University of Aberdeen - MacLeod Scholarship

What the MacLeod Scholarship covers

The scholarship covers your full tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for a research degree at University of Aberdeen. It does not cover living costs, so you should budget for your own expenses. The funding covers the entire duration of your studies: approximately one year for an MLitt (a research-based Master’s) or up to three years for a PhD. The university established the scholarship in 1995 to mark its 500th anniversary, with the aim of promoting postgraduate research in the field of Gaelic and Celtic Studies. Only one scholarship is available at any one time, and it is awarded following a selection process.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are starting a full-time research degree, either an MLitt or a PhD.
• Institution: You have accepted a place at the University of Aberdeen, in the College of Arts and Social Sciences, to start your studies in September.
• Field of study: Priority is given to research projects on modern Gaelic history or church history. Second priority is given to general topics relating to the Gaelic language or culture, as well as to religious and cultural life in the Highlands and on the islands. Should no suitable candidates apply, the prize is also open to other disciplines within the humanities and social sciences.
• Where you come from: Priority is given first to applicants from the island of Berneray, then to those from the Outer Hebrides or the Highlands and Islands, and finally to those from the rest of Scotland.
• Grades: The award is based on academic achievement, so you’ll need excellent results.

How to apply

Apply online using the standard form, which covers all scholarships for postgraduate programmes at the College of Arts and Social Sciences. The application deadline is around mid-May for programmes starting in September. You must already have a firm offer of a place before the scholarship can be awarded.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is very narrowly defined: a single scholarship, a specific research area within the field of Gaelic and Celtic studies, and a clear preference for applicants from the Outer Hebrides, the Highlands and the Islands. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants remains small. So, if your research focuses on modern Gaelic or the church and culture of the Highlands and you are from these regions, your chances are good. As only one scholarship is awarded each year, good grades and a compelling research proposal are crucial.