Planning a career in science

Applications and application forms

 

 Exercise 1.Read the information about preparing an application for postgraduate study and match the phrases to the underlined words in the text.

1. overall character of the application

2. the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life

3. give something for a decision to be made by others

4. money given by a school, college or university to pay for the studies

of a person with great ability

5. official document listing courses completed and grades received

6. making something clear by giving more details or a simpler explanation

7. where all the classes are taught in English

8. money given specially by the government to a person to enable them to study

What should I do first?

Do all you can to learn about the careers that will be open to you after studying - and what qualifications you will need in order to get the job you want.

What qualifications do I need for postgraduate study?

A first degree i s required to study at postgraduate level.

The specific entry requirements for each course of study are listed on the individual course pages.

If needed, clarification may be sought from the department you are applying to. Your performance in previous schooling is very important to your application profile.

What are the requirements for international students?

In addition to the general admission requirements, international applicants must submit:

- A transcript of university courses and grades, translated into English, and

- Results of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless you have received English-medium education for at least one year.

Applicants must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 580.

Are any grants or scholarships available for international students?

Visit our International Office pages for details.

 

Exercise 2. Read this email from Tania to Liam. Tania is applying to study at Wanstow University. Match the phrases to the underlined words in the text.

1. formal acceptance of financial responsibility and ability to pay (e.g. proof of a bank account)

2. asked to attend

3. final date by which something must be done

4. person who knows you and who is willing to describe and, usually, to

support your application

5. money which must be repaid when one has completed one's studies

6. deal with documents officially

7. principle of treating all people the same, regardless of sex, race,

religion, etc.

8. say that they have received it, NOT accepted it

9. (informal) if I am accepted and given a place

10. a student at a college or university who is older than the usual age

11. amount of money paid for a particular service

Hi Liam,

At last I've filled in my application form and sent it off. It took ages. As well as all my personal details they wanted the names of two referees, financial guarantees, and I had to attach a personal statement saying why I wanted to go to Wanstow. Anyway, the deadline is next Friday, then the website said they'd take about six weeks to process the application after they acknowledge it, then I might be called for an interview. By that time the references have to be in. I'm just hoping that because I'm a mature student   I might have a good chance of being offered a place - Wanstow has a lot of mature students and they have a strong equal opportunities policy. The fees are pretty high, but I can get a student loan if I get in.

Love, Tania

 

Exercise 3. Read the text in Exercise 1 again and answer a potential student's questions about the university.

1. Is it possible to do a postgraduate degree without having been to university before?

2. Where can I get more information about what qualifications I need for a specific course?

3. Will they want to know about my university grades?

4. When is an IELTS or TOEFL score not needed?

5. What IELTS score should applicants have?

 

Exercise 4. Why does the university want each of these things? Answer in full sentences using, where possible, some of the vocabulary from above texts.

1. the names of two referees            

2. financial guarantees                     

3. a personal statement

4. a transcript of courses taken and grades

5. a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score