Cultures of Resistance Scholarships

Thanks to a very generous philanthropic donation received from the Cultures of Resistance Network Foundation and the American Friends of SOAS (AFSOAS), a set of new postgraduate scholarships are now available at SOAS. That donation has been matched by an additional contribution from the SOAS Students’ Union to make up the Cultures of Resistance Scholarships at SOAS.

The scholarships will benefit people from countries that have been affected by wars and extreme poverty. This scholarship embodies the values of the Cultures of Resistance Network Foundation, which seeks to empower and enrich communities – especially those that have been affected by armed conflict – through the promotion of human rights, justice for victims of war crimes and the enrichment of civil society and robust grassroots democracy.

Security conditions permitting, scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply their knowledge and skills for the betterment of their societies. In the case of refugees or those fearing repression and censorship in their home countries, we expect that they will seek employment/work/study abroad toward the aim of improving the future of their home country and that of its citizens. We hope that scholarship recipients will pursue careers that, among other things, promote universal human rights, international law, equal justice for all and the enrichment of civil society and robust grassroots democracy.

Two Cultures of Resistance Scholarships will be available in 2014/15. Each scholarship is valued at £24,000 in total. Fees will be deducted from this amount and the remainder will be used toward maintenance.   In addition, each scholar will benefit from a 20% reduction in their tuition fees and one Cultures of Resistance Scholar every year will benefit from free student accommodation at International Students House (ISH). 

Eligible programmes

The following full-time programmes are eligible:

• MSc Development Studies with special reference to Central Asia
• MSc Globalisation and Development
• MSc Migration, Mobility and Development
• MSc Violence, Conflict and Development
• MSc Development Economics
• MSc Political Economy of Development
• MA International and Comparative Legal Studies
• MA Dispute and Conflict Resolution
• MA Environmental Law and Sustainable Development
• MA Human Rights Law
• MA International Law
• MA Law, Development and Globalisation
• LLM Dispute and Conflict Resolution
• LLM Environmental Law
• LLM Human Rights, Conflict and Justice
• LLM International Law
• Part-time programmes are not eligible.

Candidate Criteria

• Although priority will be given to students resident in Afghanistan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iraq, Kashmir, Kurdistan, the Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tibet, Western Sahara, and West Papua, the scholarship program is open to students resident in the following countries/territories:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bir Tawil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chechen Republic, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gaza, Golan Heights, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kurdistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tibet, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Bank, West Papua, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

• Candidates must hold (or be expected to obtain) a good honours degree, preferably first class, from a UK institution or overseas equivalent.
• Candidates should describe in their personal statement of their admission application:

1. how the political situation in your home country, especially violent conflict, war, poverty, and/or military occupation, has shaped your experiences and ambitions in life.
2. how these experiences have affected your interest in human rights, social justice, and grassroots democracy.
3. what academic and social issues you plan to explore during your studies at SOAS.
4. what you hope to do upon completion of your program at SOAS.
5. what the most pressing problems are in your home country and how the pursuit of education at SOAS in your chosen field would promote human rights, social justice, equality, and the enrichment of civil society in your home country.

• Candidates must have an offer of admission to pursue a full time eligible programme by the scholarship closing date of 20 March 2014
• Applicants must meet the English language condition of their offer of admission to study at SOAS as soon as possible but no later than 1 June 2014.  If your offer is conditional on English, please arrange your English test and ensure you meet the English requirements as soon as possible.

Candidate Assessment

• Candidates will be assessed on academic merit by an Advisory Panel, consisting of three academic members.
• The assessment of your application will be based on the information provided in your scholarship application and in your on-line admission application for admission. Selectors will be looking at the degree results and also at academic references, statement and other relevant information.
• On your intention to pursue careers that, among other things, promote universal human rights, international law, equal justice for all, and the enrichment of civil society and robust grassroots democracy.

Scholarship Application Deadline

• Scholarship Applications must be received no later than 17:00 (UK local time) on 20 March 2014.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Applicants applying for scholarships must also submit an application for admission well in advance.  Please note that complete applications for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of year.  You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.

Notifications of Results

Successful candidates will be notified by the end of July.  If you have not heard from us by the end of July, you should assume that your application was unsuccessful. 

Scholarship Application Procedures

You should follow two steps:

• STEP 1: You must apply for this scholarship via the on-line scholarship application form.  
• STEP 2: In addition to the online scholarship application, applicants must ALSO submit a COMPLETE on-line application for admission.  

A complete application for admission includes transcripts, an explanation of the grading system for any degrees obtained outside of the UK, two references, CV and a personal statement.  The panel will be considering your scholarship application TOGETHER with your on-line application for admission.  Please note that complete applications for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of the year.  You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.

For enquiries, please contact:

Scholarships Officer
Registry
SOAS, University of London
Thornhaugh Street
Russell Square
London
WC1H 0XG

Email: scholarships@soas.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7074 5094/5091

Moreinfo: http://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/scholarships/the-cultures-of-resistance-scholarships.html