Hadia, an international Master’s student in Sport and Exercise Nutrition from Pakistan, gives her top tips on securing a postgraduate scholarship with us here at Birmingham City University.
“You’re sitting where I was not too long ago – looking at Postgraduate courses and thinking about funding your dreams, hoping for a sign.
For me, it was an obvious decision; the sports science facilities are second to none here at BCU, and Birmingham is a city brimming with colour, culture, and a rich understanding of the diverse sporting activities held here. For a self-funding international student, I was unsure how I’d fund my course alone. This is what motivated me to research scholarships. I knew that it would allow me to concentrate on my schoolwork, without worrying about finances.
I discovered BCU scholarships whilst I was browsing the university website in the process of my application. I found a very helpful offering, a scholarship of £3,000 which immediately caught my eye. I was really interested in the sports scholarship at BCU. It was easy to understand the information and the application was simple – but I still had a few butterflies when I thought of writing my application.
As I put together my application for a sports scholarship, I approached it as a story, rather than a list of accomplishments. I wanted the committee to know me as an academic, as well as an athlete. I think the hardest part for me personally was trying to fit my love for sports nutrition into the word count. With academic writing, there can be a lot of jargon involved, and I knew I wanted to keep it real.
Looking back, I believe my application stood out because I was truly interested in making an impact. I wasn’t only interested in getting the degree or the scholarship, I told them how I wanted to make use of the knowledge I would gain to benefit athletes and communities at home in Pakistan.
The day I received an email to say I would be awarded the scholarship was one I will never forget. I was awarded £3,000 and given the opportunity to become a BCU sports scholar. I started screaming and told my parents straight away. It felt like such a heavy burden had been lifted.
Being awarded the scholarship has made such a difference since I came to BCU. Along with the incredible support and resources I receive as a Sports Scholar, it has not only lessened the financial burden, but it has also boosted my confidence to the max. Every day, it reminds me of the university's trust in my potential, which encourages me to push myself more.
If you're considering going to BCU for a scholarship, my word of advice is just go for it, and be unapologetically yourself. Don’t just write what you think the committee wants to hear in your application. Tell your unique story, explain your passion, and show them how the opportunity will help you make a difference in the world.
The only way to find out what is possible is to take a chance, trust me!”
