Saïd Foundation Scholarships 2017

Publish Date: Aug 28, 2016

Deadline: Nov 01, 2016

General Information

The Said Foundation Scholarships Programme aims to promote education and development in the Middle East and to provide students and young professionals with educational and training opportunities that will help their career development, enable them to achieve impact in their professional fields and bring benefits to others in their countries of origin. 


To this end, the Foundation offers around twenty postgraduate scholarships annually to outstanding individuals who demonstrate the potential to become leaders and innovators of change.

Scholarships are primarily offered for one year postgraduate courses but in exceptional circumstances it may be possible to consider applicants for two year courses. The Foundation also offers one or two PhD/DPhil scholarships a year at Oxford and Cambridge universities only. There is a separate application procedure for Oxford and Cambridge awards. See Guidance notes for Oxford and Cambridge applicants.



The Foundation also offers joint scholarships with Chevening and the British Lebanese Association. If you wish to be considered for a joint SF/Chevening scholarship or a joint SF/BLA scholarship you must check that you meet all the relevant eligibility requirements and, in addition to submitting a Said Foundation scholarship application, you must also submit online applications to Chevening and/or the British Lebanese Association by their respective deadlines. 


Said Foundation Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and applications are carefully considered by officers and trustees of the Foundation and external assessors. The Foundation bases its decisions on the candidate’s academic excellence, the usefulness of the subject to the applicant’s country, the applicant’s leadership potential, future career intentions and their practical ability to make use of the knowledge to be gained in the UK on their return to the Middle East.



There are no restrictions on academic subjects but priority will be given to candidates who can demonstrate that their subject will enable them to contribute to the development of their home country.



Applications are restricted to the Foundation’s partner universities in the UK. 

Applications for study at universities outside the United Kingdom and applications for undergraduate studies cannot be considered.



Applications for Said Foundation scholarships must be submitted online by 23.59 UK time on 1 November 2016.

Eligibility

All applicants must meet the Foundation's scholarship eligibility criteria. For the academic year 2017/18 the criteria are as follows:



  • Applications are restricted to candidates who are Syrian, Palestinian (including Palestinians inside Israel), Lebanese and Jordanian;
  • Priority is given to candidates who are resident in the Foundation's target countries of Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. The Foundation will, however, consider Syrians residing elsewhere due to current circumstances in Syria;


  • Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously had the opportunity to study outside of their home country;


  • Only candidates with the equivalent of a UK 2.1 degree or higher will be eligible;
  • 

Candidates are not required to have work experience but priority will be given to those who have some work experience and who can demonstrate that their studies will benefit their field of work on return to the Middle East. If the applicant lacks work experience the Foundation can consider experience gained from voluntary or community activities or participation in activities whilst at university;


  • Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have the potential to be leaders in their field;


  • Evidence is required that applicants meet their proposed university’s English language conditions;


  • Only applications for study at partner universities in the United Kingdom can be considered;


  • Applications from PhD candidates can be considered only for Oxford and Cambridge universities. Priority will be given to PhD candidates who can clearly demonstrate the need for their proposed research in their home country and who hold a teaching post at a university in their home country;



Successful applicants are required to sign a binding undertaking to apply the skills and knowledge they have gained in the Foundation's target countries (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine).


Deadline

All applications must be submitted by 23:59 UK time on 1 November 2016.

Decisions


If your application has been unsuccessful, you will be notified by email by the end of February. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, the Foundation is unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. However, unsuccessful candidates who meet the general eligibility criteria may reapply in subsequent years.

Shortlist and interviews


Interviews of shortlisted candidates take place in late February or early March in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. Shortlisted Syrian candidates may be asked to travel to Lebanon or Turkey for an interview. Exceptionally, some candidates may be interviewed by Skype.



Selection


The Foundation’s Board of Trustees makes its final selection in mid-April and candidates will be informed of the outcome by the end of April. 



Required Documents

You will be required to submit with your online application:



  • A copy of your high school marks/certificate;


  • A copy of your university transcripts and graduation certificate. If you have not yet graduated, you should submit a copy of your university marks to date;


  • A copy of your passport or national ID card;


  • A copy of your English language results. If you are invited to an interview you must provide evidence that you meet your proposed UK university’s English language requirements;


  • An offer letter from a UK university for a postgraduate course starting in September 2017 or evidence that you have applied for a place on a postgraduate course at a partner university;



Three references;



PhD applicants only: In addition to three references, you must also submit a supporting statement from your proposed university supervisor or other academic/professional expert which supports the relevance of and need for your studies at the PhD level in your home country.

English language requirements

You need to provide evidence that you meet the Foundation’s English language requirement. This is a score in IELTS of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. However, some UK universities have higher English language requirements and if you are selected for interview you must provide proof that you have met your proposed university’s requirements.



The Foundation can consider other test results only if they have been approved by your proposed UK university. If you have questions about your proposed university’s English language requirements please contact them directly. It is your responsibility to check the eligibility of your English test results with your proposed university. The Foundation cannot do this for you or give you advice on partner universities' English requirements.



TOEFL

TOEFL results are no longer being accepted by many UK universities. If you have a TOEFL result and you want it to be considered, you will need to provide the Foundation with evidence that your proposed UK university will accept it.

If you do not have an English test result when you submit your application form you must register for a test and provide us with the date of the test. If you are invited to attend an interview you will be asked to provide the test result. 



For more information click ""Further official information" below.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.saidfoundation.org/general-information

Similar Opportunities


Disciplines

Any

Opportunity Types

Scholarships

Eligible Countries

Jordan

Palestine

Syria

Host Countries

United Kingdom