Brian Fox Scholarship in Creative Writing

Study area(s): Humanities and Social Sciences
Scholarship level: Master’s Research
Closing date(s): 15 November
Tenure: One year
Number offered: 1 or more (at the discretion of the decison makers)
Value: $7,000 (subject to funds available)

History and Purpose

This scholarship was established by Brian Fox in 2017 through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation. Following the death of Brian Fox in 2020 a further sum was added to the fund under Brian Fox’s Will.

Brian Fox began his university education in 1946 but was unable to finish it. He completed a Teaching Diploma at Wellington Teachers College and enjoyed a forty-year career as a highly respected teacher and Principal. He was the first to teach English as a second language to Colombo Plan students in the early 1960s. Brian returned to university in the early 1970s to complete his degree but his degenerating eyesight prevented him from finishing. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage further study of Creative Writing.

Who is eligible?

  • Students must be eligible for the MA in Creative Writing.
  • Applicants must be New Zealand citizens.
  • Students must have applied for entry into the MA in Creative Writing at the IIML at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Selection criteria

  • Scholarships are awarded based on creative potential, academic merit, and personal statements.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

  • Personal statement outlining why the applicant merits the scholarship.
  • Academic reference (to be requested via the online application).

Selection process

Recipients will be selected by the Director of the International Institute of Modern Letters who may consult with relevant and appropriate IIML staff. The decision-makers shall have the discretion to award one or more scholarships as they see fit but are not required to award the scholarship every year.

Additional information

This scholarship will be paid by in two equal instalments in trimester one and trimester two.

Recipients must write a letter of thanks.

ln future, should the fulfilment of the purpose of the Scholarship, as described above, become impracticable or impossible, then the Gift may be used by the Foundation for such purposes most in keeping with Brian Fox’s Last Will & Testament.

Regulations and conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
  2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being enrolled in a full-year programme (as stipulated by Studylink as full-time), within the criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. Where part-time study for the recipient is approved, their scholarship award may be pro-rated. This decision will be made by the decision-making panel. Before the recipient decides to reduce their workload from full-time study, this must be discussed with the Scholarships Office. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other University awards.
  5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04