We are delighted to announce ten University Graduate School (UGS) Scholarships, to support our postgraduate research community until the end of July 2024. UGS Scholars is an updated title for our previous Westmere Scholars scheme. If you are passionate about delivering research events, building supportive communities and you want to boost your experience base and CV, then you might just have what it takes to be a UGS Scholar.
Who can be a UGS Scholar?
The University Graduate School are looking for ten postgraduate researchers (PGRs) who can engage with postgraduate communities, initiate and deliver community building activities, and help plan and deliver a Postgraduate Research Festival in June 2024.
The Scholarships are open to any University of Birmingham postgraduate researcher who is currently normally registered and does not intend to transfer to thesis awaited until after the start of the 2023 academic year.
Previous UGS Scholars are welcome to reapply for their role a second time, and will go through the same application process as new applicants.
The Scholarship runs until July 2024 and confers a £2,500 bursary. To take full advantage of the opportunity and make a valuable contribution to the scheme, the successful scholars will need to regularly commit a meaningful amount of their time. This commitment will vary throughout the year but should average to be approximately half a day a week. However, the role is flexible, and every effort will be made to accommodate Scholar’s research commitments.
We are looking for PGRs who can think more broadly than their own discipline and show an understanding of postgraduate research issues. Experience of organising and promoting events would be an advantage.
You can read the detailed Terms and Conditions to ensure you are eligible and read the full shortlisting criteria in our Supporting Information document.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to have served as a UGS Scholar - I enjoyed every bit!"
UGS Scholar 21-22
How to apply
Applications are completed online and will
need to include:
- Your full name, student ID number and College.
- A short (500-750 word) supporting statement showing your potential to support the key aims of the UGS Scholarship Scheme outlined in the Supporting Document.
- A short CV showing education and employment history.
Applicants must confirm they have the support of their supervisory team. Supervisor details are requested as part of the application form and they will be contacted prior to interview.
"I learnt transferable skills in teamworking, communication, promotion, events organisation, event planning, leadership, digital literacy, inclusivity, networking, marketing, just to name a few! I also feel confident in my skills and more outgoing as a result of being a UGS Scholar."
UGS Scholar 22-23
If shortlisted, you will be invited to an online 1hr group task followed by an individual ‘get to know you’ chat.
Please read the detailed Terms and Conditions to ensure you are eligible and read the full shortlisting criteria in our Supporting Information document before making an application.
"I think the UGS scholarship is a great opportunity for PGRs to develop and serve the PGR community. [...] The experience is incredible, and I hope future Scholars enjoy it as much as we did."
UGS Scholar 21-22
Supporting UGS Scholarship Applications
We welcome applications from across the PGR Community. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the postgraduate Community Engagement Team at graduateschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk
To support you through the application process our colleagues in Careers Network run a dedicated application workshop every year.
Get top tips on how to put together a UGS Scholarship application that will attract the short-listers’ attention at this application workshop.
The workshop will help you:
- Identify what the short-listers are looking for in your application
- Recognise what makes a strong application, by comparing and contrasting some example applications
- Apply the advice covered to your own application
The tips covered will also be useful for you when you come to writing future applications for jobs, postdocs and other opportunities.