What is a Sainsbury Management Fellowship?
Sainsbury Management Fellowships (SMF) enable engineers of high career potential to undertake an MBA at a top international Business School.
Who can apply?
Applicants who are UK nationals, currently living in the UK, with a first degree in engineering, allied technology or science discipline.
It would also be expected that an applicant is able to demonstrate a commitment to UK engineering and business and their respective engineering community.
Applicants would generally have between 4 to 10 years work experience.
Do I need to have applied for business school before I apply for this scholarship?
No, you can apply for this scholarship without having applied to business school. Equally, we still welcome applications from those who already hold an offer at one of our eligible business schools.
Do I need to have taken the GMAT exam?
Yes, you need to have taken the GMAT exam, and achieved a score of at least 650.
What are the benefits of a Sainsbury Management Fellowship?
Sainsbury Management Fellows will have access to Royal Academy of Engineering events and activities and will become a part of the Sainsbury Management Fellowship alumni network
What can I use a Sainsbury Management Fellowship for?
A Sainsbury Management Fellowship can be used to cover costs associated with undertaking your MBA for example tuition fees, course materials, living expenses, relocation costs etc.
My tuition fees have already been paid; can I still receive a Sainsbury Management Fellowship?
Yes, if your tuition fees have been paid upfront or are being met in another way (for example through an employer or another scholarship) you are able to use your Sainsbury Management Fellowship to cover course materials, living expenses, relocation costs etc.
If successful, how will I receive my award?
If you have already paid the full tuition fee to the business school, the Academy will pay you your award against a paid invoice receipt from the business school (on letterhead). Conversely, if you have not yet paid your tuition fee to the business school, then the Academy will pay you your award once you have enrolled to business school (and can demonstrate this with a proof of enrolment document).
What are the key application dates?
Frequency of award cycle?
There are two application windows for the award. First one from October to April the following year and second one from May to September same year. Interviews for first cycle are held in May whilst interviews for the second cycle take place in October.
Timeline of application process
The applications will be open for the two windows mentioned above. We will tend to close for applications about six weeks before interview dates are scheduled. All necessary information is shared with the shortlisted applicants in a timely manner.
Start and end dates and duration of award
There is not a designated start and end of award, the dates depend on start and finish dates of individual MBA programmes. The duration of the award is the duration of the individual MBA programme
Review process
Once all applications have been received they will be reviewed for eligibility and content. Please note even if you submit an application early we will not review it until after the closing date.
Those who are invited to interview will be notified in sufficient time to prepare for their interview, this will usually involve preparing a short presentation on a specific topic / question (which will be shared at the time of invitation to interview). Interviews last for 45 minutes and will be conducted by a panel of up to 4 interviewers who will be a mix of Royal Academy of Engineering Fellows and Sainsbury Management Fellow Alumni. Where possible, interviews will be held in person at the Royal Academy of Engineering’s offices in London.
How to apply?
Applications must be submitted using the Academy's Grant Management System (GMS), we will not accept paper applications.
Can you reapply?
Reapplication is not allowed for anyone who has been invited to interview, anyone who applies but is not invited to interview may reapply after a period of two years
What type of MBA is eligible?
Only those individuals completing a Full-time MBA at one of the eligible business schools are open to apply. We are unable to accept applications from people undertaking Executive or part time MBAs, or MPAs.
Can I apply if I plan to complete my MBA at a Business School that is not on the list of eligible Business Schools?
At this stage we are not able to accept applications from anyone who is attending a business school that is not one of the 19 eligible schools. The eligible business schools are continually ranked amongst the top business schools in the world, whilst we recognise that other business schools are also in this position we do not intend to amend this list at this stage.
This list is reviewed from time to time and we will not be able to consider requests to include a new business school or make an exception for any individuals on an ad hoc basis.
How many Sainsbury Managment Fellowships are awarded each year?
Up to 8 awards are made each year.