Applying for Albanian State Police & Internal Control Service Professional Development Scholarship Programme

Advanced Masters in Criminal Justice, Governance and Police Science.

The OSCE Presence in Albania in co-operation with the International Police Association Section UK and Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany offer the opportunity to members of the Albanian State Police and Internal Control Service, to apply for the consideration of a Scholarship placement on this two year e-learning Advanced Masters course.  The financial aspects of which will be fully supported by the OSCE Presence in Albania.

Ruhr-Universität Bochum advise that this international advanced, extra-occupational programme, is in particular open to applicants with the following credentials:

• Successful completion of a university/college (BA, BSc and MA, MSc or equivalent) degree comprising of at least 240 credit points (CP's) in the subjects of law, psychology, sociology or other relevant subject areas;
• Any lacking CP's can be gained through additional attainments. This may also be through recognition of attainments achieved at other universities, special training programmes or a certain amount of work experience in years;
• At least one year of relevant practical experience after graduation;
• An excellent knowledge of the English language.

During the course students gain 60 credit points, and must have obtained already 240 credit points according to the ECTS system and the Bologna Agreement.  Applications from outside the European Union and in this case Albania will be evaluated and assessed accordingly.

With those requirements in mind the OSCE Presence intend to offer to all applicants, the opportunity to enter into a selection process facilitated with a written essay in English on a pre-determined subject, in examination conditions.  This essay will thereafter be marked, graded and form the basis of a professional interview, leading to final selection.  Initially the Presence will look to place one successful applicant on the course annually, for the next three years.  The selection process will therefore identify the potential scholarship candidates who in addition to the OSCE Presence requirements, must be in a position to collate the documents required as part of the University application process.

This application package should include:

• Cover letter/Letter of motivation listing the educational path, work experience and skills;
• Personal data sheet/Curriculum Vitae;
• Certificate of general higher education entrance qualification or certificate of an equivalent school leaving qualification;
• Degree certificates and transcripts of grades from a university or college;
• Proof of Professional experience;
• Proof of a good command of the English language i.e. expression in speech and writing, demonstrated by: being a fluent English speaker; having completed their schooling in English (i.e. high school diploma, IB); having completed their first academic degree in English; significant work experience (abroad) with English as the main working language; STANAG, TOEFL or IELTS test results (achieved within the last two years; can be handed in until four weeks before program start);
• 2 letters of recommendation (academic/professional).

Selection Process Agenda:

• Applications to enter the selection process must be submitted in English, to Mr. Gentjan Shehaj, Chief Commissar, Police Training Department by 16:00 hrs on Monday 16th July 2012
• Notification of OSCE preferred topics for the essay will be released on Tuesday 17th July 2012
• Written essay examination will take place within the Police Academy, at 10:00 hrs on Tuesday 24th July 2012
• Those selected for interview will be notified of the dates by Friday 27th July 2012
• All applicants will be notified of the final results on Monday 1st October 2012

Note:
All applicants should be aware that those selected will be supported to submit their applications in accordance with University rules.  Closing dates for applications for January 2013, is 15th September 2012.  Selection as a scholarship candidate by the OSCE does not guarantee a place on the programme.