Study UK launches first ever "GREAT Scholarships" campaign in Malaysia to award more than RM500,000 worth of scholarships

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 October 2018: The British Council today announced the launch of the “GREAT Scholarships 2019 - Malaysia” at a media briefing held in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in conjunction with the Study UK Malaysia Exhibition.

The GREAT Scholarships is a scheme under the British Council’s Study UK campaign, which encourages and supports individuals to pursue higher education in the UK. The scheme is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and participating universities in the UK. It provides funding opportunities to prospective students from a selected number of countries who will enrol into UK universities in the autumn of 2019.

The inaugural GREAT Scholarships 2019 - Malaysia offers more than RM500,000 worth of scholarships to qualifying Malaysian students intending to undertake postgraduate taught studies in the UK. Five UK universities have partnered with the British Council to offer scholarship opportunities under the GREAT Scholarships 2019 - Malaysia scheme. These universities are Aberystwyth University, Queen's University Belfast, the University of Kent, the University of Stirling, and the University of Warwick.

The UK attracts more than 17,000 Malaysian students every year, most of whom head to the UK to pursue their undergraduate studies. In recent years, trends suggest that a growing number of Malaysian students are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK. Currently, the number of postgraduate students accounts for about 15 per cent of the total number of Malaysian students in the UK.

“Postgraduate studies in the UK are more appealing as the duration of the programmes are relatively short. Most UK postgraduate degrees take only one year to complete, making the overall cost much more affordable compared to other countries,” said Sarah Deverall, Director Malaysia at the British Council. “Malaysia is a key country for the five universities that have chosen to partner with the inaugural GREAT Scholarships 2019 - Malaysia. These universities have been welcoming Malaysian students to their campuses for years and they value the diversity and academic contribution that Malaysian students bring.”

The GREAT Scholarships are only available for one-year postgraduate taught programmes in the UK for the 2018/19 academic year. Malaysian students intending to apply for the scholarships must have received an offer of entry from any of the five participating universities mentioned above and must satisfy all entry requirements for the chosen course as stated by the respective university.

For more information about the GREAT Scholarships 2019 - Malaysia, please visit: www.britishcouncil.my/study-uk/scholarships

ABOUT THE BRITISH COUNCIL

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 75 million people directly and 758 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. www.britishcouncil.org

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITIES

Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University is located on the west coast of Wales between Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. The University is part of a friendly, safe, outward-looking community where the far horizon inspires ambition and aspiration. A place where students have been coming since 1872, drawn by our reputation for teaching excellence and an exceptional student experience. The 2018 National Student Survey of half a million final-year undergraduates showed that Aberystwyth students are among the most satisfies in the whole of the United Kingdom. This reflects the calibre of the education we offer as well as recent investments of over £100m in enhancing and extending our already excellent residential and teaching facilities.

“Aberystwyth University has had strong academic links with Malaysia for many years and the GREAT Scholarships scheme will further strengthen the unique bond between us. With our long-standing reputation for teaching excellence and world-leading research, we are delighted to be part of this inspiring collaboration with the British Council and look forward to welcoming postgraduate students from Malaysia to join our international academic community.”

-Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University,

University of Kent

One of the UK's leading universities, University of Kent is placed in the top 500 of world universities by ShanghaiRangking's ARWU 2018. The University offers outstanding teaching, world-leading research, stunning study locations and a superb student experience. With an active Malaysian student society and over 200 Malaysian students, Kent offers outstanding teaching, world-leading research, beautiful study locations in Canterbury, Medway and mainland Europe and a superb student experience. Excelling in Actuarial Science, Architecture and much more, Kent offers a welcoming environment for students from over 140 countries.

“The University of Kent is delighted to be involved in the GREAT Scholarships 2019 - Malaysia programme, and to be able to provide, in partnership with the British Council, financial assistance to our excellent Malaysian postgraduate students.

The funding of new scholarships through this scheme will enable three motivated and outstanding Malaysian students in any subject area to join Kent’s 200 strong Malaysian community and to benefit from fantastic support and a wonderful study experience. We look forward to receiving inspiring applications and to welcoming the recipients to Kent in 2019.”

-Sue Hopkinson, Assistant Director of International Recruitment, University of Kent

Queen's University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast was established in 1845 and is the UK's ninth oldest university and the top UK university on the island of Ireland. A city-based campus located in Belfast - one of the top 10 UK destinations, as voted by Trip Advisor 2015. The University is ranked 180 of universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2019) and is a member of the UK's Russell Group.

“This is an exciting time for Architecture at Queen’s University Belfast. We are thrilled to further strengthen our ties with Malaysia through our recent LAM accreditation for both our Architecture part 1 and 2 degrees. We are celebrating this by partnering with The British Council to offer a Great Scholarship to postgraduate students. This is a fantastic opportunity for both them and us as we look forward to develop what is already a strong, talented Malaysian community here.”

- Prof Greg Keeffe, Head of School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast.

University of Stirling

Being the difference is in the University of Stirling’s DNA. That's why the University is regularly recognised across the globe for excellence in teaching, research and offering a world-class student experience. The University of Stirling educate with purpose and their high-quality courses develop graduates who are highly sought after by employers. More than 97% of the University’s undergraduate students and 96% of their postgraduate leavers on to work or further study within 6 months (Destination of Leavers from HE survey, 2016/17)

The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a world-leading university born out of boldness, imagination and collaboration between the City of Coventry and the Country of Warwickshire. From the moment its first 450 students arrived in 1965, the University have been forward-focused. Today over 26,500 students thrive across our 4 faculties, which feature more than 70 research centres and institutes. The Unviersity has a constant presence in the rankings of the UK's and the world's greatest universities, and are the third most targeted institution nationally by the UK's top 100 employers (The Graduate Market in 2018, High Fliers Research Ltd)

“The healthcare and life sciences sectors are key drivers in Malaysia's economic growth. There is a high demand for trained professionals, and Warwick's School of Life Sciences and WMG are each offering a scholarship as a way to contribute towards these needs. Warwick provides excellent teaching delivered by world-class academic researchers and external professional experts. I look forward to our scholars becoming part of the next generation of leaders in Malaysia's health and life sciences.”

- Prof. Lorenzo Frigerio, Head of School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

“The GREAT Scholarships 2019 – Malaysia are a fantastic initiative and I’m delighted that the University of Warwick is involved. We hope to attract the best and most talented Malaysian postgraduate students through this scholarship, and I am confident that they will thrive within the actively inclusive international community at Warwick.”