American looking at UK, Canadian, and European Universities

[Kevin1990]

I'm an American student who is in the prelim phase of looking into graduate programs in IR, military history, and defense/strategic studies and throughout my research so far I've been strongly intrigued about programs offered at non-US universities.

Especially in Uni's within the UK(specifically England where I've long been interested in the War Studies program at King's, which has been a a dream of mine for a long time. Not only this university, but Durham, Reading, and even the Oxbridge universities along with others have degrees that catch my eye too. The same goes for Scottish universities also especially St. Andrews. Additionally over the past few years since coming to college I've had a couple of in-depth experiences with the British university system since I've studied in the UK twice in my academic career for far.

In terms of Canadian universities I've heard and read alot of good things about McGill's programs in my areas of interest as well as some schools out west like the Uni's Alberta and Saskatchewan.

European-wise Science's Po in Paris interest's me as well.

Now I was wondering what people can tell me about applying to universities in places like the UK, Canada, and France as an American student? For instance, what do they like for in international students applying from countries like the US? Most of what I've read for the UK schools is whether first off is English my first language(or in the case of Canadian and the French uni's English or French).

I've also noted in the case of UK universities the basic requirements(ex. GPA) seem to be much more stringent in comparison to what most programs would be looking for back in the US? While funding for American's studying at British universite both undergrad and postgrad appears much harder to obtain even in comparison to other international students? Especially since I'm not a UK/Commonwealth, Irish, or EU citizen. Also, I figure this is due to the fact that many British uni's like Oxford, University of London, and St. Andrews already have huge contingents of American students to begin with throughout their various degrees and programs.

While what Canadian uni programs seem to what is basically the same requirements of US ones. And French universities from what I've heard and read are actually desperate for more American students, although I don't how true that actually is. But from what I hear it's more due to cultural differences like anglo countries like the US where Recs, SOP's etc must be done in a different way in comparison to US, Canadian, or even British standards.

In terms of my academic stats this early on, I have a 3.3-3.4 GPA(which is considered pretty strong by US standards), and I can get solid recs from my profs. If I were also to apply to some of these schools funding is also a pretty big issue(which it is for me in general relating to grad schools).

Therefore I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight into my very broad question?

Btw I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section.

[Kalmar]

It's hard to get funding at MA level in the UK, but fees are so low already (compared to the US) that it will probably still be much cheaper than being state-side.

Have you considered some of the universities offering free MA degrees? Copenhagen, Lund, Uppsala, Aarhus, Oslo, Bergen are all strong universities that offer no-fee MA programmes in English. They aren't Oxbridge but definitely up there with a lot of UK/US universities. Living expenses in Copenhagen aren't much higher than London if you factor in accommodation. The Netherlands also has a few decent universities with very low fees (Leiden, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Maastricht etc.).

To answer your questions, I don't think UK universities look for anything different to US ones, but of course given the much more specialised nature of UK undergraduate degrees I assume UK undergrads might be at a slight academic advantage if they're from the same field - so I would imagine it's a matter of emphasising that you're more well-rounded as well as demonstrating how you have the necessary expertise/depth of the particular discipline you want to study.

I don't know if that's at all helpful though!

Edited December 27, 2011 by Kalmar

[orangeMan]

Hi, these link might help. If you have a specific question about UK universities please ask again.

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/aboutLSE/statisticsOnLSE/statisticsOnStudents.aspx

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/entryrequirements/graduate/countryindex/usa

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application-admission/general-entrance-requirement

http://www.dur.ac.uk/international/countryinfo/?cid=165

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/taughtpostgrad/postgradadmis.html

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/process/

Generally speaking, each application will be considered on its own merit. It would be silly to reject an applicant with major 3.9/4.0 and minor 2.9/4.0.

What I suggest is to read the entry requirements carefully. Some universities say "GPA must be above 3.3 (USA)." Others say "Applicants should normally have at least a 2.1 or equivalent (GPA 3.6 or better) in their first degree." And finally, "We consider graduates or students in their final year of degree studies who have obtained, or are expected to obtain, at least an upper second-class Honours (2.1) degree. An MSc awarded with a Merit, a PhD or an MPhil degree may override the requirement for a 2.1 achievement in the first degree in individual cases."

[Kevin1990]

Hi, these link might help. If you have a specific question about UK universities please ask again.

http://www2.lse.ac.u...OnStudents.aspx

http://www3.imperial...ountryindex/usa

http://www.ucl.ac.uk...nce-requirement

http://www.dur.ac.uk...ryinfo/?cid=165

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/taughtpostgrad/postgradadmis.html

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/process/

Generally speaking, each application will be considered on its own merit. It would be silly to reject an applicant with major 3.9/4.0 and minor 2.9/4.0.

What I suggest is to read the entry requirements carefully. Some universities say "GPA must be above 3.3 (USA)." Others say "Applicants should normally have at least a 2.1 or equivalent (GPA 3.6 or better) in their first degree." And finally, "We consider graduates or students in their final year of degree studies who have obtained, or are expected to obtain, at least an upper second-class Honours (2.1) degree. An MSc awarded with a Merit, a PhD or an MPhil degree may override the requirement for a 2.1 achievement in the first degree in individual cases."

So by must they're saying that 3.3 is their cutoff.

However, by should it means that they would prefer a 3.6 or higher but other factors could sway their decision should you have lower then that?

Edited December 31, 2011 by Kevin1990

[orangeMan]

Hi, Kevin. Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, that's right.

You must meet the university's minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission. For example, at Imperial College, the university entry requirement is a lower second class degree (must), but most programs ask for an upper second class degree (should). Departmental entry requirements are less stringent.

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/entryrequirements/graduate

[LunarSilverStar]

Would applying with a below 3.0 gpa be appropiate for any of these schools? Since 3.3 or 3.6 seems to be the cut off. Currently, I live work overseas as a teacher but I want to go to overseas university since its cheaper.

[orangeMan]

Lunar, what program do you want to do? I know a couple of UK program that consider a 3.0 or less.

[LunarSilverStar]

Hello orangeMan,

I am looking to do my masters in International relations or Public policy. My undergraduate GPA was a 2.5 but that was because I was being foolish and decided to major in Political Science and Computer Science while minoring in Japanese. Unfortunately, this did not work out and I ended up changing my Computer Science major into a minor but by then my GPA was decimated. If possible could give me the links to some of those programs I would like to go through their curriculum? I was looking to do a program in Japan but colleges in Japan do not do many evening classes. The lack of evening classes make it impossible since I work full time.

Edited January 12, 2012 by LunarSilverStar

[orangeMan]

Hi, LunarSilverStar.

I can only tell you about colleges in the University of London.

For evening classes, Birkbeck might be the best bet.

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/pg/politics/TMSPPMNG.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkbeck,_University_of_London

Goldsmiths, Royal Holloway and Queen Mary might consider lower qualifications in individual cases.

http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Politics-and-IR/studying/Postgraduate.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Holloway,_University_of_London

http://www.politics.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/internationalrelations/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Mary,_University_of_London

http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/ma-international-studies/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldsmiths

School of Oriental and African Studies might consider a 2.5 but I think it would be difficult.

http://www.soas.ac.uk/politics/programmes/mscintpol/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_Oriental_and_African_Studies

For your reference,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_London

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-league-table-2012

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/universities-and-colleges/1558897/University-league-table.html

http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011

[LunarSilverStar]

Thank you OrangeMan for the list. I will look into these colleges. I am just hoping the work experience I have gained from teaching English Overseas helps me get into grad school and my past research.

[orangeMan]

As you know, a 2.5 from Harvard would increase your chance of getting in. I am not sure about a 2.5 from an average university...

[LunarSilverStar]

In your opinion from attending schools in the UK, how would a 2.5 gpa be viewed from a top 100 university? I know it is not stellar but my gpa for my Political Science major is 3.4 but as said earlier it was my Computer Science major that just destroyed my GPA.

[orangeMan]

I suggest that you email the admissions tutors directly with your stats. It is allowed (maybe not customary) in the UK for prospective applicants to email the admissions tutors. Find out who does the admissions for your masters program and email him or her. I can tell you that in the UK one person not a committee reviews your masters application and makes the decision.

[LunarSilverStar]

Again thanks for the advice Orangeman. I will be sending a conference paper I wrote to see if I seem a least bit attractive despite my shortfallings.

[LunarSilverStar]

Simple. Cheaper tuition compared to programs in the U.S. and provides an excellent overseas experience.