This scholarship, for one full-time research degree student, offers ‘home’ rate tuition fees and a maintenance grant matching the UK Research Councils rate (£13,726 in 2013/14). The scholarship will be offered for one year in the first instance, renewable for a maximum of three years. It is funded entirely by University friends and alumni.
The successful applicant will be expected to act as ‘ambassador’ for the University and to assist with fundraising for future scholarships. This will involve attending alumni events (not more than two per year) and being featured in, or writing for, University publications such as KENT, the University of Kent magazine or the University internal Newsletter.
Criteria
Candidates must:
- hold a Bachelor’s degree (1 or 2.1), or Master’s degree (merit or distinction) from the University of Kent;
- hold an offer of a place for a full-time postgraduate research degree at University of Kent for the following academic year (current research postgraduate students will only be considered in exceptional circumstances);
- demonstrate that they have made a contribution to the wider University community, for example, through Students’ Union activities – societies, sports, volunteering – or acting as a student representative on University committees;
- have excellent written and oral communication skills and be able to:
- explain their research clearly and without jargon to non-experts,
- convey their passion for their research to a wider audience,
- convince the panel of their research’s wider value,
- act as ‘ambassadors’ for both the University and their subjects;
- be prepared to attend an interview in person at Canterbury on the afternoon of 20 May 2014 time to be confirmed (There are no alternative dates).
How to apply
Send the following documents to the Scholarships Unit before the deadline:
- research proposal of approximately 2000 words;
- CV;
- covering letter stating the reasons why you wish to receive the scholarship. The letter must also give the names of your two referees;
- academic references from two referees, written in English on official headed paper, that include:
- your suitability to receive the scholarship on both academic and general grounds,
- full name and status/title of referee,
- name, address and telephone number of the referee’s institution or place of work,
- details of the referee’s relationship to the applicant,
- full name of the applicant,
- reference to the Alumni Research Scholarship.
The University may contact your referee to verify the authenticity of any reference that they provide. Under the UK Data Protection Act 1998, references received by the University may be disclosed to the applicant. It is your responsibility to ensure that references are received by the Scholarships Unit before the deadline.
References from University of Kent academic staff may be emailed via their University email account.
Documents can be emailed to scholarships@kent.ac.uk, or posted to:
Scholarships Unit,
Enrolment Management Services,
The Registry,
Canterbury,
Kent CT2 7NZ
Deadline
Monday 31 March 2014