• What do the scholarships offer?

The University of Edinburgh scholarships aim to provide opportunities for independent postgraduate study in the United Kingdom for students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential to become leaders and decision-makers in their own country. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships lead to the award of a Masters degree.

Scholarships are available in the following fields:

• Nationalism Studies
• Policy Studies
• Political Theory
• Social Research
• Comparative Public Policy
• Social Anthropology
• Global Health and Public Policy
• Health Inequalities and Public Policy
• Health Systems and Public Policy.

Applicants should have outstanding academic qualifications and excellent English.  Each scholarship provides one year’s tuition fees at the University of Edinburgh, a stipend to cover living costs (for one person only), and return air travel from the scholar’s home country.  On completion of the scholarship, scholars will return to their home countries.

Please note that the award does not provide financial assistance in the event of a student wishing to remain in the UK after the normal scholarship period pending an appeal against an academic decision, or for any other reason. In such cases, no additional financial obligation on any of the parties is assumed or implied.

Applicants are expected:

• to be nationals of Syria, and normally resident in Syria during the academic year in which they apply for the award.Appliants who are temporarily out of the country (for a total period of less than three consecutive months) may be treated as being resident
• to have an excellent knowledge of English
• to already hold a degree equivalent to at least a good UK second-class Honours degree (second class division one)
• to have work experience in a related field/s
• to return to their home country at the end of their scholarship period to continue their studies/ work there

Applicants will not be considered if :

• they have already received or are currently receiving financial assistance from a previous UK Government funded Scholarship
• they are employees, employees’ relatives (of former employees who have left employment less than 2 years before) of FCO (including FCO posts), the British Council, the Educational Advising Centers or other OSI-NSP representations in the region and the participating universities.

A preference will go towards applicants who have not previously studied outside of their home country.

How can I apply?

You should complete the Scholarship Application form and the University’s ‘Application for Admission as a Postgraduate Student’ form.The University’s application form can be downloaded at http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/applications/.  You should also provide copies of the other documents listed on page 1 of the application form. The completed forms and other documents must be received by your local British Council office by 6 February 2010 at the latest (see below for address and contact details). Please note that each applicant is requested to submit one original application form and two further copies.
You are strongly advised to discuss your application with your Dean or Academic Supervisor to ensure, for example, that you will have official leave to study in the UK if your application is successful.

How does the selection procedure work?

• All completed applications received by your local British Council by the deadline will be forwarded to the University of Edinburgh.  Academic staff at the University will compile a short-list.
• Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview and an English language test in their home country between early April and mid-May 2010. You should keep yourself free between these dates. You will be informed by the British Council in early April 2010 whether you have been shortlisted or not.
• Interviews will be carried out by representatives of OSI and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In certain cases, there may also be a panel member representing the interests of the University.
• The final awards will be decided jointly by the University, the FCO and OSF. Candidates will be informed by the end of May/early June. In addition, certain candidates may be offered reserve places for scholarships.This means there is a possibility that they will be given a scholarship, if one of the successful candidates withdraws from the program. The twelve-month scholarship period begins in September 2010.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Application form can either be downloaded, or collected from the British Council office. 2 February 2010.