Leigh Day LLB scholarship at University of Fort Hare and the University of the Western Cape
Law and human rights have long been within our priority areas for awarding scholarships. By investing in future members of South Africa’s legal profession we hope to support a new generation of leaders to develop legal systems which are just and equitable. This scholarship is generously supported by Leigh Day & Co, a London law firm specialising in personal injury and human rights law.
Canon Collins Trust invites applications from current 2nd and 3rd year students (going into their 3rd and 4th year in 2026) studying for an LLB at the University of Fort Hare and the University of the Western Cape. We will provide funding for maximum of two years.
Awards in 2026 will be R40,000, per academic year. This will be paid into your student account, so initially it will go towards the cost of your fees, and any remaining funds can be used for accommodation, books, or other purposes relevant to your studies.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Prohibited
All application materials must be entirely the applicant’s original work.
Using artificial intelligence tools (including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bard, or similar software) to generate, edit, or assist with any part of the application is strictly prohibited.
Any application that includes content created or modified with the help of AI will be immediately disqualified and rejected without further consideration.
Study the application guidelines here.
Are you eligible?
To apply for this scholarship you must be:
- a national of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- In possession of a strong academic record and extra-curricular involvement.
- a 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate of Law student at the University of Fort Hare or the University of the Western Cape, completing their LLB coursework no later than December 2027
Please apply only if you are eligible and meet ALL of the above criteria.
What we offer
Awards will be R40,000 per academic year. Funding will be provided for up to a maximum of two years. We support both full and part-time study and will consider applications from those who wish to study by distance learning.
We also organise an annual conference for current scholars, and hold several smaller events throughout the year. Scholarship holders are expected to participate in these activities and to become part of and contribute to our network.
How to apply
Canon Collins Trust Leigh Day Scholarship is now open for applications.
Applications open on 4 August 2025 and close on 2 September 2025 at 17:00 (South African time).
We strongly recommend that you start and submit your application well before the deadline. The portal often experiences high traffic as the deadline approaches, which can lead to technical issues or failed submissions. Please don’t leave it to the last minute.
Please follow us on social media @canoncollinstrust and subscribe to the Scholarship Alert for helpful guides to hack your application.
Please do not email us to ask about the outcome of your application. All notifications will be by email so please make sure you provide an accurate email address.