International Foundation Ambassador Scholarships

Four scholarships, each worth £3,000 for ICC Foundation, FDPS Pre- master's or ELAS (studying for two terms and excluding exchange students) students joining the programme in September 2023 will be awarded to students who want to play an active role in the SOAS community, engage with IFCELS students and support the IFCELS Department. During their studies on International Foundation Ambassadors will work with their fellow students and future IFCELS students through social media, marketing activities and mentoring.

Closing date: apply by 30 June 2023

  • You can apply for an International Foundation Ambassador Scholarship once you receive an offer. To apply you need to write a statement of 500-800 words explaining how you feel you can contribute to SOAS and to the IFCELS programme that you have applied for and making a 2-minute presentation or talk on video about an experience you have had which you think will be inspiring for international students.
  • See terms and conditions below.

This is a scholarship scheme for IFCELS students who would like to be IFCELS Ambassadors during their time on the programme and through to the end of 2024.

What does an IFCELS Ambassador do?

As an International Foundation Ambassador, you will be expected to get involved in the SOAS community:

  • by joining SOAS Students Union clubs and societies and/or taking part in social and/or sports activities.
  • by encouraging IFCELS students to get involved as well by communicating with them face to face or through social media.
  • by helping IFCELS recruitment and marketing work.

This could involve:

  • blogging or vlogging about your experiences at SOAS during your time on an IFCELS programme.

  • taking part in promotions in the UK or in your home country during vacations (if you are there)

  • contacting or being contacted by prospective  students through social media.

  • mentoring 2023-24 IFCELS students in the first term of the programme. 

How can I apply?

  • To apply for a scholarship, you need to have an offer for ICC Foundation, FDPS Pre-master's or ELAS (minimum 2 terms), excluding exchange students, from September 2023.
  • You can apply by writing a statement of 500-800 words explaining how you feel you can contribute to SOAS and to the IFCELS programme that you have applied for AND making a 2-minute presentation or talk on video about an experience you have had which you think will be inspiring for international students. Your statement and video should be sent to ifcels@soas.ac.uk. Please write “International Foundation Ambassador Scholarship” in the subject box.
  • The closing date is 30 June 2023.
  • Successful applicants will be informed in August 2023.

Terms and conditions – please read carefully

  1. There will be four Ambassador Scholarships, each of £3,000, for students enrolling on ICC Foundation, FDPS Pre-master's or ELAS (minimum or 2 terms), excluding exchange students, in September 2023-24.
  2. All students who are holding an offer (conditional or unconditional) for ICC Foundation, FDPS Pre-master's or ELAS (minimum or 2 terms), excluding exchange students, are eligible to apply for an International Foundation Ambassador Scholarship.
  3. Offer holders will not automatically be considered for a Scholarship. As an offer holder you need to apply by submitting a 500-800 word statement explaining how you feel you can contribute to SOAS and to the IFCELS programme that you have applied for AND a 2 minute presentation or talk on video about an experience you have had which you think will be inspiring for international students.
  4. Your statement and video should be sent to ifcels@soas.ac.uk to arrive before midnight (23:59 UK time) on 30 June 2023. Please write “International Foundation Ambassador Scholarship” in the subject box.
  5. Scholarships will be awarded on merit based on the statement, which should be entirely your own work, and the video, with reference to the duties listed above in the “What does an Ambassador do?” section. Please note: the purpose of the video is to assess your communication skills so it doesn’t matter what experience you choose, it’s about how you present the experience.
  6. Successful candidates will be informed by the end of August 2023. The decision of the Head of IFCELS Department on the awards will be final.
  7. £3,000 will be deducted from the balance of the fees owed by each of the scholarship winners which should be paid by the first day of the programme – in September 2023.
  8. Ambassadors will be expected to contribute an average of 2 hours per week to their role during the period of the IFCELS programme itself and up to 1 hour per week from July to December 2024. Working times are flexible and variable and are by agreement.

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