Birmingham School of Government Excellence Scholarship

The University of Birmingham’s School of Government is pleased to announce a scholarship scheme open to international students coming to study an undergraduate programme in the School of Government. 

What is the Birmingham School of Government Excellence Scholarship?

The School of Government is committed to rewarding academic excellence, providing extra-curricular opportunities and enabling all of our international students to achieve their life and career aspiration. 

There are two financial scholarships and one extra-curricular opportunity available. 

Financial Award 1: Merit-based scholarship (£500-£1000) 

In recognition of the hard work required throughout high school in order to achieve the grades required for the University of Birmingham, we are pleased to award a financial scholarship to the student with the best performance in their high school qualifications up to 20 May 2024.  There are various ways to provide evidence of this – see more information in the “how to apply” section. 

Financial Award 2: Aspiration scholarship (£500-£1000) 

The School of Government is committed to helping you achieve your career and life aspirations. We would like you to tell us about how you intend to spend your scholarship in order to enhance your experience at Birmingham and achieve your future goals. 

Extra-Curricular Award: Climate Change Simulation Experience 

The School of Government offers a variety of extra-curricular experiences.  All currently enrolled students in our school are eligible to apply for the Model NATO simulation events in London, Lisbon or Washington, as well as the new British International Studies Association (BISA) Climate Change Negotiation event to be held in either Birmingham or London.  

We are offering applicants from each country the chance to apply for a place on the BISA Climate Change Negotiation event held in Birmingham or London , to take place in your first year of study.  Our scholarship awardees will form a unique multi-national University of Birmingham team at the event. 

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

Candidates must:

  1. be an offer holder (conditional or unconditional offer) for the 2024-25 intake
  2. be an offer holder for one of the following programmes:
    BA International Relations
    BA International Relations with Year Abroad
    BA Politics
    BA Politics with Year Abroad
    BA Politics and International Relations
    BA Politics and International Relations with Year Abroad
    BA International Development and Relations
    BA International Development and Relations with Year Abroad
    BA International Development and Politics
    BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad
  1. be classed by the University as an overseas fee payer for tuition fee purposes.
  2. commence their studies in September 2024

Who is not eligible for the scholarship?

  • Any student who is not planning to enrol onto one of the eligible programmes in the 2024-25 intake
  • Any student who receives an offer to start their programme in the 2024-25 intake but decides to defer their offer to a later intake
  • Any student who is not studying one of the above eligible programmes
  • Any student who is eligible to pay home tuition fees

How to Apply

Upon receipt of your conditional or unconditional offer from the University of Birmingham, you will be sent an email inviting you to apply via a webpage. 

The application form will consist of the following: 

Financial Award 1: Merit-based scholarship (£500-£1000) 

You will be required to email evidence of your most recent high school qualifications to us on gov-int-scholarships@contacts.bham.ac.uk by midnight on 20 May 2024. 

Your high school progress grades could be evidenced in the following ways; 

  • your most recent complete high school qualification, ideally completed at age 15 or above. For example, iGCSE (multiple countries), Standard X (India), WAEC SSCE (Nigeria), Form 5 results (Hong Kong),

and/or

  • grades achieved so far in your current qualification, if you have already obtained final grades in certain subjects, modules or exams. For example, AS-levels (multiple countries), Vitnemal (Norway), IB Middle Year report (multiple countries), 

or 

  • Completely achieved final high school qualification. For example, if you have already finished high school and have obtained your final award with final grades.

Financial Award 2: Aspiration scholarship (£500-£1000) 

You will be required to write a maximum of 500 words on the subject of 'How do you intend to use this scholarship to enhance your time at the University of Birmingham and help you to achieve your life and career aspirations?'

Extra-Curricular Award: Climate Change Simulation Experience 

You will be required to write a statement with a maximum length of 500 words in response to a question in the application form.

Deadline

Applications will close at midnight (UK time) on 20 May 2024.

Terms and Conditions

Selection process and awarding

Once the deadline has passed the scholarship applications will be collated and a long list formed on the basis of the information provided. A selection panel will be formed comprising academic and professional services staff from the College of Social Sciences, which will be tasked with shortlisting and selection to identify those candidates demonstrating the highest academic talent and best answers to the essay questions. 

Successful candidates will be formally notified via email. Regrettably, owing to the volume of applications received, we will only be contacting those who have been successfully selected. 

The University will make its best endeavours to inform successful candidates by 4th June 2024. The scholarship, paid directly to bank accounts nominated by the successful students, will be awarded in November 2024.

Financial conditions

Please note that scholarship awardees must have sufficient funds to cover the full cost of living at the University of Birmingham (plus any visa/travel expenses associated with studying in the UK). 

To secure this scholarship, candidates must have paid their net tuition fees for the first year by 1 November 2024, or have set up a payment plan and paid their first instalment. 

Are there any other conditions to this scholarship?

If a candidate accepts a scholarship, they may be approached by the university to provide a testimonial about their experience.