Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL) is a prestigious award designed to support outstanding individuals who aspire to become future global leaders. This scholarship was created in memory of Professor Stephen Young, a former Head of the Department of Marketing and mentor to Dr. Charles Huang during his PhD studies. Funded by the Charles Huang Foundation, the programme offers up to five full scholarships each year for exceptional students pursuing the Strathclyde MBA on a full-time basis in Glasgow.

SYGL aims to develop leadership skills and nurture talented individuals who can drive meaningful change in society and business. In addition to the MBA programme, scholars will participate in leadership training through the Stephen Young Institute (SYI), gaining mentorship and networking opportunities. Successful candidates will receive a full tuition waiver and a generous stipend to cover living expenses, ensuring they can focus entirely on their studies and leadership development.

Scholarship Benefits

The Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL) provides a range of benefits to help scholars succeed in their MBA journey and leadership development.

• Full Tuition Coverage – Scholars will receive a full-fee scholarship for the Strathclyde MBA, covering all tuition costs.
• Living Expenses Stipend – A generous financial allowance will be provided to support living costs during the one-year full-time MBA in Glasgow.
• Global Learning Opportunities – Scholars may attend MBA elective classes at Strathclyde’s international centers in Europe, the Middle East, or the Far East, with flights and accommodation covered.
• International Exchange – Some scholars may have the chance to study at partner universities, gaining valuable global exposure.
• Research Participation – Scholars could take part in a special research project through the Stephen Young Institute (SYI).
• Leadership Development – Scholars will receive mentorship and coaching from senior business leaders, CEOs, or executives in their field of interest.
• Networking and Community – Scholars become part of the SYI leadership community, connecting with influential professionals and fellow scholars.

Eligibility Criteria

The Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL) is open to outstanding candidates who meet the following requirements:

• MBA Admission Requirement – Applicants must meet the admissions criteria for the Strathclyde full-time MBA programme and hold an offer for the programme before applying for the scholarship.
• Academic Excellence – Candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic merit, such as a first-class undergraduate degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Self-Funded Status – Applicants must be self-funded, meaning they should not have access to corporate sponsorships or other scholarship funding.
• Interview Requirement – Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a formal interview, either in person or virtually.

Application Process

To apply for the Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL), you must follow these steps

• You must first secure an offer for the Strathclyde MBA program before applying for the Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL).
• Once you have received your admission offer, you can proceed with the scholarship application through the Strathclyde Business School (SBS) scholarship portal.
• The application form requires you to provide personal details, academic background, and professional experience.
• You must submit a scholarship statement demonstrating your academic achievements, leadership potential, and future career ambitions.
• After submission, all applications will be reviewed by the SBS panel, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview (online or in person).
• A selection committee will make the final decision based on merit and leadership potential.
• Only successful applicants will be notified of the outcome.

Required Documents

When applying for the Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL), applicants must provide the following documents:

1. Personal Details: Full name, Date of birth, Nationality, Contact information (email address, phone number)
2. Application Number: our Strathclyde University application number, which you receive after applying for the MBA program.
3. Educational Background: Details of your previous educational qualifications, including degree results and the name of the institution where you obtained them. Include your first-class undergraduate degree or its equivalent, if applicable.
4. Employment History: A summary of your work experience, including your current job title, company name, and a brief description of your responsibilities.
5. Funding Details: An explanation of how you plan to finance your MBA if you are not awarded the SYGL scholarship. This includes any other financial support or sponsorship you may be receiving.
6. Personal Statement: A well-written personal statement (maximum 1,000 words) that explains your career goals, motivations for applying to the Strathclyde MBA, leadership potential, and how you intend to leverage the scholarship to make a positive impact.

Selection Process

The selection process for the Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL) follows a structured evaluation to identify outstanding candidates. Below are the key steps:

1. Application Submission Review
   • After the application deadline, a panel from Strathclyde Business School (SBS) will review all submitted applications.
   • Applications will be assessed based on academic excellence, leadership potential, career aspirations, and alignment with the scholarship’s values.
2. Shortlisting of Candidates
   • A selection panel will create a shortlist of candidates based on the quality of their personal statements and overall application strength.
   • Only shortlisted candidates will proceed to the next stage.
3. Interview Stage
   • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview, which may be conducted in person or online.
   • The interview will assess leadership qualities, communication skills, career goals, and how well the applicant aligns with the values of the SYGL scholarship and Strathclyde Business School.
4. Final Selection by the Committee
   • After the interviews, a selection committee chaired by the Executive Dean of SBS will review the candidates and make the final decision.
   • The selection is based on overall performance in the application, interview, and demonstration of leadership potential.
5. Donor Consultation and Approval
   • The final decision will be shared with the donor, the Charles Huang Foundation, before the official announcement.
   • However, the university will make the final selection independently.
6. Notification of Results
   • Only successful applicants will be notified of their selection.
   • Due to the high volume of applications, unsuccessful candidates will not receive individual feedback.

Scholarship Duration

The Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship Programme (SYGL) covers a one-year full-time MBA program at Strathclyde Business School (SBS), Glasgow.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM (GMT) on 1 June 2025

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