How a Colombian Scholar Secured the Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Bristol

My name is Carlos Jose Plazas Tinoco. I am from Colombia, specifically from a town called La Mesa, Cundinamarca, raised by a mother and a grandmother, both of them teachers, who taught me to have a great commitment to social justice. This had led me from a young age to be engaged in community service activities through the catholic church and some local charities.

Nowadays, I am a Lawyer, specialized in Administrative Law, from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where I focused my studies on public finances, urban law, urban development, and constitutional rights. During my undergraduate years, I was actively involved in research through the Research Group on Law and Environmental Conflicts -GIDCA-, working on projects related to environmental conflicts in Colombia.

My professional experience has taken me from advising in the Congress of the Republic, where I drafted legislation addressing social issues like food insecurity, housing access, and environmental protection, to working in municipal government at the Department of City Planning in La Mesa, Cundinamarca, focusing on public space protection and housing delivery for vulnerable populations.

I have decided to pursue a Master's in Public Policy at the University of Bristol because I recognize that while my legal background has provided me with valuable tools for social change, my analysis remains limited to the legal field. I seek to broaden the abilities I have to analyse and effectively address complex problems, especially related to Colombia and Latin America.

Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship Details

I was honored to have been awarded the Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship at the University of Bristol, receiving £13,000 toward my Master's in Public Policy program. This prestigious scholarship from one of the UK's top-ranked public policy institutions not only covers a significant portion of my tuition fees but also provides exclusive access to the Think Big Development Programme, designed to enhance leadership skills and employability beyond traditional academic support.

Educational Background

My educational foundation began with my Law degree from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where I achieved a GPA equivalent to Distinctive in the UK system (4.2/5.0), followed by my Specialist degree in Administrative Law from the same institution, where I earned an even higher GPA of 4.5/5.0, also equivalent to Distinctive. This strong academic performance reflects my deep commitment to understanding the legal frameworks that govern public institutions and social policy implementation.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Bristol?

My preparation began with extensive research into UK universities' public policy programs, using resources like QS World University Rankings, university websites, and academic publications to identify programs that aligned with my background in administrative law and urban development. I specifically sought institutions with strong quantitative and qualitative research capabilities and faculty expertise in poverty studies and urban policy, which led me to Bristol's top-ranked program.

For standardized testing, I enrolled in intensive Academic IELTS preparation courses, given that English academic writing and speaking required significant preparation beyond my professional English skills used in legal contexts. I dedicated four months to structured preparation, attending weekend classes and practicing daily with Cambridge IELTS materials, focusing particularly on academic writing tasks that required synthesizing complex policy arguments, skills that proved invaluable later in crafting my application essays.

I also connected with Colombian alumni from UK universities through LinkedIn and professional networks to gain insights into application strategies and cultural expectations, while simultaneously strengthening my research proposal by reviewing recent publications from Bristol faculty members to ensure my interests aligned with their current research directions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship?

My scholarship preparation was methodical, constrained by the lack of time I had, beginning two months before deadlines by creating a comprehensive timeline that included researching eligibility criteria, gathering supporting documents.

I spent considerable time analyzing previous Think Big Scholarship recipients' profiles and achievements to understand what Bristol valued, while simultaneously documenting my own impact through concrete metrics, such as the number of vulnerable families assisted through my housing policy work and the legislative outcomes of bills I helped draft.

Most importantly, I treated the scholarship application as an opportunity to reflect deeply on my career trajectory and future goals, using the process itself as a form of professional development that clarified my commitment to becoming a regional leader in evidence-based policy solutions for inequality and urban development.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe what distinguished my application was the authentic narrative of progression from grassroots activism to policy implementation, backed by concrete achievements and strong academic performance. My journey from organizing community kitchens to drafting legislation that became national law demonstrated a consistent commitment to social justice with measurable impact. The combination of my Distinctive GPAs, specialized research experience, and direct professional experience in both congressional and municipal government created a compelling case for someone who doesn't just study policy but actively shapes it. Bristol likely recognized that my legal background, combined with hands-on policy work and a clear vision for addressing inequality in Latin America, represented exactly the kind of practitioner-scholar who could maximize the program's interdisciplinary approach.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I were applying again, I would have started the process at least six months earlier to allow more time for thorough research into faculty members' specific research interests and to establish preliminary contact with professors like Eldin Fahmy, whose work on poverty studies aligns with my goals. I would have also sought more international perspectives on my research proposal, perhaps by connecting with Colombian scholars who studied abroad or attending virtual conferences to better understand global approaches to the policy challenges I want to address. Additionally, I would have been more strategic about documenting and quantifying the impact of my legislative and municipal work with specific metrics and case studies that could have strengthened my application's evidence of practical effectiveness.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My advice is to build a coherent narrative that authentically connects your personal experiences, academic achievements, and professional aspirations rather than trying to fit what you think they want to hear. Focus on demonstrating impact through specific examples, whether it's legislation you helped draft, communities you served, or research that influenced policy, because competitive programs like Bristol's Think Big Scholarship seek applicants who will use their education to create meaningful change. Maintain excellent academic standards while gaining practical experience in your field, start your application process early to allow for thoughtful reflection and multiple revisions, and most importantly, be genuine about your motivations and goals. The selection committee can distinguish between authentic passion backed by concrete action and generic statements about wanting to "make a difference," so let your unique journey and achievements speak for themselves while clearly articulating how the program will amplify your existing impact.