SWITZERLAND - OXFORD UNIVERSITY
A generous donation by the Marquis de Amodio provides for up to six Scholarships every year. The Scholarships were set up to create further links between Switzerland and Great Britain by allowing Swiss students to pursue fully funded postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford as members of Lincoln College. Each year, up to four Berrow Foundation Scholarships and two Lord Florey Scholarships are awarded. The Scholarships are tenable for up to three years and cover university tuition fees as well as a generous living allowance.
SCOPE AND ELIGIBILITY
Berrow Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing any course of postgraduate study within Oxford University, providing the course leads to a higher postgraduate degree. Candidates must be nationals of, and domiciled in, either Switzerland or Lichtenstein. They should be currently member of one of the following academic institution: University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, University of Fribourg, University of Bern, University of Neuchâtel or Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL). Additionally candidates should apply no more than five years after graduating from one of these universities.
Lord Florey Scholarships are intended for students pursuing a postgraduate degree in medical, chemical or biochemical sciences at the University of Oxford. Candidates must be nationals of, and domiciled in, either Switzerland or Lichtenstein. Candidates should apply no more than five years after graduating from any Swiss university including the ETH-Zürich and EPF-Lausanne. Successful candidates will also have access to additional funding to support them in attending conferences where they present their research.
Candidates should note that projects involving human embryos, their creation as well as the use of human stem cell research will not be considered for funding.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
In order to be considered for a Scholarship, candidates have to apply and be accepted by both Oxford University and Lincoln College.
The application procedure is done simultaneously for the relevant Scholarship, the University and College. The different completed forms should be submitted together to Lincoln College no later than January (see link below for exact date) for courses starting in October of the same year.
Forms as well as further information about the scholarships can be found here.
A selection committee of experts will evaluate the applications based on the candidates' achievements and establish a shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for an interview, usually taking place in May (applications of January the same year). Candidates should note that the committee will not only pay attention to scholastic achievement but also to qualities such truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship will also be con. It will also look for moral force of character and the instincts to lead and take an interest in one's contemporaries. Such attributes, are partly inspired by those required by Rohdes Trustes when making their nominations and reflect the aims of the Berrow Foundation.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Berrow Foundation and the Lord Florey Scholarship were created in 1985, financed by a donation from the Late Marquis Julio de Amodio. The Marquis had himself studied at Oxford University as a member of Lincoln College, where he gained international recognition for is talents at fencing a rapidly became Captain of Fencing.
He later served as Officer in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and subsequently in the diplomatic services. Wishing to strengthen the relationship between Great Britain and Switzerland, a country that had welcomed him, he generously provided for the creation of the scholarships. In his own words he described the scholarships as follow:
"The Berrow Foundation Scholarships of Lincoln College were set up to create further links between Switzerland and Great Britain. The university not only provides learning, sports, unequalled opportunities for lifelong friendship, and valued contacts, but also broadens its members' outlook. Throughout my life I have repeatedly benefited from the years spent at Lincoln and therefore am confident that theses scholarships will provide similar opportunities and happiness for all successful candidates."
In recognition to his services to the relations between the United Kingdom and Switzerland, the Marquis de Amodio was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen on 13th February 1996.