Course(s) Offered: Many fields
Course Level: Graduate (masters, PhD)
Provider: Felix Foundation
Country to Study in: UK
Scholarship Description
The Felix Scholarship was the dream of a generous individual who wished to remain anonymous and is referred to as "the Founder". It was the Founder's wish that the scholarships would allow gifted underprivileged students the chance of furthering their education by attending a university in the UK.
The primary objective of the Felix Scholarship is to stimulate the Felix scholars by exposing them to academic study, cultures, experiences and friendships that they would not otherwise have had the chance to sample.
It is hoped that this in turn will endow them with skills and visions, enabling them, when returning to their country of origin, to contribute to the culture and welfare of their home communities.
Eligibility
The Scholarships are open to:
- Academically gifted and underprivileged nationals of India, under 30 years of age, who must hold at least a first class Bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university or a comparable institution; or
- Academically gifted and underprivileged individuals who are nationals of non-Indian and non-EEA countries, under 30 years of age, who must hold at least a first class Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or a comparable institution and who are recommended by their chosen university.
The Scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic merit and financial need.
Eligible groups
Citizens of Developing Countries:
India (85% of awards); Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Belarus, Peru, Czech Republic, Kenya, Ghana, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Nepal, Hungary and Lebanon
Participating Institutions
After consultation with various agencies, it was decided that scholarships would be offered at three universities:
- the University of Oxford,
- the University of Reading and
- the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), part of the University of London.
All subjects offered by the participating universities, except for medicine, are considered.
Number of awards
The number of scholarships has now risen to approximately 20 per academic year.
The first six scholarships were awarded for the year 1991/1992. A total of 389 scholarships have been awarded since the scheme began, of which 36 have been to students from countries other than India.
Sponsorship duration
Awards are made for the full duration of a student's fee liability for the agreed course.
If your scholarship is offered for a course lasting more than one year, the continuation of your scholarship each year is subject to an annual renewal process based on satisfactory academic progress.
Scholarship benefits
100% of university and college fees, a grant for living expenses, and flight (e.g. India-UK or UK-India) at the start and end of your course.
No extra allowance will be granted for married applicants who are successful.
The cost of living is very high in the UK and the spouses of married students have to make their own arrangements to support themselves. The Scholarship does not provide funding to spouses.
Method of Application
If you are interested in this scholarship award, visit the official website (link to it is below) to download an application form.
Candidates should note that an application can be made to only one institution.
Felix Scholarships at Oxford:
Candidates for the Felix Scholarships at Oxford should not complete the application form. Instead they should check the Felix Scholarship box in the Scholarships section of the Oxford University's Application Form for Graduate Study when applying for admission to their course. Candidates elected for interview must also complete a short questionnaire. This will be sent to them when they are short listed for interview.
Felix Scholarships at Reading and SOAS:
Candidates for the Felix Scholarships at Reading and SOAS must complete application forms. The completed application form (together with only the supporting material specifically requested in the application form) should be returned to the address given below for the academic institution in which the candidate wishes to study. There is no need to send additional supporting material with the scholarship application form.
Reading:
The Graduate School University of Reading
Old Whiteknights House
Reading
RG6 6AH UK
Tel: (0)118 378 6169 Fax: (0)118 378 4252
Web address: www.reading.ac.uk/gs-felix.aspx
E-mail address: c.robson@reading.ac.uk
SOAS:
Scholarships Officer
Registry
SOAS The University of London
Thornhaugh Street
Russell Square
London
WC1H 0XG, UK.
Tel: (0)20 7074 5091, Fax: (0)20 7074 5089
Web address: www.soas.ac.uk/registry/scholarships
E-mail address: scholarships@soas.ac.uk
DEADLINES:
The closing dates for the receipt of Felix Scholarship application forms are as follows:-
- Oxford: Appropriate January 2014 deadline of chosen course of study. (Last year was 4th January for Medical Sciences and Philosophy; AND 18th January for all other subjects)
- Reading: 31st January 2014
- SOAS: 31 January 2014
Only those candidates who have been accepted for admission will be considered for short listing. Short listing by all three universities will take place in March 2014 with the short lists available April 2014.
The word "Felix" translated from Latin means: happy, good omen, successful, favourable.
Application Deadline: 4-18 Jan / 31 Jan 2014
Open for International Students: Yes
More Scholarship Information and Application
Related: List of Scholarships in UK for International Students