What should I write in my statement of support?

For those applying for a postgraduate scholarship, Section B of the application form is for you to write a statement (this should be no more than 400 words unless the scholarship for which you are applying states otherwise). This is where you explain why you should be considered for a particular scholarship. You must demonstrate:

• How you meet the criteria
• What you expect to gain from the opportunity
• How you intend to use your experience and knowledge in the future
• What your long-term goals/plans are.

The Scholarships Committee is particularly interested in how you envisage using the knowledge you gain from your course in the development of your community/region/nation (where appropriate).

For those UK/EU students applying for an undergraduate scholarship, Section B of the application form is for you to write a statement of not more than 250 words, making a case for what you can bring to the University over and above your academic qualifications and what makes you a suitable scholarship candidate. Please note that we are looking to the future, so simply listing past achievements is not sufficient.

Who should write my reference letter?

The reference letter should be written by someone of stature, preferably someone aware of your financial situation (where appropriate). The letter should address:

• How the referee knows you
• Why it is felt you deserve a scholarship, including comments on your financial situation
• Why it is felt you will be an asset to the chosen course of study
• This must be a different reference to the one you provided for your course admission
• The reference must be on headed paper and in a sealed envelope attached with your scholarship application form.

Where can I find my reference number?

This can be found on your admissions offer letter and will usually be an eight digit number. If you are applying for an undergraduate degree, you can also use your UCAS application number found on all UCAS correspondence. Applicants for PhD scholarships need not fill in this space but should attach proof of acceptance of your proposal. This number must be included on your scholarship application. We will not consider applications that do not include this number.

What happens after I have submitted my scholarship application?

Once we have received your application, we will acknowledge receipt by email. This email will also advise you of the date you should expect to hear the result of your application. In cases where an application is received very close to the deadline, students will not get an email of acknowledgement.

As an international scholarship applicant, do I have to pay the £4,000 deposit before I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?

The University’s deposits scheme for overseas students means that if you hold an unconditional offer you will be required to make a payment of £4,000 before you are given a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) number, which may be used to apply for your visa for entry to the United Kingdom.

As a scholarship applicant, you can wait until you know the outcome of your scholarship application before paying this deposit. It is recommended that you check with the British Embassy how long it takes to process visas during the July/August period. If you are awarded a scholarship that includes a full fee waiver, you will not be required to pay this deposit and the admissions offices will be notified of this. If you are awarded a part fee waiver scholarship (eg, £2,000 fee waiver or 50 per cent fee waiver) you will still be required to pay this deposit.

If you feel that you will come to study at the University regardless of whether or not you are awarded a scholarship, we would encourage you to pay the deposit as soon as possible. If you are later awarded a scholarship that includes a full fee waiver, you will be entitled to a refund of this deposit.

Who decides and how will I find out the result?

The Scholarships Committee makes decisions on all scholarship applications. The Committee is made up of academic members of staff from across the University’s four sites, staff within the International Office, Academic Services, Counselling and Advice Service and external members. All are very experienced and make the awarding decision based on the criteria for the scholarship and the case you make.

Once decisions have been made, the administrator will write to you if you are successful informing you of the outcome. If you are unsuccessful you will be contacted as far as is possible.

Please note that the Committee will not undertake or participate in any individual correspondence with you, either before or after the decision has been made. The decision of the Committee is final, and is not open to appeal. Lobbying a committee member will only make you ineligible for a scholarship.

What do I do if I am awarded a scholarship?

If you are awarded a scholarship you will be informed by email initially. On confirmation of receipt of the email, you will be sent an official letter from the Scholarships Office giving you the details of your award. All official arrangements will be made with you directly.

You will be required to formally accept the scholarship and its conditions by signing the contract that is sent with your awarding letter. During and after your period of study you may be asked to participate in promotional activities for the University. This may include receptions and social events, testimonial or publicity articles or even assisting with activities in your home country.

During each year as a scholarship student, you will also be expected to do a maximum of 40 hours of voluntary work, if and when needed. Students awarded joint scholarships with International Students House are expected to do ten hours per month voluntary work there.

What do I do if I decide to defer my admission or change my course after I have been awarded the scholarship?

The scholarship must be used for the academic course and year for which it was applied. In the event of awardees changing course or deferring the year of entry the scholarship is considered cancelled.

Which countries are considered under the ‘developing’ title? For our purposes, developing includes middle income countries.

All countries with the exception of:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• UK
• USA
• Vatican City

Please note that scholarships for developing countries include the newly acceded EU countries.

Which countries are considered newly acceded to the EU?

• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
  

Which countries are considered the EU accession candidate countries?

• Croatia
• Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• Turkey
  

What is ‘satisfactory academic performance’?

For undergraduate students, we require all modules to be passed and an average of 60 per cent overall to be achieved for Gold level or full scholarships or full tuition fee waiver scholarships, or 55 per cent for Silver level or scholarships less than a full fee waiver. For first year students, the average is taken from six modules, the best and worst module being discounted. PhD or Masters students, at the request of the Scholarships Office, may be required to submit a report from your tutor or supervisor after each year. This report may be requested after each year in the case of a PhD student, or after semester one in the case of a Masters student.

For further enquiries, please contact the Scholarships Office at scholarships@westminster.ac.uk