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Choosing What and Where to Study Choosing What and Where to Study Choosing a course A big decision - Over 50,000 Higher Education courses in the UK 340 places to study Research according to what is important to you • Career aspirations • Course and entry requirements • Reputation and status • Location • Accommodation • Cost • Social life Choosing What and Where to Study Types of Degree Undergraduate • An undergraduate degree normally takes three years to complete but can take longer if they include an industrial placement, an additional subject or a year abroad. They are also specialised from Year One. • Types of undergraduate degree include: • BSc (Bachelor of Science) - a science degree • BA (Bachelor of Arts) - an arts degree • BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) - an engineering degree • Undergraduate Masters degree (e.g. MEng) - an enhanced four year undergraduate degree including extra subjects studied at a deeper level Choosing What and Where to Study Types of Degree - Postgraduate Students who receive good grades in their undergraduate degrees may choose to take a Masters degree, which takes a minimum of one year to complete. • Types of Masters degree include: – MSc (Master of Science) – MA (Master of Arts) – MEd (Master of Education) – LLM (Master of Law) – MBA (Master of Business Administration) • Taught Masters degrees Taught Masters usually involve six months of intensive tuition followed by six months of project work which ends with a dissertation. • Masters degrees by research (MPhil) Research degrees involve at least one year, sometimes more, of full-time research resulting in an examined thesis. • PhD If you would like to continue to study for a PhD, you will have to conduct a minimum of two years' research after the award of your MSc. • In some subject areas, a student may transfer from BSc/BA/BEng to PhD so that they follow a three year research programme for PhD without first obtaining a Masters degree. Choosing What and Where to Study Entry requirements for Qatari Students Entry Requirements vary by institution and course: Foundation Entry Requirements (University of Manchester) • 85% in the Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama with a minimum of 85% in Maths and Physics. • IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 527 Undergraduate Entry Requirements (University of Manchester) Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama (85%+) plus completion of a recognised foundation • One or more years of study at a Qatari University may be considered for a transfer onto Year One or Two of an undergraduate degree (GPA of 3.2/4.0) • IELTS 6.0 – 6.5 or TOEFL 550 – 577 Postgraduate Entry Requirements (University of Manchester) Bachelors Degree from a recognised institution with a minimum class of 2:1 and a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0. Choosing What and Where to Study Application Process… • UCAS (www.ucas.ac.uk) • Up to 5 choices (4 for Med/Dent/Vet Sci) • 15 October – deadline for Oxford/Cambridge + Med/Dent/Vet Sci • Applications considered equally - but best to apply early in the cycle before final results • Other choices are invisible • Application form sent to UCAS • UCAS distribute to universities • Considered by Admissions Tutor Choosing What and Where to Study Entry Profiles Choosing What and Where to Study Who is the Admissions Tutor? One or more admissions tutors/admissions officers Lecturer and/or researcher in the subject Familiar with requirements of the programme Will understand and have fulfilled any applicable professional standards May also be practitioner (health related programmes) Busy person…100’s or 1000’s of applications! But human too! Choosing What and Where to Study Admissions Criteria Evidence of: – Potential to successfully complete the programme – An understanding of what the programme requires – Independent decision making and commitment – Capability to contribute to programme and university Judged through: – Academic performance to date – Interview or admissions test (possibly) – Reference and the Personal Statement… Choosing What and Where to Study What’s a Personal Statement? • 400 word statement • Opportunity for you to say what makes you special • Opportunity to sell yourself (especially important for popular courses) • You can only write one • Increasingly important as predicted grades no longer enough to guarantee an offer Choosing What and Where to Study What should it include? • Reasons for choosing the course/evidence of research • Exhibit academic/personal abilities needed to succeed • Work experience/voluntary work • Aspirations (career or academic) • Further qualifications • Outside interests Choosing What and Where to Study What makes a good one? • Should be original, interesting and enthusiastic – Varied sentence structure • Should all be relevant - relate present to future – Academic courses/skills – Extra-curricular activities • Application is for the course – not the career • Strong conclusion Choosing What and Where to Study Applying for Postgraduate Courses • Direct applications to the institution for postgraduate level • Many institutions have an on-line form Institutions will typically require: • Information about your first degree (copies of degree certificates and transcripts of previous study) • Evidence of English language ability, if appropriate Your research proposal, if applying for a research degree • References. Choosing What and Where to Study Applying for Postgraduate Research • A research degree involves sustained, in-depth study of a specific area, which is then written up as a thesis for examination. APPLICANTS SHOULD: • Identify a supervisor • Produce a Research Proposal of approximately 3000 words. • Submit two references from people who have knowledge of your academic ability. References must be signed, dated and on headed paper. • Certificates and transcripts from all your previous degrees. • Official English Language transcript (IELTS or TOEFL) if English is not your first language. • NB Decision for PhD will take longer than for other programmes. Questions? www.manchester.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]