P.S. Choosing a Postgraduate Programme Isn't Always Easy! Here Are Some of My Tips.
- Kaitlen Elaine
- Aug 21, 2024
- 9 min read
Let's be honest. Choosing which universities to apply to—as well as which universities to ultimately accept offers from—is not an easy task. It's time-consuming, stressful, and a very important decision at the end of the day.
Whichever university you choose to attend will be your home for the next however many years, so it's not a decision to be made lightly.
Last year around this time I was making a list and planning out which universities in the United Kingdom I wanted to start applying to as soon as their application windows opened. If you plan to apply to a postgraduate programme in the UK, most of the applications open between the end of September and mid-October for the following year so now is the perfect time to start your own lists!
As I feel fairly well-versed in the UK university application process (and because it's still fresh in my mind), I thought that I'd write a little bit about some of the things that I took into consideration when I began applying to different universities and the things that ultimately helped me in the end.
Things to Take into Consideration—
1. Take Your Time Researching Universities and Their Programmes
Before officially applying, it is essential to research various universities and their postgraduate programmes to pick out which ones are right for you. A History MA at the University of Nottingham will not be the same as a History MA from Aberystwyth University, so choose which universities will fit into what you want to study.
Reputation and Ranking: Look into university rankings such as QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education. A higher-ranked institution, such as a Russell Group university, may enhance your academic and professional resumé.
Program Specifics: Investigate the curriculum, faculty expertise, research opportunities, and resources available within your field of interest. Doing this research early will also help you prepare and write your personal statements for your university applications as well!
Accreditation: Ensure that the programme is accredited and recognized both in the UK and internationally. If this is something that you're curious about on your research journey, I found this link useful!
Location: Consider whether you prefer studying in a bustling city like London or a smaller town. The location can affect living costs, lifestyle, and networking opportunities.
When I was making the final decision between the University of Nottingham and the University of York, I took into consideration that Nottingham is very well-connected and has excellent links to other parts of the UK. The M1 and M42 are both within a 25-minute drive of the city centre, East Midlands Airport is close by, and the Nottingham railway station provides a direct route into London St Pancras in less than two hours.
2. Look into the Entry Requirements
Each university has specific entry requirements that must be met:
Academic Qualifications: Typically, you will need a relevant undergraduate degree with a minimum classification (e.g., 2:1 or equivalent). As an international student, understanding the international equivalents is important to know if you qualify for the course! From what I've found, a 2:1 in the UK university grading system, also known as Upper Second-Class Honours, is equivalent to a GPA of 3.3–3.9 in the US. However, there is no official method for converting UK grades to GPA, and exact requirements may vary by institution and department. If you're ever unsure about your qualifications, I recommend reaching out to the university's prospective student support team.
Language Proficiency: Non-native English speakers usually need to provide proof of English proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL. I recommend familiarizing yourself with the required scores for your chosen program if English isn't your first language.
Personal Statement: This is crucial for showcasing your motivation, experiences, and fit for the programmes that you want to apply for. Tailor each statement to reflect why you are interested in that specific course at that university. I also recommend having a few of your professors look over your personal statements to make even the smallest improvements and recommendations, as this could make a huge difference! I am genuinely so thankful for the professors who helped me during this step of the application process.
References: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts who can vouch for your qualifications and character. Gather at least three academic references well in advance and prepare a detailed list of each university and the course you want to apply for. If you choose good references who know you and your academic work well then the process will be fairly smooth sailing!
3. Consider Your Finances - Start Saving Money Early!
If there is one thing that I've already learned about this process is that studying in the UK is expensive; thus, financial planning is vital:
Tuition Fees: Research tuition fees for international students as they can vary significantly between institutions and programmes. Also, from my own experience, I applied early enough that I received a cheaper tuition rate for the 2024/25 academic year—this might not always be the case, but it's definitely something to motivate you to apply as early as possible!
Living Costs: Estimate monthly expenses including accommodation, food, transportation, and leisure activities. To state the obvious, cities like London have higher living costs compared to others. I really like that Nottingham is a student-focused city with tons of cheap student deals and activities, as well as one of the cheapest places to rent in the UK.
Scholarships and Funding: Explore scholarship opportunities specifically available for international students. As I am from the United States, I found scholarships specifically for North American students; however, most universities have scholarships available for all regions of the world! Many universities offer scholarships based on merit or need.
4. Research Visa Requirements
As an international student from the United States, you will need to apply for a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4):
Visa Application Process: Familiarize yourself with visa requirements including documentation needed (e.g., Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies - CAS), financial proof, health surcharge and visa application fees, etc. This process can be quite stressful; however, your university should help you along the way with any questions and concerns you may have.
Duration of Stay: Understand how long your visa will allow you to stay in the UK after completing your studies if you plan on seeking employment or further education. My postgraduate programme is one year long, so I can stay in the UK for a little over one year.
From my experience with the University of Nottingham, they sent me a helpful PDF that step-by-step walked me through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Visa Application!
5. Cultural Adaptation
Moving to another country involves adjusting to new cultural norms. When I was preparing to study abroad during my undergraduate studies, I took multiple quizzes on MyWorldAbroad that helped me prepare for moving abroad! I believe this is a platform that my undergraduate university paid for; however, there might be some great free opportunities on the website as well.
Cultural Differences: Be prepared for differences in educational styles (e.g., more independent study and different grading structures) and social customs.
Support Services: Most universities offer support services such as counseling and international student offices which can help ease this transition.
6. Consider Your Career Opportunities Post-Graduation
How does studying in the UK align with your career goals? Does the university (or universities) that you're applying for offer individual career support for all postgraduate students? What are the job prospects post-graduation? These are all questions that you should be asking yourself!
I'd also consider:
Work Opportunities During Study: As an international student on a Student Visa, you can work part-time during term time (usually up to 20 hours per week). Look into work opportunities on or near campus!
Post-study Work Options: The Graduate Route allows international students to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduation (or three years for doctoral graduates) to seek employment. Consider your options for after your postgraduate graduation.
7. Networking Opportunities
If there is one thing that I want to take advantage of while I'm at university, it's the networking opportunities and student organizations. Building connections during your studies can truly be invaluable.
Professional Associations: Join relevant professional bodies related to your field of study which often provide networking events and resources.
Student Organizations and Clubs: As an international student, you may find it challenging to meet new people due to cultural differences. Student organizations provide a welcoming environment where you can connect with fellow students who share similar interests or backgrounds. This social network can lead to friendships, support systems, and even professional connections that may benefit your career in the future!
Alumni Networks: Engage with alumni networks which can offer mentorship opportunities and job leads post-graduation.
By taking these considerations into account when applying for postgraduate programmes in the UK as an international student, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions that align with both your academic aspirations and personal circumstances.
Bits of Extra Advice—
There is a huge variety of university experiences offered in the United Kingdom, so take the time to consider the information listed above and the pieces of advice I am about to give below.
My main piece of advice when starting the process of choosing which universities you want to apply to is to be over-prepared.
I think that I can say that I was a little too over-prepared for the application process; however, in the end, it truly helped me learn the entire application process like the back of my hand. I knew how long responses may take, what to do for conditional offers, how to effectively write a good personal statement for each university, etc.—so I was never blindsided by anything because I did extensive research into each university and its own individualised standards and requirements.
To be prepared for each university application, I scribbled down some basic information about each university I thought I might want to apply to. As you can see by this image, I wrote down which postgraduate programmes I was interested in, the cost of each course (at the time), when the applications were set to open, and other basic information like additional fees and application requirements.
I did this for at least 7-8 universities around the UK and then narrowed my choices down to the University of Nottingham, the University of York, the University of Sussex, the University of Strathclyde, and Aberystwyth University. However, I only ended up applying to the University of Nottingham, the University of York, and the University of Sussex because I had gotten my offer letter from UoYork two weeks after I applied (so I stopped submitting applications essentially).
My second piece of advice is to APPLY EARLY!
When I say early, I truly mean starting your application on the day that the window opens. As I stated above, I applied early enough that I received a cheaper tuition rate for the 2024/25 academic year than what my current course is currently running. While this might not always be the case for everyone, it is something to consider when preparing materials for your application.
Don't let procrastination get the best of you. Research your universities. Choose your courses. Gather your academic references. Collect any documents you may need to submit. Start drafting your personal statement early!
Trust me.
Lastly, follow your gut instinct.
Every university is going to have something unique to offer you. However, when selecting a university, it’s important to consider how well you feel you would fit into the environment.
Your gut instinct often reflects your personal preferences and comfort levels. For instance, if you visit a campus and feel an immediate sense of belonging or excitement, this emotional response can indicate that the university aligns with your values and lifestyle. Although it may be difficult to visit the campus as an international student, you can still gain this emotional response by attending online informational sessions and educational seminars on your course (which are usually provided multiple times throughout the year).
In these informational sessions, your gut feeling about the academic environment will also guide your decision-making process. This includes factors such as teaching styles, class sizes, and available resources.
In addition, I believe it's also important to consider your emotional well-being as well. Your mental health aspect cannot be overlooked when choosing a university. Your emotional response to different environments plays an essential role in overall well-being, such as your stress levels and social life.
Ultimately, trusting yourself in this journey can lead to finding the right place where both academic success and personal happiness coexist harmoniously.
I hope this information has been helpful for anyone beginning their university applications this autumn, or anyone who is even considering this journey!
I tried to provide information that is universal for most UK universities, so take the information that I have provided as an aid to your own research for your circumstances.
Good luck to everyone during your application process!
Comment below about your own experiences with applying for university abroad, or with any questions if you plan to start applying in the future!
great advices - superb work as always, it's really a huge help for people who want to realize a beautiful project like yours!
Wow, you really laid it all out; there is a lot to think about. Good information.
Very helpful information