PTDF Scholarship: 2024/2025 Overseas Msc and PhD Application

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), is the Federal Government agency with the mandate of developing indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry. As part of its efforts towards realising its mission, the agency invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the 2024/2025 Overseas MSc and PhD scholarships to specific programmes at selected institutions.

An Overview of the PTDF Scholarship Scheme

The PTDF scholarship scheme was developed to offer suitable candidates the opportunity to benefit from a diversified pool of knowledge and the facilities offered by world-class institutions across the world.  Candidates are advised to apply through PTDF to specific programmes at institutions across the world that partner with PTDF. The PTDF scholarship is a fully funded scholarship with benefits which includes provision of flight tickets, payment of health insurance, payment of tuition and bench fees (where applicable), and the provision of allowances to meet the costs of accommodation and living expenses.

This is not an opportunity you want to miss. However, you should note that the 2024/2025 award, is limited to PTDF partner universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia where the agency is certain that the scholarship’s high standards can be maintained, and the objectives of the scheme will be best served.

PTDF Scholarship Selection Process, Criteria & Requirements

Just like many other fully funded scholarships, the PTDF scholarship scheme is highly competitive, and only candidates who can demonstrate track record of outstanding excellence are considered fit for the scholarship. Based on the submitted qualifications, the top applicants for each category from each state will be invited for an interview where a selection committee will be constituted to assess applications using the following criteria:

1. Academic merit as evidenced by the quality of degrees, full academic transcripts and other professional qualifications acquired
2. Relevant publications to be referenced by applicant (PhD applicants only)
3. Membership of professional bodies.
4. The viability and relevance of the study/research plan.
5. Relevance of previous studies to the oil and gas industry and the proposed course/research

PTDF Scholarship Application Requirements

Candidates applying for MSc program in any of our partner universities must meet the following requirements:

2. A minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) qualification in their first degree or a Second Class Lower (2.2) with relevant industry experience
3. Must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC)
4. Must be computer literate
5. Possession of 5 O/level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
6. Statement of purpose (maximum 500 words) stating the reason(s) for the proposed study, its relevance to the industry and its expected impact on national development.
7. Applicants must have a National Identity Number (NIN) and will be required to have verified it (NIMC verification charges apply) before applying for the scholarship.

All candidates applying for the PhD program must meet the following requirements:

1. Must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC)
2. Must be computer literate
3. Possession of 5 O/level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
4. A minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in their first degree and a good post-graduate degree
5. A research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (of not more than five pages) to include: Topic, introduction, objective, methodology and mode of data collection.
6. All lecturers must produce a letter from their Vice Chancellors confirming that they are not in receipt of any other scholarships
7. Applicants must have a National Identity Number (NIN) and will be required to have verified it (NIMC verification charges apply) before applying for the scholarship.

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Documents Required to Process the Scholarship Application

All applicants are advised to scan copies of the following documents and attach to the online application forms:

1. First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result
2. NYSC discharge certificate
3. WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO results and the PINs on the application forms to enable PTDF to view the O’level results on the relevant website.
4. Recent Passport Photograph
5. Local Government Identification Letter
6. Master’s Degree Certificate (PhD Applicants only)
7. Evidence of membership in professional associations

10 Things to note before you Apply for the PTDF Scholarship

1. The scholarship is a fully founded scholarship that covers flight, tuition, living allowance and other expenses.
2. The scholarship is for the 2024/2025 academic session.
3. The scholarship is limited to PTDF approved courses in PTDF partner institutions.
4. Scholarships will only be awarded for studies relevant to PTDF’S mandate; candidates may be disqualified for applying for programmes not relevant to the oil and gas industry.
5. The proposed course of study must also be related to previous studies.
6. Candidates with multiple applications will lead to disqualification.
7. Candidates who have been sponsored by the Fund for a scholarship category (MSc/PhD) are ineligible to make another application for the same category.
8. Candidates who successfully scale through the first round of screening will be requested to attend the interview with their transcripts; all applicants are therefore advised to prepare their transcripts in anticipation.
9. A full list of sponsored courses and Application Forms are available on the scholarship portal.
10. This scholarship can change the trajectory of your life if you are selected. Why not apply for it before the deadline and give it a chance?

 Step by Step Guide on How to apply for the 2024 PTDF Scholarship

1. Visit the application portal to create application account and fill in your details. An email with instructions on how to login and set your password will be sent to the email address you entered.
2. Login with your email as username and the password you created following the instructions sent to your email address.
3. Click Verify NIN button before you start a new application. For those that are just verifying their NIN, fill the fields and agree the terms (charges may apply). If you have tried to verify your NIN and it was not successful do not try the second time as you will be charged twice. Click on the red button with text Click here for all failed NIN verification then enter your payment transaction reference and NIN to complete the verification. You can resolve all your NIN related issues by contacting the support.
4. You will be required to accept or decline the disclaimer. You are required to read and accept the terms and conditions to continue with the application or if you do not agree simply decline and end your application.
5. You will be required to accept or decline the terms and conditions stating that PTDF has the right to award another University that is different from the ones you select in this application. Then also you will be required to choose your first second or third choice University and courses. Please note that if your first choice is a German University, you must choose Abuja as your choice for interview. You are also required to upload your statement of purpose (MSc applicants) and Research Proposal (PhD applicants).
6. You will be required to upload additional documents such as birth certificate, LGA certificate using PDF sizes less than 300kb.
7. You will be required to upload journal/publication (maximum of 5) and membership of any professional body (maximum of 5).This is the last stage where you get to preview all the details you’ve inputted in your application and ensure that there are no mistakes before submission. Note that once application is submitted, you can no longer edit it.

PTDF Scholarship 2024 Application Deadline:

The closing date for the application is Monday, March 18, 2024.