Introduction
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships is for students coming from Canada, China, India and the USA to study at postgraduate masters level in Scotland. 2009 marked the first year of the scheme which offers 200 awards of £2000 each across the four countries (50 to each).
The initial round of applications closed in June 2009, and was highly successful attracting 1,165 applications in total. Applications open again for next year in mid October 2009. New this year will be an online application process on the website www.scotlandscholar ship.com which will make applying even easier.
The scheme is managed by British Council Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government with contributions from Scotland’s universities. Effectively institutions will pass on a fees discount of £2000 to each successful student.
All Scottish universities with relevant provision are participating:
University of Aberdeen
University of Abertay, Dundee
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh College of Art
Edinburgh Napier University
University of Dundee
University of Glasgow
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow School of Art
Heriot Watt University
Queen Margaret University
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Robert Gordon University
University of Stirling
University of Strathclyde
University of St Andrews
UHI Millennium Institute
University of the West of Scotland
Objectives of the scheme
The primary aim of the scholarship programme is to raise the profile of Scotland as a place to live, work and study for international students and showcase the best of Scottish higher education.
This is aligned to the goal set out in the International Framework of managing Scotland’s reputation as a distinctive global identity and an independent minded and responsible nation, a learning nation and a science nation.
Scheme Operation
Applicants can find details about the scheme, eligibility criteria and application forms etc. on the website: www.scotlandscholar ship.com . They should use the links to the universities on this website to check their application requirements as each may very slightly. Completed forms should be submitted either by email or post directly to the university.
Subject Areas
The selected subject areas of science, technology, creative industries, financial services and renewable / clean energy are broad enough to allow flexibility of choice for many of the masters courses offered in Scotland.
Level of Study
Awards are targeted at students applying for one year masters courses and should not be used to fund PhD students or undergraduate applicants. In the case of two year masters courses, the funding would be for the initial year only.
Timescale
The awards were initially launched in February 2009. Applications for next year will open in mid October 2009. The closing date for applications is Friday 11 June 2010 with selection in July and students starting at university in the autumn 2010.
In Country Engagement
The Scottish Government have also said that they want to create an affinity between the scholars and Scotland. To this end, all scholars from the first year’s cohort will be invited to attend a welcome event on 29 October in Edinburgh at the start of term, along with representatives from institutions. Fiona Hyslop is guest of honour at this event.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible courses:
· The course must be a masters level course in one of the following broad subject areas:
Science, technology, creative industries, financial services, renewable and clean energy.
· Courses must be full time and delivered in Scotland and not online or by distance learning.
Candidates must:
· Have a conditional offer of a place at a Scottish university on an eligible course
· Meet the IELTS requirement of that course
· Be a citizen of Canada, the People’s Republic of China, India or the USA.
· Be able to demonstrate that they can meet the costs of living and remaining tuition fees
· Complete an application form and submit it to their selected institution by the closing date
· Must not have previously studied for a full undergraduate degree in Scotland
Selection Criteria
Each participating Scottish institution selects their own successful students from the applications they receive. In selecting scholars, institutions are asked that award holders meet the eligibility criteria listed above. However it is expected that institutions will apply additional criteria based on their own objectives (factors such as institutional links in market, targeting specific states or provinces, academic excellence, financial need or particular course or faculty requirements) .
Summary
· To raise the profile of Scotland as a place to live, work and study
· 200 scholarship awards of £2000 per award
· Available to nationals of Canada, China, India and the USA
· For one year postgraduate masters level study
· At any of Scotland’s universities
· In the fields of science, technology, creative industries, financial services, renewable and clean energy
· New online application process launching in mid October 2009.
· Selection and administration dealt with by institutions
· Managed by British Council Scotland with funding from Scottish Government and awards co-funded by institutions on a fee waiver basis
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