referees: how to complete a...

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Referees: How to complete a reference Complete a reference Save the form Submit a reference Problems?

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Complete a reference 1. When applying for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship, a candidate must include the names and email

addresses of two, three or four Referees depending on which award he/she is applying for. When the candidate submits his/her application form, you will be sent an email asking you to complete a reference.

2. Click on the link in the email. This takes you to the Reference page on the EAS.

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3. If the candidate has given you permission to see his/her application, you will have the option to download the form under Applicant’s Details before completing the reference. Click on View Application to download and save the application form – this can then be printed.

Click on Close on the Here is the file screen to return to the Reference page. (Do not click on the cross at the top right corner of the screen, as this will close your internet browser.)

4. If you wish to amend your details, click on Edit next to the relevant field under Referee’s Details.

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5. Click on Help document under Comments for details about the information that should be included in the reference.

6. Rather than typing directly into the form, you may find it easier to write the reference in a separate word processing

program and then cut and paste the text under Comments. This method also means that you will be able to easily produce a hard copy of the reference on headed paper, which will be needed if the candidate reaches the final stage of the selection process.

The CSC attaches great importance to references from people who are well acquainted with the candidate's academic or professional work. Referees should comment as fully as possible on the candidate, keeping in mind the following points for inclusion, as appropriate:

How long and in what capacity you have known the candidate Your views on the candidate's academic record and suitability for the proposed research/course in general and

need for the particular subject of study/course in the UK Information on how and to what extent the candidate has shown ability in terms of:

- capability to grasp concepts and to reason analytically - capacity for original thought - motivation and perseverance in achieving objectives

Assessment of the candidate's particular strengths and weaknesses Any other general qualities that you consider would make the candidate a good recipient of a

scholarship/fellowship

The candidate will NOT be able to see any of his/her references.

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Save the form 1. If you wish to save the form to return to complete it later, click on Save in the top right corner of the Reference page.

2. The Password Required pop-up box will open. You will need a password to access the form later. Enter a password

twice.

The EAS Help Desk eas@cscuk.org.uk has no access to your password, so if you forget it or lose it you will not be able to access the form again to submit it.

3. Click on OK. You will be returned to the References page.

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4. Click on Exit in the top right corner. The Form Close pop-up will open.

5. Click on Yes to save the changes you have made to the form so far. The Form Password pop-up will open.

6. Click on OK. This takes you to the Form Saved and Closed page. You can now close your internet browser.

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Submit a reference 1. Once you have completed the reference in full, click on Submit in the top right corner of the References page.

2. This takes you to the Form Submitted Successfully page. You can now close your internet browser.

You will not be sent an email confirmation. 3. If the candidate reaches the final stage of the selection process, you will be sent another email requesting a hard

copy of the reference on headed paper. Full instructions will be provided in the email.

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Problems? If you are unable to access the online form or use it to submit a reference, you can send a signed reference, preferably on headed paper, scanned in PDF format to references.scholarships@cscuk.org.uk if the application is for a (General) Scholarship to references.sharedscholarships@cscuk.org.uk if the application is for a Shared Scholarship to references.distancelearning@cscuk.org.uk if the application is for a Distance Learning Scholarship to references.fellowships@cscuk.org.uk if the application is for an Academic Fellowship to references.medicalfellowships@cscuk.org.uk if the application is for a Medical Fellowship The Helpdesk will then upload the reference into the candidate’s online application. Any references sent in this way must be sent directly from the same email address to which the invitation to submit a reference was sent via the EAS. Please also quote the candidate/referee ID (in the example below, 248467_ref2). A reference sent from any other address will be ignored.