Shell SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarships in UK Universities for Nigerian Students

Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship Program

Course(s) Offered: Only relevant fields
Course Level: Postgraduate (masters)
Provider: SPDC
Country to Study in: UK

Scholarship Description
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) is delighted to announce the seventh annual SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme for applicants from Rivers, Delta, Imo and Bayelsa States for the 2017/2018 academic session.

The objective of the Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship Program is to provide an opportunity for qualifying students from these Niger Delta states to further their education in courses that are relevant to the oil and gas industry. In the six years of this programme, 60 students have won the opportunity to study at top rated universities in the UK on an all-expenses paid scholarship.

For the academic year commencing September 2017, SPDC in partnership with three universities in the UK--Imperial College London, University College, London and the University of Leeds—will award further scholarships for one year post-graduate MSc studies in the approved courses outlined below.

Eligibility
The competition for scholarship will be intense and applicant must:

• Display intellectual ability and leadership potential;
• Display high proficiency in English language, i.e. at least 6.5 in the international English Language Testing Scheme and meet the university’s language requirement;
• Be between 21-28 years by 30th September 2017;
• Be indigenes of Bayelsa, Delta or Rivers States, provide documentary evidence therefore and currently reside in Nigeria.
• Intend to return and take up permanent residence in Nigeria after completion of the proposed programme of study;
• Have obtained a degree or at least equivalent standard to a UK Upper second Class (Honours Degree);
• Have confirmed admission into any of the specified courses (listed below);
• Be neither a current nor former employee (who has left employment less than 5 years before) of SPDC or the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies or Wider Perspectives Limited, or current employee's relatives;
• Not previously have studied in the UK or other developed country.

Selection criteria:
Candidates must have gained admission to study at any of the participating universities in one of the qualifying courses

Eligible groups
Nigerian students from the states of Rivers, Delta, Imo and Bayelsa

Participating Institutions
Studies are in partnership with three internationally recognised universities in the United Kingdom (UK) - Imperial College London, University College London and the University of Leeds (i.e. Leeds University).

Fields of study
The eligible MSc courses which qualify for the awards are as follows:

1. Imperial College London:
   
   • Petroleum Engineering,
   • Petroleum Geoscience,
   • Petroleum Geophysics,
2. University College London:
   
   • Chemical / Process Engineering,
   • Mechanical Engineering (Rotating Equipment or Metallurgy)
   • Civil Engineering (Geotechnics).
3. University of Leeds:
   
   • Exploration Geophysics,
   • Electronic/Electrical Engineering.

More information on SPECIFIC COURSE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS can be obtained from the websites of the individual universities.

Number of awards
For the academic year commencing September 2017, SPDC will award up to ten scholarships

Sponsorship duration
Scholarships will be awarded for one-year post-graduate studies in any of the eligible courses (see above)

Scholarship benefits
The scholarship will cover tuition fees, one economy return flight ticket from Nigeria to the UK and a contribution towards living expenses only*. Please note that the stipends are based on the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) published living rates and are limited to this only.

Compulsory field trip costs will be covered, but this will be by prior agreement and limited to essential compulsory items only.

Method of Application
Apply for admission to study one of the qualifying courses at any of the participating universities. Application forms for the scholarship will be available ONLY through the websites of the participating universities following an offer of admission by the university. The universities will process all eligible applications and select candidates for initial interview which will later be followed by attendance at a final interview for the selected candidates.

Completed application forms must reach participating universities by a deadline which will be advised.

It is important to visit the official website of Shell and the schools (link to it is below) for complete information on how to apply for this scholarship

DEADLINES:
Completed application forms must reach participating universities no later than January 30th, 2017.

PLEASE NOTE:
The list of supported courses is subject to amendment annually, and candidates should check with the individual universities (via links below), or enquire at the email address below.

Scholarship application forms will be available only through relevant participating University following admission. Nominated applicants will be interviewed before final selection.

APPLYING TO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS (Optional information):

1. How to Apply for an SPDC Niger Delta-Imperial College Postgraduate Scholarship
In order to be considered for the scholarship, candidates must apply to study on one of the three eligible programmes through the standard Imperial College admission procedure. Candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted by the department and advised to complete a scholarship application form.

For more, visit Imperial College London SPDC Scholarship page.

2. How to Apply for an SPDC Niger Delta-University College London Postgraduate Scholarship
You must separately apply for admission to UCL for one of the eligible programmes through the standard admissions procedure. Priority for the scholarship will be given to those who have been given an offer of a place on an eligible programme. Candidates must download and complete the SPDC application form (Word format or Adobe PDF format), and submit completed application forms to studentfunding@ucl.ac.uk.

For more, visit University College London SPDC Scholarship page.

3. How to Apply for an SPDC Niger Delta-University of Leeds Postgraduate Scholarship
Applicants MUST first submit a taught postgraduate study application form and be in receipt of a University BANNER ID Number to be eligible for an SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship. Applications without a valid University BANNER ID number will be rejected. To apply for a place on a taught postgraduate degree programme, please visit: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/students/apply.htm
Applicants must also complete an SPDC Niger Delta-University of Leeds Postgraduate Scholarship Application form (this includes details of the eligibility criteria) which can be found via the 'Leeds University' link in the paragraph below (please follow the attendant instructions). Completed scholarship application forms should be returned to the Postgraduate Scholarships Office (email: pg_scholarships@leeds.ac.uk).

For more, visit Leeds University (click on 'International'. Then, select Nigeria for 'Nationality'; Taught Postgraduate for 'Level of Study'; and Any for 'Area of Study')

Contact
For further details, persons meeting the criteria may address enquires to info@nigerdeltascholar.org or through the individual universities.

Application Deadline: 30 January 2017
Open to International students: No (ONLY Nigerians)

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: List of Shell Nigeria SPDC Scholarships and Program