Ruth First Master Scholarship at University of Durham in UK, 2017
Ruth First Scholarship is available for southern African students in the academic year 2017-2018. Scholarship support student taking a one-year taught course leading to the award of a Master’s degree at Durham University.
The Ruth First Trust aims to award the Scholarship to individuals who not only have the academic and personal qualities to enable them to complete and benefit from a postgraduate course, but who will also act as positive ambassadors for their home countries in Durham and put their enhanced knowledge and skills to good use for the benefit of the societies to which they return in Africa.
Durham University is distinctive-a residential collegiate university with long traditions and modern values. We seek the highest distinction in research and scholarship and are committed to excellence in all aspects of education and transmission of knowledge.
Students should hold a relevant honours degree of sufficient standard to be admitted to their chosen Master’s course. The person selected for the Ruth First Scholarship will need to provide evidence of possessing a qualification in English language that meets the minimum requirement for the programme applied for.
Course Level: Scholarship is available to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University.
Study Subject: Program grants scholarships every year for the pursuit of Master’s Degrees.
List of subjects: Accounting (MSc); Ancient Philosophy (MA); Applied Linguistics for TESOL (MA); Arab World Studies (MSc); Arabic/English Translation and Interpreting (MA); Archaeological Science (MSc); Archaeology (MA); Anthropology, Evolutionary (MSc); Anthropology, Medical (MSc); Anthropology (Research Methods) (MA); Anthropology, Socio-Cultural (MA)
Scholarship Award: The University, with the agreement of the Department concerned, will award a tuition fee scholarship covering the full fees for the programme chosen. Through a Gift Agreement between the Trust and the University, the Scholar will receive a monthly allowance to cover living and other expenses for 12 months, as well as free accommodation and meals at St Chad’s College (the cost of which is shared between the Trust and the College). In 2015-16 the allowance is £500 per month and the value of the full-board accommodation is approximately £515 per month. The Scholar will also receive a settling-in allowance on arrival and a contribution to the cost of sending belongings home before departure if necessary. The Trust will pay for one return air ticket from the home country to the UK and the cost of return travel between the UK airport and Durham City. The Trust will also pay £400 towards the cost of applying for a Tier 4 UK visa and the immigration health surcharge. The Trust cannot provide additional support for dependants, nor for travel during the period of the Scholarship. The Scholar is required to attend all taught components of the chosen course and complete all assignments prescribed, including a dissertation. The normal starting date for most Masters programmes is the beginning of October.
Scholarship can be taken in the UK
Eligibility: In order to apply students must
- Hold a relevant honours degree of sufficient standard to be admitted to their chosen Master’s course (further conditions apply to the MBA programme), and
- Not hold a Master’s degree, nor have previously studied at a university outside southern Africa, and
- Show evidence of active involvement in and commitment to voluntary work for the benefit of causes such as rural or urban community development; young people or educational projects; charitable organizations; health or AIDS awareness projects; student welfare or guidance. If applicants have a paid job that involves working in such areas, applicants should show evidence of leadership and commitment beyond the requirements of the job.
- If applicants are employed, or receiving a grant or sponsorship, applicants must be able to provide written evidence that an agreement has been made with their employer or sponsor approving their absence for the period of the Scholarship and confirming any arrangements for continued payment of salary or sponsorship.
Nationality: Scholarship is open to students from southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
College Admission Requirement:
Entrance Requirement: Student should hold a relevant honours degree of sufficient standard to be admitted to their chosen Master’s course (further conditions apply to the MBA programme)
English Language Requirement: English language requirements for international students coming to study in the UK were tightened in 2011. The person selected for the Ruth First Scholarship will need to provide evidence of possessing a qualification in English language that meets the minimum requirement for the programme applied for. The general minimum set by the UK Government is Level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Requirements for particular programmes at Durham are listed here. If applicants already have a suitable qualification (such as Cambridge English, IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson Test of Academic English), send a scan of the certificate with their application. If applicants haven’t, don’t do anything about it now: we’ll sort this out with the successful applicant.
Masters Scholarships
How to Apply: Application forms (5 pages plus 2 referee report forms) have been sent to universities in South Africa and other southern African countries. Applicants may download the form as a Word document here and type into the boxes. The application and references may be submitted as e-mail attachments. Academic results transcripts should be sent by post, or by e-mail as scans of the original documents (please compress image files sent electronically).
Application Form
Application Deadline: The application deadline is March 9, 2017.