Cultures of Resistance Scholarships at SOAS University London

The Cultures of Resistance Scholarships support students from countries affected by war and severe poverty. Each award covers a full master's programme at SOAS University London. Scholars are expected to go back to their home countries and use what they learn to improve their societies.

• Host: SOAS University London, UK
• Level: Master's degree
• Study destination: UK
• Deadline: 24 February 2016 (annual)
• Number of awards: 2
• Value: £25,500 total, plus free accommodation and food vouchers
• Eligible programmes: selected full-time master's courses in development, law and related fields

This scholarship suits students who have lived through conflict, war or military occupation in their home country and who want to study development, law or related subjects at master's level. If you plan to return home and work on human rights, social justice or civil society, and you meet the admission requirements, this award is designed for you.

SOAS University London, UK

Only these full-time programmes are eligible:

• MSc Development Studies with special reference to Central Asia
• MSc Globalisation and Development
• MSc Migration, Mobility and Development
• MSc Violence, Conflict and Development
• MSc Development Economics
• MSc Political Economy of Development
• MA Legal Studies (General Programme)
• MA Dispute and Conflict Resolution
• MA Environmental Law and Sustainable Development
• MA Human Rights Law
• MA International Law
• MA Law, Development and Globalisation
• LLM Dispute and Conflict Resolution
• LLM Environmental Law
• LLM Human Rights, Conflict and Justice
• LLM International Law

Part-time programmes are not eligible.

2

Priority will be given to students resident in: Afghanistan, Burma/Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iraq, Kashmir, Kurdistan, the Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tibet, Western Sahara, Yemen, West Papua and Papua

The scholarship programme is also open to students resident in the following countries/territories: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bir Tawil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chechen Republic, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Golan Heights, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Each scholarship is worth £25,500 in total. Tuition fees are taken from this amount, and the rest goes toward your living costs. Scholars also get free accommodation at International Student House (ISH) and some food vouchers for the ISH restaurant.

• You must hold, or expect to obtain, a good honours degree (preferably first class) from a UK institution or an overseas equivalent.
• In your personal statement for the admission application, you must describe: how the political situation in your home country, especially violent conflict, war, poverty, and/or military occupation, has shaped your experiences and ambitions in life; how these experiences have affected your interest in human rights, social justice, and grassroots democracy; what academic and social issues you plan to explore during your studies at SOAS; what you hope to do upon completion of your programme at SOAS; and what the most pressing problems are in your home country and how the pursuit of education at SOAS in your chosen field would promote human rights, social justice, equality, and the enrichment of civil society in your home country.
• You must have an offer of admission to a full-time eligible programme by the scholarship closing date.
• You must meet the English language condition of your offer of admission to study at SOAS as soon as possible but no later than 1 June 2016.

Applications are currently closed.

Submit a complete online application for admission to your programme as soon as possible. Then apply for the scholarship using the online scholarship application form, which will be available on the official website from 28 January 2016. Scholarship applications must be received no later than 17:00 (UK local time) on 24 February 2016.

Visit the official website (link below) for detailed information on how to apply and to access the online application form.

• Who can apply for the Cultures of Resistance Scholarships? Students resident in the priority countries and other listed countries/territories, who hold a good honours degree and have an offer of admission to an eligible full-time programme.
• What does the scholarship cover? Each award is valued at £25,500 in total. Fees are deducted, the remainder goes toward maintenance, and scholars also receive free accommodation at International Student House and food vouchers.
• What is the application deadline? Scholarship applications must be received by 17:00 (UK local time) on 24 February 2016. The online scholarship application form is available from 28 January 2016.
• How do I apply? First submit a complete online application for admission to your chosen programme, then complete the online scholarship application form on the official website.
• Can I apply for a part-time programme? No, only full-time programmes listed as eligible are covered.

• Read the official scholarship guidelines carefully before you start.
• Prepare your admission application and supporting documents early so you can meet the scholarship deadline.
• Check the English language requirement for your programme and plan to meet it well before the deadline.
• Write a personal statement that clearly addresses each point the scholarship asks for.
• Submit your admission application as soon as possible to allow time for processing.