The Open Society Foundations / Durham University Masters Scholarships
We are not currently accepting applications. Please check this page for updates.
The scholarships aim to provide opportunities for independent postgraduate study in the United Kingdom for students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and the potential to become leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers in their own country. Upon completion of their studies in the UK, scholars are expected to return to their home country to resume their studies or work there. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships lead to the award of a Masters degree.
 
 Scholarships are available for the following courses:
 
  • MSc in Risk and Environmental Hazards
  • MA in Risk and Security
  • MA in Risk, Health and Public Policy
 
Each scholarship provides tuition fees at Durham University, a stipend to cover living costs (for one person only), and return air travel from the scholar’s home country. 
 
1. Who is eligible to apply?
The scholarships are open to applicants from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Nepal, and Palestine
(Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel are also eligible to apply).
 
Applicants must:
 
  • be nationals of, and normally resident in, the selected country during the academic year in which they apply for the award; applicants who are temporarily out of the country (for a total period of less than three consecutive months) may be treated as being resident;
  • display intellectual ability and leadership potential;
  • already hold (or expect to hold by the time of taking up the award) a first degree of an equivalent standard to an upper UK second-class Honours degree;
  • have passed an appropriate English language test by the time of taking up the award. For the Risk Masters this would be an English language test score with overall band score of at least 6.5 in the IELTS test (with no component below 6.0) or at least 92 in the TOEFL IBT (no component under 23).  In all cases the relevant certificate should have been issued within two years of the start date;
  • return to their home country at the end of their scholarship period to continue their studies / work there.
 
Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously studied outside of their home country.
 
Please note that if you have applied, or are applying, for other grants, fellowships, or scholarships with the Open Society Foundations you should alert us to this in your application.  While you may apply for more than one programme simultaneously, you can be awarded only one Open Society Foundations scholarship or grant for a given period.
 
Employees, employees’ relatives (or former employees who have left employment less than two years before) of the local representations of the Open Society Scholarship Programs and the participating universities will not be eligible to apply for these awards.
 
2. How can I apply?
You should complete the University’s application form which you can obtain from:
 
 
Copies of the following documents must be sent to AMIDEAST by 14 February 2013 at the latest:
 
Applicants are required to submit 2 copies of the application package. Please do not send original documents at this stage. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
 
Please note that you do not need to apply directly to the University for admission in addition to this scholarship. Your scholarship application will also act as your academic programme application.
 
Please keep a copy of your completed application form for your reference.
 
3. How does the selection procedure work?
a)All completed applications received by the local representative offices of the Open Society Scholarship Programs by the deadline will be forwarded to Durham University. All applications will be considered by an internal university selection panel including the programme leader, respective regional managers and the International Partnerships Officer.
b) Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview in their home country in April/May 2013. You must be available for interview during this period. Those who successfully pass the interview stage will be invited to take an English language test in their home country where/if necessary. You will be informed by your local representatives of the Open Society Scholarship Programs in March 2013 whether you have been shortlisted or not.
c)  Interviews will be carried out by representatives of the Open Society Foundations and Durham University where possible.
d) The final awards will be decided jointly by the Open Society Foundations and the University. Candidates will be informed by early June 2013.
 
Please note that all successful applicants will be expected to attend a one-month preparatory academic writing summer school in August 2013. The Open Society Scholarship Programs Pre-Academic Summer Program is designed to prepare Open Society Scholarship Programs grantees for a successful academic experience in the UK. Successful applicants will be provided with the opportunity to refine their research and writing skills through intensive courses in academic writing and social sciences. The exact date and location of the summer school will be available at a later stage in the selection process.
 
4.How can I find out more about Durham University?
 
 
5. Who should I contact if I have any questions?
Please make use of all of the written documentation available to you including these guidance notes and the information available on the university web pages.
 
If you have any queries about these guidance notes, you should contact:
 
·AMIDEAST
Or
Kate Sharples, Durham University
Fax or e-mail only
Fax: +44 (0)191 334 6333
E-mail: k.e.sharples@durham.ac.uk
Or
Hyonseo Kwon, Open Society Foundations
Fax or e-mail only
Fax: +44 (0)207 031 0201
E-mail: hyonseo.kwon@opensocietyfoundations.org
If you have any academic questions, please direct them to the academic staff listed below:
 
Professor David Petley d.n.petley@durham.ac.uk
Dr. Louise Bracken l.j.bracken@durham.ac.uk
 
6.  Contact details
 
Applicants are required to submit 2 copies of the application package to AMIDEAST by 14 February 2013 at the latest. Please do not send original documents at this stage. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

 

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