Is the course held in Sheffield and Leeds or do I choose
where I want to learn?
The course is offered jointly by Sheffield and Leeds
Universities. This means that you will need to typically take
half of the course work from one University and the other half
from the other. You will also do a project, which will be at one
of the two Universities (not both). We try very hard to minimise
travel between the two sites. This means that typically about 25
journeys are made per year. This number is not exact and will
also depend on the course you choose. We also do not start
teaching until 10:00, so you will be able to travel at a more
convenient time.
How do I travel between Sheffield and Leeds?
Sheffield and Leeds Universities are situated about 40 miles
(64 km) apart. Students generally travel between the two sites by
train which takes approximately one hour. You can expect to have
travel to the other site for lectures around 20-25 times during
the year, costing around £200. Students are responsible for
their own travel costs.
Where should I live, Leeds or Sheffield?
The choice of Sheffield or Leeds depends largely on your
own preferences. You can learn more about the two cities from the
University websites to help you make this choice.
An important factor, however, should be your likely preference of
project area. If you are offered a place on any of our courses,
a list of last year's projects will be sent to you, as a guide to
the topics available at each site. For convenience, you are
advised to seek accommodation at the site where you are most
likely to choose projects. However, please note that the specific
project titles offered vary from year to year as the research
activities evolve.
How much maths is there in this course?
Many people regard mathematics as the language of science and
engineering. Because we have to cater for people from different
disciplines, our courses are not as mathematical as single
discipline courses such as Physics, but experience tells us that
people with a limited ability in mathematics tend to perform
rather poorly overall.
I have a mathematical sciences/computer science background,
am I eligible to apply?
We rarely accept people with mathematical sciences or computer
science backgrounds for our courses although we have in the past
made exceptions. If you are likely to get the highest degree
result and exceptionally good references, we would probably
consider you. In Britain, for example, you would need a first
class degree from one of the better Universities.
If you are determined and know that you are one of the best
students in your University, then you should certainly consider
applying.
How do I check the status of my application?
The University of Sheffield central admissions office has an
online application tracking system in operation. This allows you
to log into their system to see what stage your application is
at. In order to do this you will need to access the web pages at
www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/app_tracking and enter your
Application Number which will have been provided in your
confirmation letter.
I have not heard anything about my accommodation, what should
I do?
All accommodation matters are handled by our central
University Accommodation Office (not the MSc Course
Administrator). Therefore for help or advice on accommodation
issues you should direct your enquiry to:
Sheffield:
Email: student.office@sheffield.ac.uk
or telephone 0114 222 4488 .
Leeds:
Email: accom@leeds.ac.uk
or telephone 08701 2001 89
Please direct your enquiry to the office in which city you
have applied for accommodation.
What English Language qualifications do I need?
For all EU and Overseas nationals who do not have English as their
first spoken language, we expect all successful applicants to have
either:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Score of 575 or above in the paper-based test or 232 or above in the
computer-based test.
Or
IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)
Average of 6.5 or above with a least 5 in each component.
In certain circumstances we may allow candidates with the 550 or 213
in the TOEFL paper-based and computer-based tests or 6.0 in the IELTS
but such candidates will be required to undertake extra English
Language tuition on arrival in Sheffield or Leeds.
What job or PhD prospects are there in the UK after I have
finished the course?
This is question very often asked by non-EU applicants who
need a work permit or VISA. The right reasons to take one of the
courses are linked to personal development. You might, perhaps,
want to be educated in a foreign country to have had an
experience that would set you apart from your peers. You might be
attracted to the high standard of teaching in the UK and
especially the outstanding level on offer in Leeds and Sheffield.
You might have identified the course portfolio on offer here as
the best of its kind. The wrong reason to come to the UK is to
get a permanent job here, because it is not as easy as you may
think. European law requires that British companies hire European
applicants where possible. It is not impossible to hire foreign
applicants but you would need to be one of the best in the year
and you would also need a lot of luck.
Getting PhD funding is also difficult for foreign students in
the UK. If you want to do a PhD the best approach is to do an
outstanding project for your MSc. In this case you might be able
to persuade the University or Department to grant you a fee
waiver or Scholarship on your PhD costs. A distinction in the MSc
would be very helpful in demonstrating that you are worthy of
such a scholarship. However, this is difficult to come by and you
really need to be very good in your studies.
The above applies to any other postgraduate courses in the UK
as well as this one. You should not come to study here as a
means to get into the UK to work unless you have seriously
thought about the difficulties and challenges facing you.
When is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for overseas students who need a visa to study in
the UK is the Thursday before the last Monday in August. For entry in
September 2008 this is August 21. For EU and home students, there is
no fixed deadline, but please be aware that we shall be unable to
take people a week before registration. If you apply before the end
of the first week in September, and ensure that references are also
received by this time, your application should be considered.
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