FAQ

The Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme aims to build capacity in areas where Tullow’s host countries experience significant skills gaps, especially, but not exclusively, around their oil and gas industries. The Scheme is part of Tullow’s Social Investment (SI) programme, which aims to contribute to long-term socio-economic development in countries where we operate.

We want to ensure that the success of the oil and gas industry brings real, lasting benefits to the people and economies of the countries in which we operate. Our Social Investment (SI) programme is focused on investing in education and capacity building so that local people can participate in our industry and other industries in support of economic diversification. The Scholarship scheme will help to increase the number of people with expertise in oil and gas and other sectors in the countries where we operate.

The Scholarship scheme started with a pilot phase which commenced in Ghana in September 2011. This pilot scheme supported 24 Ghanaians from the public sector with scholarships to pursue various studies to Masters Level with leading universities in the United Kingdom in an effort to develop local capacity in Ghana for the oil and gas industry. This is the second year of the full scheme and so far over 120 scholarships have been awarded.

The full Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme was launched on 25 January 2012. This scheme is expected to run for the next few years

The Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme is designed to build capacity in key areas required for the oil and gas industry and in related auxiliary/support sectors so that economies can develop in a balanced manner. While one of the results will be to increase the local talent pool of people with oil and gas industry skills, it is not aimed at Tullow or Jubilee employees and does not guarantee employment with any of the oil companies.

No. The scholarship sponsors a wide range of courses that are relevant for, and contribute to, the economic growth of participating countries.

A wide range of courses will be covered, including those listed below.

• Engineering and Technology
• Environment and Geosciences
• Oil and Gas Economics
• Business Journalism
• Logistics and Supply Chain
• Law and legal courses
• Other applied sciences apart from medicine

Tullow is investing in secondary, vocational and tertiary education in other projects it is undertaking. This scholarship scheme is targeted at post-graduate education because of the identified priority gaps and the specialised nature of the skills required for each participating country’s fast developing oil and gas industry and other sectors so as not to lead to overdependence on the oil and gas industry.

Tullow has supported projects that promote science in secondary schools through the rehabilitation of science blocks and provision of laboratory equipment. Our commitment to education does not start at secondary and tertiary level as we recognise the need to support basic/primary school initiatives in more remote areas. We have supported numerous local primary schools by upgrading their infrastructure, providing school materials and equipment, and programmes to improve the quality of teaching.

A core part of Tullow’s education and capacity building initiatives will be focused on strengthening academic institutions in countries in which Tullow has operations so that over time a number of these institutions can develop into centres of excellence. This will include support to tertiary level institutions (vocational training colleges, polytechnics and universities) and to promoting science in secondary schools through partnerships with internationally recognised institutions. The in-country institutional strengthening programme will complement the Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme and will mean that the need for scholarships in overseas institutions phases out over time and is replaced with scholarships to these internationally recognised in-country institutions.

Tullow is partnering with the British Council – an internationally recognised service provider in the area of scholarship management and partnership brokerage in higher education around the world. The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations; with a strong profile in Africa the British Council has a great deal of experience in running educational programmes to support development goals and priorities. The British Council works in over 100 countries in the Arts, Education and English language. They exist as an independent and non-political organisation, with a global mission to connect people world-wide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK.

The choice of a third party to administer the scholarships is to ensure independence and fairness, and the British Council has a track record of effective management of similar schemes. The British Council has over 40 years experience in scholarship management within the sub Saharan Africa region and globally, having administered schemes such as the Ford Foundation, the Commonwealth Plan and the prestigious Chevening Programme.

The British Council is the main point of contact for the Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme in each participating country. They will receive all applications, screen and interview candidates, place successful scholars on the appropriate courses and take care of all pre-departure issues including visas, flights etc. The British Council will also pay the monthly stipends and arrange return flights at the end of the Scholarship.

The Scheme is still in the early stages and will focus on institutions of excellence in the UK and Europe (Ireland and France) in this initial phase. It will facilitate French speakers from the participating counties to study in France if required.
The Scheme will be reviewed at the end of its second year and institutions in other countries may be considered depending on the findings of the review/evaluation.

No. The scholarship is for degree holders with second class upper or better with work experience, and HND holders with work experience.

Recipients of the scholarship must:

• Be a citizen and legally resident in participating country;
• Have a minimum of a bachelor degree or Licence (second class lower or better) or an HND (second class upper or better);
• Be resident in participating country at the time of application;
• Have work experience with a track record of success in their field of endeavour
• Have not previously studied abroad or received an international scholarship
• Have a strong personality as well as ambition, entrepreneurial and creative spirit and leadership skills;
• Demonstrate commitment to return to their country and to make a contribution to its future development; and
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in management, strategy and ability to train and develop others

* Please note that applicants with second class upper and first class bachelor degrees and HND first class may be weighted higher for admission purposes.

Further details on the criteria and how to apply are available on the British Council website here

The scholarship will cover among others;

• full tuition fees;
• a monthly stipend;
• travel costs;
• warm clothing; and
• baggage allowance

 The cost of the package per scholar is in the region of $60,000 per annum and the total cost of the Scheme in 2012 was in excess of $6m.

No. Scholars will be required to concentrate on completing their studies during the specified time duration and return home. However, engaging in course related internships is encouraged during the course of study where appropriate. 

Congo Brazzaville – Ethiopia – Gabon – Ghana- Ivory Coast – Kenya – Mauritania – Uganda – Uruguay – Suriname

The participating countries and proposed distribution of awards in 2012 is as follows:

• ·         Congo Brazzaville   (up to 5 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government Agencies)
• Ethiopia                  (up to 5 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government/Agencies)
• ·         Gabon                     (up to 10 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government Agencies)
• Ghana                    (up to 50 Scholarship awards, possible allocation is as follows: 30 open to anyone by public competition, 10 by public competition for Western Region indigenes and 10 for public servants nominated from key Ministries/Government Agencies)
• Ivory Coast          (up to 5 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government Agencies)
• Kenya                  (up to 10 awards by public competition to the general public)
• Mauritania         (up to 5 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government Agencies)
• Uganda               (up to 20 awards, possible allocation is as follows: 14 open to anyone by public competition and 6 by public competition to indigenes from the areas where Tullow is operator, western Uganda)
• Uruguay            (up to 2 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government Agencies)
• Suriname            (up to 2 awards to public servants nominated by key Ministries/Government Agencies)

The number of awards/scale of investment in the Scholarship scheme for each country is appropriate to the phase (the project life cycle) of Tullow’s business in that country at present.

Ghana currently gets the largest number of awards in recognition of its significant revenue producing status. Up to ten awards will be earmarked for indigenes from the coastal communities in the Western Region to ensure that the Scheme also contributes to the socio-economic development of this area.

In Uganda up to six out of the twenty awards will be earmarked for the communities in the areas where Tullow is operator so that this remote area also benefits from the Scheme.

In Kenya up to three out of the ten awards will be earmarked for the communities in the areas where Tullow is operator so that this remote area also benefits from the Scheme.

For the remaining countries, the Scholarship scheme will focus on public servants from key Ministries and Government Agencies in 2013. However, this will be reviewed and may be extended to everyone by open competition in later years.

The number of awards may vary this year depending on the quality of the applications received. The countries and number of awards may also change in subsequent years in order to maintain alignment with our business priorities.

No. The scholarship is limited to citizens who are resident and working in the participating countries only. The aim is for the scholars to return to their home country and contribute to its development by applying the increased skills and knowledge they have acquired. 

Yes, applicants will be expected to write a series of test such as aptitude tests which they will have to pass to move on to the next stage of the application process. Candidates will also have to write and pass the compulsory IELTS test before awards will be confirmed to successful candidates. The mark required is a minimum score of 6.0 in each sub section and a minimum overall score of 6.5

No. The scholarship once given is only for the up coming academic year. You cannot defer the scholarship. If your personal circumstances change to the extent that you consider deferring, please contact the British Council for the next step.

The Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme is being launched on 9 January 2013 and will be open to receive applications from qualified candidates until 13 February 2013. More information on the application process is available here – please hyperlink (http://tullowgroupscholarshipscheme.org/english/application-guidelines/eligibility-guidelines

The British Council will review all applications and will shortlist successful candidates that meet the selection criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo a series of psychometric, group assessment and interviews which will be conducted by the British Council. Successful candidates will be required to complete final interviews and pass IELTS testing before the awards are confirmed.

The Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme is being launched on 9 January 2013 and will be open to receive applications from qualified candidates until 13 February 2013. More information on the application process is available here

The British Council will review all applications and will shortlist successful candidates that meet the selection criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo a series of psychometric, group assessment and interviews which will be conducted by the British Council. Successful candidates will be required to complete final interviews and pass IELTS testing before the awards are confirmed.

• full details of all previous studies with associated certificates and transcripts
• full details of all previous and current employment
• contact details
• passport details
• Full names and contact details of 2 referees (First name(s) and Family name). You must have known both of your referees for at least 3 years

The form should not take longer than 30 minutes to complete. Information can be copied and pasted from other documents. Also you can save the form and return to it at a later date if you do not have all of the information you need to complete it immediately

The Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme application form is an online system; therefore you need internet to be able to complete the form.

The scholarship process will take approximately 6 months. You will be sent an initial email acknowledging your application and a further email, within 6 weeks, with information regarding your application.

If you have not received an e-mail or response within 4 weeks of your application being submitted, please check your inbox is not full (and therefore rejecting our message). Please also check your ‘Spam’ folder or ‘Junk Email’ to make sure that our message has not been filtered out. You can also email tullowscholarship@britishcouncil.org

You will receive notification of the decision. The British Council will be able to give feedback on the reason should you reach the interview stage.

There is no facility to fast-track your application. You should ensure you apply as soon as possible before the stated deadline.

The email should arrive in your account within 48 hours of registration. If you do not receive it please check to make sure your inbox is not full. Please also check your ‘Spam’ folder or ‘Junk email’ folder to make sure that our message has not been filtered out. If you have still not received this email please follow the forgotten password link on the application form home page. This will generate a new email with a new link to the application form. You will need to reset your password before you can access the application form.

We will contact you if we need any information.

If you have missed out information or you have incorrectly filled in some parts of the application form, you can amend as necessary. However, if you realize this after submission, you will have to start the application process all over again.

Please go to the application form home page. Click on the ‘Forgotten Password’ link and enter the email address you used to register. This field is case-sensitive so you should enter the address exactly as you entered it to register. Please only do this once as each time you enter your email address it invalidates the last email to you generated by the system. You should then receive a new link to allow you to access your application form, (please allow a minimum of 30 minutes for this to arrive). You will need to create a new password of your choice. The password field is also case-sensitive.

When clicking on the link please ensure that the full link is highlighted. If it is not, please copy and paste the full link into your web browser.

If you still experience difficulties please contact us.

• Please make sure that you do not enter too much text on any area of the form, the character limit is stated on the fields. Reduce the amount of text you have entered and try to continue. If you need to submit any additional information at a later date please email us after you have submitted your application, quoting your application number.
• please also ensure that you enter only text and no symbols such as ‘ # > <
• Ensure that you have filled in all of the required fields.
• Please note that pages are locked if they are left inactive for over 9 minutes. This means 9 minutes without saving or clicking the next button.
• If you still experience difficulties please email tullowscholarship@britishcouncil.org or contact the British Council office in your country