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Still Time to Apply
Did you miss the application deadlines for grad school in Canada?
Or applied and didn't receive any offers?
It’s not too late to apply to the UK!
Why I chose to study in the UK
I knew I wanted to study abroad since high school. After visiting a few historic universities while on a trip to Spain I knew I would one day move to somewhere in Europe to study. I have family who studied in the UK and while Spain was my inspiration to study abroad, the UK was always in the back of my mind. When I saw Across the Pond at my university’s postgraduate studies fair, I immediately knew I had to connect with an advisor to start my application process.
The UK is a great place to study and there are many reasons I ultimately decided to come here to complete my MSc.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
- One major bonus with studying in the UK is that it will make you stand out when applying for jobs back in Canada. When applying for jobs you will be recognized above other applicants due to your education.
- Some of the world’s top universities reside in the UK. The university that I am studying at happens to be a Russell Group university, which is sort of like the UK's version of Ivy League. Some other Russell Group universities include Oxford and Cambridge!
SHORTER PROGRAM LENGTH
- This was another major bonus for me when looking into studying in the UK. At home my program would be 2+ years but here it’s only 1. I will be completing my masters before many of my friends back home even start theirs.
- Having a shorter program also means that in the long run I am may end up saving money. Rather than paying for 2 or more years’ worth of tuition I only have to pay for one year.
ACCESS TO TRAVEL
- From the city I live in I am able to travel very easily across the UK. After just 1.5 hours on the train I’m able to go to Edinburgh and just 3 hours on the train to London! I often have Friday and Monday off school so I can easily do a day trip or spend a weekend in either city.
- Beyond that, international travel is much more affordable and accessible here as everything is much closer than it is back in Canada. You can travel to most places by train as well, so there is no need to go through the often hectic process of air travel.
CHANGE AND ADVENTURE
- I have lived in the same province my whole life and by the time I had completed my undergraduate degree I was ready for a change. I knew I wanted to go to grad school right away, but I also wanted to be able to travel and experience other ways of life. Studying in the UK has let me have all of that. Not only do I get the change I desired and the adventures I wanted to have, but I can do it while also completing my masters.
HISTORY
- A reason I wanted to study in the UK is because of the history. This may be something that is more subjective, but I love old architecture, castles, and being able to feel the history of a place just by walking down the street. There is no shortage of that here, and every day I am amazed by how old and historic everything is here.
HOW EASY ACROSS THE POND MAKES THE PROCESS
- This was a major reason I ended up applying for school in the UK. Having an advisor to work with during the whole process made it much easier. It was even easier for me to apply in the UK than it would have been applying to school in Canada because of all the help I received.
- While you still have to pick universities, make a CV, write your personal statement, and collect reference letters your advisor really does the rest. They take away a lot of the stress and confusion that comes with applying to university in another country by putting an application together, helping with the visa process, and always being there to answer questions.
-Kaley
A Year in the Life of a Newcastle University Student
This time last year I was weeks away from moving to England for a yearlong master’s programme. One year later, I am weeks away from my completing my master’s. Despite everything that happened this year, my thoughts on living/ studying in the UK remain that it is an incredible experience and absolutely worth it for anyone that has a desire to study here.
SEPTEMBER: ARRIVAL
After months of applications and planning I finally arrived in Newcastle. I decided to come about 10 days early with family to travel and settle in before starting school. I think this is a great idea to anyone who is able do this, as it really helps to ease into life in the UK. The first month here consisted of travel, setting up my bank account, getting a UK phone number, registering with a GP, and attending international student events.
OCTOBER - JANUARY: FIRST SEMESTER
The first semester of my master’s consisted of required modules. This gave me the opportunity to learn about the foundations of clinical psychology, cultural and professional issues that may arise in my future career, and about developing interventions to encourage healthy behaviour change. First semester was also spent getting used to university in the UK, especially with how assignments are graded. Despite being busy with school I still found time to visit London, attend the Edinburgh Christmas Market, and with a month off school for Christmas I was even able to come back to Canada.
FEBRUARY- MAY: SECOND SEMESTER
Second semester was when dissertation work began and when I could take modules of my choosing. My course had a large class size so getting a supervisor was rather competitive, however this is by no means the case for all programmes. I also learned a lot more directly relevant information such as therapy, developmental disorders, and even had an apprenticeship where I worked in a research team. Second semester also has a month-long break.
MAY- AUGUST: FINAL SEMESTER
The summer semester has no lectures and is completely dedicated to writing your dissertation. Thanks to lockdown and not being able to collect additional data I was able to dedicate most of my time to writing my dissertation, and everyone was given an extension on our projects. While this was definitely not an ideal situation, everything has turned out completely fine! I am now two weeks away from submitting my dissertation, the UK is opening back up, and life is progressively going back to ‘normal’.
AUGUST: THE YEAR COMING TO AN END
With only two weeks left of school I have been thinking about how fast this time has gone and what a crazy year this ended up being. I am still finishing the year with a master’s that prepared me to get a job in my desired field and is the perfect next step to eventually completing a doctorate. Even after everything that has happened, moving to the UK was still an amazing experience and absolutely worth it; so much so that I have decided to take my adventures to Scotland to spend another year in the UK.
-Kaley
Law Highlights: How to Choose the Best Law School for You
Are you considering studying law in the UK? Is the number of options in the UK overwhelming you? Studying Law in the UK is a popular route for Canadian students, but studying in a new country is a big commitment. Join our advising team as they go over the things to consider when choosing a UK law school, including cost, opportunities, classes, and how to apply, to help you narrow down your options! Studying abroad is a big decision, so join us as we discuss the criteria to consider when choosing which universities to apply to for law, and choosing which offer to accept!
When you study law in the UK, there are a few things to consider, such as: entry requirements, university facilities, location, cost, and type programme. Tune in to find out more about what you should be looking for, and how your advisor can assist with narrowing down your list, and applying!
Not only will this webinar help with choosing where to apply, it can help you narrow down which offer to accept once you have applied!
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Why You Should Study Physiotherapy in the UK
Physiotherapy remains a popular subject for Canadians looking to study at UK universities.
If you've been thinking of taking your physiotherapy studies abroad, join our advising team as we discuss some key concerns from Canadian students. Why should you study Physiotherapy in the UK? What are the benefits of a UK physiotherapy degree? What are the entry requirements for the program?
Register now to see how Across the Pond can help you achieve your dream profession!
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Explore UK Studies: Alternatives to Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy remains a popular subject for Canadians looking to study at UK universities, but high demand and limited places for international students can sometimes lead to disappointment and result in not getting into a physiotherapy school. Keep calm, and let Across the Pond help you reassess your options! In this informative webinar, our team will discuss potential back-up options and alternative career paths for passionate students eager to pursue allied health professions. With similar background requirements, and application expectations, Across the Pond's expert advisors can help give you the best possible chances of success whether as a first-time applicant, or as a re-applying student looking to improve their application.
Register now to secure your spot and receive insider tips that improve your chances of studying physiotherapy (or a related profession) at one of our UK partner universities.
