University of Birmingham - ESF Group Scholarship
Essay Competition

We are pleased to introduce the University of Birmingham ESF Group Scholarship, exclusive to students from the English Schools Foundation (ESF) schools in Hong Kong.

Since its founding, ESF has been a cornerstone of international education in Hong Kong, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and its contributions to the community. For decades, ESF has provided students with a world-class education that fosters a sense of global citizenship, resilience, and leadership, making it one of the most respected educational organizations in the region.

Each year, many talented ESF students choose to further their studies with us at the University of Birmingham, bringing their diverse perspectives and achievements to our campus community. This scholarship aims to build on our long-standing relationship with ESF by offering financial support to exceptional students who are ready to make Birmingham their academic home. Through this scholarship, we aim to support these students in their undergraduate journey while strengthening the ties between our institution and the ESF community.

Key details of the scholarship are as follows:

  • Number of Scholarships: Five
  • Scholarship Amount: £5,000 each (applied toward the first-year tuition of undergraduate studies)
  • Applicable Programs: All undergraduate programs at our main campus in Edgbaston
  • Exclusivity: Available only to students from ESF Group schools

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must:

  • University Application: Apply to the University of Birmingham via UCAS by January 29th, 2025.
  • Conditional Offer: Receive a conditional offer from the University of Birmingham for entry in 2025.
  • Firm/Insurance Choice: Select the University of Birmingham as either their Firm or Insurance choice by May 15th, 2025.
  • Matriculation: Meet the conditions of their offer or receive an unconditional offer and matriculate in the 2025 academic year. Note: Deferrals are not permitted under this scholarship.

Key Dates 

29 January

  • Deadline for students to apply to the University of Birmingham (Main Campus) via UCAS.

14 May

  • The University will finalize all admission decisions for ESF applicants on UCAS.

21 May

  • Students wishing to participate in the scholarship competition must confirm UoB as their Firm or Insurance choice on UCAS by this date.
    Note: Students who reply after this date will not be eligible for the Scholarship Essay Competition.

30 May

  • ESF HE Teams to nominate 15 students who selected UoB as their Firm or Insurance choice.

15 June

  • Essay Submission: Nominated students will submit a 500-word essay titled, “What you wish to achieve in your undergraduate studies and why Birmingham.”

10 July

  • The top 5 candidates selected based on combined academic and essay scores will be notified.
    If a winner decides not to matriculate, the scholarship will be offered to the next eligible candidate.

Application and Nomination Process

  1. University Application
    Eligible students must apply to UoB’s main campus via UCAS by January 29th, 2025.

  2. Counselor Nomination
    The ESF HE Teams are invited to nominate up to 15 students who have selected UoB as their Firm or Insurance choice by May 30th, 2025.

  3. Essay Submission
    Nominated students will be required to submit a 500-word essay titled, “What you wish to achieve in your undergraduate studies and why Birmingham” by June 15th, 2025. We appreciate the support of ESF counselors in guiding students with their essays and ensuring timely submission.

  4. Selection Process
    The selection process combines academic and essay performance:
    • Academic Ranking (50%): Based on IB Higher Level (HL) predicted grades, with a score scale of 1-15 points (e.g., 777 HL = 15 points, 776 HL = 14 points). BTEC will also be considered using UCAS Points equivalency to IB HL grades.
    • Essay Evaluation (50%): Essays will be reviewed and scored by a University of Birmingham panel.

Contact

Mark Au-Yeung, East Asia regional officer
Email: m.au-yeung@bham.ac.uk
WhatsApp: 9846 8939