Commonwealth Scholarship Plan - United Kingdom

NOTE: this competition is closed. A new competition is expected to be announced in September 2010.

Award

• Award Types
• Award Value
• Background

Student

• Eligibility
• Conditions
• Obligations

Application process

• How to Apply
• Deadline
• Notification
• Final Selection

Awards

Award Types

Two types of doctoral award are offered for applicants in any discipline:

• 12-36 months support toward a full-time doctoral program at a UK university; in these guidelines, this is known as a doctoral award.
• 12 months support for research in the UK toward completion of a doctoral program at a Canadian university; this is known as a split-site doctoral award.
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Awards are tenable only at UK universities that are on the list provided by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the UK: www.cscuk.org.uk/2009ScholarshipstoDevelopedCommonwealth.asp *
*This link leads to a site belonging to an entity not subject to the Official Languages Act. Information on this site is available in the language of the site.

Awards are to obtain one degree and funding will not be extended to enable applicants to complete an additional or higher qualification than that for which the selection was made. Scholarships are for full-time study only and no other courses of study may be undertaken at the same time.

The split-site award comprises two options:

• 12 consecutive months
• Two six-month periods separated by no more than 12 months

Split-site award holders who have not yet commenced their doctoral degree at the time of application will be eligible to spend a maximum of six months in the UK during their first year of study.

Award Value

• For the scholar only, airfare to the UK at student or other approved rates by the most direct and economical route and return on expiry of the scholarship. The cost of journeys made before receipt of an award will not normally be reimbursed, nor can fares be paid for a scholar's dependants.
• Approved tuition and examination fees.
• A personal maintenance allowance of £828 per month (£1024 per month for those studying at institutions in the London Metropolitan area).
• A grant toward the expenses of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
• A grant for expenses of approved travel study within the UK or overseas.
• A grant towards field work costs for doctoral scholars for whom a case has been made for fieldwork outside the UK . This shall not exceed one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location.
• A paid mid-term fare to their home country for scholars on three-year doctoral awards. Scholars for whom fieldwork fares are provided to their home country shall not be entitled to a mid-term fare home, nor scholars who have claimed (or intend to claim) spouse or child allowances for more than 12 months during their award.

The level of financial support given towards the costs of family maintenance in the UK is under review. The following rates currently apply but changes are expected.

• For married scholars selected by the Commission for awards exceeding one academic year, a marriage allowance of £220 per month is payable provided that the husband and wife are residing together at the same address in the United Kingdom. It is not paid when a husband or wife of the scholar is also in receipt of an award. For such married couples accompanied by their children, a child allowance is payable at the rate of £136 per month for the first child, and £106 for the second and third child under the age of 16, provided they are residing with their parents.
• Irrespective of the length of the award, a scholar who is widowed, divorced or a lone parent will receive an allowance in respect of the first accompanying child and child allowances for the second and third accompanying children.

Note : The Commission's spouse and family allowances represent only a contribution towards the costs of family maintenance in the UK and scholars should expect and be able to supplement these allowances to support family members who choose to come to the UK .

Background

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) was established in 1959, with the first scholars selected in 1960. The Plan was suggested in an influential speech by Sidney Smith, a former President of the University of Toronto and later Canadian Minister of External Affairs, in September 1958. The goal of the Plan is to nurture educational links among Commonwealth countries and to strengthen the ideals upon which the Commonwealth was founded. Over 25,000 Commonwealth citizens have held awards - many going on to reach the very highest levels of their profession. For further background on the CSFP, visit: www.csfp-online.org/ * *This link leads to a site belonging to an entity not subject to the Official Languages Act. Information on this site is available in the language of the site.

The chief contributors of awards with the Plan are Canada and the UK , but 20 countries have offered awards over its 50-year lifespan.

Currently the UK offers awards to Canadians for doctoral study under the Plan which is managed in the UK by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission of the United Kingdom * and by The British Council . * *These links leads to sites belonging to an entity not subject to the Official Languages Act. Information on these sites is available in the language of the sites.

The CSCUK is responsible for final selection and academic matters. The British Council is responsible for payments to scholars and for arranging travel, reception and other services.

Student

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be Canadian citizens residing permanently in Canada .
• Have completed a university degree or expect to obtain a university degree prior to commencement of the award.
• Have a minimum A- average.
• Be able to commence study in the UK in the autumn immediately following the competition.

In addition, applicants:

• Whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)*.
• In Business, Management and related fields must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)*.
• In Economics and related fields should note that some universities require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)*.

*For TOEFL, GMAT and GRE information, visit the HELP page.

Applicants for split-site awards must:

• Provide proof of the approval of their Canadian university.
• Demonstrate that their application builds on a departmental or institutional partnership with a UK university (existing or in development).

Conditions

• Formal confirmation of the award will be issued when all conditions of the Notification of the Award have been met.
• The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK will require a medical report before an award can be confirmed. Spouse and children, when relevant, must also meet all requirements for entry to the UK .
• Scholars will be required to sign an undertaking to return to Canada as soon as their award comes to an end, and the Commission will therefore be unable to provide any letter of support which might be required by an award holder to stay on to work in the UK.
• A Commonwealth Scholarship covers fees, fares and personal maintenance; other awards covering similar benefits may not be held concurrently.
• Scholars will be expected to take up the award from the date stated by the Commission in its formal offer of award.
• The Commission reserves the right to publish on its website the names of applicants provisionally selected for awards. By applying for an award, the applicant gives consent for such publication in the event that his or her application is successful.

Obligations

• Scholars will be expected to reside in the UK throughout their award, and to seek prior approval for any proposed visits abroad.
• Scholars may not undertake paid employment during their award without prior consent.
• An award may be terminated at any time for reasons of a scholar's unsatisfactory progress or conduct or for breach of conditions of the award.

Application process

Instructions

Please read this section carefully before completing the online application. This information is provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK , which makes the final selection from applicants nominated by the Canadian Scholarships Selection Committee.

Factors taken into account in Assessment of Applications can be found on the following link: www.cscuk.org.uk/docs/SelectionCriteriaDIUS09.pdf * *This link leads to a site belonging to an entity not subject to the Official Languages Act. Information on this site is available in the language of the site.

Plan of study
Your plan of study is particularly important. It is one of three scored components, along with academic achievement and leadership potential.

Applicants should be aware that the responsibility for highlighting the relevance and reasons behind their choices rests with them. While the Commission obtains specialist advice on applications, it should not be assumed that the committee will include a member with expertise in your precise field.

For doctoral applicants, the degree awarding body must be a UK institution. For split-site doctoral applicants, the degree awarding body must be a Canadian institution.

In assessing doctoral applicants, particular attention will be paid to the detailed plan of study. Words in excess of the prescribed length of 500 words will be ignored. This is important since, in addition to examining the quality of the program, the committee will wish to see evidence of the applicant's ability to present an argument in a coherent and concise manner. Factors taken into account will include the following:

• Extent to which the project has been well researched and thought out, including where appropriate the identification of an institution and supervisor.
• Degree of innovation in the project.
• Likely impact of the project.
• Clarity of the proposal.
• Relevance and timeliness to the field of study.
• Feasibility of the project, and likelihood that it can be completed in the period proposed.

For split-site doctoral applicants, particular attention will be paid to the detailed plan of study. Words in excess of the prescribed length of 750 words will be ignored (note that split-site applicants provide a longer text than the doctoral applicants seeking full UK programs). It is essential to:

• Include a clear timetable to describe the work that will be completed prior to your travel to the UK and what will be undertaken at the UK institution.
• Outline the timetable for completion of your PhD after your return home.
• Justify the added value that the time in the UK will give to your Canadian PhD.

Factors taken into account will also include the following:

• Extent to which the project has been well researched and thought out, including where appropriate the identification of an appropriate institution and supervisor;
• Likely impact of the project.

Proposed Institution of Study
Applicants are expected to have undertaken research on suitable institutions of study. Although every effort is made to take account of applicant's preferences, it is stressed that the final decision on institution of study will be made by the Commission, which reserves the right to overrule any preferences expressed at the application stage. The Commission will consider the suitability of the study and its value for money when considering any overrule. Please note that the Commission will be unable to take into account any change of preference notified by the applicant after 31 January, unless there are exceptional reasons for this, such as the transfer of a named supervisor, which could not have been known to the applicant at the time of application.

Independent Applications to UK Universities
Many institutions have strict deadlines for entry to research programs (particularly at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London ). Applicants must take the necessary steps to secure admission to their preferred institutions. Applicants should check admission requirements carefully at the time of application.

Alternative Institution
Unless otherwise stated, it is assumed that institutions are listed in order of preference. Applicants who indicate that they are not willing to consider alternatives will be automatically withdrawn from consideration if the institution(s) that they have indicated are deemed inappropriate by the Commission, or are not able to offer a place.

Intellectual Property Rights
Collaboration is a feature of doctoral research. The Commission expects that participants in collaborative projects will develop a collaborative agreement to clarify the contributions and rights of each partner. The Commission will not get involved in negotiating an exploitation agreement, but will need to be assured that an arrangement acceptable to both parties exists.

Arrangements should be made to identify, protect and value any arising intellectual property and to secure a suitable return to the institution and the investigators through exploitation. The Commission considers the intellectual property ownership to lie initially with the students; however, many universities have their own policy which is locally applicable. In many cases it is in the best interest of the student for ownership to be vested with the university which will have greater negotiation powers and will be likely to be able to seek best returns in any exploitation agreement.

Award holders are expected to notify the Commission when Commission-funded intellectual property is exploited.

Leadership Potential (Other Achievements)
This section is particularly important. The Commission is keen to support applicants who combine academic skills of the highest quality with strong potential to reach positions of influence and to make an impact on wider society. We recognize that evidence for this could come in several forms. Examples might include exceptional commitment to a particular field of study, strong extra-curricular activities, demonstrated ability to overcome adversity, or social, political or charitable interests. Where possible, applicants should also demonstrate how the scholarship and proposed course of study would relate to their future plans, although the commission does appreciate that not all applicants will have specific careers in mind at this stage. This section will be given a specific grade in assessing your application, and your own arguments will raise or lower your marks. Words in excess of 500 words will be ignored.

Reference Letters

The Commission attaches great importance to reference letters from people who are well acquainted with your academic or professional work. Please note that:

• Where an applicant has studied at a UK university or is currently doing so, at least one referee should be from the institution concerned;
• At least two referees should have taught or supervised you in an area of study relevant to this application;
• For split-site awards, one reference must be from the PhD supervisor at your home institution.

Referees should comment as fully as possible on the applicant, keeping in mind the following points for inclusion, as appropriate:

• How long, and in what capacity, you have known the applicant.
• Your views on the applicant's academic record and suitability for the proposed research in general and need for the particular subject of study in the UK.
• Information on how, and to what extent, the applicant has shown ability in terms of:
• Capability to grasp concepts and reason analytically
• Capacity for original thought
• Motivation and perseverance in achieving objectives.
• Assessment of the applicant's particular strengths and weaknesses.
• Any other general qualities which you consider would make the applicant a worthy scholarship recipient.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the Online Application.

• Enter your data in the fields provided, following the instructions for each item.
• Upon completion, verify your data prior to submitting.
• To obtain a hard copy for your records, prior to submitting, you may print the form using the print function of your browser. Note that CBIE does not require a hard copy.
• SUBMIT to provide your application electronically to CBIE.

Applicants must submit the following supporting documents to complete the application:

Proof of Canadian citizenship: one certified copy of one of the following: birth certificate, citizenship card or passport (do not include original documents). A certificate of baptism is not accepted as proof of Canadian citizenship. Photocopies of certified copies are not acceptable.

Signed Declaration by Applicant found at the end of the online application.

Three letters of recommendation.

Six recent passport-size photographs. Write your full name on the back of one photograph.

Official transcript (one) of all post-secondary studies to date, including those at university, community college and Cégep, either sent directly from the issuing institution or included in your application package in the sealed envelope provided to you by the institution.

Proof of registration for studies in progress, including courses being taken.

One copy of your letter(s) of acceptance (if applicable).

Two sets of artwork samples for applicants in Fine Arts, Music and Architecture. Applicants in the history or theory of art, music, or architecture are not required to submit samples.

Artwork samples required are as follows:

Applicants in the Fine Arts* (painting, graphic arts, sculpture and photography) must submit up to 20 slides of 20 original works. Film-makers and video artists must submit at least one recent film, indicating when it was made, how the applicant was involved in its production and the running time. These must be provided on CD/DVD, be dated, and clearly identified with the applicant's name.

Applicants in Music* must submit CDs of three works totaling no more than 30 minutes. The recordings of singers and instrumentalists must be chosen from three different musical periods, except in the case of Baroque musicians, who must include movements from three different types of pieces. Piano accompaniments may be included. Composers must submit scores and recordings of three different types of works composed by them. All recordings must begin with a spoken declaration by the applicant's music professor that the samples on the recording were performed or written by the applicant and are unedited.

Applicants in Architecture* must submit up to 10 reproductions of drawings, provided on CD/DVD.

*Only samples as specified above will be presented to the selection committee. Samples can be returned following the competition; please indicate the return address. However CBIE, while taking all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of artwork samples.

Deadline

The online application must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. EST, November 2, 2009. Supporting documents must be postmarked on or before this date.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that supporting documents are submitted by the deadline. The selection committee will not accept incomplete files. All required information must appear in the space provided: supporting documents other than those specifically requested will not be accepted.

We strongly recommend that you collect all the required supporting documents in sealed envelopes and send them to CBIE in one package by a method which will provide you with confirmation of its delivery, such as courier service or registered mail.

If you are unable to collect all the required supporting documents, please ensure that your referees and institution(s) issuing transcripts submit the documents directly to CBIE by the deadline. Be sure to identify the name of the scholarship program for which you are applying on all documentation sent to CBIE.

Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
Attn: Commonwealth Scholarships – United Kingdom
220 Laurier W/O, Suite 1550
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5Z9

Notification

Applicants who are pre-selected by the Canadian Scholarship Selection Committee will be notified in mid-December by CBIE that their applications will be forwarded to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK as “nominees”. Nominees will be asked to complete an additional form specific to awards offered by the UK . Further details will be included with the notification.

Those who are not pre-selected will be notified in late December by CBIE.

Final Selection

The Canadian Scholarship Selection Committee is invited to provide about three times more nominations than there are scholarships available, to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK . For the 2009-10 competition, 12 nominations were requested for 2 awards. The Canadian nominations are assessed by a member of the Commission's Panel of Advisers with expertise in the subject area concerned, and then by the Commission's Selection Committee in competition with nominees from Australia, Bahamas, Brunei, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK will notify all nominees of their decisions in late March.

Candidates will be notified of their provisional selection by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK: that is, selection for award subject to the Commission agreeing the terms of admission to the university/institution. Selected candidates will be given a formal Notification of Award – the offer of a scholarship – as soon as terms of admission to the university/institution have been agreed.