INTERNATIONAL
MASTERS
IN ECONOMY,
STATE & SOCIETY
with reference to
Central and Eastern Europe
IMESS Scholarship Funding Category A deadline:
27 April 2012
IMESS Scholarship Funding Category B deadline:
27 April 2012
Non-scholarship applications deadline:
27 April 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll down the page to find questions in the following categories:
The IMESS Programme
Scholarships and Fees
The Application Process
After Application
Further Information
Q: When did IMESS start?
A: IMESS 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, Russian, Serbo-Croatian), 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, Russian, Serbo-Croatian), 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 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.
Q: What is IMESS Scholarship?
A: The IMESS scholarships support students in studying with IMESS. The value of the scholarships for 2012/13 will be available on IMESS website in December 2011.
Q: What proportion of my total costs will the IMESS Scholarship cover?
A: The scholarship will cover most of your fees in each year.
Q: What are the living costs in London/second year country?
A:
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 and Russia, 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 IMESS Scholarship (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 the following options:
- IMESS 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
- Citizenship-specific scholarships. For further details click here.
Q: How many applications do you receive for how many places?
A: We receive over 500 applications in total. Each year we accept about 30-40 students. 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. 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, receive an offer from UCL conditional on your providing the language certificate. However, since language competence is an important selection criteria for the award of IMESS scholarships, you are unlikely to receive maximum marks in this part of the assessment. Additionally, if your language certificate is not received 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 '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 IMESS Supplementary Questionnaire 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 'International Masters 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 upload an electronic reference, once you have submitted your application.
Q: How do I submit my additional documents when I apply online?
A: If applying online, upload your transcript and English-language certificate under the relevant headings. The IMESS Supplementary Questionnaire should be uploaded under ‘Research proposal’. The IMESS Scholarship application checklist and form (including the scan of the information page of your passport) should be uploaded under ‘Additional document’.
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: Your application will not be considered until acceptable references have been received. References are very important in the scoring process for scholarship nominations. Reference requests are sent to referees once the online application has been submitted. Therefore, applicants must submit their applications at least two weeks before the deadline in order to give their referees enough time to upload their references. Applicants lacking complete references at that time will not be considered for the scholarship nomination process. Applicants may update their referees and re-send references via the UCL applicant portal.
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 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 receive an automated acknowledgement via the UCL applicant portal while paper copy applicants will receive 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 6-8 weeks after the application deadline has passed. If anything is missing from your application, however, we will contact you. After you have submitted your aplications, you can follow its status using UCL applicant portal. Applicants can use the portal to:
- track the status of their application,
- update their contact details,
- resend reference request,
- update or replace referee details if required,
- view their application and uploaded documents,
- withdraw their application,
- view their offer letter and conditions of offer, and
- respond to an offer.
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 the UCL applicant portal - 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 received 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: 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 scholarship holders. In June successful applicants will receive an admissions package to provide as support documentation in local embassies/consulates. Where necessary the IMESS consortium will liaise with embassies and consulates. 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: No.
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.