If you think you have the makings of a top honcho, then the Student Awarded Scholarships (SAS) International could be exactly what you have been dreaming about all this while. SAS International (www.sasinternational.org), a British organisation, offers a full scholarship to persons around the world who would like to take a British or American degree in either law or business administration through distance learning. The best thing about SAS is that scholarships are awarded primarily on passing an assessment programme and not on previous academic achievements.

SAS offers full scholarships to those who want to work toward an LLB, LLB(Hon) or BA law degree, or who already have a Honours degree in law and would like to work toward a masters degree in law. SAS also offers full scholarships to those who want to work toward an MBA. You can get in touch with SAS at seuniv@btinternet.com.

According to SAS, its services are for those who, due to circumstances beyond their control, have little in the way of formal academic qualifications. To apply for a SAS, age or academic background simply does not matter.

The scholarships cover distance learning programmes at the Southern Eastern University (SEU) and the National Association of Paralegals (NAP), both in the UK. The money provided covers the fees required by SEU and NAP to undertake, by distance learning, their joint external law degree or MBA programme. It also includes a return ticket to London, two weeks accommodation and enrollment on a one-week intensive practical legal course or credit management course.

On the weekend, the students will have the opportunity to attend a weekendresidential with other students. Apart from anything else, the residential will be invaluable to students in the sense it will give them an opportunity to form self-help groups.

In January 1999, a committee made up of university students and experienced individuals from the legal profession will select the scholarship candidates. Candidates chosen for the scholarships will be exclusively from among students who have become affiliate members of NAP by successfully completing their assessment programme, the SAS Practical Legal Training Programme (Distance Learning), during 1998.

To become an affiliate member, all SAS asks of you is an essay of between 400-500 words together with three letters of recommendation. Scholarships are for a research degree with the Southern Eastern University and the National Association of Paralegals. Candidates will be chosen for entry either for March 1, 1999, or March 1, 2000. The students will also do an external joint degree programme provided by SEU and NAP.

Studentsshould anticipate taking between 1-2 years to complete the degree course. This in effect means private study in the student's own country of residence.

A research degree will enable a graduate to work as a consultant or specialist in both private and public sectors of industry and commerce. A graduate may require an additional qualification like a CPE before practising as a lawyer in a few countries such as the UK.

The Southern Eastern University was founded in 1899 and is one the largest educational organisations in the world. It incorporates the London College of Applied Science and the University of North West London, chartered in 1912.

The university is also accredited and affiliated to the Albert Schweitzer Society of the US and has a fine reputation in Europe for producing students with higher degrees in medicine and law.

So now you can get your act together and dash off an E-mail to seuniv@btinternet.com for further details. Last date of filing applications is September 15.