Scholarships & Study Grants

[tsume]

I'm planning on going back to university to do a PhD in Computer Science. But I want to make sure that when I go back I have all my financial stuff sorted. I need to gather up a list of associations that are offering scholarships & study grants so I can apply as soon as possible. Do any of the people on MyBB know of any? It could be for international & local studies.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

PM StellenboschStudent. Think he is going to France soon to do his post-doc. Not sure what he is majoring in though...

International scholarships off the top of my head: Commonwealth Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship (unlikely if you don't have amazing academic results + leadership/community activities + some sporting aptitude).

 

[Nefertiti]

I'm planning on going back to university to do a PhD in Computer Science. But I want to make sure that when I go back I have all my financial stuff sorted. I need to gather up a list of associations that are offering scholarships & study grants so I can apply as soon as possible. Do any of the people on MyBB know of any? It could be for international & local studies.

Oooh nice

personally I dont know any, but I'll find out from some of my WITS friends. They might know.

Are you only interested in pure computer science PHD?

 

[DA-LION-619]

NRF?

 

[Strangelove]

A few international. There are a few links below this thread.

CSIR

Studentships/Grants

You should also contact your university's graduate department/financial services/aid or faculty, e.g. UCT.

 

[tsume]

Oooh nice

personally I dont know any, but I'll find out from some of my WITS friends. They might know.

Are you only interested in pure computer science PHD?

What do you mean by "pure"? If you mean if I'm willing to mix other subjects, then yes I am willing to do that.
I just need to find the right supervisor & topic which seems more difficult here in SA.
Looking at international universities, they clearly state who is open to be a supervisor and topic ideas.

 

[Nefertiti]

What do you mean by "pure"? If you mean if I'm willing to mix other subjects, then yes I am willing to do that.
I just need to find the right supervisor & topic which seems more difficult here in SA.
Looking at international universities, they clearly state who is open to be a supervisor and topic ideas.

Yep, thats what I meant. I know a couple of people that mix medical and electrical engineering though they had to do some medical subjects to get going.

I was thinking of doing my doctorate too, but the topic is still up in the air. I do have an idea for something but I'll need to do some research first to flesh it out a bit before I continue. But I have been a bit lazy in that regard and not doing anything about it

 

[tsume]

Yep, thats what I meant. I know a couple of people that mix medical and electrical engineering though they had to do some medical subjects to get going.

I was thinking of doing my doctorate too, but the topic is still up in the air. I do have an idea for something but I'll need to do some research first to flesh it out a bit before I continue. But I have been a bit lazy in that regard and not doing anything about it

One thing I learned while doing my masters is that maybe it's not such a good idea to come up with your own topic. If a supervisor suggests something, he has likely done some ground work which you can start working with. And I've been looking at institutes in Europe, most of the supervisors have posts about topics they are looking for someone to take. My plan is just to use a similar topic when applying for other institutes

 

[Bar0n]

I'm planning on going back to university to do a PhD in Computer Science. But I want to make sure that when I go back I have all my financial stuff sorted. I need to gather up a list of associations that are offering scholarships & study grants so I can apply as soon as possible. Do any of the people on MyBB know of any? It could be for international & local studies.

The NRF is probably your best bet. They'll fund you for 3 years for 100-120k a year, I think, and you don't need to "give back" with internships or anything.

You can also approach the Directorate of Student Funding at UNISA (if studying at UNISA, obviously), but you will only be able to obtain a bursary after your completion of the proposal module. They also don't require you to pay anything back, unless you fail, I suppose.

 

[Bar0n]

One thing I learned while doing my masters is that maybe it's not such a good idea to come up with your own topic. If a supervisor suggests something, he has likely done some ground work which you can start working with.

This is the best approach. Speak to potential supervisors before you even apply at the university. Good luck, I should be joining you in pursuing Ph.D. studies in 2016.

 

[tsume]

The NRF is probably your best bet. They'll fund you for 3 years for 100-120k a year, I think, and you don't need to "give back" with internships or anything.

You can also approach the Directorate of Student Funding at UNISA (if studying at UNISA, obviously), but you will only be able to obtain a bursary after your completion of the proposal module. They also don't require you to pay anything back, unless you fail, I suppose.

The closing date for NRF is in September right?

 

[Bar0n]

The closing date for NRF is in September right?

Honestly, I'm not sure, you'll need to check the website. It may be as early as August, I think.

Do note that the NRF will not allow you to receive a bursary if you are receiving a salary/working, whilst the DSF (UNISA) don't mind.

 

[cguy]

I had NRF funding for my masters and 1st year of PhD - I started working part time after, which made me ineligible to continue with it.

 

[Nefertiti]

One thing I learned while doing my masters is that maybe it's not such a good idea to come up with your own topic. If a supervisor suggests something, he has likely done some ground work which you can start working with. And I've been looking at institutes in Europe, most of the supervisors have posts about topics they are looking for someone to take. My plan is just to use a similar topic when applying for other institutes

Maybe I should have a look and see what they post, there could be a topic thats similar to my idea. Good luck on picking one I'll give feedback on the bursaries as soon as I hear something.

 

[Nefertiti]

This is the best approach. Speak to potential supervisors before you even apply at the university. Good luck, I should be joining you in pursuing Ph.D. studies in 2016.

You have a topic yet?

 

[Bar0n]

You have a topic yet?

No, I have conferences to attend and I still need to submit my thesis for examination and implement the examiners' comments. I will only discuss this with my advisor around October, I think. I have plenty of time. If I only start in June 2016, then so be it. Six months later isn't the end of the world and I could use the gap.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

No, I have conferences to attend and I still need to submit my thesis for examination and implement the examiners' comments. I will only discuss this with my advisor around October, I think. I have plenty of time. If I only start in June 2016, then so be it. Six months later isn't the end of the world and I could use the gap.

My masters supervisor said I was being 'unnecessarily combative' when I told him which changes I wouldn't implement...although I only had a week and was away in Zambia / Tanzania for that week for work purposes, so I wasn't really up in making changes that require lots of effort.

Supervisor accepted the revised thesis anyway

Oh yes and the one marker gave me a low mark which denied me a distinction (and his main criticisms were invalid because he didn't understand the assumptions of the model) .

 

[tsume]

Maybe I should have a look and see what they post, there could be a topic thats similar to my idea. Good luck on picking one I'll give feedback on the bursaries as soon as I hear something.

findaphd.com has been a good resource so far.
Also, if you want to study outside SA, maybe have a look at universities in Denmark, Norway, Sweden & the Netherlands.
In these countries PhDs are considered jobs if you do a topic which your supervisor provided you.

 

[cguy]

findaphd.com has been a good resource so far.
Also, if you want to study outside SA, maybe have a look at universities in Denmark, Norway, Sweden & the Netherlands.
In these countries PhDs are considered jobs if you do a topic which your supervisor provided you.

Also, BTW, if you are considering the US, US universities tend to require that you redo your masters degree as part of their PhD program, which kinda sucks.

 

[Bar0n]

My masters supervisor said I was being 'unnecessarily combative' when I told him which changes I wouldn't implement...

Never a good idea to argue with your advisor. I've been completely cooperative with all mine's suggestions. He does also know what he's talking about, I've never found a reason to argue with his points.