The Application Process
Posted on August 13th, 2007 by StephenSome students yearn for years about travelling abroad, others decide within an instant of hearing about the various opportunities. One thing is for certain - the process leading up to departure is a long and anxious time. There often seems like an impossible amount of things to organise over this period, but this also allows for the excitement to build even more.
Early in 2006, I learnt about the study abroad program offered at my home University. I received some initial paperwork detailing the various university that we had exchange relationships with. It was good to understand the different opportunities regarding financing the trip, meaning more time could be spent focusing on other aspects of the trip.
I found out more about the program in meetings and expos held at Uni throughout the year. With the help of this information, I began researching the different universities, looking for ones which offered the best compatibility with my degree. I found this to be most important aspect of choosing a University, as compulsory courses at my home university had to be met, while there were many alternatives regarding funding.
I do not speak any languages other than English, so I researched Canadian and UK universities. I think it would be great opportunity for a language student, or someone who has a specific cultural background, to travel to that country to study. By comparing subject compatibility, I narrowed my selection down to about 3 Universities in the UK, and ended up selecting Leeds based on it’s location, atmosphere and reputation.
At the end of 2006, UQ required that I submit a Study Abroad application, complete with a nominated university and detailed plan of which subjects I would be studying there and gaining credit for at home.
It was also required that I completed an online application for the University of Leeds, and this took place in January of 2007.
April 2007 was a busy month, as I received notification of my unconditional acceptance to the University of Leeds. Also, the Head of Study Abroad visited Brisbane to meet with incoming students. This offered a chance to ask questions regarding the city, university and program.
In May we had the opportunity of meeting with students from my home Uni which had previously been involved in the study abroad program. They shared their experiences gained through this program. We were also presented with information on health insurance, culture shock, course selection and accommodation.
I applied for University Accommodation, and received and offer where I hoped to stay in July. The signing and returning the accommodation contract in august marked the end of the application process, with counting down the days to departure the only thing left to do.
It seems like a lot to organise, and it was - stretching out for over a year before departure. Always having something to do helped keep the excitment and anticipation up. In the next post I’ll detail the differenct sources that I secured finance from for the year abroad.
August 14th, 2007 at 5:20 am
Stephen,
I, like you only speak my native language and English - but have been looking at other universities in Europe and plan to learn French, Spanish, etc…
What made you just stick to English Universities? Could you get into a Spanish University for example with no knowledge of Spanish? and plan to learn Spanish?
Thanks
August 14th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Hi Tariq,
I stuck with English Universities mainly because I didn’t see myself learning another language any time soon, especially cramming one into the months leading up to exchange.
Some Universities have restrictions on what courses you can take with them. For example, Universitat Pompeu Fabra offers a list of courses available to exchange students. The University of Salamanca does not seem to have this restriction. Both seem to teach only primarily in Spanish though. I think it would be a great experience engaging in classroom discussions in the language which you are studying, but at the same time I would recommend getting a basic understanding of the language first. Otherwise it may prove difficult adapting to the different culture and teaching style.
Your best bet would be to establish a list of Universities which you’re interesting in studying at, then search around each of their websites for the available courses to Study Abroad/Exchange students. If the sites appear in another language at first, don’t forget that most will have a link to the English version on the page too.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Stephen,
Glad to hear you chose a UK university, and especially a northern one at that! - we maybe a small country but you’ll find people in the North of England most friendly (yes I’m from the UK).
And, although not an international student Im interested on how you perceive the system.
I completed my Masters degree with many international students on the programme (only 7 out of 100 were actually from the UK) and they helped me immesely; why? well students studying abroad have such a different view from their upbringing, values, ethics and culture, but, more importantly they bring different ideas and notions to disscussions on theory and current thinking. Although I didn’t complete part of my education in another country’s education system I did live in America for a year, which was a total culture shock!
So, as well as you (hopefully) being helped by your future fellow students, you will be helping them by just being you.
Anyway, hope you’re not too nervous about coming over to the UK (BTW have you been before, or any family affected your decision?) .
If you have any questions before you come to the UK, or want to pick my brains, then just drop me a line.
Nick
August 16th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
i have no comment but i want to come study in uik pls tell how to go about it
August 16th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Nick,
Thanks for the comment. Glad to hear that about the people in the North
I’ve never been out of Australia before, let alone to england. I have cousins who travelled around the UK and Europe. I guess their positive experiences has been encouraging, but hasn’t really affected my decisions on where to go.
I’m hardly nervous at all, which is quite suprising. It’s been a long time coming so I’ve had plenty of time to come to terms with the whole plan.
August 19th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Kehinde,
Can you let me know a bit about yourself? Where do you live currently? Are you already studying at a University, or are you wishing to do your whole degree in the UK? Thanks!
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:34 am
hi my name is Denisa,i am from Romania and Iwould like to know how could i study in UK
I am an aupair here since 16th of July this year and i will stay one year
I will be very happy if you could help me
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:36 am
i wuold also like to know if there are some loans for international students and if yes what are the terms
September 26th, 2007 at 3:20 am
through what process can i pass through to study abroad?thank you.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:23 am
i am from nigeria and i hope to study in the uk.my sister nd her husband who is currently with the british armed forces lives legally in the uk.Back here in nigeria,i have heard alot of cases of study visa refusal by the british consulate,and it bugs me much that i was considering not applying again.Most of the cases i heard of,the applicants will have everything in place but they will jus be refused.although my sister and her husband are in the uk,my sponsor is different(my cousin,a businessman)and lives in nigeria.i have every docs in place,sponsors bank statement,senior school certificate with good grades,and all but its just that i feel nervous about the whole thing cos i hate being refused when i know things are in place.i will really need ur advice.although this would not be a problem for me but i’ve read stories posted in the net where people will just be refused study visa just because there are not good looking(LOL).just exaggerating,but what i mean is that most study visa refusal is on no grounds.jus talk to me and thanks for this whole thing.
December 9th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Dear all,
i’d like to know … what shall i do
or Where to go….?
to join a collegue in the USA or UK
December 15th, 2007 at 10:02 am
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
January 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
hi,i graduated from architecture at polytechnic in nigeria with a cgpa of 2.77;and i want to study for my masters’ degree in architecture and civil engineering with a foreign university.
i hope you can help me out with this;you would not regret it.
thanks.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hello Timirint,
If you are interested, I run a consultancy service advising and assisting foriegn students to find the right course at a uk university. If you are interested, contact me by Email: studyuk@orange.fr
Caroline
June 26th, 2008 at 7:36 am
i need a university in any part of europe that can offer me a first degree in management or business courses.especially in marketing