AI and Data Science Conversion Scholarships is an offer by the University of Birmingham for 7 Masters programs to upskill students from non-STEM and far-STEM degrees and progress into the AI and Data Science workforce.
This will include 120 students from under-represented groups, particularly women, Black and disabled students and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds
Scholarship funding will be prioritized for women, Black students, disabled students and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, to ensure that AI reflects the makeup of our society. Funding is intended only for those underrepresented students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined below.
Eligibility for AI and Data Science Conversion Scholarships
- In addition to having either an unconditional or conditional offer for a place on a University of Birmingham Data Science or AI related Masters course, applicants will need to demonstrate that they are categorized under at least one of the 9 underrepresented groups as identified by the OfS.
- Applications for scholarships will initially be reviewed using a points-based system. Priority for these awards will be given to applicants in the following categories:
- Black students (as defined by HESA codes: 21; 22; 29; 41; 42)
- Female students
- Disabled students
- Consideration will also be given to applicants who meet other underrepresented criteria in the following secondary categories:
- Students from low participation neighborhood (POLAR Q1 and Q2)
- Care experienced students
- Estranged students
- Gypsy, Roma, Traveler students
- Refugees
- Children from military families, veterans and partners of military personnel.
- All applications will be assessed and priority will be given to criteria 1-3. Applicants who do not meet any of the criteria above will not be considered for a scholarship.
- Students must have not studied a STEM or a STEM-related degree subject before. You must be either:
- ‘far-STEM’: other STEM subjects (e.g. biology, geology, psychology, medicine)
- ‘non-STEM’: any other subject (including economics, business, arts etc.).
You must not have studied:
- ‘cognate’: studied the same broad subject area as the conversion courses (e.g. computer science, AI, data science).
- ‘core-STEM’: science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects such as physics, engineering, mathematics, statistics, IT
- Students must be self-funding or applying for a Postgraduate Government Loan to pay your fees and not in receipt of any other financial support including but not limited to scholarships, awards, bursaries, sponsorship or any other funding.
- Funding for scholarships aims to address skills gaps and increase diversity in the UK AI and data science workforce. Therefore, to be eligible for scholarship funding students must meet the nationality or residency status criteria to qualify for the postgraduate masters’ loan.
How to Apply
To be considered for an award, applicants must, by the deadline, have done both of the following:
- Made an application to their intended Masters program. Please apply through the relevant program page on the Course finder section of the University of Birmingham website. This must include all of the relevant supporting documentation: references, transcripts if available, and English language certification if applicable.
- Completed the AI and Data Science Conversion Masters Scholarships application form
- You should enter the application ID number that you were given during the application to your Masters program.
- The deadline for applications to the scholarship is 23:59 (UK Time) on 31 July 2023.
Benefits
- Students who successfully apply for a scholarship will receive £10,000 to help with the cost of course fees, and associated costs such as childcare and transport.
