ARE YOU APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION OR SCHOLARSHIPS?
How To Apply Scholarship
Then Read This:
➡ Before you apply, alway remember that;
1. Admission and Scholarship requirements differ across countries.
What are your choice countries?
For example
A. A credit (C) in WASSCE is okay as a proof of your English proficiency in many UK Universities, while some others (e.g. Canada) may require IELTS or TOEFL.
B. Unlike Canada and Australia, Universities in the UK, Europe and Asia do not usually require application fees.
2. Admission and Scholarship requirements differ across cadres of degree.
Are you applying for masters, PhD or attempting both?
3. The higher the cadre the more the opportunities.
There are more scholarships or funding for PhDs than master’s.
4. Scholarship requirements differ across funding organizations.
Who are your potential funders?
i. Your government (BEA scholarships, etc).
ii. International government or diplomatic organization (commonwealth shared, queens commonwealth, British Chevening)
iii. Your University of choice (Vice chancellor scholarship, or scholarship for women, athletes, veterans, individuals from developing countries,or research based scholarship.)
iv. Special foundations (MasterCard foundation, Bill and Melinda Gate foundation etc)
5. Scholarship requirements could also differ across Universities within the same country. For example;
Oxford University may have different language requirements from University of Oxford (note: both are not the same).
6. To apply for admission and scholarship at either master’s or PhD level, the minimum academic requirement are similar.
This usually a second class bachelor’s degree (Yes, you can apply for PhD directly with BSc. Master’s degree is only an advantage, not compulsory in many schools, especially in the US).
Because PhD duration is reduced in the UK (3-4 years), one with master’s degree will be preferred for PhD application.
To apply, these are general requirements!
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1. Your Curriculum Vitae
A. This must be an academic CV
B. General information like age, date of birth, complexion, religion, gender, teeth color, should be excluded.
C. Important aspects of an academic CV include; Education information (don’t list secondary and primary school), Awards and recognitions, Experience (Research, Teaching, professional, or volunteering etc.), Seminar, workshops and trainings, publications and academic writings (Thesis, conference, journal, etc.), Professional certifications, membership of professional society (including student association of your University),, and your list of referees (don’t just list anybody, seek their consent first).
Note: you could include others that are very relevant such as special skills.
I shall write in details about it someday if God permits
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2. Your Transcript of academic records
A. Your transcript could be official (signed and sent by your former university to the new one) or unofficial (provided by you).
B. The official is usually sent by the registrar’s office, but the unofficial (student copy) is provided by you.
C. Many universities and Organizations accept unofficial transcripts for the admission and scholarship application process.
D. You can download it on your university website as PDF for each academic year, then merge as one PDF.
E. Transcript is what we usually check at the end of every semester. We call it results.
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3. Your Academic Certificate
A. This shows your class of degree
B. This proves that you have duly graduated.
Note: Some Universities accept transcripts if your certificate is not ready.
C. If you are using statement of results, be careful to check the expiry date.
D. You could request for another one before you submit your application.
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4. Statement of Purpose
A. This could come inform of a written document that you submit, or you may be asked to fill this information directly online.
B. It answers the following questions
Bi. Why are you applying?
Bii. What are you applying for?
Biii. How is the application important to your career plan?
Biv. What do you intend to learn?
Bv. What skills do you already have?
Bvi. Why should you be considered?
Bvii. Why choose the school?
C. This is where you sell yourself to the admission or scholarship committee.
Note: I shall write in detail about it someday if God permits.
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5. Means of identification
A. Usually your international passport.
B. You cannot use an expired one.
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6. Reference letters
A. Usually between 2-3 from your previous academic supervisors, HOD, Mentors or employers.
B. This has a significant impact on the outcome of your admission or scholarship
C. It could change the game.
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Further Dissection on the different levels
MSc Scholarships!
1. Fewer than PhD scholarships
2. Minimum requirement is usually second class bachelor’s degree
3. Very competitive (there are more people applying at this cadre compared to PhD).
4. Most are funded by government and diplomatic bodies (They target the most promising applicants).
5. University funding for master’s is usually in formeof discounted fees. Some of this exist in the UK and US (On university website).
6. University internal fundings are less competitive compared to government scholarships, because many are unaware of their existence.
7. There are alot of international master’s scholarships funded by the Nigerian Government or oil-based Organizations in Nigeria.
8. Institutionally funded scholarships such as Chevening and commonwealth are usually for those who have career plans in areas that are relevant to the development of their home countries (Health, environment, climate, etc).
9. Institutionally funded scholarships usually target taught master’s, while university funded scholarships could target different things.
10. You apply directly to schools for university funded scholarships, while application for institutional scholarships are usually through thier individual websites.
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PhD scholarships
1. Your application does not start with the school, because your fund in most countries will come from a Grant won by your potential supervisor (A professor ).
2. Your application starts when you check the university’s website to see the professor that is researching in your area, and reach out to them by showing your interest. This process is called cold emailing (not compulsory, but necessary).
If God permits, we could share details of it.
3. If the professor finds you suitable, you are encouraged to apply. If not, you will be told outrightly.
4. Sometimes, a professor may not respond. He/She could be on holiday, missed the email, or choose not to respond. In that cases, I would proceed apply expecially if application is free.
5. PhD Scholarships can also come from the government (TETFUND or Queen’s Scholarship), but these are for selected few.
6. Minimum requirement for PhD in most western countries is second class honors. Master’s degree is not compulsory, but an added advantage.
7. In the UK, you will write a proposal as part of your application process, but such is not necessary in the US, some part of Europe, and some Australian Universities.
8. Unlike Master’s Scholarships, some PhD fundings may not come with relocation packages (airfare tickets etc).
9. PhD is 3-4 years in the UK, but around 5 years in the US.
10. There are no lab rotations or course works for PhD in sciences in the UK, but you have two years for this in the US.
Meaning, once admitted you go straight to research in the UK, but in the US you’ll take classes and do practicals before your main research.
11. In the US and some UK schools your funding can come with roles such as Teaching Assistantship or research assistantship (you do this roles while learning.
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Conclusion
I have ensured to make this informative other than pressurizing. The success of a man is not geographically determined, it depends solely on God, His grace and your efforts.
Either the master’s or PhD scholarship application process could be so overwhelming if you approach it with the wrong mentality (Just Japa).
Over 100, 000 scholarships are published annually, yet you only need one.
For each scholarship, a minimum of 5 people will apply.
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Why do you want a scholarship????
Answering this question helps you build resilience even when you get rejections. It propels you consistently until you win.
If you persist, you’ll surely win.
If God permits, I shall be writing on the core areas soon, especially academic CV and SOPs.
I will answer your questions in the comments. I rarely respond to direct messages. Some friends may also answer some of them, any answer from Israel Solomonii Opeyemi Isaac , Kolawole Kiyesi can be trusted.
Go and win…..
Information is power, be generous to share with others!
NOTE: I am not an agent, nor do I seek financial compensation. I only share my experience, and I believe one or two individuals could learn from it.
In 2023 Information Is the fuel that propels all credentials, you may not go farther than you are aware of (the place of Grace duly acknowledged).
Cheers!
