6 Misconceptions About UK Master’s Degrees Busted By Canadian Students
Written by admin - 18/08/2015
Aug 18, 2015 1:20:39 PM
Many misconceptions about UK Master's degrees exist, but learning about the universities and degrees beforehand is a simple way to stop these misunderstandings and to help you learn more about why studying abroad may be the right choice for you!
1. Student loans cannot be used outside of Canada.
Busted:
If you meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Loan, you may use the federal portion to study overseas, which currently equals about $211 per week of study. For undergraduate courses this adds up to about $8,040 per year. For graduate courses, or undergraduate courses, which require summer study, this will cover about $11,000 per year.
Students apply through their provincial funding body (i.e. OSAP in Ontario) and complete their forms and questionnaires the same as they would if they were studying in Canada. They will be asked to provide the name of the institution that they will be attending and this will determine whether they are studying outside of Canada. All of our partner universities are recognized under the funding bodies.
2. I started my university search too late and have already missed the deadlines
Busted:
The UK has much later university application deadlines than Canada. Technically speaking, there are no deadlines for overseas graduate applicants. British universities use a rolling admissions system, meaning that they review applications as they receive them.
However, it is recommended that you submit your application by January of that year if possible. This is partly because spaces fill up quickly, and also because you will want to receive your offers in plenty of time to choose a university and begin applying for the scholarships and accommodation that become available in the Spring. Although universities will continue to accept applications until June, earlier is always better!
3. UK universities are extremely competitive, and I’m not a strong enough candidate
Busted:
Canadian students are highly successful at securing spots with UK unis. The UK has one of the most prestigious and influential education systems on the planet, so naturally many students assume that the standards for acceptance at a British university must be out of reach.
The UK is home to universities with different entry requirements, so there is a university out there for everyone.
The British system focuses on depth rather than breadth – meaning that students focus on one chosen subject rather than taking lots of liberal arts or general education courses – and this means that universities will be much more interested in your grades within your major than with your performance in lower-division classes.
For instance, If you’re an Engineering applicant with excellent science grades, but your GPA is slightly bogged down by a poor showing in History, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be discouraged from giving the UK a shot.
It’s also worth noting that in most cases grad school applicants in the UK are not required to take the GRE or any other standardized test in order to be admitted. You will be assessed on the strength of your application, rather than how you performed in an exam one morning.
4. A UK degree won’t be recognized back home
Busted:
A UK degree will not only be widely accept back home, but also helps to show experience and international exposure gained. There may be some obstacles, such as written or practical exams, registration with accrediting bodies, or completion of clinical practice hours in Canada. But completing a degree in the UK will allow exposure to the field in an international context and bring back new ideas and techniques to further enhance the current Canadian environment.
5. The quality of education is better in Canada
Busted:
According to this widely-reported survey, the UK has the 2nd best education system in Europe, only trailing behind Finland, and the 6th best in the world overall. As the top five countries on this list are non-English-speaking, the UK can be considered the best place in the world to study without having to learn a second language.
6. I can find an equivalent degree in Canada.
Busted:
In general, UK universities tend to provide more opportunities for students to specialize in niche subjects than Canadian universities do. Profession-oriented degrees, such as Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, are two-year Master’s level programs in Canada, while they are typically one-year degrees in the UK.
Applications are competitive and require students to have completed a previous undergraduate degree. Many Canadians would be interested to learn that UK universities offer OT and PT at the undergraduate level. So students could fast-track their careers by completing a “specialized” 4-year BSc in OT or PT directly out of high school.
Furthermore, in addition to the more “profession-oriented” programs that are popular among Canadian students, opportunities also exist for students to specialize within their science, business or humanities fields at graduate level.
Examples of such specialized degrees include: MA History of Medicine or MA Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology.
The opportunity to specialize your academic career would allow you to gain earlier exposure to the research and/or professional communities that you would like to join after completion of your Master’s degree.
How A UK Master’s Degree Can Improve Your Career Options
Written by admin - 18/08/2015
Aug 18, 2015 1:19:02 PM
A big question that should be considered during your initial search is why study in the UK? Not only is it a great chance for international exposure, but a UK Master's degree also take less time to complete than Canadian programs. Additionally, you will gain an internationally renowned degree that will help to open up doorways to many new opportunities. Less time and more intensive programs
Most UK Master’s degrees take only one year to complete, which means the work is condensed into a more intensive and comprehensive program. This provides students with the opportunity to fast track their education and enter the working world earlier than their friends back home in Canada. UK universities tend to offer more specialized degrees at the Master’s level than most Canadian universities. This can be appealing to students who don’t want to wait until they begin their PhD or enter the workforce to start narrowing their interests and delving further into their specific interests in their field of study. Having the freedom to pursue a specialty degree earlier on in their academic career allows students to be exposed to academic and/or professional communities in which they will one day join. All of Across the Pond’s partner universities are recognized as higher education providers on Canada’s Master List of Designated Educational Institutions, meaning they are registered and recognized in Canada as international institutions of higher learning. As the UK is known for schools with high academic standards, earning a degree from an accredited UK university connects you to an institution with a prestigious reputation recognized internationally. Employers seek applicants who are flexible and show an aptitude for independence and leadership. Having an international degree helps to show potential employers that you took the initiative to live and study abroad, giving you international experience that is highly valued in the work place. Students who study abroad have a higher chance of finding employment. As this study shows, study abroad graduates out-earn their peers with higher starting salaries. Not only will you be able to earn an internationally recognized degree that increases your employability, but studying in the UK also opens up a world of possibility for you. You will have access to new people, places, and experiences that will help you grow as a person and teach you new things about the world around you. You will be able to gain new adventures that would have not before been open to you.
More specialized Degrees
Recognized Institutions
Boosts your employability
Studying Abroad On A Budget: 5 Tips For Canadian Graduates In The UK
Written by admin - 18/08/2015
Aug 18, 2015 1:18:04 PM
Many Canadian graduates in the UK struggle at first to budget, keep track of finances and manage money while in another country, especially when dealing with a different currency! Here are some steps and resources to help you build a plan and to stick to your budget when studying in the UK.
Step 1: Figure out your main means of income
What is your source of money? Are you dependent on loans or your savings? Are you working part-time (remember, you can work up to 20 hours a week on a Tier 4 Student Visa) in order to raise a little extra cash? You need to identify what your main source of money will be, and how much you have available as you start to plan your budget.
- If you are eligible to receive Canadian Federal Loans, you’ll want to apply as early as possible, so that you receive confirmation of your loan before you begin your visa application.
- While your loan payments will usually be deferred until after you have finished your studies, you may want to think about planning in some extra money in order to start paying off the interest that builds up during this time. (The deferral period is 6 months.)
Step 2: Categorize your living costs
Figure out if you want to do a month-to-month or week-to-week budget. Month to month is usually easiest for this sort of thing. Break down your monthly living costs into categories, including the following:
- Textbooks & School Supplies
- Groceries & Personal Items
- Eating out
- Entertainment
- Utilities (if living off campus)
- Transportation & Travel Costs (local, national, etc.)
- Emergencies
Step 3: Write down everything
For instance, what you are going to need to spend each month for each of these. These totals are your monthly allowance that will help you not to overspend or squander your money.
Step 4: Make sure to track your spending each month
If you force yourself to keep track of how much you are spending, you are less likely to overspend or run out of money - something you definitely don't want to do when studying abroad on a budget.
Step 5: Live within your means
If you know you can’t afford something, don’t get it. This is the quickest way to run out of money. If you are living on a shoestring budget, eating out every night is probably not the best idea. If you have already spent your entertainment allowance for the month, you don’t want dip into your extra funds for an expensive concert that you can’t afford. Be aware of how you spend your money and you should be fine when completing your Master's degree in the UK.
Plenty of financial resources exist online that can help you to build a proper budgeting plan, including these handy budgeting forms, the International Student Calculator for the UK, this video by Professor Savings with budgeting tips, and this “How to” video on budgeting.
Canadian Student’s Survival Guide To Applying For UK Graduate Funding
Written by admin - 18/08/2015
Aug 18, 2015 1:17:00 PM
One of the biggest concerns students have about studying abroad is finding a ways of funding the degree. However, the cost should in no way inhibit you from looking to study in the UK. There are many ways to cover the cost of tuition and living in Britain; from Canadian Federal loans to working part-time during your studies, there are many creative ways to help you make money in order to help offset the cost. Here's some additional tips for applying for UK Graduate funding:
Loans
As Across the Pond’s partner universities are recognized on the Canadian Master List of Designated Educational Institutions, you are able to pay for part of your studies using federal student loans.
Scholarships
University scholarships are another option. Our partner universities offer a variety of scholarships to university students, typically ranging between $1500-$8000. These scholarships become available in the spring and you must hold an offer in order to apply.
There is also the option to look for outside scholarships that may offer extra help in covering your studies. Sites such as Studyabroad.com and the Government of Canada’s scholarship search engine scholarships.gc.ca are resources that students can use in order to find such scholarships.
Working part-time
International students in the UK have are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week on a Tier 4 student Visa. Working part-time helps to supplement the cost of living and can help add a little extra spending money in your wallet.
One way of working is by looking for chances to freelance or helping to tutor while abroad – these options will give you the chance to make some money that can help you to cover some of the extra expenses you will experience. It’s also a great way to integrate into the British life and meet people outside of the classroom.
Savings
If you have started your search for a UK university early and have an idea of your budget, you can start a savings account in order to cover the costs of studying in the UK. There are several ways to contribute to these savings, including putting aside some of the money you make at your current job, selling old books, clothes, or even your car -- as you won’t need it overseas.
If you have a crafty side, you can even create pieces to sell on sites such as Etsy and eBay.
By starting a UK Uni Fund earlier on, you’ll be able to offset the cost of studying overseas with your own personal savings.
Parental Savings/ Family Contributions
Some people are lucky enough to have parents or family members who put aside money that can be used to continue your education If you are in this situation, you can use this money to contribute towards the cost of your studies abroad.
Crowdsourcing
If you are struggling to find a way to finance your degree, you could always try a crowdsourcing site, such as fundmytravel or gofundme.
Crowdsourcing is a way of seeking contributions from others – via the internet in these cases – in order to fund your personal content or experiences. You would need to create a campaign and appeal to the masses in order to collect funds via your chosen site. Fundmytravel is more of a travel/experience specific crowdsourcing website and would probably be more beneficial to the study abroad experience.
As you can see, there are so many ways that you can fund your study abroad experience – so don’t let costs put you off from applying to study in the UK. Across the Pond are able to offer you any guidance that you need – you can download our eBook here for further information on how to fund your Master’s degree.
How to choose the best UK university for your degree
Written by admin - 30/07/2015
Jul 30, 2015 3:30:00 PM
You may already know a little bit about the UK and what you can expect when you study there, but how do you go about choosing the best UK university for the course you want to take?
Some universities may not even offer your course of choice, which makes it easier to decide where to go. But because of the fantastic education system and heritage the UK possesses, it can be a nail-biting experience to choose the right university, knowing that it will shape your future.
We’re here to say, don’t worry! Just read our quick guide on how to choose the best UK university.
Pursue Your Passion
The best place to begin when choosing a course is to think about your interests. You are probably not going to be successful if you do not find the subject you are studying interesting on some level. Try to think of careers that hat excite you.Focusing on that first will help you make a good decision.
Consider Your Future
You might also consider the future prospects of your field. You can research this information on the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website. Once you identify a field that you like and are good at, you want to make sure there is a future in your chosen field.
Do not choose a career simply because it seems like a ”hot prospect” today; that could change. You do, however, want to make sure that there is reasonable growth in the field you choose.
Do Your Research
Find out about the universities with degree programs that match your interest. You want to make sure you do your homework so that you are fully informed when you finally make a decision.
Online research
The first step is to do some online research. You can review the websites of the universities and the programs that interest you.
Online forums
Next, you may want to interact with other students in online forums. You can ask any question you have and get honest feedback from current students.
Speak to lecturers
You can even arrange to meet with and interview tutors and lecturers at schools that most interest you. You may start this process using email, phone or Skype.
Visit?
Finally, you might arrange a visit to the UK to explore your top schools in person, although this may become a little expensive.
To get impartial advice you can also speak to our advisors who have all studied abroad themselves. Find out more by clicking here to get in touch with us.
Don't Worry!
Choosing your degree is the first step to the rest of your career, so it’s really important you put the time in now to focus on your future.
It can be stressful, and sometimes confusing trying to weigh up which UK university is right for you, but we’re here to say – ‘Don’t worry!’
Your personal Across the Pond advisor is ready and waiting to hear from you about your dreams of studying in the UK. Get in touch with us today and we will be there to give you guidance on how to choose the best UK university.
If you want a little more information before getting in touch with us, take a look at our Essential Checklist of things you need to think about before applying to study in the UK.
Photo Credit: Pabak Sarkar
