Funding your studies:

Scholarshipsand loans

Outline

• Basics of Scholarship Application

• Tips and Tricks for Application

• Good and Bad Examples

• Your other funding sources

Basics of Scholarship Application

Where to begin?

Basics of Scholarship Application

• Overview of the British and Philippine Education Systems

• Where to look for information

• Basic requirements

Rough Comparison: UK and PH Education Systems

Philippine Education SystemScotland England, Wales and N.I.

Typical Age

Nursery Nursery 3456789

101112131415161718192021

Number of yearsMaster's Degree Master's Degree 1

2345

Doctorate Degree

British Education System

Secondary

Pre- School

Primary

Secondary School with sixth form

Bachelor's / First Degree

Primary

Secondary

College / University / First Degree

Master's Degree

Primary

Bachelor's Degree

Doctorate DegreeDoctorate Degree

Key Stage 4 / GCSE

Sixth Form / A-Level or FE College

Where to look for information?

Where to look for information

Where to look for information

• Education UKhttp://www.educationuk.org

• Association of Commonwealth Universitieshttp://www.acu.ac.uk

• Scholarship Search UKhttp://www.scholarship-search.org.uk

• Prospects – Graduate Careers Websitehttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Funding_my_further_study/p!edLff

• Global Gatewayhttp://www.globalgateway.org/default.aspx?page=2504

Where to look for information

• Arts and Humanities Research Boardhttp://www.ahrb.ac.uk

• Council for International Education UKCOSAhttp://www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/advice.htm

• Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the UKhttp://www.hero.ac.uk/research/getting_funded226.cfm

• Research Councils UKhttp://www.rcuk.ac.uk

• Eurodesk – EU funding informationhttp://www.eurodesk.org/new/infocentre.asp?go=00

Where to look for information – other sources

Postgraduate Level

• Shell Centenary and Shell Centenary Chevening scholarships

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/scholarship_profiles/shell.shtmlwww.shellscholar.org

• Claredon Fundhttp://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/scholarship_profiles/clarendon.shtml

• Hornby Educational Trust MA Scholarships

http://www.britishcouncil.org/philippines-know-our-projects-current-projects-teacher-development-hornby-educational-trust-ma-scholarships.htm

• Bangor Business School

www.bangor.ac.uk/business/scholarships

• Bangor Law School

www.bangor.ac.uk/law/postgraduate/scholarships

• London School of Economics and Political Science Scholarshipshttp://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/financialSupportOffice/

• Cambridge Scholarshipshttp://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/mba/finance/scholarships.html

Doctoral Degrees

• Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award (DHPA)http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/scholarship_profiles/dhpa.shtml

Per University

University of Westminsterhttp://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-9319http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-17319

Kingston Universityhttp://www.kingston.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/scholarships/international-scholarships/postgraduate-scholarships/

Oxford Brookeshttp://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/finance/support/pg_international

University of Exeterhttp://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/scholarships/international/index.shtml

University of Birminghamhttp://www.international.bham.ac.uk/prospective/scholarships/irscholarships.shtml

Northumbria Universityhttp://www.northumbria.ac.uk/brochure/international/fees/scholarships0910/

University of Hertfordshirehttp://www.herts.ac.uk/international-students/fees/scholarships/chancellors-international-scholarships.cfm

Thames Valley Universityhttp://www.tvu.ac.uk/students/undergraduate/Scholarships_and_bursaries.jsp

University of Plymouthhttp://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=22937

Portsmouth Universityhttp://www.port.ac.uk/departments/faculties/portsmouthbusinessschool/

Postgraduatescholarships/Birmingham City Universityhttp://www.bcu.ac.uk/students/international/scholarships

University College Birminghamhttp://www.ucb.ac.uk/courses/scholarships/home.aspx

INTO University Partnerships (pathways to East Anglia, Manchester, Exeter, Glasgow Caledonia, Newcastle) http://into.uk.com/uea-al/scholarships.php

University of East Angliahttp://www.uea.ac.uk/lit/awards

Middlesex Universityhttp://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/fees_funding/scholarships/index.aspx

www.britishcouncil.org.ph

Where to look for information

Basic Requirements

• Basic requirements•Application form

•CV / Resume

• Transcript of Records

•Acceptance letter (if applicable)

Note: each scholarship scheme will have its own set of requirements

Basics Requirements

• Provide any other supporting evidence if applicable:

• e.g. IELTS, Diploma, Academic awards, etc.

• Personal statements

• Recommendation Letters

• Submit before the deadline

To RISE or FALL

Samples of applications

Samples of application

Excerpts of Applications that did not make it

*Names and other details have been changed to protect the privacy of people concerned

Cover Letter

“My name is Mr Reyes and I have been given an offer of a place to the Good University. Attached in this letter is my completed application form and other pertinent documents required for the scholarship.

I am currently employed at ACME Inc. and earning a monthly salary of PhP15,000.00 it is for this reason that I am seeking financial assistance to fund my postgraduate studies. I have twice applied for all scholarships offered by the Good University but I was not lucky to be awarded one.

I have also tried seeking financial assistance from the office of the senators and other government institutions but none is available to finance my field of study. I have noted on the application form that I am applying for full financial support to cover tuition and living expenses. Due to my financial situation, I am totally reliant on the generosity of the scholarship to support my studies. I would ask you to consider me for this scholarship or other awards for which I am eligible.

I am also requesting for the waiver of the IELTS requirement since the medium of instruction used in the institutions I have attended for my studies is English and this can be proven in the attached mark sheets.

I will stay in touch with you via phone, fax or email to monitor the progress of my application.

Thank you very much for the attention to all these matters and for your consideration of my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Academic Qualifications

Qualification(including class or level)

Institution Subject From To

Bachelor’s DegreeGraduated Cum Laude

University of Good Grades

Bachelor of Arts in Business Applications

April 2000

April 2004

Major Subjectsin Business Applications

University of Good Grades

Applied Business 100*, 111*, 130*, 115*,121*, 122*, 135*, 160, 136*,137*, 183*, 195*, 123*, 199*, 200*

June 2000

April 2004

Crash CoursesinSocial Science

University of Good Grades

Sociology 101, 150*, 140* June 2001

October 2004

• Please list all academic qualifications gained since completing your secondary education, stating the institutions attended, the main subjects of study, and when the main course started and finished.

What are Personal Statements?

• Personal Statements• A verbal representation of who you are,

your vision, your passion in life

• Reasons of undertaking the scholarship, course, place of study / university

• Your plans in the future

• What benefit you would get from the scholarship, study and experience

• What you will contribute

Creating the Perfect Personal Statement

• Your Personal Statement is an important part of your application package and an opportunity for you to demonstrate why you think you would be a good student for the programme you are applying to and why the University / College should select your application over those of other candidates.

• It is primarily an academic statement and it’s usually targeted very directly towards the subject in which you are interested, and it would also include something about you and your general interest, giving the opportunity for the readers of your application to get a feel for you as a person as well as a student. It’s also a place where you can put your academic records and achievements into the context of your opportunities and obstacles.

There is no one correct way to write a Personal Statement but it may need to cover three main areas -

1. Why you want to study the subject you are interested to apply to?2. What makes you particularly suitable to study the subject? 3. You could include what you have done in the past and what you may do in the future that

would contribute to the community which makes you an interesting and unique individual.

Source: posted in a forum www.britishalumni.ph/forum by user StudyUK

Personal Statements that didn’t make it

My reasons for applying this scholarship is to gain self-confidence, knowledge and experience that will boast my self-esteem to perform my job and bring honor to my countrymen in helping them build a quality education in the future youth. Where indeed, this is my dream come true to studies abroad and continue my higher education thru the help of this scholarship. I knew after this course done a lot of opportunities will open and this is my key to a better career and better future.

My ambitions are simple to be a good provider to my parents and to myself, to experience to be independent with no prejudice. And in my career I want to be successful in my chosen career. So, I can find a better well secure work. In connection of this I can make difference in my country in applying what knowledge, and experience that I will gain in my studies in United Kingdom. I am not selfish not to share what I have gain and experience especially those whose in need of knowledge. When you help and change lives of other people that is the ultimate meaning of life because you help them grow and its priceless gift that you have received in your life.

Personal Statements that didn’t make it

• To have a great fulfilment and achievement in life and businesses as I go along facing the next challenge that may incurred in serving the public;

• To enhance myself and my capability in dealing with people which has different culture and arts and hopefully soon be applied in our hometown the best ways in promoting other culture that may serves as a guiding scheme;

• To uplift my career and eager to be accommodated soon to a chore that has a greater responsibility as a future leader and boosting the same to accurately handle it with confident;

• To know more of some advancement of technologies and it will be useful on day-to-day business in the office and like;

• To incline myself in adapting British culture being the most progressive country in the world and replicate some ideas for the betterment of our hometown;

Personal Statements that didn’t make it

“I have been involved in the field of manufacturing.

Manufacturing in the Philippines is a promising industry.

Philippines produces P 100 billion worth of

manufactured products every year. With this potential,

developing our own manufacturing industry would also

mean livelihood upliftment in our rural areas.

This scholarship would be of big help for me to have

adequate skills and knowledge to be a good, competent

manager for this industry that I am supporting”

Personal Statements that didn’t make it

The Professional standard of academic institutions in the

Philippines is based on Graduate and Post Graduate Degrees. It

is a must. I need to comply to the dynamic of my sector.

Aside from it, honestly, I may be good but the knowledge I have

is not enough. I have to study further to update myself to the

changes of the changing environment of the international

market as well as the regional setup. With the program I applied

and offered to me by the NWCL, I believe to adapt and have my

edge against the overflowing supply of Professional in the

Philippines.

Financially, it will give me a higher pay.

Recommendation Letters that didn’t make it

Dear Ms Santos

Mr Reyes’ application for the Scholarship is hereby recommended.

The discipline of Mr Reyes in studying is unquestionable. His attitude

does not fade since our Elementary years and he was consistent

honor student.

He displayed and continues show leadership and takes opportune

situations with ambiguities.

Your good office would be of great help and give him advantage to

continue his choice of career and vocation.

Recommendation Letters

Dear Sir/Ma’am

May I favorably endorse Miss Cruz to avail of the scholarship being

offered by your august institution. I have known Miss Cruz as a

hard working, creative, dependable and happy person and

she is a great asset in the communities she is currently serving.

Thank you very much.

Very truly yours,

Dear Mr Cruz,

Greetings!

I personally have known Ms Santos since 2001, first as a patient, then

later on as a friend.

As her personal doctor, she would consult me about minor illnesses

such as cough, colds, muscular and skeletal pains. She is not

suffering from any major illness at this time.

As a friend, I know her to be kind, loving and sincere. She has done

nothing to irritate me nor hurt my feelings in any way.

Given the chance, I could see that she will be an asset and pride to

your institution.

Applications that Made it

Personal Statement

Working these past four years has been rewarding. Thriving in exacting corporate environments required quickly mastering a range of technical, communication, and leadership skills.

This however, is not enough. My long-term goal is to actively contribue to projects that directly pull people out of poverty’s grip. I hope to refine the skills I developed in the private sector and apply in both national and international institutions the additional knowledge and expertise I would acquire thorugh this scholarship. Upon my return, I plan to work in economic or public policy, and bring the best of my private sector experience to problems of resource management and re-allocation. This scholarship will allow me to do the following:

a)Understand – While the symptoms of poverty are stark and unequivocal (hunger, sickness, ignorance, and political disenfranchisement among others), its roots are often murky and complicated. While I do not expect to understand all facets of the issue completely, I want to have a strong grasp of the roots and impact of poverty in the Philippines specifically by learning from the experience of a developed country.

b)Envision – Because of poverty’s often complex roots, I have no doubt that solutions to the problem (or, more realistically, to pockets of the problem) will be difficult to implement. Diffidcult not necessarily because of the complexity of the solutions, but because of the pay-offs for those involved in envisioning solutions that can be implemented, whose merits are acknowledged by most of the people affected, and whose impact I will see in my lifetime. Aside from providing formal education, the Chevening Scholarship will offer insights by letting me observe firsthand the challenges and options the United Kingdom has in its continuing drive to improve the welfare of its citizens

c)Gain experience – in the end, I want to be involved in implementing, not just designing, solutions. At some point, I want to work for the government to execute programs (education, tax reform, micro-industries, for instance) that confront poverty. Working for an organization that focuses on poverty work will provide me with the training I will need in the future.

Recommendation Letter

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Recommendation Letter

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