INTERNATIONAL
MASTERS
IN ECONOMY,
STATE & SOCIETY
with reference to
Central and Eastern Europe
Erasmus Mundus Funding Category A deadline: 17 December 2010
Erasmus Mundus Funding Category B deadline: 29 April 2011
IMESS Bursary deadline: 29 April 2011
Non-scholarship deadline: 29 April 2011
Visiting Scholars deadline: 31 January 2011
Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll down the page to find questions in the following categories:
The IMESS Programme - IMESS Students - Scholarships and Fees
The Application Process - After Application - Further Information
The IMESS Programme
Q: When did IMESS start?
A: IMESS achieved Erasmus Mundus status in 2006, and welcomed the first cohort of 25 students onto the Programme in September 2007. There are currently two active IMESS cohorts; the first cohort is spread across the consortium partners, the second are studying at UCL.
Q: Who is IMESS for?
A: The Masters programme is designed to attract and challenge the brightest students (final year undergraduates may apply) as well as professionals wishing to retrain to acquire European expertise and meet the challenges of the changing global environment. Students from all countries may apply to the programme. Evidence of English language ability is essential but there are no other language pre-requisites.
Q: What is the language of instruction?
A: The programme is delivered in English in both year one and year two. However, in order to understand the economies, states and societies of the region, the consortium believes it necessary to provide rigorous training in the language of the country in which you spend year two. Hence, the capacity to learn a foreign language is important.
Q: I have no knowledge of the language of the consortium countries (Czech, Hungarian, Finnish, Polish, Estonian and Russian), can I still apply?
A: There is no need for any language pre-requisites apart from English language. Language training is provided throughout and the programme itself is delivered in English in both years.
For further details on the IMESS language courses click here.
Q: I already speak a language of one of the consortium countries (Czech, Hungarian, Finnish, Polish, Estonian and Russian), can I still apply?
If you already speak one of the IMESS partner languages, you can still apply to the IMESS programme but only to one of the partners whose language you do not speak. Currently IMESS requires you to learn a language in year 1 from beginner's level.
Q: Will there be English language training?
A: For non-native speakers a 9-week course in 'Academic writing in English' is included in the first semester at UCL.
Q: What degree will I be awarded upon graduation?
A: Upon successful completion of the programme, students are awarded a double degree. That is, two x 2-year Masters degrees from the two institutions in which they have studied, plus a diploma supplement detailing their study track and the overall study programme. The degrees are recognised in all countries.
IMESS Students
Q: Where do IMESS students come from?
A: The IMESS programme has attracted students from a wide range of countries: America, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and the United Kingdom. Have a look here for more information!
Scholarships and Fees
Q: What is an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
A: The Erasmus Mundus scholarships are European Union funded scholarships to support students in studying selected European Masters programmes. The value of the scholarships is €24,000 per year for category A (non-EU) students and €10,000 per year for category B (EU) students. This covers the IMESS tuition fee and provides a contribution towards other costs. It will NOT cover all living costs so you will require some additional source of income (or savings), particularly in year one.
Q: What proportion of my total costs will the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship cover?
A: The scholarship will cover 100% of your fees in each year and the remainder will provide a small contribution towards your other costs (e.g. travel, accommodation, food, books, recreation, etc).
Estimates vary as to how much students should budget for, and London, like other destinations, can be as expensive as personal taste dictates. A total of around £200 per week is considered to be a reasonable average for about a 37-week year (this includes the 30-week UCL academic year plus Christmas and Easter vacations).
As a guide, for a first year student living in a UCL hall of residence the biggest items are:
* £95-£100 for accommodation
* £40 for housekeeping (food, toiletries etc)
* £10 for travel
* £7 for books/equipment
* £10 for clothes.
Costs in the second year vary substantially though, other than Finland, tend to be cheaper than London. You should consult the individual institution's websites for further information.
Q: I have dual EU/International citizenship. Am I still eligible to apply for Erasmus Mundus Funding (Category A)?
A: Yes, as long as you have not carried out your main activity (studies, work, etc.) for more than a total of 12 months over the past five years in an EU member state or EEA-EFTA state.
Q: Are there scholarships for EU students?
A: Yes, EU students have three options:
Erasmus Mundus Category B Scholarships.
Socrates Mobility Awards exclusively for EU students in year 2 of the IMESS programme, worth approximately €300-€400 per month for 9/10 months to cover living expenses.
In addition, UK Students applying for the 'Nation, History and Society' track may also apply for AHRC scholarships for this programme.
For further details click here.
The Application Process
Q: How many applications do you receive for how many places?
A: We receive over 500 applications in total. Each year there are between 15 and 20 Erasmus Mundus scholarships available and an additional 10-15 places for non-scholarship holders. Successful applications are those that follow the application guidelines VERY carefully.
Q: I won't graduate until after the application deadline - can I still apply?
A: This is the most common case for our applicants. If you are in the final stages of your undergraduate degree you may apply, but only if you are able to present your final transcript of marks/results by no later than 31 August 2011. When you apply to UCL, you should provide your latest transcript details and all other application materials. If successful, you will be provided with an offer conditional on your graduating on schedule and with the appropriate grade.
Q: My English language test and/or the results won't be available until after the submission deadline - can I still apply?
A: You are still able to apply pending later submission of your English language certificate but in this case you will, assuming your application is of sufficiently high quality, recieve an offer from UCL conditional on your providing the language certificate. However, since language competence is an important selection criteria for the award of EM scholarships, you are unlikely to receive maximum marks in this part of the assessment. Additionally, if your language certificate is not recieved by April/May, it is unlikely that there will be time to secure your visa for entry into the UK.
Q: Where can I find out more about the English language requirements?
A: All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme. The UCL regulations on this are strict and clearly explained here.
Q: Do I have to sit a TOEFL/IELTS test if I already have a qualification in English Language or my language of instruction has been in English?
A: There is a section on the UCL Application form for you to evidence any recent experience of, instruction in, or study of English language. Please include any transcripts or certificates with your application to support this. The UCL Registry will evaluate each application on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the academic criteria for admission but not the language proficiency, you may be issued with a conditional offer letter, meaning that admission to UCL and the IMESS Programme will be dependant on your taking an IELTS or TOEFL test and receiving results to a ‘good’ level.
Q. Can I provide my TOEFL/IELTS results after the application deadline?
A: The results are needed as soon as possible but this can be after the application deadline. You may be issued with a conditional offer of admission in the meantime and your application will still be considered for a scholarship nomination if appropriate.
Q. What is the UCL Institution code for TOEFL transcripts?
A: The UCL Institution code is 9163.
Q. What is the name of the department to which I am applying?
A: The School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES)
Q. What programme name should I enter on the application form?
A: IMESS - (name of preferred study track & language) e.g. IMESS - Politics and Security (Polish)
Q. What 'proposed supervisor name' should I enter in the application?
A: Leave that section blank.
Q: Do I have to apply to UCL and the second year university?
A: No, as the coordinating partner of the IMESS consortium, UCL receives all the applications. Firstly they are assessed by the UCL Registry and then they are considered by the consortium admissions committee. In order that your application is considered, you must make clear in your personal statement what your study track and language/mobility preferences (ranking) are.
Q: I can't find IMESS in the list of online programmes at UCL.
A: When you log into the online application system, choose the 'Departments' drop down menu, select SSEES and you should see a list of about 20 programmes. On that list is programme 'Economy, State and Society' - that is IMESS!
Q: How do I submit my references when I apply online?
A: When you apply online you will be asked to enter the details of each of your referees. UCL will automatically contact your referees with a request to submit an electronic reference.
Q: What should I do if I want to apply online but my referees can only provide paper copies of the references?
A: Before starting your online application, you should confirm with your referees that they are able to supply an electronic reference to UCL (the UCL online application system will request this automatically from the email addresses that you provide in applying). If they are not in a position to do this or they have already given you hard paper copies (in sealed envelopes) of their references then you should proceed to apply in paper form.
Q: What will happen if my references are provided after the deadline?
A: Applicants who satisfy both the academic and language criteria for admission may be issued with a conditional offer until acceptable references have been received. However, references are very important in the scoring process for Scholarship and Bursary nominations. Students lacking complete references at that time will not be considered for the scholarship nomination process.
Q: I cannot upload some of the documents for my online application.
A: Make sure the document you are trying to upload does not exceed the maximum file size. If you are still unable to upload the documents please contact the Admissions department with your application reference number to arrange forwarding hard copy documents direct to the department. Remember to include your applicant reference details when sending material to UCL, as the Registry deals with tens of thousands of applicants.
Q. I applied just before the application deadline but the submission date is incorrect. Will I still be considered for the Programme?
A: The online application software programme, 'StudyLink', runs according to the time and date of the programming system in Australia, thus the time and date may appear incorrect. We take this into consideration for applicants who apply right up to the deadline.
Q: Is it better to apply online or via a mailed paper copy?
A: If you have all of your application materials, including sealed references, in paper copy and are prepared to use a recognised courier to deliver your application, then this is still the most efficient and reliable method. If you do this you should email the IMESS administrator simply to inform that you have done so and that way we can make sure we receive all applications that are sent to the UCL Registry.
After Application
Q: I have applied to IMESS already - when will I hear the results of my application? Will I receive an acknowledgement of receipt?
A: When students apply to IMESS, the applications are initially received by the UCL Registry. Online applicants will recieve an automated acknowledgement via email while paper copy applicants will recieve a paper copy acknowledgement. After an initial vetting by the UCL Registry to establish that the minimum admissions requirements are achieved, the applications are then passed to IMESS, where each applicant is individually assessed, by the IMESS Admissions Committee, according to robust and stringent admissions criteria.
You should not routinely be expecting to hear from the IMESS admissions board until 3-4 weeks after the application deadline has passed. If anything is missing from your application, however, we will contact you.
Q: When and how will I hear the results of my application?
A: You will normally hear in two stages. First, you will hear - via paper mail - from the UCL Registry whether or not you have been offered a place on the programme. This is totally independent of any scholarship application you have made. Second, after the relevant deadline has passed, all of the qualifying applicants will have their applications assessed and scored by the admissions panel. All applicants, successful or otherwise, will then be contacted via email with the results of their application for a scholarship. This will normally be 3-4 weeks after the relevant deadline. Please do not contact the IMESS team requesting information on the status of your application for a scholarship during this period.
Q: I have received an offer from UCL which I am asked to decline or accept. However, I need to know the outcome of my scholarship application before I can make a decision. What should I do?
A: In these circumstances the best course of action is to accept the offer from UCL. If later, you discover that you have not been successful in obtaining a scholarship, you can decline to take up the place.
Q: I have received an offer from UCL which I am asked to decline or accept by a given deadline. However, I have recieved the offer letter quite late and my signed reply will not reach UCL by the deadline given. What should I do?
A: Do not worry. Simply complete the form and return it to UCL Registry as soon as you are able to and, if concerned, please send an email to the IMESS Administrator informing us of your decision and the fact that you have posted the reply form to UCL Registry.
Q: I submitted my application by the deadline but I then recieved confirmation that my application had been received the day after the deadline. Will I be disqualified?
A: No, the reason for this is that our online application software works to Australian time and therfore is ahead of UK time. The actual deadlines are UK time.
Further Information
Q: Is there support in obtaining a visa?
A: Prior to starting year one in London, the consortium will provide support in obtaining a (Tier 4) visa to all Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders. In June successful applicants will receive an admissions package incorporating a signed EU certificate, to provide as support documentation in local embassies/consulates. Where necessary the IMESS consortium will liaise with embassies and consulates. The European Executive Agency will support the process through liaison with Foreign and Internal Affairs Ministries. Early in year one the application process for the year two visa will begin. Before beginning the visa application process applicants should check the precise term/semester dates.
Q: Is there an insurance scheme for scholarship holders?
A: Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders will benefit from the insurance provided by the IMESS consortium. The IMESS consortium will distribute letters and insurance cards prior to the start of the programme. Students may want to top up this insurance with a supplementary private policy.
Q: Does the consortium provide accommodation?
A: Each consortium member provides the option of either university accommodation or support in finding private sector accommodation close to the university. Further information will be provided during the first year.
Q: Where can I find out more?
A: Once you have studied the information available here and on the partner institutions web pages, you may contact the IMESS admissions officer. Write to: Programme Admissions with the subject header 'IMESS enquiry'. Please check that your query is not answered somewhere on the IMESS website before you write.