How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay?
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Dreaming of studying abroad with a scholarship? A compelling scholarship essay can make all the difference. This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to showcase your unique qualities and achieve your academic goals. With our expert tips, you'll learn how to write a scholarship essay with a persuasive narrative that highlights your achievements and makes a lasting impression on the selection committee.
Steps to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay
Let us look at the steps below that determine how you can write a winning scholarship essay.
Step 1 - Research:
The first step to writing a winning scholarship essay is to research the scholarship that you want to get. You must find out the history of the trust that is offering the scholarship. What are the main aspects that they are looking for in a successful candidate? Mostly, the trust/society looks for good academic scores/ background, effective leadership abilities, innovation, the ability to take initiative, and a student who is an all-rounder. You must reflect on your life and select instances and qualities to discuss in the scholarship essay that will help you stand out from the rest. For instance, in your college/school if you established a club and increased its membership, then you can talk about your efforts and contributions to showcase your leadership and initiative. You may also do some research on the life stories of the winners in the past to understand the profiles eligible for the scholarship.
Step 2 - Ideate:
Having understood the expectations of the scholarship-offering organization/ body think about how you would want to depict your life’s story to suit their parameters. Another step to writing a winning scholarship essay would be to focus on the presentation of your facts/anecdotes/ information in a vivid manner. You must carefully plan your content to convince the reader. However, avoid the urge to gain sympathy when talking about your need for the scholarship. You must come across as a deserving candidate, not a needy one. Hence, you must discuss your achievements and victories, despite all odds. First, come up with an outline for the scholarship essay having an idea of the skills/topics/instances that you want to mention.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Step 3 - Write:
Organize your thoughts and structure your essay. The essay should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Avoid grammatical mistakes and ensure clarity in the written matter. However, there is no need to use flowery language because it is your content/story that will be the deciding factor and not your word power. You must include all aspects of the question/ prompt/ guidelines. Also, adhere to the word limit, if specified.
Step 4 - Edit:
Moreover, do not underestimate the power of editing and proofreading. You must avoid spelling and grammatical errors by proofreading the essay two or three times. Make sure that the final copy is flawless.
Related Readings:
Short Scholarship Essay Examples
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
The English language test score required at the Univerisyt of South Wales are mentioned in the table below for the international applicants whose first language is not English
Exam | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
IELTS | 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band |
TOEFL | 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing |
PTE | a score of 59 overall and 59 in each component. |
The minimum IELTS score required for studying in the UK ranges from 6.0 to 6.5. Most undergraduate programs require a minimum score of 6.0, while postgraduate courses often require at least 6.5. However, there are some 5.5 IELTS band score accepting universities in UK for foundation or pre-master's courses.
The Bournemouth University ranks highly as part of UK-wide rankings given by a number of notable ranking platforms. Shiksha ranks it #59 as part of its the latest popularity rankings. An unofficial source ranks BU, #105 as part of its National University Rankings for 2025, while another major college/university ranking platform ranks it #56 as part of its UK University Rankings 2025.
Some of its streams are also ranked by Shiksha, as given below:
| Stream | Shiksha Popularity Ranking |
|---|---|
| Engineering | #85 |
| Business & Management | #85 |
| Mass Communication | #27 |
| Nursing | #31 |
| Arts | #50 |
| Law | #65 |
| Science | #72 |
| Accounting | #90 |
Essex University is among the top business and management universities in the UK that offer quality education to international students. It ranks at 61 in the UK by the 'Complete University Guide' for Business and Management studies. The university offers an MBA programme at a low cost for international students. Applicants can complete the first year of education of the MBA programme from INR 17 L to INR 27 L. Therefore, yes the university is good for an MBA in the UK.
Check the list of Top Ranked MBA Universities in the UK
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Here are two examples of short scholarship essays that include all the essential components of a scholarship essay.
Scholarship Essay Example 1
| From the moment I first peered through a microscope in biology class, I was captivated by the intricate world unseen by the naked eye. This fascination has only deepened, solidifying my aspiration to pursue a career in biomedical research. I am particularly drawn to the challenges of understanding and combating infectious diseases. Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of my education but also empower me to fully immerse myself in my studies and dedicate more time to research opportunities. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the development of innovative treatments that will improve global health, and this scholarship would be a crucial step in making that vision a reality. |
Scholarship Essay Example 2
| Growing up in a single-parent household with limited resources taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Witnessing my mother's tireless efforts to provide for our family instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and a determination to overcome obstacles. While financial constraints have often been a source of stress, they have also fueled my ambition to succeed academically. I have consistently sought out part-time work while maintaining a strong GPA, demonstrating my commitment to both my education and my responsibilities. This scholarship would provide invaluable support, allowing me to focus more intently on my studies in computer science and ultimately contribute my skills to creating accessible technology for underserved communities. |
This was all about " how to write a winning scholarship essay to study abroad". For assistance on studying abroad, get in touch with Shiksha's Counselling Services for free.
Four Steps to Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay - FAQs
Q. What are some of the steps to writing a winning scholarship essay?
A. There are a few simple steps to writing a winning scholarship essay. You must understand the prompt fully and then research on the expectations of the scholarship-offering trust/body. Your next step should be to recall instances from your life that align with the requirements. Going further, you must organize your thoughts and then give them a structure. Write the essay in a manner that there is a proper and strong introduction, body, and conclusion. Ensure that you have answered all parts of the prompt/ question, followed all the guidelines and word limit specified, and proofread the essay.
Q. Should I present myself as a distressed candidate in utter need of the scholarship?
A. While you may express your need for the scholarship, your goal should be to present yourself as the most deserving candidate. Rather than arousing sympathy, you should focus on winning the admiration and trust of the scholarship-offering organization.
Q. What are some of the qualities that I may highlight in the scholarship essay?
A. An important step to writing a winning scholarship essay is to make sure that you present yourself as someone with strong leadership skills, academic prowess, initiative, sincerity, focus, motivation, and critical thinking ability. You should mention your academic and other achievements too. If you have won scholarships in the past, you must talk about that.
Q. Is it important to learn about the scholarship-provider’s values?
A. Yes, it is a good idea to learn about and align with the values and goals of your scholarship-provider. You must also show how you may in the future contribute to the organization. This is an important step to writing a winning scholarship essay.
Q. How do you start writing an essay for scholarship?
A. Like any task that looks tough in the beginning, starting a scholarship essay looks the same. However, with some expert tips, you can articulate an impressive scholarship essay that can win over the scholarship committee. Here is the guide to help you get started:
1. Understand the Prompt:
- Read carefully: Before you write anything, thoroughly read and understand the essay prompt. Identify the keywords and what the scholarship committee is asking for.
- Analyse the requirements: Pay attention to word limits, formatting guidelines, and any specific themes or questions you need to address.
2. Brainstorm and Plan:
- Reflect on your experiences: Think about your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal experiences, and future goals.
- Identify key themes: What are the most important things you want to convey about yourself? What makes you unique?
- Create an outline: Organise your thoughts and ideas into a logical structure. This will help you stay focused and ensure your essay has a clear flow.
3. Craft a Compelling Introduction:
- Start with a hook: Grab the reader's attention with an engaging opening sentence or paragraph. This could be a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement.
- Introduce your topic: Briefly introduce the main themes of your essay and provide context for your experiences.
- State your thesis: Clearly state your main argument or point. This should tell the reader what your essay is about and why you deserve the scholarship
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After applying to Hertfordshire University UK, the applicants are going to receive an initial decision about their application within 2-3 working days. After the submission of the application and documents, the applicants are required to pay their tuition deposit. Then, complete the Sponsorship interview and the financial declaration. International students are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 before registration. The balance can be paid in line with the liability dates related to the year and entry of the semester.