Looking to pursue your postgraduate studies in UK, here are few things you need to know.

There are so many reasons for people to seek postgraduate studies abroad. Apart from having international Study experiences, the opportunity for cultural exchange, technological diffusion and better say higher employment opportunities are also one of the reasons.

So many students who wish to pursue Postgraduate programs in other countries usually go through series of hurdles and sometimes faces admission denial due to one reason or the other. 

Having worked with a study-abroad agent for sometimes, I have painstakingly compiled this few tips that I often shared with my clients.

Admission cycles and application time; 

Most UK universities have two admission circles which are September and January.

Applications for January batch starts early September and closes by early November while application for September batch starts the previous year September and closes by early April. For example; if you want to apply for September 2025 batch, you can make your application by September 2024 and the portal will be be open till around April 2025 while applicants for January 2025 may start by early September 2024 and closes by early November or late October 2024. 

Some schools grant opportunities for applicants to choose up to two years ahead of each  admission cycles. Example: you may be in 2024 and choose 2026 batch. The advantage of this is that it offers the student enough opportunities to prepare and make funding plans by seeking various scholarship opportunities or sponsorship; this increases admission acceptance rate.

Application

Just like I said in the above heading. Once you understand the admission circles, the next thing is to start your application. 

I usually tell my clients that agents are not so necessary in postgraduate applications. Almost all schools in UK accept applications directly and considerations are made by the admission officers based on certificates and documents submitted. 

Everyone can apply simply by creating account in the school's portal and filling in the forms online supplying all the information needed. 

The only occasions where agents may be needed are when applicants find it difficult to supply all the needed information and documents. So many clients find it difficult drafting a catchy and good statement of purpose.

You can access the application portal for each university simply by searching their official website 

Documents:

Admission assessments are based on documents submitted. One can have his application accepted or rejected as a result of documents submitted. Incomplete documents or documents that fall below standard may result to rejection. I have had my application rejected in some occasions in the past when I sought admission for postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) because the HND results I submitted was considered not enough.

Below are list of all that will be required from each applicants:

1. Scanned copies of academic certificates: 

As a postgraduate applicant, it is believed that you must have obtained your undergraduate certificates from a recognized institution around the world. Scanned copy of each of this certificates will be required. If you have obtained any diploma, it will also be needed. Before you start your application, make handy all the copies of your high School certificates, diplomas and undergraduate certificates. Including your MSc, M.Ed, M.A or MBA certificates for PhD applicants.

2. Academic transcripts: 

Universities in UK places greater importance on academic transcripts more than the certificates. The academic transcripts will help the admission team determine the relevance of your certificate to the the department you are applying for. This transcript need to reach the admission team within the first few days after the application is submitted to ensure speedy decision on your application.

It is worthy to note that most schools do not give out their transcripts to students. So, you need to apply for the transcripts to be forwarded from your school to the University you are seeking admission. In some cases, the school may delay in sending this transcript and this will as well affect your application. 

To cut this hitches, I recommend students applying for this transcripts through their employers or companies. Once it is received, you can receive it from your employer(do this weeks before you commence your application). During the application, scan the unofficial transcripts and upload in the appropriate columns.

3. Scanned copy of the data page of your  international passport

As an international applicant, a Scanned copy of the data page of one's international passport is usually needed to ascertain the applicant's country of origin. The page must clearly show the passport number, date of issuance and the expiry date.

4. Letter of recommendation from at least two referees.

This is preferably gotten from the applicant's most recent employers. In cases where an applicant have not worked with employer (for fresh graduates), a letter from Head of Department, Student Adviser or the VC of the school is accepted. This letter is usually written in letter headed paper containing the company's or institution's email address, physical address and phone numbers. It should be dated and duly signed. Each letter of recommendation should be personalized; that is, specifically addressed to the University where you seek admission instead of  writing a generic recommendation aimed to be submitted to various schools.

5. Statement of purpose: 

The statement of purpose is an essay required from each applicant. It should contain the clear reasons why applicant have chosen a particular discipline for MSc or PhD, state your previous certifications and experiences which you think have made you qualified for the course, point your previous leadership roles, contribution of your choice department to your country and immediate society. Highlight why you have chosen the particular university amongst other universities. Your writing should be concise and all compassing.  You can make indepth research on how to write good personal statement. Visit this page for more guidelines on how to write a captivating personal statement

6. Referees:

Two referees are usually required from each applicant. They are preferably your previous employers, lecturers, or Supervisors. The referees should be willing to respond to questions and inquiries as fast as possible when the schools call or write to them requesting for attestation of your character. Family members or close friends are not usually a better option as some some schools will not accept recommendations from them.

Once you have made the above documents available, you can start by visiting each school's website. Search for available course of study for MSc or PhD as the case maybe and start your application if you see your desired discipline.

For MSc applicants, there are always an option of choosing either MSc thought work or MSc research. Just as it is done in Nigeria; MSc research is more related to the Nigerian M.Tech. 

For MSc, research, applicant will be required to provide a research topic or areas of research interest while the school may assist in assigning a supervisor while that of MSc thought work is more of classroom based MSc. Research desertation are also needed from PhD applicants.

Admission

After the application, a notification is usually sent via email confirming that application has been successfully submitted. After review by the admission team, you may be emailed if further information is required. In such case, you are to respond to the email or supply the needed information as soon as possible in order not to delay the decision process.

After the review, if the admission team are satisfied with your qualifications, an offer may be given or application may be denied if they are not satisfied with your qualifications. In each case, an email will be sent through the email address supplied during the application. If the application was denied, they'll sate the reasons for that, but if offer is made, the email will contain further instructions to follow up the enrollment processes.

Payments of deposit:

In order to secure the admission slot, almost all the universities requires that a student pays a deposit fee. This is similar to what we call acceptance fee in Nigeria. Our research shows that deposit fees ranges from£3000 to £9000 depending on the school and department. 

This is the first stage where payment is required. At this stage, extra care should be taken to avoid falling into the hands of fraudster. Do not search online for account numbers to pay, the email address is likely to contain the payment procedures. But in situations where that are not contained in the email. Search the institution website for payment options.

Do not buy dollar or pounds in black market as this may make you pay at high rate instead, visit your bank and request to buy dollar at official price for your school fees. It is cheaper, better and more expedient.

Once the deposit is made, the school will also send you an email informing you of the receipt of the of the payment and further instructions.

Fees and funding:

There are various funding opportunities for MSc and PhD students. Immediately an admission offer is given, you can start searching various online platforms for scholarship opportunities. 

The surest scholarship opportunities which have consistently financed student's studies are the Chevening Scholarship and the Commonwealth Scholarship. Other scholarship opportunities can be accessed in the official websites of each schools.

Read more about fees and funding 

Prove of funds 

At this stage, an applicant is required to prove that he or she has sufficient funds to pursue the academic program. A bank statement showing available funds will ne required, a prove of scholarship grants (including award letter, scholarship organization's name, and worth), Incase of individual sponsor, a bank statement od the the sponsor is required including his written letter to attest that he will take care of all the funding of your academic programs. This is most at times sent to the school through email.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

After fulfilling all the requirements including successful proof of funds, the university emails a candidate with the confirmation of Acceptance for  Studies letter (CAS letter). This usually contains a unique number known as CAS number.

With this number, a student can proceed to the embassy for his Visa application. More so, a Visa application may be made online through the UK's official website.

Now, you can prepare your bags and ne ready to fly across borders.