€2 million freed for Masters scholarships

A €2 million scholarship scheme for would-be Masters students will be launched next week, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said this morning. In a departure from standard scholarship eligibility criteria, having an undergraduate degree will not be a prerequisite: if applicants find a foreign university willing to accept them as mature students, they will be able to apply for the new Master It scholarship fund. Students with a general honours degree will also be eligible, Mr Bartolo noted. Masters courses must begin by the end of this year to qualify. The €2 million pot - already €700,000 more than last year's budget allocation - may increase further. Priority will be given to postgraduate courses dealing with high-end manufacturing, life sciences, educational services, financial services, transportation and advanced logistics, tourism, creative industries and ICT. Educational services studies which focus on learning difficulties, literacy and vocational training will be given greater consideration. Full-time students stand to receive up to €8,000 a year, with €2,500 of that serving as a maintenance grant. Those studying abroad will receive a further €2,500, while Gozitan...