Precious Presh
Aziz Foundation Scholarship: The pursuit of education is a powerful catalyst for personal growth and societal progress. However, financial barriers often impede deserving students from accessing quality education.
In recognition of this challenge, the Aziz Foundation established the Aziz Foundation Scholarship to empower talented individuals who face economic obstacles.
This article delves into the details of the scholarship, shedding light on its eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, worth, etc.
About Aziz Foundation Scholarship
Asif Aziz established the Aziz Foundation as a family foundation in 2015 to consolidate his varied philanthropic activities, including serving on the board of Mosaic, which was launched by HM King Charles III in 2007, and sponsoring several community projects.
The Foundation began as a dynamic combination of scholarships and grants in critical areas such as community service, arts and culture, and research. In 2018, we were the first to launch a postgraduate scholarship program.
In 2019, the Aziz Foundation offered 148 scholarships across a variety of fields at over 40 UK universities, with women receiving 62% of these awards.
In 2020, 200+ scholarships were awarded at 54 universities, with women receiving 65% of the awards and young scholars receiving 160.
Another 50 scholarships were offered in 2021 through 18 partner colleges, with 45% of the cohort being the first in their family to attend college.
In 2022, 80 scholarships were awarded, with 40% of the cohort earning less than £20,000 per year.
We are thrilled to support each of our scholars as they make significant contributions to their business, community, and society as a whole.
Eligibility
All of the following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be considered:
- Be eligible for Home fees status
- Engage in meaningful work within a Muslim community and display an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by British Muslim communities
- Show that you are committed for the long run to the improvement of communities and societies in Britain.
- Demonstrate how they will be more effective as a result of taking the course in any one of the following areas pertaining to British Muslims:
- Advocacy That Gets Results And Helps Improve Public Perception – improving the presence of Muslims in civil society and the contributions that Muslims make to that society in order to combat Islamophobia and positively influence perceptions of British Muslims
- Community Service and Social Development — elevating the goals and expectations of British Muslim communities
Requirements
The Aziz Foundation gives preference to candidates who can demonstrate that they cannot pay all or a portion of the tuition fees for their proposed Masters programme.
In addition to the foregoing requirements, you must demonstrate that you would be unable to self-fund your education. The Foundation will use the following test to estimate your financial resources, based on the information you provide, social factors, and available data:
- A list of your secondary school(s), which serves as a significant social indicator.
- Your student loan balance
- On the application form, provide information about your financial situation, such as care responsibilities, dependents, and existing commitments.
- Whether you are the first person in your family to attend college or university,
- We will use existing government data, such as the Office for Students’ (OfS) POLAR place-generated data, which gives information on overall trends in higher education access and participation rates by postcode, as well as rates of social mobility and deprivation.
- The assessment will incorporate some or all of the above-mentioned means testing criteria, weighted differently, and will contribute to the panel’s ultimate decision on the candidate.
READ NOW: Joon Care Scholarship Fund 2023: How to Apply
Subject Areas
Furthermore, scholarships will only be given to British Muslims with career goals in the following fields:
- Media & Journalism – Candidates that want to advocate for media diversity in order to promote more fair and truthful reporting.
- Disruptors and innovators who use technology to provide unique and transformative answers to society’s most urgent concerns.
- Candidates who want to be at the vanguard of the struggle to save our planet and provide a safer future for future generations.
- Law – Candidates who aspire to be judges and have a strong desire to flourish in the legal profession. (Conversion classes are not included).
- Candidates who are passionate in influencing public policy (except health policy) in the UK to ensure that it is equitable and responsive to the needs of British Muslim communities are encouraged to apply.
- Arts and Culture – Creatives who, via a number of mediums, can impact public conversation, particularly surrounding Muslims and Islam.
- Sports – Candidates that are passionate about sporting achievement and can make significant contributions to the sector through administration and management.
- We will not be taking applications for courses in science, health policy, or mathematics.
How to Apply
The submission of applications takes place online. On the application form, you will be asked for information regarding your past education, employment experience, and financial means. You will also be required to write a statement of no more than one thousand words explaining how you satisfy the criteria set forth by the Foundation.
In the event that your application is selected for further consideration, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.
The interview will last for thirty to forty-five minutes, and questions will center on:
obstacles that British Muslims must overcome; their aspirations and plans for change; the human traits essential to their success; the monetary constraints they must contend with
Worth of the Aziz Foundation Scholarship
–
Deadline for the Aziz Foundation Scholarship
The application period for the second cycle runs from April 2 to June 30 and is already open.
Universities Eligible
So far, 36 institutions have joined the Aziz Foundation Scholarship Preferred Partner scheme and met the admission requirements.
Only individuals pursuing Masters degrees at the institutes indicated below will be considered for scholarships. All courses in the appropriate topic areas are available at institutions where specific courses are not indicated.
- Aston University
- Birkbeck, University of London
- Bournemouth University
- City, University of London – Department of Journalism
- Coventry University
- Eden Project Learning (Cornwall College Group)
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Goldsmiths, University of London (excluding: MRes, MPhils)
- Keele University
- King’s College London
- Kingston University London
- London South Bank University
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MA Islam and Sustainable Development only)
- Northumbria University
- SOAS, University of London
- The University of Law
- University of Birmingham
- UCL – IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society
- UCL – Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences
- University of Bradford
- University of Essex
- University of Exeter
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Greenwich
- University of Liverpool
- University of Nottingham (excluding: MRes, MPhil and MBAs)
- University of St Andrews (excluding: MRes, MPhil, MFAs)
- University of Salford
- The University of Sheffield
- University of Stirling
- University of Sunderland
- University of Sussex (excluding: Online courses, Institute of Development Studies courses)
- University of Warwick
- University of Westminster
- University of York
Conclusion
The Aziz Foundation Scholarship serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring Muslim leaders who face financial barriers to education. By providing comprehensive financial support, mentorship, and personal development opportunities, the foundation enables deserving individuals to unleash their full potential.
The scholarship not only empowers Muslim scholars but also contributes to the betterment of the Muslim society by nurturing a great community of future leaders who are committed to positive change.
