The University of Central Asia (UCA) in partnership with the Cambridge Trust is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for master and doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. This prestigious and highly competitive scholarship has benefitted Central Asian scholars since 2017.
The scholarships are for students wishing to pursue graduate studies in the following departments:
- Business and Management
- Computer Science and Technology
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Geography
- Land Economy
- Plant Sciences
- Social Anthropology and Sociology
These fields reflect the research and education interests and expertise at the School of Arts & Sciences and the Graduate School of Development of UCA. Where appropriate, preference will be given to research topics engaging with theoretical or applied work especially pertinent to the Central Asian region.
Applicants from UCA’s Founding States of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are eligible. Applicants must meet UCA’s eligibility benchmarks, and admission criteria to the University of Cambridge.
The scholarships are part of UCA’s ongoing Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP) designed to promote scholarship among the Central Asian postgraduate community and equip regional talent for careers at UCA. Scholarship recipients will be required to work at UCA for a period corresponding to the length of study at the University of Cambridge. Recipients are expected to be in close touch with faculty at UCA during their studies.
UCA is Central Asia’s sole regional university with fully residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan and Khorog, Tajikistan with state-of-the art facilities, and with generous support for faculty to engage in research. UCA’s Graduate School of Development, based predominantly in Bishkek, leads the University’s research and development initiatives, and will introduce UCA’s first graduate programme. The partnership between UCA and the Cambridge Trust builds on the quality and standing of both UCA and the University of Cambridge, to enhance the academic quality of UCA’s future faculty and research community.
Interested candidates are invited to submit detailed expressions of interest to UCA by November 27th, 2023. The final deadline for UCA shortlisted applicants for admissions to the University of Cambridge is December 5, 2023/January 31, 2024, depending on the field of application via their online portal. For further information please contact: cafdp@ucentralasia.org. Early enquiries are welcome.
The scholarship when confirmed covers the university tuition fees paid directly to the university and an annual single person’s stipend. Please note the scholarship does not provide any support or funding for any dependents or family members.
UCA Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
- UCA’s Eligibility Criteria
All applicants will first be required to meet the eligibility criteria that includes:
- Only citizens of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan
- Higher education degree with excellent academic records from a recognised university
- Interest in master’s or PhD programme in departments reflecting UCA fields of interest
- Interest in a career within academia, including research and teaching
- Demonstrated competency in chosen discipline
- Excellent English language skills: IELTS score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component) or TOEFL score of 110 (with 25 in each element)
- GRE General Test scores for Economics programmes (not required if the applicant has a degree from a UK institution). GMAT tests are not accepted.
2. Documentation required for expression of interest to UCA
To submit your expression of interest please send the following documents in English to cafdp@ucentralasia.org no later than Monday, November 27 at 5pm (GMT+6):
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume (3 pages maximum)
- Personal Statement outlining your short and long-term career goals, field of study and research interests, reason for applying to the CAFDP, and what makes you a good candidate for CAFDP at Cambridge (3 pages maximum).
- A short research proposal (3 pages maximum) if the course chosen is entirely or predominantly research-based or equal taught/research based.
- A copy of your picture page on your passport
- Academic Transcripts and Diplomas
Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Only selected candidates will be invited to submit a full online application by December 5, 2023/January 31, 2024, to the University of Cambridge.
All candidates are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the online admission application form in parallel to submitting their application to UCA prior to Monday 27 November.
The University of Central Asia reserves the right not to consider applications which are not complete by the due date.
