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University support for postgraduates

University of Essex Scholarships

University of Essex Scholarships support talented postgraduate students, particularly PhD students, to study at the University. In 2009-2010, scholarships worth a total of more than £723,000 were distributed. Each university department has a share of the scholarship fund which it can use to support students.  

On this page you can find out:

How much are the Scholarships worth?

There are three types of scholarship awards which are listed below. These are awarded for each year of study during the standard minimum period of enrolment for your degree, subject to satisfactory progress.

£10,000 For research students only
£5,000 For research or Master’s students
£2,000 For research or Master’s students

These are indicative amounts and the final decision on the value of a scholarship awarded to each applicant will be made by the department.

Please note that some departments choose to use this funding to support research students only.

For further information see the web pages for the department to which you are applying.

When a Scholarship is awarded it is deducted against the tuition fees payable. Any balance is then paid to you in termly instalments. Depending on the size of the Scholarship awarded, it may be necessary for you to make a contribution to your tuition fees.

In some cases, departments may also offer additional top-up teaching or research scholarships, which provide opportunities to gain teaching or additional research experience.

Who is eligible?

All scholarships are available to UK, EU and Overseas students and to both full-time and part-time students. To be eligible to be considered for a University of Essex Scholarship, you must:

  • research students -  be applying for a PhD, Integrated PhD or part-time Professional Doctorate (not MPhil, Doctor of Medicine, Masters by Dissertation or full-time Professional Doctorate )

    taught students -  be applying for a Masters degree (not Postgraduate Diploma);
  • completed the University of Essex Scholarship application form by 30 April 2010;
  • not already be registered on the programme of study for which you are applying for support (a scholarship is only offered to new students, prior to registration). Students who are completing one degree at Essex but wish to apply for support for another are eligible to apply.

How can you apply?

Applications for the University of Essex Scholarship close on 30 April 2010. You should complete the University of Essex Scholarship application form either at the same time as submitting your application to study or subsequently. In order to be considered you must return this by 30 April 2010. You will only be considered for a scholarship if the department makes you an official offer of admission from the Graduate Admissions Office.

Apply by email:

Email: scholarships (non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create a full email address)

When e-mailing, please include the title of the degree you are applying for in the subject line of the e-mail. For example, ‘PhD Economics’ or ‘MSc Marine Biology’.

Apply by post:     

Graduate Admissions
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex, CO4 3SQ
UK

How are candidates selected?

University of Essex Scholarships support talented postgraduate students who can demonstrate an excellent academic background and the potential for future achievement, as well as financial need. Candidates who satisfy the above criteria, and who have received an offer of admission, will be selected for the award of a scholarship on the following criteria:

Academic ability:

Based on previous academic qualifications. For research students, normally a first class Bachelor's degree or high 2.1 or equivalent, and/or Master's degree with distinction or merit. For Masters students, normally a first class Bachelor's degree or high 2.1 or equivalent.

Research potential

Research candidates:
Based on the candidate’s research proposal submitted with their application, as well as their statement on the scholarship application form. Departments will take into account the fit of the proposed project with their own research strategy.

Master’s candidates:
Based on the candidate's aptitude for Master's level work, in particular their capacity to undertake a successful dissertation and to engage with scholarship surrounding the discipline. Evidence will be taken from their references, postgraduate application and the statement on the scholarship application form. Departments will often seek to identify applicants who are potential PhD candidates.

Financial need:

Based on evidence provided on the scholarship application form. Candidates should provide evidence that they have applied for financial support from other sources. In the case of UK/EU applicants they should have applied for research council funding. Where a student applies for and is awarded a University of Essex Scholarship and subsequently obtains full external funding, the University will rescind the Scholarship offer. Where partial external funding is obtained, the department may choose to continue, reduce or rescind the Scholarship offer as it sees fit.

You should check the departmental web pages for information on any additional criteria before completing your application.

When are successful candidates notified?

Successful candidates will normally be notified in June 2010. Formal notification of a Scholarship award will be sent from the Registry.

Information on Subject Areas

  • For further information please see Areas of Study
  • The University of Essex has an international reputation for research excellence and for the high quality of its postgraduate training.
  • If you wish to receive information on the studentships programme, and/or details of research opportunities in particular departments, please contact the department you are interested in at the address below:

University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 873942

Further details are available from the Graduate Secretary in your department; from the Postgraduate Admissions Office, room 5N.7.10 (tel. 01206 872719); or the Registry, room 6.112 (tel. 01206 873942 or 01206 872967). The University of Essex website offers additional information about funding.

Ben Hatt, third-year BSc Business Management student, Hailey, Oxfordshire