For students looking for higher education, some key factors come into play when choosing a university. Factors such as cost, geographical location, accreditation, academic quality are some common key considerations.

For postgraduate students, especially international students, cost is a key factor when selecting a university. In the UK, the average cost of a postgraduate degree is about £7,636. In addition to the living expenses, that cost goes up.

With this in mind, it only makes sense for students who cannot cover these costs themselves, to look into a university that offers postgraduate financial support.

So, when I began searching for a UK university that had the postgraduate degree I was interested in pursuing, I went online to see what I could find. During my search, I came across a forum called World Scholarship Forum where I discovered the Bournemouth University Executive Dean’s Scholarship.

About the Executive Dean’s Scholarship

Everything you need to know about the Executive Dean’s Scholarship can be found on the university’s website. But here are some key things about the scholarship that grabbed my interest and were the reasons I applied for the scholarship. 

1. The Executive Dean’s scholarship is offered to students pursuing postgraduate degrees in the following fields:

• Health and Social Sciences (EU/international students only)
• Management (I was pursuing a course in this field)
• Media and Communication
• Science & Technology (International students only)

2. The scholarship covers half (50%) of the total course fee.

The value of the Executive Dean’s Scholarship is very appealing, especially for students who can only afford half of the total tuition fee. I found the scholarship to be more generous compared to some others, some of which were only offering a 30% tuition discount.

The application process

Depending on the course you want to pursue, you’ll be asked to fill up an application form. On the form, you’ll be asked to highlight your academic qualifications and provide a detailed explanation in 300 words why the university should consider giving you the scholarship.

Try to make it interesting but be honest. If you have any work experience highlight that on the form as well.

Eligibility

Students who have an upper second class honors degree or higher are eligible, but any honors degree lower than that is not accepted.

The other thing is, they don’t accept UK degrees alone. If you have a UK equivalent overseas degree, you are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Also, you need to be a full-time student to be eligible.

My experience

I was glad to be awarded the Executive Dean’s scholarship and, in my experience, the application process was simple and straightforward. 

Piece of advice

The scholarship application deadline is 31 May each year for the September intake; therefore, ensure that you apply before the deadline.

To give yourself the best possible chance to be awarded the scholarship, on your application form include all your qualifications, achievements and certifications. It also wouldn’t hurt if you included what your plans are after you graduate.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly on my website.

Guest blog written by Abuzer Khajawi, Master of Business Adminstration