Student finance
University support for
postgraduates
The University of Essex Silberrad Scholarships
The University of Essex Silberrad Scholarships will be awarded by the
University to provide support for its own graduates to pursue PhD study.
The scholarships are funded by a legacy from the Silberrad Estate, which
was bequeathed to the University in 2007. Two scholarships will be
awarded in 2012-13.
Who is eligible?
You can apply for a University of Essex Silberrad Scholarship if you:
- hold a degree from the University of Essex (Undergraduate and/or
Masters) or are in the final term of completing a degree;
- are eligible to pay tuition fees at the rate for Home/EU
students;
- are in receipt of an official offer of admission (conditional or
unconditional) from the Graduate Admissions Office for full-time PhD
study commencing in October 2012.
Students with offers for Professional Doctorates are not eligible to
apply.
What is a scholarship worth?
The scholarship covers tuition fees (Home/EU) and provides a bursary
element towards living costs. In 2012-13 the scholarship will be worth
£8,500: covering tuition fees and leaving a contribution to living
costs. The scholarship will increase annually by 2.5 per cent.
The fee element will be deducted automatically and the balance will be paid
in three termly instalments.
Awards are granted for one year in the first instance but will be
renewed, subject to the award holder's satisfactory progress (as defined
by the Code of Practice:
Postgraduate Research Degrees), for a second and third year – up to
a maximum tenure of nine terms or three years, provided the award holder
is still engaged in full-time research (and excepting the circumstances
stated in the section on Termination of Award). Where progress is
satisfactory, renewal of the award is automatic.
Students applying for a four-year PhD programme will have to meet one
year's costs themselves.
How do I apply?
Applications are invited from all students who meet the eligibility
criteria.
You should complete a
Silberrad Scholarship application form. No other means of
application (eg CV or letter) are acceptable.
The application form must be supported by two references.
References
The University will obtain the references. You should nominate two
referees:
- The first referee should be a member of academic staff who has
direct knowledge of your undergraduate degree, or a referee who has
knowledge of your postgraduate studies (where applicable) if your first
degree referee is difficult to locate. You may nominate one of the
referees you have included in your PhD application as your first
referee.
- The second referee should be your proposed supervisor or the
head/senior member of academic staff in the department where you will be
undertaking your research.
Completing the application form
Your completed application must be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office
by e-mail to:
scholarships@essex.ac.uk.
The deadline for sending in your completed application is 31 March 2012.
How are scholars selected?
University of Essex Silberrad 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 (from the University of Essex).
normally a first class Bachelor's degree or high 2.1 or equivalent, and/or
Master's degree with distinction or merit.
Research potential:
Based on the candidate's research proposal submitted with their application,
their statement on the scholarship application form and two academic references.
When will the scholarships be announced?
Scholarship holders will be announced by the end of May 2012.