HESA has invited applications from South African citizens for the Commonwealth Scholarships tenable in the United Kingdom (UK) for the 2015/2016 academic year.
It is an online application process (details below) and the University may only nominate eight (8) applications from the list of applicants each year. Thus this is a highly competitive process both at RU and HESA. From the applications received Rhodes may only recommend eight, thus we have a screening process to complete in order to send the top eight (8) to HESA.
HESA in turn will assess all applications received from the various tertiary institutions in South Africa and only a limited number will be nominated to the UK. The UK in turn will make a limited number of awards.
PLEASE READ the instructions and information below CAREFULLY (as well as the attached documents.
Commonwealth Scholarships 2015 Prospectus
Commonwealth Scholarship 2015 Information
It’s an online process, select “Rhodes” option, not “Rhodes direct”
Hand in a printed completed copy to Postgraduate Funding, no later than Friday 17 October 2014.
(VNB: please do not look at dates on the attached documents pertaining to November dates, these are the dates for the University to meet so as to sign off your application and complete the nominations process)
We then send nominations to HESA in Pretoria (early November).
By end January 2015 they will select to send to the UK, who then advise by end April their final selection.
All starts with an online application – details in the info below.
Please email us (pgfunding@ru.ac.za) to let us know you have applied so we can keep a record, and cross-reference to the paper applications received.
To quote HESA:
“The Electronic Application System (EAS) has automatically set the deadline for applications to be made via a University for 3 November 2014 (14 days prior to the closing date of the Nominating Agency). This means that candidates applying via your University will not be allowed to apply after 3 November 2014”, that is why we make our closing date earlier.
The following information should be noted by ALL applicants:
The EAS asks each applicant to upload scanned passport-size photograph, transcripts, birth certificate (copy of green ID will do) and any letters received from a UK institution listed in their application form.
References: VERY IMPORTANT
The EAS will send an e-mail to each referee with a link to the applicants application form to write a reference. The e-mail is only sent when the application has submitted and therefore candidates are encouraged to do this well in advance in order for the referees to have time to submit their references before the closing date of 17 November 2014.
The onus is on the applicant to ensure that references are available and submitted on time. Applications received without the requested references will not be considered.
Ideally, they need to be done by 17 October 2014, so that when we make our recommendations, we have reports to refer to as well, both visible on the online application, as well as signed letter headed copies we can add to your paper copy we send to HESA.
Please liaise with your referees now so that whilst you are preparing your application they can start preparing your referee report well in advance (i.e. now) so that they can merely cut and paste when the EAS email arrives requested the report once you have submitted your application.
The hard copy should reach us with your application on the 17 October 2014 (closing date), it can be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Confidential referee report – Commonwealth application” and your name.
Take time in preparing your application, seek advice from those who you may know that have received such scholarships, as well as an academic who is prepared to read through your application and advise accordingly. We are also look at your application if you come into the office and give comments and advice.
Do not leave this to the last minute – Start Now!
Source: ru.ac
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