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Communications and External Relations
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Applicants - Frequently asked questionsBelow are just some of the questions that staff in the Graduate Admissions Office are often asked. To save you time, these questions have been put into the following categories:
Questions about applying to EssexHow do I apply?Further information is available on the applications website [more] Can I study part-time?Further information is available on the applications website [more] Is there a deadline for application?There is no University deadline for receipt of applications. You should, however, bear in mind that it is often difficult to obtain references or arrange interviews over the summer vacation (July to September) and we therefore advise you to apply by 1 July. Some departments require receipt of applications earlier than this; details are included within the departmental application material. You should also take into account deadlines for submitting an application for funding. If you require a Tier 4 visa, you will also need to allow time for your visa application. How long will it take to process my application?We hope to give you a reply to your application within the
following times: These times are counted from when we receive your completed application, that is to say your application form AND official transcript(s), in English or certified translation, of your previous degree results showing marks and grades, and two references (recommendations) on letterhead, at least one from an academic referee, in sealed envelopes with the signature of the referee on the back of each. If required by the department to which you submit your application, you should also include a sample of written work or any other material and a research proposal if you are applying for a research degree. Can I start my Masters degree in January or February?The majority of taught masters programmes commence in October but there are a few courses which start in late September. Can I study at the University without taking a degree?You may register with the University as an Occasional Student either to conduct independent research or to take modules specific to your research interests. Please contact the Graduate Administrator of the department to which you wish to apply for further information. How long do courses last?The majority of taught courses consist of one year of full-time study. Research degrees at doctoral level are normally either three or fours years depending on the type of doctoral programme. Further information is available on applications website [more]
English language concernsWhat about English language?The English language requirement varies across departments. The standard entry requirement is IELTS 6.5. Some departments may also specify a particular score in the writing component of an English language test. If your English proficiency is lower than the required level, you may be able to fulfil the requirement by attending a pre-sessional English course at the University, Further information is available on applications website [more] Requirements for the issue of a CAS for degree coursesIf you have used an IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Pearson Academic Test as evidence of your English language ability either to gain an unconditional offer, or to meet a conditional offer for a degree, you must have: IELTS: an overall score of at least 5.5 with 5.5 in each component (listening, reading, speaking, writing) TOEFL iBT: minimum scores of Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20 and Writing 17 Pearson: at least 51 in each component (listening, reading, speaking, writing) In addition, the test must normally be no more than 2 years old on the date we issue the CAS. Further information. I have not met the UKBA English language requirement. What should I do?If you have used an English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT and Pearson as evidence of your English language ability and you have not met the UKBA's requirements set out above, it will not be possible for the University to sponsor you for a visa application by issuing a CAS. If your current scores are up to 1.0 IELTS band (or equivalent) below the minimum levels required by the UKBA you may be interested in attending a 5 or 10 week pre-sessional English course delivered by the University's International Academy. If I have been taught in English, do I have to provide further evidence of my English proficiency?If English is your mother tongue and has been the language of instruction during your undergraduate or postgraduate studies we do not usually request further evidence of your English proficiency. However, some departments may require applicants to take an English language test (usually IELTS or TOEFL). The Graduate Administrator of your department will be able to advise you as to whether you will be required to take a test. Do I need to take an English language test when I arrive at the University?All students who are speakers of English as a second language are required to take a test of proficiency in English soon after they arrive at the University. The date of the test, which must be taken unless the Dean has given exemption, will be included with registration information when we confirm your place. Exemption from the test will be granted to those students who are able to provide an English language test score not more than two years old showing scores of either IELTS 7.0, or 100 (iBT), or Cambridge Proficiency grade C. Those students whose test results show that they need to take a remedial English Language course will be provided with a suitable course free of charge.
Queries about your offerMy offer is unconditional. Can I firmly accept my place?If your offer is unconditional you may firmly accept your place at myEssex now. If you are entirely dependent upon a grant or any sponsorship we will also require a letter of award from your sponsor.You will receive an automated email from the University when we have confirmed your place, saying that your confirmation letter is available to download at myEssex.If you require a Tier 4 visa, we will assign a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to assist with your visa application. Self-funded students and students funded by a sponsor which the University does not recognise, are required to pay a tuition fee deposit of 1 term's fee. If you firmly accept your place early in the admissions cycle, we will you contact you in early May about how to make your deposit payment and the issue of your CAS. My offer is conditional. Can I firmly accept my place?If you firmly accept your place before you have fulfilled the condition(s) specified in your offer, we will not be able to confirm your place. If you are attending a pre-sessional English course at the University to help you meet your English language requirement, you may firmly accept your place by selecting the relevant option of the firm acceptance form at myEssex. What happens when I meet the conditions of my offer?If your offer is conditional and you meet the specified condition(s) your offer automatically becomes unconditional. Please note that we do not issue a new offer when the offer becomes unconditional. The next stage will be for us to confirm your place. If you hold an unconditional offer you may firmly accept your place now at myEssex. If you are entirely dependent upon a grant or any sponsorship we will also require a letter of award from your sponsor. In reply we will send a letter confirming your place giving details of your programme of study and tuition fees, to assist with your visa application if required. You will receive an automated email from the University when we have confirmed your place, saying that your confirmation letter is available to download at myEssex.If you require a Tier 4 visa, we will assign a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to assist with your visa application when we have received the tuition fee deposit (if required). As a CAS is only valid for 6 months, if you firmly accept your place early in the admissions cycle, we will contact you in early May. I have not met my academic condition. What should I do next?If you have completed your studies but have not met your academic condition you need to complete the relevant section of the Firm Acceptance of Offer form at myEssex, and upload a copy of your final transcript. If there are special circumstances which you feel may have affected your degree results, you should also upload a letter supporting your case. The Scheme Director will reconsider your application and we will notify you of his/her decision. I will not receive my degree results until later in the year, after Registration. What should I do?If you are unexpectedly unable to provide evidence of your qualifications in time for your place to be confirmed before Registration you should contact Graduate Admissions for further advice. When will you send me information about accommodation and registration?Information about payment of tuition fees, accommodation and registration for October will be available in May. If you firmly accept our offer, further details will be sent to you at that time. A Freshers' website is available in September and more information can be found on the Students' Union website. Further information about accommodation is available from the Accommodation Office
Money mattersAm I eligible for Home or European fees?Please refer to the Graduate School Prospectus for more information. When will I know how much my tuition fees will be?If the tuition fees have been approved when you apply to the University, they will be quoted in your offer letter. A full list of tuition fees is available. Do I have to pay a deposit? The University requires all self-funded overseas students, or those sponsored by a non-recognised body to pay a deposit in order to receive a CAS. This is required to meet our obligations to the UKBA in respect of "sponsoring" students for a visa. The deposit will be one third of the annual fee and represents the first instalment of the annual fee. Students not required to pay a deposit must pay one instalment in order to register with the University. How can I pay my fees?Further information is available about this in the Tuition Fees document in the myMoney are of the myEssex applicant portal. How can I find out if the University has received my bank transfer?You can find out if the University has received your bank transfer by contacting the Income Office on telephone: +44 (0) 1206 872165 or 872166, e-mail: income@essex.ac.uk Please give your PG reference number, the date when the transfer was made and your bank’s details when contacting the Income Office. How do I open a bank account?Barclays, Lloyds TSB and Abbey have branches on campus, while NatWest and the HSBC banks will have representatives on campus during Freshers’ Week. British banking regulations require that in order to open a bank account students must provide evidence of their permanent home address and their temporary address in the United Kingdom. You should therefore bring with you some form of evidence about where you live. Identity documentation showing your address is ideal but official correspondence (possibly your offer letter from the University, or a bank statement) addressed to you would also be acceptable. If your mail is normally addressed to a Post Office box, confirmation of your street address will be required, and if your home country uses a form of writing not readily understood in the United Kingdom, for example Arabic, Chinese or Russian, a certified transliteration should be provided. Please note that for online banking and credit card facilities you will also require a copy of your graduation certificate together with a certified translation. Does the University offer any scholarships?The University of Essex does have its own fund of scholarships, which are distributed to and managed by individual departments and centres at the University. Students can also apply for funding from external bodies, such as research councils. Am I allowed to work while I am studying?The University has a JobShop on campus, which can help find students part-time work in the local area and offer advice on employment. The rules on working while you are studying often depends on whether you are an overseas student or from the European Economic Area (EEA).
Other concernsWill someone be at the airport to meet me?Many students travelling from overseas will probably arrive in the United Kingdom at Heathrow Airport Airport. Coaches will be available to collect students from Heathrow on the Sunday before Registration. To make a booking please refer to the information for International Students provided by the Student Support Office. When do I register with the University?If you begin your studies in October, we will contact you in the spring with details about Registration. Further information about Registration is sent by the Academic Section from August onwards. If your place is confirmed in the latter part of September, you will be able to collect your pack when you arrive at the University. The Registration Office can provide further information. Research students commencing their studies in either January or April register during the first week of the relevant term. What training opportunities will I have?Successful researchers think carefully and strategically about their skills, objectives, and the areas in which they need to develop, and take charge of their own professional skills development. Proficio is the University's new student service designed to provide doctoral researchers with unique opportunities to acquire a set of specialist professional skills and deepen and expand their subject knowledge, at all stages of their career. Do I need to register with the Police?Students from some countries are required to register with the Police within seven days of their arrival to the UK. A list of the relevant countries and further information is contain How can I find information about the courses I would like to take?You can find detailed course information available on your department’s web pages or the Course Finder. How can I find out about a reading list for my courses?The Graduate Administrator of your department will be pleased to advise you or send a current reading list to assist with your preparations to study with us. When do my classes and lectures begin?Although most classes and lectures begin during the week after Registration, we recommend that you contact the Graduate Administrator of your department to ensure that you do not miss any instruction. Where will I eat?The University has a range of catering facilities, providing meals and snacks. For those who wish to cook at home, all the flats have fully equipped kitchen-diners, and shops on campus sell a wide range of food. There is also a Tesco supermarket within easy walking distance of the campus. What will the weather be like?Although the county of Essex has one of the driest climates in England, the weather in the UK is extremely unpredictable and the period from November to February can be very cold. During wet weather it can seem colder and you will need several layers of clothes, a waterproof coat and sturdy shoes. If your question is still unansweredIf you find that your question is not answered above, then please contact the Graduate Admissions Office directly on: TelephoneFor taught degrees (MA, MSc etc): 01206 873473 For research study (MPhil, PhD etc): 01206 872719 If you have any further questions please email pgquery@essex.ac.uk Alternatively you can contact the Graduate Administrator for the department or centre that you are interested in studying within.
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