Writing a Successful Motivation Letter for UK PhD University Applications
For many applications, this letter is the only personalised component, so it is important to remember to be detailed, clear and confident. Many people have trouble arranging their thoughts in a concise yet explanatory manner, yet this is precisely the task you face when writing a motivation letter. To help you through the process, we’ve broken down this section into five categories based on the most important components of a good motivation letter. Display detailed interest in the course One major mistake applicants often make is to leave out specific information about the programme to which they are applying. You need to make it clear to the admissions board that you are not only familiar with the course, but also engaged with its components. Underscore your interest in specific elements by offering examples of what you find particularly interesting and why. You can also name particular professors with whom you would like to work, pointing out why their research aligns with your own goals and interests. Moreover, doing your own investigating about a given programme prior to writing your motivation letter will help you shape your statement by making clear what are the most important course components and how you will be engaged with them. Highlight academic achievements Another misstep some students make is to assume that the admissions board will learn all they need to know about previous academic achievements from transcripts. On the contrary, the motivation letter is the best place to introduce what you deem most important regarding your academic trajectory, filling in details and giving a personal angle to the facts and figures found in your transcript. You should emphasis particular milestones or engagements and offer specific details that cannot be found elsewhere. In this way, you are telling a story about what you have done up until this point, giving the admissions board your version of the key plotlines that make up your academic trajectory. While you should never lie or fictionalize, this is the correct place to let your achievements shine. Do not leave something out that could set you apart from other applicants. Make sure to have an outside reader look over your motivation letter and your transcripts and CV to get an outside perspective on what makes you an optimal candidate. Discuss career qualifications When applying for a postgraduate course, it’s important to let the admissions board know that you have a clear career path in mind, and that you’ve already started down this path. Even if you’ve only held internships or student jobs, you should make clear how the programme to which you are applying fits within your prospective career path. Moreover, you should reference how what you have learned in previous positions will help you in areas such as research, analysis or writing during your studies. If you have worked in an international environment, pointing out what you learned there or why that was important for you is a very good idea. Create a personal narrative Although the content of your motivation letter is of utmost importance, so is its style. By creating a clear voice allowing your individual experiences to shape the narrative, you can create a strong and noteworthy introduction for the admissions board. For those of us who have sat on such boards before, there are generally three types of letters – those that are remarkable for their strengths, those that get forgotten and those that are remembered for their flaws. In order to make sure you fall into the first category, it is important to focus not only on content but also personal voice. In order to make sure you have a strong narrative, take your time writing the letter. Do not start one week prior to deadlines – instead you should begin a draft months in advance and then revisit it numerous times, asking for outside input and making changes along the way until you have a highly polished document. Offer a clear conclusion Another common stumbling block is the conclusion. A motivation letter is not an essay, but it does need to end with strong, clear concluding remarks. You should always restate your interest and briefly summarise key points you have made throughout the letter. The introduction and conclusion are the most important parts of any form of cover letter, as they are what stick in the reader’s mind. In your final paragraph, you should reiterate why you are an ideal candidate for the course, while also highlighting how the course fits into your academic and career trajectory. It is a good idea to conclude by thanking the admissions committee for their time and letting them know that you would be more than happy to speak with them further in a personal interview. Header Image Credit: Ollyy / Shutterstock (Licensed image - copyright)
Regardless of what type of course you would like to study, you will almost certainly be asked to write a motivation letter, also called a cover letter or personal statement. This letter acts as an introduction, telling the admissions board who you are and why you are a good fit for the programme to which you are applying.
How To Make The Most out of Your Summer School Experience
​Learning Learning is best enjoyed as a collaborative experience, so you'll get more out of teaching if you are engaged with and encouraging towards other students. Ask for their opinions on the material you're learning, find out about their topics of interest and tell them about yours. Summer schools can be less formal and more discursive than most university teaching, so there's also more chances to discuss with the lecturers and to share your own opinions. Be bold, ask questions, and venture into topics you're not so familiar with, and you'll gain much more from your summer school experience. Specific skills Summer schools often offer the chance to learn skills specific to your discipline, such as experimental techniques, statistical analysis, or programming languages. If you're hoping to gain a new skill in your summer time, it helps to do some preparatory reading and practise before you attend, so that you can be sure you've mastered the basics. That way, you can use your time with the lecturers or instructors as constructively as possible, getting their help on the kind issues which require specialist knowledge you won't find elsewhere. Research Some summer schools will be geared towards working on one research project over the summer, under the supervision of faculty. This will give you the chance to see and participate in a professional research environment, and can be an invaluable experience when planning your own future research. Remember to take plenty of notes on each stage of the project; try to find out what role each researcher plays and what skills they work with. This information will be a great guide for you if you undertake independent research of your own. Networking An important aspect of summer schools is making contact with other students and professionals in your field. You'll have the chance to talk to people from all over the world who are working in your topic, to hear about their work and to tell them about yours. Do be friendly and approachable, and prepare a quick one or two minute introduction to yourself and your work for when you're asked. Remember to collect business cards or email addresses so that you can follow up with people who you connected with. Mentoring and careers advice You'll also have the chance to connect with senior members of your field who can share their insights into their career progression and help you to plan out your future. Some schools offer mentoring, where an independent experienced person in your field can offer support in your career development. Even if your summer school does not have such a program, you'll still find plenty of people who are happy to give advice. Good topics to ask for advice on include the skills that are essential to their job, what kind of roles they had before their current job, and what aspects of their work they particular like and dislike. This can be the perfect chance to gain insight into the day to day work of great researchers and professors. Social activities and fun Don't forget that in addition to being great learning opportunities, summer schools are also a chance to have fun! Find some time to explore the local area where you're staying – sight seeing, hiking, eating out in restaurants, sports and group activities are just some of the options that may be available. Many summer schools will offer organised social activities like trips, meals or drinks, where you can get to know other students and faculty in a more relaxed atmosphere. These can be a great chance to get out of your shell and relax after you've been hard at work, so enjoy yourself!
If you're interested in attending a summer school this year, now is the time to start planning. Once you've selected a school to attend and been accepted, here are some of the ways that you can make the most out of your summer school experience.
Scholarships in Sweden, Denmark and Norway
More and more international students are thinking about countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Norway for the location of their studies. The quality of life is very high in these countries, and many residents speak excellent English, which makes transitioning to study in such a country easier for international students. Browse our program listings for opportunities in Sweden, Denmark and Norway The costs of studying in Scandinavia Tuition fees in Scandinavia Perhaps even more important from a pragmatic student perspective, most academic institutions in Sweden, Denmark and Norway are publicly funded and charge no tuition fees to students from within the EU. Further, in Norway, free tuition is offered to all, even to international students. The governments of Sweden, Denmark and Norway consider higher education to be of great social and cultural value, and so encourage many people to attend universities by assisting with tuition fees. Living costs in Scandinavia However, if you’re planning to study in one of these countries you will still need to make arrangements for funding – for example, to pay for accommodation and living costs, to buy books, and to pay semester fees at some institutions. Semester fees are usually small fees of between twenty to a few hundred Euros per semester, which cover administration costs of the university. You should also bear in mind that costs of living can be much higher in Scandinavian countries than elsewhere, so you will need a sizeable budget for accommodation, food, and travel. PhD studies in Scandinavia Typically, those interested in pursuing a PhD would search for announced PhD positions from a university, and apply directly. If you can get a PhD position in this way, it will come with a generous salary and support in the form of equipment, research funding, office space, and so on. However, it is also possible to propose your own research project to a supervisor who you find interesting, and to apply for scholarship funding. This is an amount of money given to students to cover their expenses while they study, either from a government or from an independent organisation. Here we offer guidance and advice on which scholarships are available for studying in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Scholarships in Sweden The Swedish Institute One of the major sources for scholarship funding in Sweden is the Swedish Institute, a government agency which offers scholarships to international students and researchers who come to Sweden to study or work. The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to students of various nationalities, and gives out several hundred each year. In 2019, it predicts it will give out around 470 scholarships. Further, they offer Visby Programme Scholarships for both Master’s level and PhD students, which focus on students from countries around the Baltic Sea and Russia. Study in Sweden Study in Sweden is an official resource for international students which provides a range of information on all aspects of studying in Sweden. The organisation offers general information about the Swedish higher education systems, tips for finding and applying for programmes, living as an international student, learning Swedish and, of course, finding scholarships. Study in Sweden is built and maintained by the Swedish Institute. The website contains a section on scholarships, and provides information on scholarship competitions, scholarships from the Swedish Institute itself, university scholarships, and others provided by various international organisations and foundations from around the world. Erasmus funding Another major source of funding is the Erasmus organisation, which promotes co-operation and the mixing of researchers and students between different countries. The European Commission funds the program and it is open to all European students who are interested in studying abroad. The Erasmus+ Scholarships are the programme specially for masters and doctoral students. Individual universities Individual universities in Sweden also offer their own scholarships for outstanding students who wish to study there. Some of the best universities to look for scholarships at include: - KTH Royal Institute of Technology – the university offers both waivers of tuition fees and scholarships for master’s students. - Linköping University – offers scholarships to applicants from outside the EU, who would normally have to pay tuition fees. They also offer reductions in tuition fees for those who are not successful in gaining a scholarship. - Lund University – has a global scholarship programme which targets students from outside of the EU. They also offer Regional Excellence Awards, which are region-specific funding for students applying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree who are originally from USA, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, East Timor, Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Malaysia or Vietnam. They offer further country-specific scholarships for students from Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico. - Malmö University – offers both Master’s Scholarships for master’s students from outside of the EU, and Excellence Scholarships for currently enrolled students who are continuing their studies for a second or thirds year of a programme. - Stockholm University – offer scholarships for non-EU students who are applying for a master’s programme. Also takes part in a special programme for scientists from Brazil who wish to exchange working knowledge with science labs in Sweden – the Science Without Borders scholarship programme. - Uppsala University – offers specialist scholarships for specific programmes, such as the Masters Programme in Investment Treaty Arbitration for students from outside of the EU. Also offers other scholarships for master’s students from outside the EU, including the Uppsala University IPK scholarships, and for students from China specifically, such as the Anders Wall Foundation scholarship. Scholarships in Denmark Danish innovation Scholarship One major new programme for the distribution of scholarships within Denmark is the Danish Innovation Scholarship, offered by the Innovation Fund Denmark. This programme is especially geared towards students considering postgraduate study in the fields of natural, environmental and health sciences, engineering, technology and innovation. The scholarships are open to undergraduate students from the following counties: Brazil, India, China, South Korea, USA and Japan. There are specific institutions which specialise in the themes relevant to the programme, which can be found on the web. Erasmus scholarships for Denmark Once again the Erasmus programme is available in Denmark, for EU students who wish to study abroad. The Erasmus Mundus programme is one in which scholarships are offered for the undertaking of master’s courses which are offered jointly by a Danish institution and another European university or college. Danish Government Scholarships Another programme of interest to those looking to study in Denmark is the Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements. These offer funding for students from various European countries as well as Russia, China, Japan, Israel and Egypt, who are looking to perform research and study on Danish culture, including the Danish language, or on topics such as design, architecture, environmental studies, and other related fields. They offer both long-term scholarships for ongoing studies, and summer scholarships for short trips to practise the Danish language. Scholarships in Norway As previously mentioned, Norwegian institutions do not charge tuition fees to any students, regardless of their nationality. However, scholarships are still necessary to cover semester fees and living expenses. Once again the Erasmus programme is available to support researchers or students in studying within Norway. Most of the other sources of funding available are in the form of exchange programmes or bilateral agreements, in which a university within Norway partners with an institution elsewhere in the world and agrees to exchange students, researchers and teachers for the benefit of spreading knowledge and expertise. EEA Grants and Norway Grants Another grant program is the EEA Grants and Norway Grants which offer international scholarships for students from selected countries including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Those students with an interest in the study of Norwegian literature or language can apply for a Mobility Grant for Norwegian Language and Literature which covers expenses for a research stay in Norway, including travel costs if you wish to perform fieldwork in the more remote areas of the country. For students from Canada, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the US who attend an institution in Northern Norway, they may apply for the High North Fellowship Program which offers financial assistance for living costs and travel costs. Browse our program listings for opportunities in Sweden, Denmark and Norway
For those considering options for studying a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree, Scandinavia is a tempting location. With a long and rich cultural history, and specialist institutions for a range of academic disciplines, Scandinavian countries are marking out their strengths on the international academic stage.
Recruitment Trends: Interviews with Top Employers
To find this piece and a range of other insights, click the button below to download the latest INOMICS handbook. ➲ Download the Handbook now! The IMF is perhaps the most well-known global financial regulator, with 2700 employees. Working on behalf of its 189 member countries, it aims to: ‘foster global monetary cooperation; secure financial stability; facilitate international trade; promote high employment and sustainable economic growth; and reduce poverty around the world’. The University of Barcelona, meanwhile, is regularly ranked within the top 150 universities in the world, and usually top in Spain, to work and study in, with almost 4000 academic faculty staff members and a particularly lauded economics department. The LMU is even bigger, with around 6000 academic staff and 8000 administrative and is regularly ranked within the top 50 universities in the world. We are excited to be able to share their specific insights as well as perceived global trends that graduates face year on year. Expectations and Environment Kalpana Kochhar emphasises that job interviews at the IMF tend to focus on ‘the ability of candidates to think on their feet, logically work through a response, and demonstrate a structured, practical approach’ over more theory-based thinking. This focus, it seems, is a key distinction between the institutions, as Jordi Roca Solanelles confirms: ‘we seek excellent teachers with strong research skills who contribute actively to teaching at graduate and undergraduate level and who will supervise current students in their research.’ Additionally, both Kochhar and Solanelles agree that having experience as a Teaching Assistant is of great use in furthering a student’s future career, setting them up nicely to take on teaching responsibilities in a postgrad role. The institutions offer widely different working environments, another big factor for a graduate to consider when approaching the job market. Solanelles, for instance, acknowledges the difficulties in creating a supportive working environment, when so much of the work expected involves ‘pressure to publish in high profile journals in order to progress in their career’ individually, adhering, in other words, to the “publish or perish” principle. Dr Englmaier however, argues there is a ‘great team spirit within an excellent research infrastructure, with the possibility to reach out to non-academic stakeholders’. In further contrast, employees at the IMF work in large teams on an international basis, the organisation boasting ‘the opportunity to combine academic work with practical policy work in a supportive, intellectually challenging environment’. Changing Tides Particularly intriguing are the changing demographics and trends in the job markets of the IMF and UB. Both recognize an increasingly diversified and international workplace especially over the last ten years. Interestingly, the IMF, perhaps because of its inherent international structure, do not feel the need to have ‘hard-coded diversity “quotas”’, stressing that the individual candidate’s skills and experiences are the primary concern. The UB meanwhile, acknowledge that while committed to an increasingly international teaching staff - and therefore research method - they have had to operate within ‘important budgetary constraints’ not having the luxury of the IMF’s funding. Nevertheless, Solanelles believes the ‘obtained returns have clearly outweighed the costs’. In the INOMICS 2018 Salary Report, we found that generally, worldwide, while the gender pay gap is closing, especially at Junior and Mid-level roles, the widest salary disparity remains between men and women in senior-level positions. There also seems to be a “glass ceiling” hindering women from accessing senior positions. The IMF, UB and LMU all have procedures in place to combat this. The IMF tells us they ‘calibrate salaries on entry to ensure gender neutrality’ and offer parental leave benefits to both genders. On the other hand, UB and LMU have a wage policy set by the Spanish and German governments respectively, meaning an ensured pay equality between genders within their academic institutions. It is important, therefore, to research factors such as employee rights or salaries when choosing your career path, to see what public regulations and measures are in force in prospective countries. Organisations such as EDGE, the global business certification standard for gender equality, for example, exist to ensure equal pay and treatment of genders in global corporations, such as the IMF, who are approved. ‘Many [women] hold high-level and influential positions within the IMF and outside’ Kochhar explains, herself a strong example. However, the representatives of the academic sector we spoke to recognise there is still a shortage of women at the faculty level, with Solanelles conceding ‘only 2 out of 10 full professors in Spanish Universities are women’. Dr Englmaier agrees, noting that ‘while we now have many more brilliant female students, so far this has not fed through to the faculty level’, implying workplace gender equality remains a long, hard struggle. Looking Forward Both Kochhar and Sollanelles agree that the job markets, in their respective areas, are expanding generally, meaning a wider range of opportunities are available to graduates now compared to a decade ago, following the 2008 financial crash - a trend that currently shows no signs of slowing down. There is a marked difference between them, however, when it comes to job prospects and salaries. Solanelles argues that the austerity measures in Europe resulted in ‘the introduction of wage freezes in academia over a prolonged period of time’. Simultaneously, retirement-aged staff are not being replaced so readily, ‘implying higher workloads for existing employees.’ That said, he is optimistic that the trends are changing for the positive, with a far more competitive job market widening the job prospects for teaching staff both inside and out of Spain. Given the IMF’s size, it is perhaps unsurprising they haven’t felt as much of an effect from the austerity measures as Solanelles refers to. In evidence, they have continued to offer positions to ‘between 20 to 30 graduating PhD economists each year’. They have noted also increased salaries and contracts for a diverse range of positions in: ‘academia; central banks and government; finance and other private sector companies; and international organisations’. This shows not only a huge array of choice, but also the option to “change track” along the way. Conclusion Broadly speaking, those better suited to working in academia are those more interested in teaching and publishing. Generally, such work is conducted individually, with one afforded a fair amount of freedom. In comparison, the IMF, perhaps indicative of conditions outside of academia, tends to offer its employees higher wages, increased networking opportunities and more varied work, often in a team setting. While all interviewees observe shifts in their respective workplace demographics, breaking down some barriers and gaining access to the top level, particularly for women, remains a hard and on-going challenge. That said, each institution is offering an increasingly diverse set of roles and jobs, making career choices for recent graduates all the more exciting. To find this interview and a range of other insights, click the button below to download the latest INOMICS handbook. ➲ Download the Handbook now!
We spoke to top hiring managers Kalpana Kochhar, Director of Human Resources Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Jordi Roca Solanelles, Head Manager of the University of Barcelona’s School of Economics (UB) and Professor Dr Florian Englmaier, Professor for Organisational Economics as the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), to discover what challenges economics post-graduates should expect from prospective careers in some of the biggest institutions around.
What IELTS Scores Do You Need To Get Admitted to the Best MBA Programs in Europe?
One requirement of an MBA course that you will definitely have to consider is the language requirement. Many MBA courses in Europe are taught in English, and if you're not a native English speaker then you will need to prove your ability to speak, write, listen, and read in English. If you've studied in English before, for example if your undergraduate course was in English, then this will fulfil the language requirement for most courses. But if you haven't, then you'll need to take a language test like the TOEFL or IELTS. If you decide to take the IELTS, then what kind of scores will you need to be accepted onto an MBA program? To give you a feel for this, we've compiled a list of the required IELTS scores for MBA programs at some of the best universities in Europe. MBA, University of Oxford (Saïd) “IETLS: Minimum Score: 7.5, Minimum required on each component: 7.0” MBA, Imperial College Business School “IELTS (academic): A minimum score of 7.0 with minimum scores of 6.5 in all elements” MBA, Cambridge Judge Business School “IELTS score of at least 7.5” MBA, HEC Paris “Minimum IELTS: 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 on each part of the test” MBA, London Business School “IELTS score of at least 7” Executive MBA, Stockholm School of Economics “IELTS score of at least 7” The Copenhagen Full-time MBA, Copenhagen Business School “[An] IELTS score of 7 [is] recommended” MBA, INSEAD A recommended IELTS score of at least 7.5. Clearly, these schools require a high degree of English competence to apply for their MBA programs, typically requiring IELTS scores of 7 to 7.5. This is equivalent to a TOEFL score of around about 100.
Are you thinking about studying for an MBA? Then you might be looking for a course, selecting a concentration, or researching the employment options that will be open to you.
Meet Jasna: a Master degree student of Business Management at the Masaryk University in Brno
“Prior deciding to continue my master studies in Czech Republic I was travelling and visited various places like Prague, Karlovy Vary and Brno. Since really enjoying Czech Republic as tourist I decided to check studying opportunities as well. Apart from eternally being in love with the golden city Prague, I was attracted to Brno – second largest city in Czech Republic thanks to the quality Master programme Business management, which was all I wanted and wished for my Master degree. The courses offered by the programme were totally suitable with my career plans, but studying at the Faculty of Economics and Administration of the Masaryk University (www.econ.muni.cz/en) gave me much more than just perfect courses, and living and studying in Brno exceeded all my expectations. From the first day, I liked the atmosphere at the Faculty. Easygoing professors, quality courses, many students – foreign and domestic in one place, talking and sharing experiences, learning about other cultures and presenting their own culture. The Faculty has a perfect library with up to date books and magazines from business world, which is very important and it clearly shows that the Faculty invests constantly in increasing the knowledge of both staff and students. Also, what surprised me and it is different than studying back home in Serbia, is that if you have good grades, the university supports you and gives you a merit scholarship each semester! The fact that the Faculty is constantly improving and taking care of students makes me happy and proud to study here. What I always like to mention to people outside the university is how cool information system we have! It is very modern, useful and makes all the administrative stuff much easier. Everything is there - from our grades, communication with professors, literature for courses, job search, scholarships and many other interesting things. Now a bit more about why I like the courses at my Faculty so much. First, there are a lot of courses offered in English language, so I am sure everybody can find something interesting for themselves. Second thing I like is the practical approach and active students’ participation in courses. Most of the courses require not just to learn something but also to apply and practically test the knowledge which helps us retain our gained knowledge longer and do better at work, and I also think that employers really appreciate that. One of the most memorable experiences while studying was the trip organized by the HR course professor. It was the trip to Vienna to visit two companies. This trip was fun and educative. We had interesting lectures where we found out more about the companies and what kind of skills and knowledge they look for. Then, we had a workshop with the employees of one company and we were assessing what is going to be needed from the HR perspective in the future. This really helped me to gain the insight in how companies think in terms of their employees and what skills and knowledge are important for future. Brno is one of the best student cities and I absolutely love the student life in Brno. Student organizations constantly offer variety of events during the week – parties, quiz nights, board games, cultural events and during the weekend - trips and excursions to beautiful cities in Czech Republic or neighboring countries. What many people don’t know, including me before living in Czech Republic, is the fact that Czech Republic has many beautiful small towns with rich history and amazing nature. I am really enjoying the fact that Brno has a perfect location, which gives an excellent opportunity to visit all those lovely places like Olomouc, Telč, Český Krumlov, Prague and many others. Also, it is within the short drive from the beautiful cities of neighboring countries like Vienna, Bratislava, Krakow, Budapest and Dresden. I think that living and studying in Brno positively changed my life. I met people from all over the world, enjoyed diverse cultures, languages, changed my perspective about life, traveled a lot, and got to deeply know and understand the Czech culture, country and way of living. I would recommend literally everyone to come to study in the Czech Republic, because the country has it all: good people, beautiful nature, interesting food, magic location and last but not least good education system!” Find out more about studying in the Czech Republic at www.studyin.cz. Photo credit: Jasna Brkić
Today, over 43,000 foreign students are studying in the Czech Republic and their interest is growing as the offer of study programmes and courses taught in English is increasing. Jasna Brkić from Serbia, a Master degree student of Business Management at the Masaryk University in Brno, shares her story and explains why she chose the Czech Republic for her studies:
Meet Jana-Aletta: a Postgraduate Student of Medical Faculty in Pilsen at Charles University
When I made the decision to leave Germany and take on the challenge of starting my PhD in the Czech Republic, I did not know much about Charles University, Prague or the Czech Republic itself. My language skills were limited to my native language and English, but I was looking forward to the change. Right from my first interview with Dr. Králíčková at the Institute of Histology & Embryology I knew that I would be taken care of. Everyone at the faculty was open, helpful and supportive, and I was offered a language course to enable a smooth transition and communication in the new university. As the first English-speaking PhD student in the medical faculty in Pilsen, I was expecting many challenges regarding classes, lectures and exams, but I was given great support by teachers, staff and my fellow students. My Czech classes started right away, ensuring that I found it easier to communicate every day while running errands. The exams I had to sit were translated into English to allow me to take part. Online tests and lectures were translated as well and the procedures I had to follow were described to me in person. All the staff I had to interact with, for example the people in human resources or student affairs, speak English. The same applies to all my colleagues, creating a relaxed, cosmopolitan working environment. The research facilities provided in the Biomedical Center in Pilsen are of the highest standard and I was impressed with the space, equipment and offices available. After working in German, American and Swedish laboratories, I have some experience, this Biomedical Center is providing the perfect working environment. I was assigned a pleasant office space in a room I share with only two colleagues, giving me a quiet, luxurious setting for study, reading, writing papers and planning experiments. My original reason for joining the medical faculty in Pilsen was for a collaboration with a laboratory in Los Angeles (USA). This collaboration involves study in the field of cancer research, within a methodically specialized framework that is a perfect fit for my experience and interests. However, now that I have been studying in Pilsen for more than a year, I have realized that networks here and partners enable me to participate in new projects and maintain my work output. The close relationship with surgeons and oncologists in the neighboring hospital and social events with research groups from other Universities make collaboration easy and allow new projects and ideas to grow and flourish. Everyday laboratory practice, including the use of equipment, ordering of supplies, growing of cell lines and receipt of clinical samples is well-organized and hassle-free. Additionally, I was offered advanced training in European training facilities right after starting; funding for travelling to and attending this course was provided. Having been a PhD student of Charles University in Prague for nearly two years now, I can only say that I am really happy with my decision to come here. I would do it again without hesitation. Living in the Czech Republic is a great experience, with friendly people, beautiful cities full of history, amazing food, a variety of sports facilities and a countryside inviting you to hike, swim or go on a road trip around all the villages and cities. Learning the language definitely helps in everyday life and isn’t too hard when you practice at school and work. So “děkuji” for reading and hope to see you soon in Prague! Find out more about studying in the Czech Republic at www.studyin.cz.
The Czech Republic offers over 1,000 study programmes in English at all degree levels and across all fields. Over 42,000 foreign students are studying in the country in Czech, English or other foreign languages. Wondering how it is to be one of them? Read on to learn about the experiences of Jana-Aletta Thiele, a postgraduate student of Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Charles University. And find your study programme at www.studyin.cz!
Top Interdisciplinary Summer Schools 2017: Social Sciences
For those of you who are working in the social sciences, today we're sharing a list of the top interdisciplinary summer schools in 2017: Methods Summer Programme Organizer: London School of Economics and Political Science Location: London, United Kingdom Duration: Aug 14, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 Details: The Methods Summer Programme is a summer school in social science research methods for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and professionals from around the world. It offers 12 intensive short courses across three areas of research methods: Qualitative & Mixed Social Research Methods, Quantitative Social Research Methods and Methods for Economists. All courses provide training in research methods as used by the top researchers in the field, and are taught by world-class academics at our campus in central London. Apply now Global School in Empirical Research Methods (GSERM) Organizer: University of St. Gallen Location: St. Gallen, Switzerland Duration: Jun 1, 2017 to Jun 23, 2017 Details: This summer school is a high-calibre 3.5 week integrated programme teaching methodology for PhD students and postdocs from leading universities all over the world. The GSERM offers an attractive course-based learning atmosphere on different aspects of empirical research. Participants can choose from different courses (one course per week) offered as block seminars led by internationally renowed lecturers. Apply now Interdisciplinary Summer Programme Organizer: University of Cambridge Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 9, 2017 to Aug 19, 2017 Details: The three terms of the Interdisciplinary Programme offer courses covering a wide variety of subjects including economics, international politics and relations, and history of science. You can select courses in the same discipline or study more widely by choosing courses in differing subject areas. Courses consist of classroom sessions held on weekdays. Almost all are limited to 25 participants. Apply now Summer School in Health Economics and Statistics Organizer: University of Gothenburg Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Duration: Jun 19, 2017 to Jun 21, 2017 Details: This summer school offers four condensed courses on fundamental topics in evaluating health policies and interventions. All courses are a mix of standard lectures and computer-based lab sessions where participants will work with real-world datasets. Apply now Energy and Finance Summer Program Organizer: HEC Paris Location: Paris, France Duration: Jun 12, 2017 to Jun 23, 2017 Details: If you are a university-level student or recent graduate (from any discipline) seeking an academic challenge and multi-cultural learning experience, the HEC Paris Summer School experience is for you. At the HEC Paris Summer School, you can sharpen your mind, develop your analytical and decision-making skills, and grasp complex challenges and strategic opportunities in today’s global economy. Apply now IPSA-NUS Summer School for Social Science Research Methods Organizer: National University of Singapore Location: Singapore, Singapore Duration: Jun 19, 2017 to Jun 30, 2017 Details: The school offers a wide variety of quantitative, qualitative, and formal methods courses, all taught by highly experienced international faculty from the U.S. and Europe and provides participants with rigorous, hands-on training in state-of-the-art research methods. Apply now
When you're working on interdisciplinary topics, it's extremely helpful to have contact with other students and researchers in related fields. Getting to know people who are working in different academic disciplines to you gives you new perspectives on your research, as well as improving your communication skills and broadening your knowledge. So interdisciplinary summer schools are the ideal chance to interact with other students and get in practise at presenting your work to an interdisciplinary audience.
Top Summer Schools 2017: Finance & Accounting
Do you want to brush up on your academic skills, to meet more students in your field, and to have fun visiting a new place over the summer holidays? Then you should consider attending a summer school! Usually such schools last between one and three weeks, and involve travelling to a new city and attending lectures, workshops, and group activities related to a specialist academic field.Today we're taking a look at some of the best summer schools in the fields of finance and accounting, which will be running over the summer of 2017: The Finance Boot Camp Organizer: Frankfurt School of Finance & Management Location: Frankfurt, Germany Duration: Jul 10, 2017 to Jul 21, 2017 Details: In the first week of your Boot Camp you will participate in a Banking Game. During this class you study how to manage a financial institution by playing a web-based simulation Probanker in a competitive game of student teams. You will have to make choices about lending rates, advertisement campaigns, and funding sources and many other aspects of a real banker’s life to get a firm grasp of risk management in financial institutions. Frankfurt School’s Boot Camp targets non-finance Bachelor and first-year Master students seeking to develop or deepen their financial skills in one of Europe’s leading financial centres: Frankfurt am Main. International Finance Summer Program Organizer: HEC Paris Location: Paris, France Duration: Jun 12, 2017 to Jun 23, 2017 Details: This introductory course is about key decisions made by treasurers or chief financial officers of exporting firms, multinational corporations and financial institutions. Specifically, it addresses the funding/financing and investment questions within a multi-currency setting. Special attention is devoted to Risk Management (including valuation of hedging instruments such as forwards, futures, swaps and options) as it permeates international funding and investment decisions. The intensive summer program is designed for students aspiring to careers in finance at large and small corporations with extensive international dealings, banks, pension funds, private equity firms or hedge funds as well as "globally reaching" financial institutions. Imperial College Business Summer School Organizer: Imperial College London Location: London, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 21, 2017 Details: Imperial College Business School runs an intensive but stimulating Summer School programme that gives students the chance to increase their academic standing in one of the most vibrant and culturally-enriched cities in the world. With six courses spread over two sessions and a varied social programme, Summer School is a fantastic taster to life at Imperial and in London. The courses, spread over two sessions, are designed to enrich, enhance and develop your knowledge and practical skills. Boston University School on Accounting Organizer: Boston University Location: Boston, MA, USA Duration: May 23, 2017 to May 30, 2017 Details: Imagine summer study in the U.S.—at one of the world’s top teaching and research universities. The course in Advanced Accounting examines accounting principles and practices related to business combinations and foreign operations (accounting for mergers and acquisitions, constructing consolidated financial statements, recording foreign currency transactions and hedging exchange risk, translating foreign subsidiaries' local currency financial statements), business segments, reporting for local governments, and the impact of the SEC and international standards on financial reporting. 10th Summer School on Social Banking Organizer: Institute for Social Banking Location: Tallinn, Estonia Duration: Jun 25, 2017 to Jun 30, 2017 Details: At the Summer School you will have the unique opportunity to meet together – in a lab-atmosphere – with representatives of both, the values based banking and finance sector and the digital FinTec sector. You will learn about values based banking, jointly create digital tools and look on chances and challenges. Introduction to Finance and Banking Organizer: HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht Location: Utrecht, Netherlands Duration: Jul 17, 2017 to Jul 21, 2017 Details: Financial news is dominating the Headlines. The Financial and Banking system had and still have a great impact on the economic situation in the world. This course is a general introduction to Finance and Banking to help you understand better. You will learn all about the basics of Finance, with a special focus on Banking. Summer Session: Financial Markets Organizer: University of California, San Diego Location: San Diego, CA, USA Duration: Jul 1, 2017 to Aug 5, 2017 Details: UC San Diego Summer Session offers more than 600 courses from over 40 disciplines. Students can choose from two convenient five-week sessions and a special session. During the summer you can accelerate progress towards your degree, enroll in courses that are difficult to enroll in during the fall, winter or spring quarters, enhance your career prospects, and enrich your cultural and intellectual knowledge. UC San Diego Summer Session is open to current students and visitors. Financial Leaders of Tomorrow Organizer: Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance Location: Beijing, China Duration: Jul 2, 2017 to Jul 14, 2017 Details: The Tsinghua PBCSF Summer Program is designed to help you get to know China’s financial markets in 2 weeks. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of China’s financial markets, including banking, securities, insurance, funds, and other sectors. Unique and in-depth lectures will be provided by a combination of Tsinghua faculties, policymakers from the government and industry elites with extensive experience at top financial entities.
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For those wanting to gain new skills in mathematics or statistics, here are some of the best summer schools for you to attend: STATA Summer School Organizer: Timberlake Consultants Location: London, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 8, 2017 Details: Timberlake Consultants, official distributor of Stata, offer the summer school comprising a series of four 1-day courses and one 2-day course. All courses will be delivered interactively using the internationally used software package Stata. This is a great opportunity for students, academics and professionals to expand their econometrics skills and learn how they can apply econometrics and statistics from professionals pioneering research at the forefront of their specialist fields. See also other Timberlake's summer courses here. Scholarships available for current Master's and PhD students (50% discount). Find out more here. EViews Summer School Organizer: Timberlake Consultants Location: London, United Kingdom Duration: Jun 19, 2017 to Jun 23, 2017 Details: This is another interesting course opportunity offered by Timberlake Consultants. The EViews Summer School will appeal to both new and experienced users of EViews and will provide attendees with a valuable insight in completing empirical work using the latest EViews software. All courses will teach econometrics from an applied perspective and demonstrate techniques using EViews software. See also other Timberlake's summer courses here. Scholarships available for current Master's and PhD students (50% discount). Find out more here. Madrid UPM Advanced Statistics and Data Mining Summer School Organizer: Technical University of Madrid Location: Madrid, Spain Duration: Jun 26, 2017 to Jul 7, 2017 Details: This summer school is organized by the Artificial Intelligence Department of the School of Computer Science. It comprises intensive courses which aim to provide attendees with an introduction to both the theoretical foundations and the practical applications of some of the modern statistical analysis techniques currently in use. Each course has theoretical as well as practical classes, in which each technique is put into practice with a computer program. Students are free to choose the courses according to their interests, with the only restriction being that courses which are given in parallel are mutually exclusive. Harvard Summer School: Introduction to Quantitative Methods Organizer: Harvard University Location: Cambridge, MA, USA Duration: Jun 19, 2017 to Aug 7, 2017 Details: Are you a college student, a professional seeking advancement, or an international student interested in studying at Harvard for the summer? During this course, you will be introducted to statistical principles, applications, and analysis. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling procedures, estimation methods, confidence intervals, tests of significance, chisquare tests, regression and correlation, and analysis of variance. Computer programming knowledge is not required. Stata is used and taught in the course. Cambridge Immerse Mathematics Programme Organizer: University of Cambridge Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 9, 2017 to Jul 22, 2017 Details: Cambridge Immerse is a unique two week residential educational experience with a diverse and enriching curriculum, designed and taught by Oxford University and Cambridge University staff. Tutorials and seminars are taught by highly regarded tutors in an optimal learning environment that stimulates academic enquiry; yet the carefully planned schedule ensures that the programme not only meets the academic needs of the participants, but also provides a unique insight into the university city through an abundance of extracurricular activities. The Cambridge Immerse Mathematics course is perfect for those considering studying mathematics at university level. As well as consolidating students’ existing understanding of core mathematical topics, the course introduces students to more advanced topics and areas of study. GESIS Summer School in Survey Methodology Organizer: GESIS – Leibniz-Institute for the Social Sciences Location: Cologne, Germany Duration: Aug 3, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 Details: This summer school offers high quality training in state of the art techniques and methods of survey research. It aims to give a broad overview of survey methods and equip participants with essential skills in designing, planning, execution, documentation and quality assurance of surveys.It also provides an opportunity to deeply engage with the different tasks of survey design and implementation, different survey modes, and research designs involving surveys. Participants may expect good networking opportunities, a supportive social environment, and an exciting time in Cologne.
It's early to start planning for the summer – but if you want to make the most of your time as a student, you need to look ahead! If you have time off between semesters in your undergraduate or masters degree, you can use that time to attend a summer school. These residential courses typically run from between one week and three weeks, and involve teaching on specialist topics, and group workshops too. Plus, they are are great opportunity to network with fellow students and researchers in your field.
Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
Top Summer Schools 2017: Political Science & International Relations
Today we're considering the top summer schools for students in politics and international relations which you could participate in 2017: Istanbul: Crossroad of Civilizations Summer School Organizer: Isik University Location: Istanbul, Turkey Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 30, 2017 Details: Enjoy your summer in Istanbul studying the history and culture of Istanbul at one of Turkey’s most prestigious universities. Immerse yourself in Turkey’s history, traditions and people in Sile, home of Istanbul’s most renowned summer resort. Discover Turkish and Middle East politics, culture, economy, society and art through a study of Istanbul. Deepen your understanding of Turkey with several day-long trips to major historical sites. The program also includes elementary Turkish for students from abroad. International Relations & Politics Programme Organizer: Cambridge Summer Institute Location: Oxford, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 2, 2017 to Jul 15, 2017 Details: This course serves as an introduction to the theoretical background of international relations and politics. You can examine a range of historical topics about international relations in trade, finance, and political institutions which it is possible to explore the behavior of states of international organizations. Through this, you will be provided with an in-dept understanding of international relation and politics related disciplines in the complex field between nations. Harvard Summer School: Debates in International Politics Organizer: Harvard Summer School Location: Cambridge, MA, USA Duration: Jul 10, 2017 to Jul 28, 2017 Details: This course critically examines arguments, analytical frameworks, and possible solutions for major debates in international politics. Students are encouraged to take positions on key economic, security, and global controversies. You will examine debates surrounding phenomena such as sovereignty, imperialism, terrorism, world governance, and state failure. You will also have a chance to investigate disputes over international injustice, environmental degradation, global trade, as well as America's role toward China and the rest of the world. 2017 Munich-Vienna Middle East Summer School Organizer: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and MEIA Research Location: Munich, Germany & Vienna, Austria Duration: Aug 3, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 Details: During the Munich-Vienna Middle East Summer School, students will be provided with a broad understanding of the key political, economic, and societal developments in the contemporary Middle East. In the seminars, students will be taught by academics and practitioners with long-standing experience in the Middle East and given the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with students from the region in focus. The program targets both advanced students and young professionals from various backgrounds. SciencesPo Summer School: The European Union at a Crossroads Organizer: Sciences Po Paris Location: Paris, France Duration: Jun 3, 2017 to Jun 30, 2017 Details: The Sciences Po Summer School is a unique opportunity for students from all over the world to study political sciences at Sciences Po, France’s leading university in the social sciences. The aim of the course is to introduce students to the multiple European realities and to provide the necessary tools for understanding how the EU can face these challenges in an ever-changing world. This interdisciplinary course will permit students to approach these major issues through the lenses of political science, law, economics and history. International Politics Summer School Organizer: University of Oxford Location: Oxford, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 30, 2017 to Aug 12, 2017 Details: The International Politics Summer School tackles the vital issues that shape politics in the modern world, in a rigorous academic environment. Participants will apply their knowledge to in depth analysis of key countries and regions outside of Western Europe and North America, and will engage with broader issues that affect all parts of the globe. LSE-UCT July School Organizer: London School of Economics and Political Science Location: Cape Town, South Africa Duration: Jul 17, 2017 to Jul 28, 2017 Details: This innovative and prestigious two-week 'summer school' style programme provides the highest calibre students, graduates and professionals from across the globe with an exciting opportunity to study important social science issues relevant to Africa today across subject areas as diverse as international relations, economics, management, government, geography, law, media and social policy. The programme is taught by outstanding faculty from the University of Cape Town and LSE - two of the world’s leading institutions for teaching and research. Summer School in Methods and Techniques Organizer: European Consortium for Political Research Location: Budapest, Hungary Duration: Jul 27, 2017 to Aug 12, 2017 Details: The Summer School forms part of the ECPR's Methods School, which delivers cutting-edge courses in the full span of qualitative and quantitative topics, spread across the two schools. Delivered by a diverse range of experienced Instructors and supported by dedicated Teaching Assistants, the academic side of the School is designed to provide young scholars with the methodological skill set they need at the start of their career, while an exciting plenary programme provides an opportunity for all important networking.
Summer schools are ideal locations for not just learning new skills and ideas, but also for networking with your peers and senior figures in your field. Plus they can be a lot of fun! If you have the time over the summer break, spending a week or two at a summer school can be an helpful step along your career path.
Top Summer Schools 2017: Business & Management
As a business or management student, you'll know the importance of acquiring specialist skills, and of building your network. Summer schools can help with both of these goals, giving you chances to learn about new topics and to get to know other students, researchers, and professors in your field. Summer School in Marketing, Global Business, Finance, Tech Business and Sport Management Organizer: UPF Barcelona School of Management Location: Barcelona, Spain Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 14, 2017 Details: UPF Barcelona School of Management features 5 innovative summer schools based on the acquisition of business and technology abilities in an entertaining, multicultural atmosphere. Students are introduced to analytical thinking and real business case studies in small-group morning classes. In the afternoon, they top up their learning experience with a series of professional workshops that will introduce them to the reality of today's labor market. This summer school has been designed for all university students who are doing their bachelor's degree or have finished it within the last two years, who are interested in learning about marketing, global business, international finance, tech business or sports management. Markets and Management in Europe (M+M) - Berlin International Summer School Organizer: Berlin School of Economics and Law Location: Berlin, Germany Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 14, 2017 Details: As one of the pioneers in international academic summer sessions in Germany, Berlin School of Economics and Law offers trusted programs that have proved to satisfy the intellectual curiosity of the participants. The academic content of this course is taught in three modules which are specifically focused on intercultural management, marketing, and economics. Students are being offered a multidisciplinary approach to the headline topic including institutional visits and a visit to an automobile company (e.g. Volkswagen in Wolfsburg) as well as German language & culture classes at beginners level. Summer Venture in Management Organizer: Harvard Business School Location: Boston, MA, USA Duration: Jun 17, 2017 to Jun 23, 2017 Details: This is a one week management training program for rising college seniors designed to increase diversity and opportunity in business education. An annual event at HBS, this unique educational experience helps participants develop a broader understanding of the challenges business leaders face, the many dimensions of the business world, and the impact they can have on their community and the world through business leadership. Oxford Summer Business School Organizer: CBL International & Oriel College Location: Oxford, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 2, 2017 to Jul 15, 2017 (five 2-weeks sessions) Details: This outstanding summer school offers delegates the opportunity to participate in seminars and tutorials to learn more about Global and International Macroeconomics, Financial Crisis and Policy Responses, International Taxation, Development Economics, Behavioural Economics, and other cutting-edge economic disciplines. Participants have the choice of enrolling in a two-week session, or extending their programme in Oxford to 10 weeks. Intercultural Management: a Scandinavian Perspective Organizer: BI Norwegian Business School Location: Oslo, Norway Duration: Jun 27, 2017 to Jul 21, 2017 Details: The course focuses on comparing Scandinavian and Norwegian cultures with other cultures in the international business arena. This context will provide the backdrop for understanding and applying research on culture, communication and management. Participants examine intercultural management in specific global industries where Norwegian firms have excelled. In addition to the summer course, it is also possible for BI summer students to attend lectures on Norwegian Life and Society, which are organised by the International Summer School at the University of Oslo. Summer Institute for General Management Organizer: Stanford Graduate School of Business Location: Stanford, CA, USA Duration: Jun 25, 2017 to Jul 22, 2017 Details: The current job market is extremely competitive, and companies are hiring young professionals who can make an immediate impact in the workplace. The Summer Institute for General Management (SIGM) will provide you with the tools you need to distinguish yourself and get hired. SIGM is a four-week residential program that provides participants with a strong foundation in business management fundamentals. The Entrepreneurship Summer School Organizer: London Business School Location: London, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 17, 2017 to Jul 21, 2017 Details: This summer school gives you the chance to assess and shape your business opportunity in a robust and practical way. Over the course of the summer you will be provided with the skills and insights you need to research your target market and industry and to know what it takes to turn your idea into a viable business. This programme is perfect for you if you are contemplating an entrepreneurial venture but don’t know how to take it forward or you’re unsure if you’ll enjoy the way of life. Bocconi Summer School Organizer: Bocconi University Location: Milan, Italy Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 21, 2017 Details: If you are interested in further developing your passion for business and economics by taking part in a life and learning experience on leading-edge subjects, you can do it right in the heart of Milan. Bocconi Summer School offers a selective three-week study program, entirely taught in English. Courses are held in innovative multi-media spaces with teaching materials and tools available to you online at any time. To keep you anchored to the real world, each course curriculum includes company visits and teamwork on real-life business cases and situations, putting to the test your problem-solving and soft skills and creativity.
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If you want to learn about a new topic, to brush up on your skills, or to meet more people in your field, then summer schools are an ideal opportunity. Generally aimed at undergraduates, masters students, PhD students, researchers and professionals, these short courses involve teaching, discussion, and group projects.If you're an economics student, today we're listing the top summer schools for you to attend in 2017: The Economics of Education: Analyzing the Effects of Programmes and Policies Organizer: UB School of Economics, University of Barcelona Location: Barcelona, Spain Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 7, 2017 Details: This summer school aims at providing students with a set of tools to address current challenges in the area of the analysis and evaluation of different elements of the educational system. These tools cover both theoretical and methodological issues at the knowledge frontier of this field of study. Apply now to participate in this unique academic and personal experience during the first week of July in Barcelona! CIMS Summer School: Foundations and Advanced Courses on DSGE Macroeconomics Modelling Organizer: University of Surrey Location: Surrey, United Kingdom Duration: Sep 4, 2017 to Sep 8, 2017 Details: This course is designated for PhD students and academics who want to develop or extend their knowledge of DSGE modelling. Applications from researchers and practitioners working at central banks, as well as at other private and public institutions, working or interested in DSGE modelling are also welcomed. The School will consist of two parallel four-day courses and four parallel one-day stand-alone courses on day five. Participants can register for all five days, or for only one of the stand-alone one-day courses. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as the places will be allocated using a rolling selection process. 11th Edition of the Barcelona GSE Summer Schools in Economics Organizer: Barcelona GSE Location: Barcelona, Spain Duration: Jun 26, 2017 to Jul 7, 2017 Details: The Barcelona Graduate School of Economics welcomes the summer with a diverse range of summer schools in economics and related fields. These short summer programs are addressed to researchers, professionals and graduate students who want to improve their competences in specific fields of knowledge. Renowned academics and leading practitioners teach the summer school courses, which draw participants from all over the world. PSE Summer School Organizer: Paris School of Economics Location: Paris, France Duration: Jun 19, 2017 to Jul 7, 2017 Details: PSE Summer School offers research-oriented teaching by leading experts in their fields. It seeks to gather Master and PhD students, post-doctoral students, academics, and professionals. PSE proposes four intensive one-week programmes, each being a full-time mix of coherent courses on topical issues, taught by PSE professors. EcoMod Modeling School Prague Organizer: EcoMod Location: Prague, Czech Republic Duration: Jun 26, 2017 to Jun 30, 2017 Details: EcoMod is the world’s leading research, advisory, and educational not-for-profit network dedicated to promoting advanced modeling and statistical techniques in economic policy and decision making. Its summer school curriculum includes courses in general equilibrium modeling, GVAR, DSGE, fiscal and budgetary policy and macro-econometric modeling using GAMS, Matlab, dynare and Eviews. The training is fully practical and provides 'hands-on' experience through intensive use of exercises on the computer. EcoMod offers a limited number of partial scholarships to candidates from developing countries and transition economies. 12th Advanced Summer School on Nonlinear Cross-Section and Panel Regression Models with Focus on Count Data Organizer: University of Crete Location: Crete, Greece Duration: Jul 30, 2017 to Aug 6, 2017 Details: This course taking place in a beautiful city of Crete will cover regression methods for count data, such as number of doctor visits, where the dependent variable is a nonnegative integer. While the focus is on count data, most of the methods are applicable to nonlinear regression models in general, and the relevant general frameworks will be presented ahead of specialization to counts. All methods will be carefully illustrated in full detail by applications to cross-section and panel count data examples. Warwick Economics Summer School Organizer: University of Warwick Location: Coventry, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 16, 2017 to Aug 4, 2017 Details: The Department of Economics at The University of Warwick offers a three week programme aimed at current undergraduates studying economics, students progressing to Masters level study as well as professionals. All courses on offer are taught by world leading economists. It is an excellent opportunity for students to further enhance their skills and knowledge in economics through studying at one of the leading economics departments in Europe. The 9th Summer School International - Global & Chinese Economy Organizer: Peking University Location: Beijing, China Duration: Jul 3, 2017 to Jul 28, 2017 Details: This summer program offers a wide variety of academic courses in economics taught in English. It also provides Chinese language courses to students at beginner's level. All courses will be held at the Peking University campus. Upon completion of the programme, students will receive an official transcript and earn academic credits from Peking University. International Summer School in Economics Education Organizer: Hebrew University Location: Jerusalem, Israel Duration: Jul 10, 2017 to Aug 10, 2017 Details: A five-week summer school in economics includes a series of courses in economics and finance designed to prepare students for graduate studies (in the U.S. and Europe). The courses are taught by leading Hebrew University faculty and supported by teaching assistants who meet with the students throughout the program. ÊSTIMATE - Early Summer Tutorial In Modern Applied Tools of Econometrics Organizer: Michigan State University Location: East Lansing, MI, United States Duration: Jun 9, 2017 to Jun 11, 2017 Details: Econometrics has long been a strength of the Economics Department at Michigan State University. Their summer program gives empirical practitioners, academic researchers, industry/government researchers/analysts, and graduate students, access to econometrics training usually reserved for students formally enrolled in PhD programs at MSU. ÊSTIMATE is an intensive weekend workshop taught by world class econometricians. ÊSTIMATE’s focus is modern econometric tools as used in practice. Participants learn methods and techniques to use immediately in their empirical research. ÊSTIMATE’s goal is to broaden and improve the practice of econometric methods throughout empirical research and data analysis in academics, industry and government. Harvard Summer School in Economics Organizer: Harvard Summer School Location: Cambridge, MA, USA Duration: Jun 19, 2017 to Aug 6, 2017 Details: This course covers both micro- and macroeconomics. The microeconomic subjects studied include the workings of the market mechanisms—how supply and demand determine the quantities and prices of goods and factors of production and international trade, and how quantities and prices are affected by government intervention. The macroeconomic subjects include the determinants of economic growth, financial institutions, short-run fluctuations in output and employment, inflation, macroeconomics of the open economy, and the role of government policy.
Meet Mohanapriya: a PhD student of Textile Technics and Material Engineering at the Technical University of Liberec
”If there was a great place to learn while having fun, the TUL in the Czech Republic would be it! Great professors, state-of-the-art laboratories and supportive management! Wonderful opportunity to work with a multi-national team of colleagues. This institution combines challenging research and supportive guidance to empower students to realize their fullest potential. This is the best place to focus on research while enjoying the pristine beauty of nature. I have made friends from every part of the world too. Ph.D. at the TUL in the Czech Republic was the best thing to have happened to my career.” 1. What made you decide to study in the Czech Republic, at the Technical University of Liberec (TUL)? To pursue higher studies in textile technology, I was looking for an Institute with academic excellence and tradition. The Technical University of Liberec had both and my choice became very easy. Their selection procedure was diligent and thorough and I was chosen on my academic merits. The Technical University of Liberec had an internationally acclaimed faculty, excellent research facilities and was in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. All these factors made my choice very easy and I am quite happy that I made the right decision four years back. 2. What did your family and friends think of your decision to study abroad? Since this was my first travel out of India, my family was initially apprehensive. However, their perception changed during my first month of stay in Liberec. They were happy with my comfortable accommodation arrangements, friendly university colleagues and professional institute setup. 3. What were the main differences you found between studying in other countries and studying in the Czech Republic? In my mind, study is not limited to four walls of an institute. Studies need to infuse intellectual as well as social values. The Czech Republic did not just offer wonderful academic facilities, it also provided supplementary factors like beautiful location, friendly citizens and affordable cost of living. I was also given opportunities to travel to other parts of the world for internships and conference participations. TUL has a very strong network with international institutes and the students can leverage this collaborative network. 4. How did you adapt to living in a different country? Adapting to the new country was the biggest challenge I had foreseen and I was rather apprehensive. I realized I had worried too much in the first week of the stay itself. The first thing that a new person will experience is the serenity of this beautiful town. The student hostel is rather luxurious and full of energy. There were students from, literally, every part of the world. Next was the friendliness of not just the university staff but also the general public. Although I tried local food, I could also easily get spices and raw materials necessary to make Indian food. 5. What did you enjoy most about your experience? The most enjoyable thing about my studies in Liberec is that it is still as good as it was on the first day. The serenity of the place provides the necessary motivation to perform better in the studies. It provided an opportunity to travel to other countries and make loads of friends from all parts of the world. Every weekend was a chance to try a new cuisine prepared by colleagues from different parts of the world. 6. What advice would you give students thinking about studying in Europe? My advice to prospective students is that they should look for an intellectually stimulating environment which also provides opportunities to develop their social and cultural sensibilities. They should choose an institute where they receive education of the highest standards at a cost-effective fee. The qualification should be recognized globally to empower them to seek a comfortable career. 7. How do you think your time abroad has helped your studies and/or your career? I am currently continuing as a Scientific Researcher in the University. I’ve found that my qualification is globally recognized and I can seek a very rewarding career on the merit of being an alumni of the Technical University of Liberec. Find out more about studying in the Czech Republic at www.studyin.cz.
There are many reasons for choosing the Czech Republic as a study destination: high quality education and research, universities with long-standing reputations, interesting specializations, affordable tuition fees and living costs, and last but not least, a vibrant and colorful cultural life in the heart of Europe. In the following interview Mohanapriya Venkataraman, a PhD student of Textile Technics and Material Engineering at the Technical University of Liberec, shares why she chose the Czech Republic for her studies:
Five Best Ways For Making Friends While Studying Abroad
Whereas for some students it is easy to make friends, for others – especially so when in a foreign country with no existing social contacts – it can feel a little confusing and overwhelming having to go out and try to make new friends. But it’s all part of the experience! Learning to interact with new people in an entirely different environment will develop your social skills, and also let you meet amazing people that you otherwise wouldn’t. To help our Master’s students just beginning their study adventure abroad, we asked our colleagues at Asia Exchange who organize student exchanges to Asia for some tips on how to make friends and how to have a social life when studying abroad. Friends make your time abroad memorable! Make sure you actively try to be social, and always keep a smile on your face! 1. Talk to people We really mean it. Don’t be afraid to use English or any other foreign language that is commonly spoken – or better yet, if possible, learn the native language of the country you are visiting so you can communicate with the locals even in their own language! You don’t need to try and have deep conversations with every single person you meet, but at the very least, nicely greeting each and every person you encounter will get you started on the mission to making more friends. This may seem a bit too obvious but another important thing to always remember is to smile; people are more likely to have a nice first impression on you if you appear as a positive person rather than a grumpy foreign student. It is good to remember that most of the best human relations that you will have in your life will start from nothing more complicated than saying “Hi”. So in a nutshell, talk more, and make more friends! 2. Participate in extracurricular activities As a part of the orientation week, Asia Exchange organizes a so-called “Ice-Breaking Party” at most of their study abroad destinations to help new students get to know each other. Orientation day and any trips and parties organized by the university are excellent ways to get to know some of the other students. Make sure to take part into all the extracurricular activities you can, and get to know the people you are studying with better! Also outside the university, stay active with any hobbies that you may have – going to the gym, playing basketball at a public court, or joining a local photography group are some ways to get to connect more with local people who share a similar interest with you already. Once you get to know some of these people with a shared passion, you are likely to become friends with them and not only will you get to practice your favorite hobby, you will create a new social network that may be outside your university peer group. Joining a gym can be a great way to make friends that share a similar interest with you. 3. Eat out Ice cream, fried rice, raw-cooked porridge… It doesn’t matter what sort of food tickles your fancy but the key thing here is to go and eat out often – students who sit at home eating a bag of chips watching TV are less likely to make new friends. Eating out is one of the best ways to combine the always-so-rewarding hunger-fix into potentially making some new friends! Again, it’s essential to remember the first tip, which was to talk to people. So – go out, eat out, talk to people, and grab a drink together if you feel like it. It is no secret that a key to a man’s (also woman’s) heart is good food. We are happier when full, and happy people make more friends! Many successful businessmen tend to always combine important business meetings to a nice meal as the way our brain functions simply makes us feel better and happier after we’ve eaten. So don’t ever be afraid to go out for some food and a drink! 4. Never say “no” Ok, maybe sometimes it is acceptable. We recommend you to use common sense. What we mean by “never say no” is that you should never deny a nice invitation to something social. Here are some of their pieces of advice. Playing soccer, exploring the surroundings of your host city, attending social events are all opportunities to increase your social network. It’s easy to say no, but when you are on exchange, you should definitely try and take on every opportunity you get to meet new people – unless your mid-term exam is tomorrow morning, and you are not feeling 100% confident about passing it. Adventures are waiting just around the corner. Never say no when someone invites you to do something social! 5. Social Media and Apps – use them At Asia Exchange, they always connect their students on Facebook already before the exchange semester even starts. It is easy for you to communicate with other students about travel plans and such on these groups, and you should not hesitate to share ideas and ask questions about the approaching exchange semester. Besides Facebook, there are also apps for meeting people while in a certain area. Even Tinder may help you meeting local people to show you around the city. Some Asia Exchange students studying in Bangkok had had many city tours and outings with people that were happy to show them around some of the beautiful areas of the city. So just use your creativity, and look up some of the latest popular apps for connecting with other people around you! If you would like to learn more about the study abroad programs in Asia, see Asia Exchange’s website. Asia Exchange enables students to take part in study abroad semesters and internships in Asia. Since 2007, Asia Exchange has helped 4000 students from 400 universities and 45 countries to study in Asian universities. Nine high-quality partner universities are located in South Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), China (Shanghai, Guangzhou), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket) and Indonesia (Bali, Lombok).
One of the most important factors affecting the total experience of your semester studying abroad are the friends that you make. While some students go on a study exchange with a friend or a few from back home, many decide to go abroad by just themselves.
Everything You Need To Know About IELTS Test When Applying For UK Visa
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that measures the language proficiency of people who want to settle in places where English is used as a language of communication. An easy-to-use 9-band scale clearly identifies proficiency level, from non-user (band 1) through to expert (band 9). You can take the test at more than 1100 locations and there are 48 test dates a year. Which IELTS test do I need to study in the UK? Check this decision-making tree to find out: Since 6 April 2015, three IELTS test formats have been available including the new IELTS Life Skills test, as well as the two established tests: Academic Training and General Training. IELTS Life Skills is a test for people who need to prove their speaking and listening skills at Levels A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This is a single test covering speaking and listening skills. Can I use any IELTS test result for my UK visa application? If you wish to use your IELTS test for your visa application and your test was taken on or after 23 April 2015, it needs to be an 'IELTS for UKVI' test from one of the UKVI test locations. You can submit your IELTS results to UKVI from tests taken before 23 April 2015 if: - your visa application requires you to supply results from a Secure English Language Test, and - your IELTS test date was on or before 22 April 2015, and - your IELTS test was taken at any of the 1100 IELTS test locations around the world. Are you planning to study a bachelor’s degree or higher in the UK? UKVI has confirmed that these changes do not affect you if you are entering directly at degree level or higher at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the UK. Higher Education Institutions currently choose their own method of testing students’ English language ability for entry onto their courses and this will not change. Tier 4 Student Visa If you are applying for a Tier 4 Student Visa to enter a university that is a Tier 4 Sponsor to study a bachelor or postgraduate degree, you must meet the English language level as defined by the institution. All British universities and colleges accept IELTS results. Tier 4 Student Visa applicants can apply to the UK universities listed here with an IELTS result from any of the 1100 IELTS test locations worldwide unless the institution has additional requirements. Where can I take an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills test for a UK visa application? The tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Find your IELTS test location here. How often can I retake IELTS or IELTS Life Skills? For IELTS tests, there are no restrictions on retaking the test. For IELTS Life Skills, if you pass the test, you cannot retake it at the same level for a period of two years. If you do not pass it, there are no restrictions on retaking the test. If I take an IELTS test for UK visa purposes, can I use my result in other countries/for other purposes? Yes. IELTS test results are accepted by more than 9000 organisations worldwide, including universities, colleges, governments and employers. Find more information on IELTS website.
If you are planning to study in the UK, bear in mind that you will need to provide proof of your English language proficiency to get a visa. For this, you can choose one of the tests approved by UK Visas and Immigration.
If you're an economics student, today we're listing the top 10 summer schools for you to attend in 2016: Economics Summer Schools at Barcelona GSE Organizer: Barcelona GSE Location: Barcelona, Spain Duration: Jun 27, 2016 to Jul 8, 2016 Details: The Barcelona Graduate School of Economics welcomes the summer with a diverse range of summer schools in economics and related fields. These short summer programs are addressed to researchers, professionals and graduate students who want to improve their competences in specific fields of knowledge. Renowned academics and leading practitioners teach the summer school courses, which draw participants from all over the world. Apply now PSE Summer School Organizer: Paris School of Economics Location: Paris, France Duration: Jun 27, 2016 to Jul 8, 2016 Details: PSE Summer School offers research-oriented teaching by leading experts in their fields. It seeks to gather Master and PhD students, post-doctoral students, academics, and professionals. PSE proposes four intensive one-week programmes, each being a full-time mix of coherent courses on topical issues, taught by PSE professors. Apply now EcoMod Modeling School Prague Organizer: EcoMod Location: Prague, Czech Republic Duration: Jun 27, 2016 to Jul 1, 2016 Details: EcoMod is the world’s leading research, advisory, and educational not-for-profit network dedicated to promoting advanced modeling and statistical techniques in economic policy and decision making. Its summer school curriculum includes courses in general equilibrium modeling, GVAR, DSGE, fiscal and budgetary policy and macro-econometric modeling using GAMS, Matlab, dynare and Eviews. The training is fully practical and provides 'hands-on' experience through intensive use of exercises on the computer. EcoMod offers a limited number of partial scholarships to candidates from developing countries and transition economies. New course available on Tax Revenue Modeling Using Econometric and Microsimulation Techniques with EViews and Stata! Apply now 11th Advanced Summer School on Nonlinear Cross-Section and Panel Regression Models with Focus on Count Data Organizer: University of Crete Location: Crete, Greece Duration: Jul 31, 2016 to Aug 7, 2016 Details: This course taking place in a beautiful city of Crete will cover regression methods for count data, such as number of doctor visits, where the dependent variable is a nonnegative integer. While the focus is on count data, most of the methods are applicable to nonlinear regression models in general, and the relevant general frameworks will be presented ahead of specialization to counts. All methods will be carefully illustrated in full detail by applications to cross-section and panel count data examples. Apply now Global School in Empirical Research Methods (GSERM) Organizer: University of St. Gallen Location: St. Gallen, Switzerland Duration: Jun 2, 2016 to Jun 24, 2016 Details: This summer school is a high-calibre 3.5 week integrated programme teaching methodology for PhD students and postdocs from leading universities all over the world. The GSERM offers an attractive course-based learning atmosphere on different aspects of empirical research. Participants can choose from different courses (one course per week) offered as block seminars led by internationally renowed lecturers. Apply now Warwick Economics Summer School Organizer: University of Warwick Location: Coventry, United Kingdom Duration: Jul 17, 2016 to Aug 6, 2016 Details: The Department of Economics at The University of Warwick offers a three week programme aimed at current undergraduates studying economics, students progressing to Masters level study as well as professionals. All courses on offer are taught by world leading economists including professors: Ken Binmore (CBE), Andrew Oswald, Marcus Miller and Abhinay Muthoo. It is an excellent opportunity for students to further enhance their skills and knowledge in economics through studying at one of the leading economics departments in Europe. Apply now The 8th Summer School International - Global & Chinese Economy Organizer: Peking University Location: Beijing, China Duration: Jul 4, 2016 to Jul 29, 2016 Details: This summer program offers a wide variety of academic courses in economics taught in English. It also provides Chinese language courses to students at beginner's level. All courses will be held at the Peking University campus. Upon completion of the programme, students will receive an official transcript and earn academic credits from Peking University. Apply now International Summer Program in Economics Education Organizer: Hebrew University Location: Jerusalem, Israel Duration: Jul 11, 2016 to Aug 11, 2016 Details: A five-week summer school in economics includes a series of courses in economics and finance designed to prepare students for graduate studies (in the U.S. and Europe). The courses are taught by leading Hebrew University faculty and supported by teaching assistants who meet with the students throughout the program. Apply now ÊSTIMATE - Early Summer Tutorial In Modern Applied Tools of Econometrics Organizer: Michigan State University Location: East Lansing, MI, United States Duration: Jun 3, 2016 to Jun 5, 2016 Details: Econometrics has long been a strength of the Economics Department at Michigan State University. Their summer program gives empirical practitioners, academic researchers, industry/government researchers/analysts, and graduate students, access to econometrics training usually reserved for students formally enrolled in PhD programs at MSU. ÊSTIMATE is an intensive weekend workshop taught by world class econometricians. ÊSTIMATE’s focus is modern econometric tools as used in practice. Participants learn methods and techniques to use immediately in their empirical research. ÊSTIMATE’s goal is to broaden and improve the practice of econometric methods throughout empirical research and data analysis in academics, industry and government. Apply now Summer School in Health Economics and Statistics Organizer: The American University of Paris Location: Paris, France Duration: Jun 6, 2016 to Jul 15, 2016 Details: Renowned for 50 years for its international curriculum, engaged faculty, and location under the Eiffel tower, The American University of Paris offers an excellent educational experience and one of the most diverse student bodies in the world. The intensive summer session packs into 6 weeks all of the quality of its American-style curriculum against the backdrop of the City of Light. The summer school focuses on the role played by relative market prices in our society and on the forces of market supply and demand in determining these prices. Since the actions of consumers and firms underlie supply and demand, the course studies in detail the behavior of these two groups. Apply now Harvard Summer School in Economics Organizer: Harvard Summer School Location: Cambridge, MA, USA Duration: Jun 21, 2016 to Aug 6, 2016 Details: Are you a college student, a professional seeking advancement, or an international student interested in studying at Harvard for the summer? This course aims to build a theoretical framework for international monetary economics and apply it to a better understanding of both the historical and current international monetary system and recent policy implications. Throughout the course, country case studies and quantitative analysis supplement the core material. Apply now
If you want to learn about a new topic, to brush up on your skills, or to meet more people in your field, then summer schools are an ideal opportunity. Generally aimed at undergraduates, masters students, PhD students, researchers and professionals, these short courses involve teaching, discussion, and group projects.
Postgraduate loans for taught Masters courses in the UK
The new funding system involves maintenance loans of up to £10,000 a year for taught masters degrees in all subject areas and disciplines. This does include MBAs, but does not include PGCert (postgraduate certificate), PGDip (postgraduate diploma), or PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) certifications. The maximum amount of time which a course can take to be eligible is 2 years full time or 4 years part time. These loans will be for students who have been residing in England for at least three years before beginning their studies, and who will be studying at any degree-awarding university within the UK (which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Students who are from the EU may be eligible for the same loans as domestic students under this scheme too, providing they meet certain criteria. The loans will be available for both part time and full time masters degrees, as well as distance learning courses. This is good news for part time students, who have traditionally not received much in the way of funding or support in the UK. This new system recognises the increasing number of students who wish to both work and study simultaneously, or those who have caring responsibilities in addition to their studies. Part time students will receive support for both fees and maintenance for the first time under this new scheme – they will receive the same amount of money as full time students, but it will be divided across the longer time frame of the part time masters. Previously, when they were announced in Autumn 2014, the government's proposals for postgraduate loans had specified that the recipients must be under 30 to qualify for maintenance grants. However, a report from a group of top UK universities [pdf link] found that those who chose to return to academia over the age of 30 were often from disadvantaged groups, such as those with a disability, those who had formerly been carers, or those who currently had caring responsibilities or young children. These students take longer to progress through the educational system, and so they are on average older than other students when they reach the postgraduate level. Capping the age requirement at 30 would have excluded these individuals who were most in need of support in returning to education. The government therefore agreed to raise the age requirement for maintaince loans to 60, in the hope of widening access to higher eduction. One further issue of concern with the previous postgraduate funding structure in the UK was that students who already had an advanced degree were not eligible for support if they wanted to return to studying at a level which was equal to or lower than the qualifications which they already had. So, for example, if a student already had a masters degree in history, they would not be eligible for funding if they wishes to peruse a bachelors or masters degree in biology. This has been changed under the new system, so that students will have funding available to them to study a second degree, providing that the new degree is in a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics). The UK government projects that it will spend a total of £1 billion on the new scheme by 2020, covering around 250,000 students. The repayments will be income-contingent, so students pay back at a rate set by their current income, at a a rate of 6% on income above £21,000 per year, with interest at a rate of RPI+3%. However, the scheme has received significant criticism from student groups for placing so many future students into debt. The general secretary of the University and College Union, Sally Hunt, said that the scheme “appears to be extending loans and loading more debt onto students... This approach will lead to the poorest paying most for their education.”
The UK government has recently announced its plans to change the way in which postgraduate study is funded. The new system, which will come into effect in the 2016-2017 academic year, involves a system of loans for those wanting to take a taught masters degree. There is a separate proposed scheme for students embarking on a research masters or PhD, which we are covering in another post. Here, we'll describe the new scheme for the funding of taught masters degrees and how it will effect students who are planning to study at a postgraduate level in the future.
Funding Postgraduate Study: new UK loans scheme for PhDs and Research-based Masters
The new loan scheme will make loans of up to £25,000 available to postgraduate research students, in addition to the existing forms of PhD funding which are currently available. There may be variations in how much money is available for PhD courses versus research-based masters courses, and variations due to the length of the study period. These details will be forthcoming in the future. Also still to be revealed is whether there are subject criteria specifying whether the new loans are available for all subjects, or just for specific targets subjects such as STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics). The government has specified its interest in increasing science funding in particular, so it has been speculated that the loans may be targeted towards science subjects, to encourage students to take up science PhD positions. Other factors are yet to be revealed about the scheme: for example, whether the loans are available to all students studying within the UK, or only to UK residents. Also, whether the loans will have an age limit or other eligibility criteria. This is a pertinent question as the taught masters loan scheme only covers students who live in England permanently, and previously it had only applied to those students who were under age 30, so it may be that the PhD/research masters scheme will follow similar requirements. One fact that has been revealed is that repayment of the loans will be on an income-contingent basis, meaning that the amount to be paid back per month will be based upon the amount of income which the former student is currently receiving. However, the time after which studies are completed and payment must commence, as well as the interest rates to be paid on the loans, have not yet been announced. As these plans are slated to take place over the next several years, they are still in development and are lacking in concrete details of how the scheme will operate. A review will be launched into how to best implement funding changes in postgraduate research positions, and the exact details of the loan system will likely be determined by the review's findings. The government has stated that it will be working with research councils, universities, and industry to examine how the loans scheme should be designed in order to complement existing funding possibilities while minimising public subsidy of PhD studies. Previously, in March this year, the government had promised loans of £25,000 for UK students studying for PhDs. It was influenced to do so by a report from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills which estimated that one in seven jobs in Britain will require postgraduate qualifications by 2022. This demonstrates the clear need for postgraduate study to be available and affordable to the public, for Britain to be successful in economic aims. But the government has received widespread criticism for its educational finance policies, as university tuition fees have shot up in recent years. The then-leader of the opposition, Ed Miliband, said it was unsurprising to him that the UK had seen a much slower growth of postgraduate students than other countries like the US or Australia, as “the next generation has seen wages plummet and tuition fees treble”. Whether the new loans scheme will be successful in encouraging more British students into postgraduate studies will depend in large part on the findings of the review and the exact details of the scheme, which are yet to be announced.
This week, the UK government has introduced its new scheme for funding postgraduate study, through a loans program for PhDs and research-based masters degrees. The government hopes that this new system will simplify and streamline the process of applying for, receiving, and paying back loans which are taken out in order to fund postgraduate research. This will have major changes on that finances of postgraduate students in the UK, from the time at which the new system is introduced in the 2018-2019 academic year. Here we will review the changes and how they will affect students who are hoping to study at a postgraduate level. There is also another scheme for the funding of taught masters programs which will be covering separately.
Why to apply for a scholarship In order to cover the costs of study, students in Germany commonly work part-time jobs, such as working as an assistant at the university. However, this is not always an option for international students, as they may not be eligible for to work in the EU and it can be difficult to find work which allows sufficient flexibility to study. For this reason, scholarships can be the best option for financing study in Germany. Scholarships are awards of money to pay for students’ tuition fees and living costs while they are studying, given out by foundations and organizations. Germany has both large organizations and thousands of small foundations which offer scholarships, but most students never apply for them – 80% of students have never applied for a scholarship. Although scholarships can be competitive, around 1 in 3 applicants are successful in securing the funding for which they have applied. So your chances are good, and it is certainly worth investing some time into research your options for financial support. A strong academic record is important for securing funding, so it helps to have good grades from your previous study. Your commitment to your subject and to social factors is also very relevant, as demonstrated through your application letter. Further, many foundations support specific social groups or academic interests, so it’s worth searching for a foundation which targets your academic discipline or personal situation. There are a huge range of scholarships which can be applied for to finance study in Germany, and next we will look at some of the options available from various organisations and foundations. DAAD The largest source of scholarships in Germany is the DAAD, or German Academic Exchange Service; a government-funded organization which promotes the exchange of academics internationally. They primarily fund international students who wish to study in Germany, as well as German students who wish to study abroad. Scholarships are awarded primarily to masters students and doctoral candidates, though they do also allow applications from bachelors students who are nearing completion of their degree. Requirements: You can apply for a DAAD scholarship for study in any academic discipline. Applicants are generally expected to have sufficient knowledge of German to complete a course of study, however, the applications may be submitted in English or German. Students who wish to take part in distance learning or online learning are not eligible. If you wish to pursue independent research, for example for a PhD, you need to already have selected a supervisor in Germany, and had they agree to supervise you. You will need to submit a letter of invitation from the supervisor as part of the application process. If you wish to apply for a structured program, you need only provide details of the program. Most structured programs will encourage you to secure funding before you apply to them, so it’s good to plan ahead and start applying for scholarships early. Funding: The money available per month is typically €650 for students, €750 for postgrads and around €1000 for doctoral candidates and postdocs. Application: On the DAAD website you can find their scholarship database, which lists all available scholarships. You can search through the database by subject, your country of origin, the level at which you wish to study, and by keyword. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and further details listed. In order to apply, you’ll need to use the online portal to upload personal details, a CV, and two important documents: a description of your study plans and a letter of motivation. Other governmental funding The Erasmus scheme (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a cross-EU program which includes provisions for support for students to study abroad across Europe. They offer funding for students from within the EU to travel to another country in Europe for 3 to 12 months, making it suitable for students already enrolled within a program who wish to come to Germany for one or two semesters of study. The Erasmus scheme also includes a program for masters students: the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees. This program allows scholarship holders to study at a variety of institutions across Europe for one to two years, adding up total credits for the awarding of a masters upon completion. More information about both study abroad programs and the masters program, as well as details about applying, can be found on the Erasmus website. The EU offers support for PhD students who wish to move to Europe or within Europe in the form of Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions scholarships, however, these are applied for by the host. So if you have a supervisor chosen and they are willing to support you through an application, they may apply for funding under the Innovative Training Networks or the Research and Innovation Staff Exchange programs. But these applications can be cumbersome and demanding, so you may be better considering other foundations for financial support if you are a student. Also available from the German government are Deutschland Stipendium scholarships which provide a small amount of support for students in any subject. They are available for two semesters and selection is based on academic achievement. Smaller foundations One of the larger foundations is the German National Academic Foundation, which has an excellent reputation and includes opportunities for seminars, networking and careers guidance as well as financial support. However, only those students who are from Germany or who have completed German high school are eligible to apply. On the other hand, the Alexander con Humboldt Foundation offers scholarships for academics coming to Germany from abroad for the first time. Foundations related to Germany’s political parties can be another source of funding; each party having a foundation to which it is linked. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation is linked with the German Social Democratic Party; the Heinrich Böll Foundation is linked with the Green party and focuses on environmental sustainability; the Friedrich Naumann Foundation is linked with the Free Democratic Party; the Hanns Seidel Foundation is linked with the Christian Social Union party; and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation is liked with the Left party. If your subject of study fits within the broad interests of a political party, or you are yourself a party member, these foundations can offer good opportunities for funding. Many other foundations exist, focused on particular academic subjects or on supporting students from certain religious, ethnic or social groups. The DAAD website mentioned earlier collates many of these scholarships into their searchable database. University-specific scholarships Finally, many universities provide scholarships for students wishing to study with them. The application process for these can be easier – some require minimal application beyond the application for the course of study – but competition can be intense. Remember that within-institution funding can be hard to obtain, so you would do well to cover your bases and apply for external funding as well. Funding from external sources can allow you more freedom if you wish to change your place of study, while internal funding can include progression from masters to PhD level. Check the website of the university to which you are applying for the scholarships they have available. With so many opportunities for scholarships available, don’t be discouraged if you’re not successful in your first application! You might need to apply for a number of scholarships before you find one which is a good fit for you. Keep an eye on INCOMICS for details on all the latest scholarship opportunities.
Germany is a prime location for study, and one which draws many international students. The high quality of education available, combined with relatively cheap tuition fees, makes it an attractive option when looking for opportunities to study abroad. If you are considering study in Germany, an important consideration is how you will finance this study time. Tuitions fees are usually in the range of up to a few hundred Euros per semester, depending on the geographical area, as each federal state sets its own level for fees. However, other costs need to be considered as well – not only accommodation and living costs, but also budgets for books, travel, telephone and internet access, and entertainment and social activities. Finally, health insurance can be expensive, depending on your circumstances.