Jaajef waa G-L,
I often get people asking me about the possibility of getting a grant to come to the UK and study, and am therefore posting this information which I hope will prove useful to anyone considering this, or for anyone you might know who needs it. Because of the size of the file I am sending it in two parts.
Yeenduleen ak jaama
Tony
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GRANTS TO STUDY IN THE UK
A GUIDE FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS
About this guide
This guide will help you find out which organisations give grants to overseas students.
Section A: gives details of grants for overseas students who are not already in the UK but who
wish to pursue studies at a UK institution. It is divided into two parts:-
(i) Government award schemes
(ii) Non-government organisations
You should pay careful attention to the details given which explain what is required for you to be
eligible.
Section B: lists names, addresses and brief information (where available) of organisations that have
given grants or awards to overseas students who are already studying at a UK institution and who are in financial difficulty. (NOTE: I HAVE NOT PoSTED THIS SECTION )
Section C: lists names, addresses and brief information (where available) of organisations which
have given grants or awards to overseas students to study in a country other than the UK. (NOTE: I HAVE NOT PoSTED THIS SECTION )
Important Advice to Applicants
If you are looking for money to study in the UK you should NEVER send hundreds of applications to everyone listed in a directory. You will be wasting your time. Most grant-makers have very strict policies about who they will and will not support, so making random appeals to a large number of organisations does not get results. There is very little money around, so make sure you look at courses of study available in your own country first. If you do decide you want to study in the UK, remember that an offer of a place at a college or university does not mean that you will get a grant.
Raising money is very, very difficult so be prepared for many disappointments.
If you are going to apply to an organisation, remember that even those organisations which say they have a policy to support people like yourself cannot hope to support every single eligible applicant - the number of overseas applicants is far greater than the number of grants
available.
Where to look for financial help
Government Awards - Your first approach should be made to the Ministry of Education in your own country which will have details of government scholarships for overseas students. These are
very competitive and are mainly for postgraduate study in the UK. Applications for undergraduate study are usually only considered where there is no appropriate course available in your own country. The British Council, British High Commission or British Embassy in your own country will also have information on relevant award schemes.
University Awards - Many universities in the UK also provide a few scholarships and other awards to those wanting to study at that particular institute (applicants should contact the Admissions
Office of the relevant university or the British Council for details). Again competition is intense.
Other organisations - A small number of charitable trusts and some professional bodies sometimes give limited financial support to overseas students (usually no more than a few hundred pounds).
Very few of them have enough money to fund more than a very small proportion of what is needed to survive during a course of study in the UK. Most of these organisations will want to know that you have sought help elsewhere. You should only approach them if you have already succeeded in getting most of the help you need from government schemes or from the place at which you wish to study.
Making an application
First find out whether the organisation you are approaching has an official application form. If it does,
send off for one, requesting also a copy of the guidelines for applicants. Make sure you answer all
the questions that are asked.
If the organisation you are approaching does not have an application form, send them:
a brief Curriculum Vitae
a covering letter, giving full details of the course you intend to study (i.e. where you intend to
undertake the course, whether you have received an offer of a place, etc.), how much money
you require and what for and details of whom you have already approached and with what
result
references from a college tutor or other independent person
Bearing in mind that you are competing with a huge number of other people for limited resources, try
to ensure that your application:
meets ALL the selection criteria
is strong, concise and clearly argued
is well presented
meets the appropriate deadlines
Many organisations take a long time to process applications, so it is advisable to apply well in
advance of the period of intended study (about a year ahead if possible). Make sure you know
whether or not the grant covers support for your family or dependants if it is intended that they will
join you.
Finally, remember that the costs of maintenance -rent, heat, light, food, clothing, travel- will be very
high and separate from tuition costs. UK Government grants are not available to overseas students
for this purpose.
If you do a lot of careful research to find out which are the appropriate organisations, study the organisation's guidelines carefully to ensure you are eligible and present a strong case, your application may not always be successful.
...continues in part 2
© 1996 Directory of Social Change
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