How to Make a Successful International Application to a UK University - en.ashinaga.orguk/AEFA

How to Make a Successful
International Application to a UK
University
Ashinaga UK, 16 October 2020

           en.ashinaga.org/uk/AEFA

Our Speakers

       Olga Frolovs

       Nick Rowland

       Mariama A. Jallow

Olga Frolovs

Deputy Head of International Partnerships & Relations
(Scholarships & Sponsors)

olga.frolovs@bristol.ac.uk

Introducing Bristol
This presentation will cover:
- International Foundation Programme
- Undergraduate studies in the UK
- How and when to apply
- Personal statement
- Scholarships available

Your studies
International Foundation Programme

International Foundation Programme
2019/20
       •   27 nationalities
       •   42 academic tutors
       •   Progression Rate: 94%
       •   English class size: 16 maximum

Pathways
   •       Arts and Humanities
   •       Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
   •       Social Sciences and Law
   •       Medicine & Dentistry

Duration
   •       One year
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/academic-language/study/ifp/

Your studies in the UK
-   3-year Bachelor degrees BSc / BEng / BA

-   4-year Bachelor degrees with Industrial or
    Professional placement or Year Abroad/Europe

-   4-year integrated Masters degrees MSc / Meng
    (3-year Bachelors + 1-year Masters)

-   5-year clinical degrees MB ChB / BDS / BVS
    Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Sciences

Your studies in Scotland
-   Typically a 4-year Bachelor degrees BSc / BEng /
    BA - a broader and more flexible degree choice

-   4-year Bachelor degrees with a Study Abroad
    exchange in Year 3

-   5-year integrated Masters degrees MSc / Meng
    (4-year Bachelors + 1-year Masters)

-   5 or 6-year clinical degrees MB ChB / BDS / BVS
    Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Sciences

……………

How to Apply
UCAS
www.ucas.ac.uk

5 programme choices in total – one application for all

Deadlines:
•   15 October 2020 – any course at the universities of Oxford
    and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary
    medicine/science, and dentistry.
•   15 January 2021– for the majority of courses.

How to Apply

What needs to be done by these
dates?
You'll need to leave enough time to complete your application,
resolve any queries and make sure it reaches UCAS by the
deadline.

•   Fill in your details, qualifications and course choices.
•   Write a personal statement to demonstrate you’ll be a good
    student.

Personal Statement
4,000 characters and 47 lines
What to write about
• You. You’re telling admissions staff why you’re suitable to study at their university.
• You can only write one personal statement.
• It’s a chance for you to articulate why you’d like to study a particular course or subject,
  and what skills and experience you possess that show your passion for your chosen
  field.

How to write it
• Your personal statement should be unique, so there’s no definite format for you to follow
  here.
• Structure your info to reflect the skills and qualities the unis and colleges value most –
  use the course descriptions to help you.
• Check the character and line limit – you have 4,000 characters and 47 lines.

Personal statement dos and don’ts

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/how-
write-ucas-undergraduate-personal-statement

Think Big Scholarships
Undergraduate
A number of awards valued at £5,000 and £10,000 are
available to Undergraduate students for September 2021 entry.

Postgraduate
A number of awards valued at £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000
are available to Postgraduate students for September 2021
entry.

www.bristol.ac.uk/international/fees-finance/scholarships/

Bristol in pictures
Explore our campus and city

Park Street and the city centre

Bristol harbourside

Photo: Gary Newman
Clifton Suspension Bridge

Photo: Patrick Metcalfe
Clifton campus from the air

Woodland Road and Priory Road
Home to the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences
and Law

Richmond Building
Students’ Union; Centre for Academic Language & Development; Centre for Innovation;
swimming pool; Balloon Bar and Cafe

Useful links
International Foundation Programme (Bristol)
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/academic-language/study/ifp/

International Foundation Programme (Edinburgh)
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/applying/foundation

UCAS www.ucas.ac.uk

University of Bristol (Undergraduate courses) https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/
University of Edinburgh (Undergraduate courses) https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate

Bursaries and Scholarships https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/scholarships/

Any Questions?

 en.ashinaga.org/uk/AEFA

Open

How to make a successful application: postgraduate
Nick Rowland – University of Edinburgh               Photo Credit:

Welcome!

  This presentation will discuss:

  •    The benefits of UK postgraduate study
  •    How to make a successful application
  •    Personal statement/work experience
  •    Scholarships and funding
  •    One slide with links to more information

Photo Credit:
  Photo Credit: Minju Kim

International students in
    the UK
                                       Urban or rural, campus
                                                                                     The University
    500,000                            or city based
                                                                        Title
                                            Number of universities
    4 capital cities:
    London, Edinburgh,
    Cardiff, Belfast                        395+
    5 in the world’s top 20
    universities (QS World Rankings 2021)

    New graduate                       Students can work
    route makes it                     part-time, alongside
    easier to stay and                 their studies
    work in the UK

                                       Some of the world’s
    Widely recognised                  oldest universities
    accreditations
                                       Est. 1096
                                                                     Photo Credit:
Photo Credit:

UK Postgraduate
  Degrees
  Taught degrees, 12 months full time*
  MA, MSc, MBA, MEd, MMus, MTheol, LLM
  Curriculum-driven experiences, culminating in a
  period of independent work submitted as a
  dissertation
  *most programmes

  Research degrees
  MSc by Research - 1 year in duration
  More individual, research-driven approach to
  chosen subject; preparation and training for
  advanced PhD research

  Mphil - 2 years in duration

  Advanced research qualification, assessed by
  thesis

  PhD - 3 years in duration
  Highly specialised independent research training,
  culminating in submission of thesis

Photo Credit:
  Photo Credit: Cheryl Anne Denley

Taught Masters
•   Highly intensive, typically 12 months of full-
    time study

•   Two/three semesters culminating in a
    dissertation over the summer
•   Mix of core and optional courses, often
    including opportunity for interdisciplinary study
•   Specialised training: coursework with
    assessment chosen to suit circumstances and
    practice of discipline concerned

•   Integrated transferable skills training

•   Preparation for further research

•   Stimulating and supportive postgraduate
    community

•   Guest speakers from industry

•   Links with industry & professional networking
    opportunities

                                                        Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Wannisa Matcha

How to apply
Making a successful
application

•   Universities encourage applications from well-
    qualified students
•   Recognise a wide range of degree
    qualifications for entry
•   Entry requirements can vary from programme
    to programme
•   Check subject specific requirements

Details of specific country requirements can
be found here:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/postgr
aduate-entry/africa
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries

Usually the equivalent of a UK 2.1 degree +
English language proficiency

Postgraduate applications are made online directly
to UK universities

Additional support can be provided by in-country
representatives/Agents
                                                     Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Sree Hari P.D

What makes a good
  application
  •    Do your research
  •    Give yourself time to write and meet deadlines
  •    Draft and redraft again

  Academic qualifications
  Usually an average across your entire degree
  programme

  Personal Statement (often 500 words)
  Positive, enthusiastic and professional
  A golden thread to tie your experience, choice of
  degree and future together
  Demonstrating appropriate and relevant work
  experience can be critical in a postgraduate
  application

  Do you need to make two applications?
  Keep track of important deadlines

Photo Credit:
  Photo Credit: Anni Chen

Funding and
  scholarships

   Scholarships

   •   Most based on academic merit

   •   Early deadlines

   •   Need to hold an offer to apply

   •   Should accept or plan to accept offer

   Chevening Awards

   Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

   Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

   Scottish Saltire Scholarships (Japan)

Photo Credit:
  Photo Credit: Maria Ferreira

Commonwealth
Any UK University

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Distance Scholarships

Fully funded

Apply through national nominating agency

2.1 minimum entry requirement + English

-    Science and technology for development
-    Strengthening health systems and capacity
-    Promoting global prosperity
-    Strengthening global peace, security and
     governance
-    Strengthening resilience and response to
     crises
-    Access, inclusion and opportunity

                                                 Photo Credit:
Photo credit: Vrinda Narain

Chevening                  ‘cheev-ning’

  Any UK University

  Deadline 3 November 2020
  Taught Master’s degree scholarships and short
  term mid-career fellowships:

  Cyber Security
  Media Freedom
  Diplomacy

  Fully funded

  Apply through Chevening, interviews take place at
  High Commission/Embassy in country

  Usually a 2.1 minimum entry requirement +
  English

  -    Ambition
  -    Leadership potential
  -    Two years’ work experience
  -    Have an unconditional offer by mid-July 2021

Photo Credit:
  Photo Credit: Azfar Abd Halim

Mastercard Foundation
 Scholars Program
  University of Edinburgh only

  Deadline 30 October 2020

  High achieving, high need
  Leadership potential
  Commitment to giving back/paying forward

  Fully funded holistic programme focusing on academic
  study and leadership training

  Apply directly to the Scholars Program at Edinburgh

  2.1 minimum entry requirement + English (support will
  be given if successful)

  MSc Africa and International Development
  MSc Environment and Development
  MSc Global Health Policy
  MA Design for Change
  MSc Sustainable Energy Systems
  MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  MSc Finance, Technology and Policy
  MSc Food Security
Photo Credit:
  MSc Design Informatics
                                  Photo credit: Nic Cameron

Useful links
University of Edinburgh Degrees
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees

University of Bristol Degrees
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate

Study in Scotland
https://www.scotland.org/study

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at
Edinburgh https://www.ed.ac.uk/global/mastercard-
foundation

Chevening https://www.chevening.org
Commonwealth https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
Scottish Saltire Scholarships
https://www.scotland.org/study/saltire-scholarships

                                                      Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Jessica Dimond

We’re here to help
Nick Rowland

Regional Director, Africa

Edinburgh Global
The University of Edinburgh
33 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh EH8 9JS
Scotland, UK

E-mail: africa@ed.ac.uk
www.global.ed.ac.uk

Keep in touch form
https://edin.ac/36Xi3kH

                              Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Anna Taylor

Photo Credit:
  Photo Credit: Azfar Abd Halim

Photo Credit:
Photo credit: Vrinda Narain

Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Poonnapa Poonyalikhit

Any Questions?

 en.ashinaga.org/uk/AEFA