For 2015 entry, the University has 175 new scholarships of £10,000 available for Masters students from under-represented groups.

Jointly funded by HEFCE, the Nottingham Masters Scholarship Scheme not only presents an opportunity to attract further top academic talent to our taught Masters programmes but will also enhance the diversity of our university community. As with any financial support, there are a number of criteria that applicants must meet.

Applicants to the scheme will need to be progressing from an undergraduate course for which they were charged the higher £9k tuition fee (applicable since 2012-13) and be classed as a Home/EU student. Candidates will also need to be from a group that is evidentially under-represented among our taught masters population.

Having examined our own taught Masters population, we have identified a number of under-represented groups. In addition to the basic criteria, applicants for the Nottingham Masters Scholarship Scheme will need to hold an offer for a taught postgraduate course and fulfil one or more of the following criteria:

• Care leavers – have been in public care for a minimum of three months prior to their entrance to university in 2012
• In receipt of government funding in the form of a full maintenance grant and/or a National Scholarship Programme during the first year of undergraduate study (2012)
• Women in STEM (specific qualifying programmes have been identified)
• Disability, long-term medical condition or specific learning difficulty
• From a Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) group

In the event that a number of candidates equally meet the above criteria, priority will be given to:

• Current University of Nottingham third year students (graduating Summer 2015)
• Candidates who have undertaken pre-entry activities with the University prior to their undergraduate course (e.g. Summer School attendance, Master class attendance etc.)

Please note, the scholarship scheme is intended to support students undertaking HEFCE-fundable Master’s courses only.  Other postgraduate taught courses, including PG Diplomas and PG Certificates, are not eligible, nor are master’s courses which are funded by other public bodies.

The scheme will be open for applications soon with an initial application deadline of Sunday 31 May 2015. Potential applicants can register their interest via this web form.