online application with accurate email address, 4) Submit well before deadline to avoid portal technical issues
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The scholarship is only open to current 2nd and 3rd year students who will be entering their 3rd or 4th year in 2027. First-year students are not eligible.
Your application will be immediately disqualified and rejected without further consideration. Canon Collins Trust explicitly prohibits any use of AI tools including ChatGPT, Bard, or similar software for generating, editing, or assisting with any part of the application.
No. The scholarship is restricted to students at the University of Fort Hare and the University of the Western Cape only. Other South African universities are not eligible, regardless of your nationality or academic qualifications.
The scholarship does not publish applicant numbers or success rates. However, the narrow eligibility criteria—limited to two specific universities and specific year levels—reduces the applicant pool compared to open national competitions. Strong academic records and meaningful extra-curricular involvement in human rights or legal advocacy strengthen applications.
Yes. The scholarship explicitly supports both full and part-time study modes and considers applications from students who wish to study by distance learning.
Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances. Canon Collins Trust warns that portal traffic surges cause technical failures near deadlines. You must submit well before 30 September 2026 at 4:00 pm GMT to ensure your application is received.

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