Studying Abroad

Dear Friends,
Saprem Jai Bheem

The following post is prepared as a guideline for students who intend to apply abroad for higher education.

Applying for any course in any foriegn university is almost a year long process, so start collecting information well in advance. The following information is mostly related to the application process in United Kingdom, but one can definitely use similar tips for applyications to the US , Germany, Australia, etc.

Regards
Sangh Mitra JNU

Important Note: Do let us know what you think about this blog. Also let us know your comments/ suggestions and any other information you would like to see here. In addition, you can also send us links to various universities and scholarships to be added here.

Contents:

1) How to look for University/Department/Institutes where you can apply

2) Things to check on any university web page

3) First email to Professors Abroad

4) Some Suggestions on Language Test

5) Model Essays

6) Preparing your research proposal

7) Scholarships

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1) How to look for University/Department/Institutes where you can apply:

One of the ways to look at universities, is to first browse all well-known Universities/ Institutes/Colleges like Oxford, Cambridge, Edingburgh, SOAS, in the United Kingdom; Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Bonn in Germany; Columbia, Chicago, Princeton, Harvard in the United States. In most every universities you 'll find a South Asia division 0r in some cases India centres ( if you applying for social science courses). Go through the departmental website and just check whose research interest is the closest to yours.

Another way to check out which places would be 'ideal' for you is to make a list of scholars whom you are reading in your course. Search for thier names in Google and check out in which University/Institute they are based.

Once you have identified the universities then comes the task of looking out for potentional supervisors if you applying for a PhD programme. For those applying for masters prograame can go to the next section. Having identified the Professors you can then mail them saying that your are so and so and you are interested to work on a PhD with him/her ( For first email to Profs refer point No:3 ).


2) Things to check on any university web page:

Having identified the University/Institute, the first and most important things to check out on any university's web page are the FAQ's ( Frequently Asked Questions). Most of them will answer your queries. Read each and every question carefully and make a proper note in your diary.

Secondly, confirm the application deadlines, requirements, and make sure you send your applications on time.

If you think there is some important information which you can't find on the university website, or you are unclear about some information/requirements, please mail the concerned authorities in that university and NOT to anyone else. This is because, every year the deadlines/ conditions might not be the same. Don't hesitate to mail them, even if your think that the query is 'too silly' or even if you feel embarrassed. The person who replies to any such query is the university staff whose job is to answer your queries.


3) First email to Professors Abroad:

Dear Professor/Dr ...,

Please allow me to introduce myself. I, XYZ, am a third semester student of the two year M.Phil programme course in Political Science. I am studying at the Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University- New Delhi, one of the premier institutes in India for research.

( After introducing your self in the following paragraph explain about your M.Phil/M.A thesis or whatever your current course is)

For my M.A/M.Phil dissertation, I am working on the ........TITLE OF YOUR PROJECT, under the guidance of Prof. XYZ, who is an Oxford/Cambridge... Alumni. THEN EXPLAIN IN 5-6 LINES ABOUT YOUR CURRENT PROJECT

(Then in the next 5-6 line say something about your proposed research )...... DONT FORGET TO TO ATTACH YOUR PROPOSAL DRAFT ( Kindly find a draft of the proposal as attachment)

LAST or CLOSING paragraph

Since I will be submitting my M.A/M.Phil Dissertation in the month of July..., I would like to continue with the same area for my PhD in your university. My ambition is to contribute in an original manner to the field of Political Science in general and Labour studies in particular, which I think would be facilitated at the University of .... However owing to financial constraints it will not be possible for me to apply if I do not stand a chance of admission with financial aid. Although it would require taking off some of your valuable time, I request you to make a candid assessment of my chances of seeking admission and financial aid in the forms of Fellowships, Teaching and Research Assistantships and whether I deserve the same as per university standards.

Thanking you for going through this mail amidst your busy schedule. Eagerly waiting for a favourable reply.

Yours faithfully,

XYZ

4) Some Suggestions on Language Test:

As far as UK is concerned you might not be asked to give an English language test if your would be supervisor doesn't set any such condition. For this, be careful when you write emails and most importantly get your drafts ( of research proposal and writing samples) checked from 2-3 people who have good command over the English language, especially the grammar.


5) Model Essays

If you are applying to any university in UK, or for any scholarship, you 'll have to write many questions like why do think this is the best place to apply, briefly explain your achievements, etc,. For these models, again browse the website and you'll find many good essays. There are many successful essay models available on the website. Just Google them and you 'll have range of essays. Go through them thoroughly and prepare your essay accordingly.


6) Preparing your research proposal:

Start working on your PhD proposal well in advance and even if your think that your idea is not coming out well, write something and then develop the same. Don't give your initial drafts to your professors (in India) for comments. First discuss the same with your seniors/friends and then once it is developed give them to your professors or whoever you think can give best comments. Also, there are experts in your area and if you can take their comments, it is very useful. Once that is done and you are ready with your proposal draft you can mail professors abroad saying this is the initial draft and you will happy to have their comments on the same, before you send it along with the application.

Important: Remember try to mail your proposal and CV along with your first email.

Format:

a) 2-3 Pages introducing your research in larger context.

b) Following that 5-6 very good research questions

c) Then write 4-5 pages proposal

d) Hypothesis.

e) Methodology or Mode of study

f) Review of literature. Explain here what your study 'll be contributing to existing literature.

g) Bibliography


7) Scholarships:

There are 'few' scholarships for studying in UK, but there are many university specific scholarships ( and in case of Oxford/ Cambridge college specific) which you need to search. Mail the staff in the concerned university ( and college) and tell them that your are so and so and you would like to know about various scholarships. Unless you spend good amount of time browsing the websites you won't find anything. So keep a track of various scholarship deadlines. Some of the scholarships links are as follows :


Rhodes Scholarship

http://www.rhodesscholarships-india.com/

Inlaks Foundation

http://www.inlaksfoundation.org/

The Paul Foundation

http://www.thepaulfoundation.org/

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-scholarships-commonwealth.htm

Some Scholarships at Oxford.
(Please check all college websites for various other scholarships)

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/

http://www2.admin.ox.ac.uk/io/ioawards/search.php5?

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/nore.shtml

http://www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/apply/postgradappl.asp

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/io/funding/clarendon.shtml

http://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/news/studentships-info/2007-08-pathak

Government of India website

http://education.nic.in/scho.asp

Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards

http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/hodgkin/default.htm

The Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund

http://www.shellscholar.org/home/index.html

HSBC Scholarships

http://www.hsbc.co.in/1/2/homepage

Department for International Development (DFID) and UK universities

http://www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/sharedschol.asp

Bharat Petroleum Scholarship for Higher Studies

http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/scholarship_2005/scholarship.asp?from=ami

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Scholarships, India

http://socialjustice.nic.in/schedule/welcome.htm

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Scholarships, Maharashtra

http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/

Cambridge

The Cambridge Commonwealth Trust,

C/o The Nehru Trust for Cambridge University,
Teen Murti House,
Teen Murti Marg,
New Delhi 110011.

St John's College Cambridge scholarships for Indian students

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2007112802

UK India Education and Research Initiative

http://www.ukieri.org/

British Academy/ AHRC /ESRC Visiting Fellowships for the Middle East and South Asia

http://www.britac.ac.uk/funding/guide/intl/vfsame.html

South Asian Visiting Scholars Programme

http://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/people/visitors/savsp

British Sociological Association

http://www.britsoc.co.uk/about/jobs.htm

Some More Websites:

http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/

http://www.educationuk.org/clubukindia/3/india_schol.html

http://fellowshiphorizons.blogspot.com/

http://phd-scholarships.com/default.aspx

http://www.eastchance.com/indexCat.asp?q=sch

http://a2zscholarships.com/