15 Fully-Funded Distance Learning Scholarship in MSc Forestry at Bangor University, UK-2012

We are pleased to announce that up to 15 fully-funded scholarships (each worth over £12,000 to cover tuition fees) are available for applicants from the following developing commonwealth countries to study for our MSc Forestry by distance learning

:

Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The scholarship also includes a £2,000 bursary to enable scholars to attend a compulsory 14-day study tour which will be held overseas in July/August.

This postgraduate course is primarily intended for students who already have an interest in forestry and who wish to learn more about the environmental and societal benefits that forests can provide. Suitable applicants include individuals working in forestry/forest-related industries/ natural resource management, particularly in the fields of planning, regulation, policy, monitoring and environmental protection.  The course is also suited to individuals working in forestry education who wish to further their knowledge and expertise in order to improve their teaching.

The scholarships are currently only available for entrants in September 2012.

Entry Criteria             

In order to be considered for a CSC scholarships, applicants are expected to have at least an upper second class degree in a relevant subject (forestry, conservation, land management, natural sciences, economics).  Relevant work experience is also valued.  Applicants with a lower second class degree with relevant and sufficient work experience may also be considered.

Applicants from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Pakistan, Rwanda and Sri Lanka are required to take an IELTS and obtain a minimum overall score of 6.5, if they wish to be considered for a CSC scholarship.  In order for an award to be taken up in the 2012 academic year, the IELTS test must have been taken after October 2011.

Applicants from Botswana, The Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia do not need proof of English Language proficiency if they have studied their education through the medium of English.

In order to study this course, students must have access to a computer with internet access, as the University cannot provide these to distance learning students.

Applicants should ensure they are eligible for entry to the course before applying for a CSC scholarship.

Application procedure

• Application to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)

In order to be considered for nomination for a CSC scholarship, you will have to apply to the CSC, as follows:

• Access the CSC Electronic Application System viahttp://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/eas/
• Carefully read the information guide for distance learning candidates
• When you are ready to commence the application procedure, click on the link just below, titled "Click here to Access the System". .
• The deadline for completing submissions to the CSC EAS is 23:59 BSTMonday 28th May 2012.
• Any queries from candidates about the CSC EAS should be directed toeas@cscuk.org.uk

• Bangor University scholarship nomination procedure

In order for us to nominate the most suitable applicants, we shall select candidates for scholarships based on the batch applications to the CSC. To assist us in this, please outline the following in the 'personal statement' section of your CSC EAS application form:

• Why you want to study forestry at postgraduate level
• Why distance learning is your preferred route for undertaking further education
• Why you are well-suited to study by distance learning
• How your registration on a distance learning forestry course will fit into your existing work and personal commitments

You may also add other relevant information and/or experience you feel is necessary to support your application.

• Application to Bangor University

Applicants who are nominated by Bangor University for the CSC scholarship will be required to apply to Bangor University by 30th June 2012 using the online application form.  We will then submit our nominations (15 nominees plus 10 reserves) to the CSC who will make the final decisions.  We expect the CSC to announce their final decisions by July 2012.

• Course details

This course is part-time via distance learning.  We estimate that students need to be able to commit at least 15 hours per week. The course runs over three years.  During years 1 and 2 students study course modules which are assessed via individual and group coursework assignments and exams.  Year 3 is a self-directed dissertation.

The MSc Forestry programme for Commonwealth Scholarship Commission scholars differs slightly to our advertised MSc Forestry programme.  It will include the following modules

• Social Issues in Forest Management (20 credits) (year 1)
• Contemporary tropical forests and climate change: the science, the policy and the practice (10 credits) (year 1)
• “Location Specific Knowledge” (15 credits) (year 1)
• Joint Summer Module (study tour) (15 credits) (year 1/2)
• Agroforestry Systems (20 credits) (year 2)
• Forest Inventory, Assessment and Monitoring (20 credits) (year 2)
• Sustainable Use of Non-Timber Forest Products (20 credits) (year 2)
• MSc Dissertation (60 credits) (year 3)

Further enquiries about the course should be directed to distance@bangor.ac.uk or  

Dr James Walmsley, Course Director

email j.walmsley@bangor.ac.uk or telephone +44 (1248) 382448.

Ms Cherelle Jarvis, Course Administrator

email c.jarvis@bangor.ac.uk or telephone +44 (1248) 382281.

Click here to Apply