Postgraduate courses - FAQs

This is likely to be your first time at applying to one of our courses and you are likely to have many questions.  We hope that the information you need will be contained in these pages.  However we often get some very similar questions so this page brings together some of the more common ones - the 'Frequently Asked Questions'.:

• When should I apply?
• I have a degree obtained in another country.  How do you assess my application?
• When will I know if my application has been successful?
• When do the courses start?
• Can the courses be taken part-time?
• Does the Department have access to scholarships?

When should I apply?

We accept applications throughout the year. We do however recommend that applications are made as early as possible. This allows for all administrative procedures to be completed - accommodation, visas, travel, etc.

As we have been getting increased numbers of applications for our courses, in the event of high numbers of applications, we may need to close applications.  For admission in October 2010, to ensure that your application is considered, we suggest that any application is submitted before the end of May 2010.  We may be able to consider later applications but please submit early to avoid any disappointment.

I have a degree obtained in another country.  How do you assess my application?

When an application arrives, our administrative staff check the status of international qualifications.  This information is provided to the Admissions Officer to help in the assessment. Degrees obtained in different countries have different marking schemes and we attempt to set initial criteria for each country. For example, we currently expect the following minimum standards:

• China - overall minimum of 80%
• Greece: minimum grade of 6.8
• Saudi Arabia - final GPA of minimum 3.5

In addition, we take into account the modules studied.  We require students to have degrees which are substantially scientific.  We do not accept students where it is clear from the modules studied that there is insufficient chemistry, biochemistry and/or biological sciences.

We will also take into account any relevant experience since graduating. Significant relevant experience might enable us to accept a lower entry qualification or less science in the first degree.

Finally we look at the additional supporting documents.  References can be useful although standard letters with little evidence that the referee actually knew the applicant are of little value.  Personal statements can be helpful where there are unusual circumstances.

When will I know if my application has been successful?

Applications are considered individually on submission and so you should know the result within a few weeks unless there are complications with your application. Frequently international students need an offer letter prior to applying for a scholarship so offer letters are sent out as soon as we reach a decision on your application.

When do the courses start?

All our MSc courses start in early October each year. The application form also provides boxes suggesting that a January or April start may be possible.  This is only applicable to postgraduate research students.

Can the courses be taken part-time?

As the courses are modular, it is possible to take them part-time over two years.  Half the taught modules will be taken in the first year and half in the second year.  The project would be allocated during the first year with work taking place in both the first and second summers.  However, the timetable is not constructed with part-time students as a key element.  It is therefore possible that lectures will be spread over several days each week and not concentrated on just one or two days.  We appreciate that this is not ideal for those wishing to work part-time but we have been unable to provide a solution. Part-time students often obtain casual work, continue with work from home or, if young children are involved, make flexible child care arrangements.

Does the Department have access to scholarships?

Unfortunately the Department has no funds to help students attend our courses.  The University does have a limited number of scholarships - details can be found on the funding pages of the postgraduate prospectus at Fees and Funding.  Many international students obtain funding from different funding bodies including the British Council, the World Bank and local scholarship organisations.  UK students may like to consider Professional and Career Development Loans.