West Africa Scholarship Scheme: Durham University will be awarding three postgraduate scholarships to outstanding candidates from West Africa. Each scholarship is awarded in the form of a one-year postgraduate taught tuition fee waiver; one each in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health, Faculty of Science and Durham Business School.

This means that students do not have to pay for their tuition fees but are only responsible for accommodation and living costs during their stay in the UK. As an example, UKBA recommend that students have GBP 600 per month for living costs and a 50 week stay in Ustinov, Durham’s postgraduate College costs approximately, GBP 6,000.

Application criteria:

• Hold a first class bachelors degree from a West African institution and satisfy the admissions requirement of your chosen course, including English Language proficiency
• Be a national from, and residing in, one of the above listed countries
• Liable to pay fees at the overseas student rate
• Intending to start your course of study in September
• Submit with your initial application a one page statement of purpose. This should include your eligibility for the award, your motivation for taking the course and coming to the UK and any relevant extra-curricular activities/work experience.

Application procedure:

• All students who meet the above criteria will automatically be considered for the scholarship
• The deadline for applications in order to be considered for the award is 30 April
• Applications will be considered by a panel of senior academics from the relevant faculties
• Successful students will be informed by 1 July

Eligible countries:

• Benin
• Cameroon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Nigeria
• Togo

Eligible subjects:

• Accounting
• Banking
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Finance
• Human Resource
• Management
• Marketing
• Geography
• Law
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology
• Public Policy and Health
• Sociology
• Social Work

The scholarship scheme is awarded on a competitive basis. Each award will be made to students on the basis of academic excellence. The statement of purpose will be used to help further judge students.

For more information and scholarship application, see; West Africa Scholarship Scheme