Grants and Scholarships: Search Instructions 1

Every year more and more people are thinking about getting an education abroad. And we are talking not only about the first stage of higher education, but also about the magistracy, postgraduate studies, summer and winter schools, refresher courses or the second specialization. However, things do not go beyond plans. This is due to the myth that foreign diplomas are only available to rich people or geniuses. But this is not the case.

 Each graduate has a chance to receive a foreign grant or scholarship to study in their specialty. The main thing is to stock up on desire, perseverance in achieving goals and maintain self-confidence.

 Very often, a future student of a Western university is separated from free education only by the willingness to take the first step and apply for a grant or take part in a competition for a scholarship, which can not only cover the costs of education, but also the cost of living in a foreign country.

 Student Fundraising or Grant Hunt

 Yes Yes. You will have to hunt for a grant or scholarship. Literally, hunt down prey, set traps and finally catch it. Luck will come in handy in this matter, but don't rely on it too much. Most likely, cold calculation will help you.

 First of all, it is worth collecting as much information as possible about the courses or programs that you want to take, as well as about the educational institution in which they are read. There should be several such institutions and programs. By applying to multiple locations, you increase your chances of admission.

 However, keep in mind that there are unwritten laws. For example, in the UK, you cannot simultaneously submit applications to Oxford and Cambridge. However, no one forbids you to choose one of these universities, plus 5-6 others.

 Do not forget that the determining factor when choosing a country is knowledge of its language. And although in some cases you may be offered courses in its study, as is done in some universities in Germany or Italy, or the entire learning process will take place in English.

 By the way, when applying for a grant, you will be required to have an appropriate certificate of proficiency in this language - IELTS or TOEFL.

 Where to go to study: guidelines for finding

 After you have decided on the specialization or subject of the course you want to attend, you need to make a personal rating of universities. The fact that there are a huge number of educational institutions in the world offering educational programs in the area that interests you the most is an obvious fact. However, not every university prioritizes your specialization.

 So, in addition to the world rankings of universities, it is worth acquiring insider information about strong faculties and professors, paying special attention to those institutions where the administration provides foreign students with additional admission benefits, scholarships and grants.

 For example, at London Metropolitan University there is a grant for training under the "BBC World Services / London Met Scholarship" program, which even pays for an internship in the Air Force, and at the University of Cambridge you can get a Crosse Studentship scholarship covering the cost of training for 4 years ...

 Insider information about programs and professors can be found on the websites of schools and universities in the Alumni section, where alumni usually post their reports or leave contacts for the next generations of listeners.

 Do not be lazy to correspond with former graduates, do not rely only on the big name of the university when choosing a course. And don't be discouraged if your chosen institution does not provide scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students, the grant can be obtained from government programs or funds.

 It's a question of time

 Since different countries have developed different regimes and education systems, the conditions and deadlines for submitting documents for grants and scholarships in them coincide only within the season: applications start in the second half of summer and continues until mid-autumn.

 It is very important to collect information about prospective scholarships and grants as early as possible, because once you select a course, it will take time to solve current problems - from passing an interview and submitting documents to obtaining a visa. And the application for funding must be sent to the foundation or university, preferably one year before the start of the studies.

 About what grants are, who issues them and how to get them, read the article "Grants and Scholarships: Search Instructions (Part 2)".