Higher Education: What are your options?

Since 2012, the number laureates of the national scholarships for higher education has increased from 30 to 68. As every year, choosing their field of study and which country to study in can be a source of worry. This week we have come forward with a list of courses available overseas and estimated cost for the different courses in different countries. 

Currently, different scholarships are available. They differ according to criteria imposed and the associated funding are not the same for all students. In the past, several students have complained that the scholarships given do not reflect the real cost of studying abroad. The scholarships are as follows: 

SSR National Scholarships Scheme

In this scheme, two students (1 boy and 1 girl are selected on the science side). The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Foundation will award a scholarship to one male student male student female student female student ranked first on the Science Side who opts for a first degree of 5-year duration in Medicine. In case a student ranked first does not opt for a first degree in Medicine, he/she will be awarded a scholarship under the State of Mauritius Scholarship Scheme. The SSR National Scholarship will then be awarded to the next best ranked student on the Science side who opts for a first degree in Medicine. The scholarship covers tuition fees and related charges, a living allowance at approved rates, and economy class air fares to the place of study on departure and final return to Mauritius on completion of the course or internship as the case may be.

State Of Mauritius Scholarship Scheme (16 Scholarships)

16 Scholarships are allocated as per the existing criteria, i.e. gender wise and stream-wise, to the best students (8 boys and 8 girls) ranked after the beneficiaries of the SSR National Scholarships. Beneficiaries have the option of studying abroad or locally. Those who choose to study abroad get fully funded scholarships for a first degree of up to 4 years’ duration, covering tuition fees and related charges, a living allowance at approved rates and economy class air tickets to the place of study on departure and final return to Mauritius on completion of the course.

Those who choose to study locally: 

(i) get fully funded scholarships for a first degree of up to 4 years’ duration in any approved local tertiary education institution, covering tuition fees and related charges, plus an annual allowance of Rs 200,000. Those who choose to study medicine or medicine-related fields in a recognised local tertiary education institution will get an annual allowance of Rs 200,000 plus tuition fees and related charges for a maximum of five years; and

 (ii) be eligible for a fully funded scholarship for postgraduate studies of one year abroad or not exceeding 2 years locally, except for those having opted for Medicine or medicine-related fields.

Additional Scholarship Scheme (Total of 50 Scholarships)

This Scheme has been broadened to make provision for some scholarships to be awarded on a combination of academic merit and social criteria. The total number of scholarships has accordingly been increased from 12 to 50. All 50 beneficiaries of Additional Scholarships will have the option of studying abroad or locally.

The breakdown is as follows:

(a) Academic Merit (26 Scholarships)

26 students ranked immediately after laureates of the State of Mauritius Scholarship Scheme are awarded a scholarship as per allocation (gender-wise and stream-wise). Those who choose to study abroad will get an annual all-inclusive grant of a maximum of Rs 300,000 for a first degree of a maximum duration of 4 years. However, they will not be eligible to a postgraduate scholarship awarded by the Government of Mauritius.

Those who choose to study locally will:

(i) get an annual allowance of Rs 96,000 plus tuition fees and related charges up to Rs 150,000 per year for a first degree of up to 4 years’ duration. Those who choose to study medicine or medicine-related fields in a recognised local tertiary education institution will get an annual allowance of Rs 96,000 plus tuition fees and related charges up to Rs 150,000 per year for a maximum of five years; and

(ii) be eligible for a fully funded scholarship for postgraduate studies of one year abroad or not exceeding two years locally, except for those having opted for medicine or medicine-related fields.

Academic Merit and Social Criteria (24 Scholarships)

Under this new Scheme, 24 Scholarships are awarded on the basis of both academic merit and approved social criteria. Once HSC examinations results are proclaimed, eligible candidates are called upon to apply for these scholarships.

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

(a) 16 Additional scholarships

(i) Students should be ranked among the first 500 of the Cambridge International Examination Scholarship Rank Orders; and

(ii) their total household (family) income should not exceed Rs 12,000 per month.

8 Additional Scholarships

(i) students should have passed their Higher School Certificate and secured a seat for a first degree in a recognised Tertiary Education Institution; and

(ii) their total household (family) income should not exceed Rs 6,200 per month.

Those who choose to study abroad will get an annual all-inclusive grant of a maximum of Rs 300,000 for a first degree of a maximum duration of 4 years. However, those who choose to study abroad will not be eligible to a postgraduate scholarship awarded by the Government of Mauritius.

Those who choose to study locally will:

(i) get an annual allowance of Rs 96,000 plus tuition fees and related charges up to Rs 150,000 per year for a first degree of up to 4 years’ duration in a recognised local tertiary education institution. Those who choose to study medicine or medicine-related fields in a recognised local tertiary education institution get an annual allowance of Rs 96,000 plus tuition fees and related charges up to Rs 150,000 per year for a maximum of five years; and

(ii) be eligible for a fully funded scholarship for postgraduate studies of one year abroad or not exceeding two years locally, except for those having opted for Medicine or medicine-related fields.