The Aziz Foundation is an independent grant-making body dedicated to supporting the most disadvantaged communities in Britain. It strives to do this through supporting community empowerment and leadership development in these communities, and greater public engagement by them in wider society. The Foundation is offering a Masters Scholarship for the 2017-18 academic year at St Edmunds College, Cambridge. The scholarship offers a unique opportunity for an exceptional Muslim student active in British Muslim communities and interested in how the needs of these communities may be met through public policy work. Further, the Foundation wishes to support students who would like to pursue a career in public policy not just to benefit Muslims, but all communities, in pursuit of their specific and common goals that will help create a more cohesive Britain.
The scholarship will cover tuition and living expenses for a year, up to a maximum of £25,000 in total. The range of courses to be supported covers: theology, philosophy, politics, economics, history, education, public health, urban policy, fine arts, and area and development studies (for a full list of courses please see below). The selected individual will be provided a personal mentor to support and guide them during and after their study. They will further undertake two short placements with a community related or research organisation and a statutory sector agency respectively, to enable them to develop their skills and insights with regards to policy work from ‘both ends of the telescope’, the community and policy-making ends. These combined elements will ensure an excellent grounding for the policy and bridge building work expected to follow after the scholarship experience.
The successful applicant will be selected through St Edmunds College, Cambridge. The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s greatest universities. Its graduate courses are tough, but hugely rewarding. If you have the ability and the motivation to be accepted, you can expect exhilarating intellectual satisfaction, being taught by and working with academics who are leaders in their fields. You will also be supported by the University, the College and the Aziz Foundation to develop your ideas, knowledge and understanding to enable you to play a part in leading your community towards greater integration in wider British society. The selected individual will become an alumnus of St Edmund’s College and the University, with their powerful networks of friendships and contacts, and their professional careers advisory service.
Criteria
Applicants should meet all of the following requirements:
- Have or be expected to achieve an upper second class or equivalent undergraduate degree from a reputable, internationally recognised university, such that an offer from the University for postgraduate study is likely to be made.
- Be active within their local and/or faith community and demonstrate a desire to develop intellectual skills within a multi-faith/secular environment
- Be able to demonstrate long-term commitment to community/societal development and good relations work through effecting public policy
- Be eligible for Home/EU fee status at the University.
Application Process
If you meet the above criteria and would like to apply for this scholarship, please:
Step 1– Choose a Course
Choose the course you wish to study. Some subjects allow a focus on particular areas. For example, Middle Eastern Studies allows for a focus on Islamic Studies or Hebrew Studies (amongst others). This will not be relevant to all the subjects listed below. Please cross refer with http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses.
Step 2– Apply to the College for the Scholarship
Submit:
- A statement of no more than 1,000 words setting out how you meet the criteria above, addressing also how you hope to use this scholarship for your future work;
- A tailored CV detailing your qualifications and work history (no longer than 2 pages);
- A short covering letter setting out which course you are intending to apply for, and if relevant, the focus/specialism of the course; and
- A copy of the University application (referred to at Step 3 - it is possible to download this once completed) to The Admissions Office, St Edmund’s College, Mount Pleasant, Cambridge CB3 0BN; [email protected] by Wednesday 4th January 2017.
Step 3– Apply to the University for a Course of Study
- Complete a University/Department application form online by Wednesday 4th January 2017. This will also require a statement, but this statement should address why you should be accepted by your chosen Department. It should not focus on your community activities unless they are directly relevant to the course for which you are applying. A passing reference is fine, but this may be the space to mention other interests.
- This application must list St. Edmund's College as your first choice of College. The Scholarship is dependent upon you being accepted by the Department in question on the course of your choice. Departments should have decided on whom to admit by 31st March 2017.
Step 4– Attend the Interview
If called, please attend the interview with the College and the Foundation. Travel expenses will be reimbursed on production of receipts. Interviews will be held towards the end of March 2017.
Please note that we will only contact you if you have been successful for short-listing. If you do not hear from us then please assume that in this instance your application has not been successful.
Courses
Applicants can apply for the courses below to be covered by the Scholarship. These are all MPhil courses unless otherwise stated.
- Architecture and Urban Studies
- Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
- Classics
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Economic and Social History
- Economics
- Education
- English Studies
- Environmental Policy
- Film and Screen Studies
- Gender Studies
- History of Art and Architecture
- History & Philosophy of Science & Medicine
- International Relations and Politics
- Land Economy Research
- Modern British History
- Modern South Asian Studies
- Music Studies
- Philosophy
- Planning, Growth and Regeneration
- Political Thought and Intellectual History
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- Social and Developmental Psychology
- Social Anthropology
- Sociology
- Theology and Religious Studies
- World History
Contact
The Aziz Foundation welcomes informal enquiries from candidates considering an application. Enquiries should be made to [email protected].