ORS and ERS Award Schemes (funding for International Students)

Successful applicants to the ORSAS competition receive funding covering the difference between Home/EU and International fees. Subject to satisfactory academic progression, awards are renewable for up to three years (subject to the normal or remaining length of the research programme being undertaken).

Changes to 2006-7 Arrangements

The ORSAS competition arrangements have been changed with effect from the 2006/07 cycle of funding. In past years Universities UK have managed and administered the awards. The arrangements now mean that the University is responsible for the administration of applications and selection and payment of awardees. Please see the ORSAS website for more details.

Our selection criteria will continue to ensure that award holders are selected solely on the basis of academic excellence and research potential. The ORSAS selection panel will comprise the Dean and Associate Deans of the Graduate School and a representative from the International Office.

As yet the University are not in a position to advertise how many awards are available, but we hope that they will number around 8 in total. Allocations will be announced in March 2006.

Eligibility

Eligibility for funding will continue to be based upon the aim of encouraging high quality overseas full time postgraduate research students to undertake their research at the University of Exeter. Applicants must have been made a formal offer of admission to a Department at the University of Exeter, or who are currently in their first year of study at the University. All other applications will not be considered.

We regret that we cannot accept applications where the following circumstances apply:

Applicants entering the third year of their research programme
Applications from previous ORSAS award holders

Please review the 2006 Guidelines for Students for more information on eligibility.

Exeter Research Scholarship Scheme

This scheme is available to international postgraduate research students and is awarded to a number of outstanding students each year on the basis of merit. The award covers the full international tuition fees for three years. Students who have applied for the ORS scheme (see above) will automatically be considered for this award.

Applying for the ORS and ERS Schemes

Applicants who are made offers for eligible programmes (PhD and MPhil/PhD programmes) will find an application form for the ORSAS scheme included in the offer pack. We encourage all eligible students to apply for the ORSAS scheme. Details of eligibility can be found in the guidance and regulation documents below.

The University's ERS (Exeter Research Scholarship) scheme applies the same competition criteria of outstanding academic merit and research potential as the ORSAS scheme. Only one application needs to be submitted.

The deadline for applications for the ERS and ORSAS schemes is 03 February 2006. Once applications are received, the Graduate School Office writes to Referees, and Referees will be expected to return references by 28 February 2006.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered and no extensions to the above deadline are possible. Applicants should note that references will form the basis for decisions and it is very important that these are as informative as possible. If we cannot obtain any references from your nominated referees your application will not be considered.

Please read the guidance notes carefully before completing the forms. Please also note that while electronic forms are provided for your convenience, only signed originals are acceptable.

Applications and Guidance can be found at:

2006 Guidelines for Students
ORSAS Application Form

Equal opportunities monitoring form

ORSAS website

Information for Schools

Notification of ORSAS and ERS results

The outcome of the ERS and ORSAS competitions will be released in April/May 2006. Applicants will be notified of the results by post (please ensure that your address on the application form is correct).

Contact Us

If you need any further help or advice on the procedures for the ORSAS or ERS competitions please contact the Scholarships Secretary on 01392 263097 or gradfunding@exeter.ac.uk. The Scholarships Secretary is available from 8.30am - 4.30pm on Monday and Tuesday and from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesday.