IELTS and TOEFL deadline

 

Dear Friend, Now fren I'm thinking to apply apply on New session in both Master and Bachelor degree, and here are some queries from my side..hope ou'll manage your time to reply. 1. Is the IELTS test is compulsory for all University?

 

 

Yes, it is compulsory for all universities and polytechnics from this year.

 

 

2. Is it posible to submit the IELTS test result laterly ( If i take the test after March/April 2009) ?. Which is the best time to take the test? (To meet the application criteria)

 

 

Your language proficiency certificate (IELTS or TOEFL) should not be ready while applying. It should reach the polytechnics of your first priority or university which you have applied by 20th February 2009, 4.15 PM Finnish Time. So, don't be confused here, your applying online deadline ends on 13th February 2009 itself. 20th February 2009 is the deadline for reaching all the required documents like academic transcripts and all relavant documents, so this is the same deadline for reaching IELTS or TOEFL result as well.

 

The minimum language requirements for Bachelor level in IELTS is Academic Level 5.5 (You know there are two types of tests for IELTS, Academic and General, only Academic Test is acceptable), TOEFL 213 for Computer based Test and 80 for Internet bases test. However, it is always safe to score more for better priority.

 

I suggest to take tests by the mid of first week of January 2009 since TOEFL results take much times. If you are taking IELTS, you can take by mid of January as well. It is better to take it early as much as possible to avoid tight and rush deadlines and timings.

 

 

 

3. Would you suggest some  good University or politechnic, for Master Degree application. Actually i'm  thinking about the part-time master degree and  possibly managing the study from Helsinki.

 

 

It depends upon your study preference and various other factors as well. If you write to me in detail about your subject of interest and all of the releated factors you consider while choosing university or polytechnic, I might be able to assist you.

Confusion about IELTS Suggestions

I've some confusion about IELTS information on the page. You have mentioned -"you should be completed the IELTS or TOEFL test by the end of December" and again you have informed -"You need passport to apply to college. So, you must have made it by the end of December 2008 to apply in January 2009 for August 2009 Session."

 

Aren't these documents and score of IELTS are not accepted if they are made by the 15th of January 2009? I need your reply soon because I am also preparing for the August session and have lots of confusion. Still i'll need your valuable suggestions and information for my further steps. I'll be waiting your reply.

Dear Friend,

I suggested the dates to make you feel comfortable so that you won't be hurry while applying. The date of Passport or IELTS does not really matter. You can just make your passport on the same day of applying as well. Similarly, You can appear for IELTS for the same day if you prefer.

I wrote to do it by December so that you won't be in hurry while applying since I do realize how much mental pressure you would suffer through. So, I told you to do it on time so that you will feel much relief. My dates are not the deadlines. They are just recommendations or suggestions.

European Scholarships for Master and Post Graduate level Studies

One of my very good friend compiled this list of scholarships offered in European region for Master and Post Graduate level. Please go their websites to know more about these scholarships:

TOEFL Or IELTS are mandatory for all the scholarships.


1. The shell centenary scholarship
This scholarship is provided by Shell Company and most importantly it provides scholarship in some of the best universities of UK like University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh and even University of Oxford ( I guess these universities are in high ranking ).

Procedures

1. Apply to the university marking that you are applying for shell centenary scholarship and if you are admitted to the course then the admission committee will forward you the electronic version of the Shell scholarship and then the selection of shell scholarship starts.
2. Once you are short listed, either the university people or the shell people will take interview by phone in second round.

Benefits

• Scholarship for tuition fees, accommodation and foods around ( 1100 euro per month).
• You will be get your air fares (economical class) paid by shell so u have to have your receipt of air ticket safe with you.

Website
http://www.shellscholar.org/courses/index.html


2. Erasmus Mundus scholarship
Most awaited and one of the most prestigious scholarships program of Europe which also allows to gain double degree by within a single master's degree period.

Requirements
a. TOEFL/IELTS is must. (You are in safe side if you have GRE but it is not mandatory).
b. Good academic records.
c. Recommendation Letters.

Requirements are as per demand of the course. you can apply maximum program for an academic year choosing the suitable course.

http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/mundus/projects/index_en.html

Visit the above link and find the suitable course for you.

This year 27 Nepalese got this scholarship. This scholarship is not limited to engineering only. It ranges from human right to press education and even the education science.

Benefits will cover payment of 1500 to 2200 Euro per month depending upon the country and the course.


3. NORAD (Norway)
This is for Norway and after the end of the masters program. If you are thinking about doing job on the same country after completion of the degree, it is not for you since it binds you to return back immediately after completion of the degree. Else, you need to pay the entire amount back which they had spent on you as scholarship.

http://www.studyinnorway.no/Tuition-Scholarships/Scholarships


4. NUFFIC (Netherlands)
Same as NORAD, NUFFIC is government scholarship scheme for developing countries. The Netherland promote for African and women so there is less chance if you are male. The girl will be selected if your competetor is a girl on admission process (previous statistics of selection shows it)

Procedure:

1. First get the admission letter from the university you are interested in by following normal admission procedure.
2. Then, apply for NUFFIC with the letter of admission u have received.

Generally to access the admission it takes about 8 weeks and the deadline for the NUFFIC is around March 1st for Nepal. Then if u r selected then u will get 950 euro per month for 2 years.

http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/scholarships/


5. SI scholarship(Sweden)
Don know much about this scholarship, but for sure this is one of the attractive scholarship since it also encourages Nepalese to apply for. You can explore more about it on the following link:

http://www.studyinsweden.se/templates/cs/Article____10499.aspx

Nepal is under ODA countries so you are eligible to apply.


6. DAAD (German)
It is very attractive German Government scholarship. But, unfortunately, it is not available for Computer Science. Students of other faculties can go through it:

http://www.daad.de/en/index.html


7. Government scholarship of Denmark
I haven't explore much about this scholarship, you can browse through the following link to find more:

http://www.studyindenmark.dk/tuition-and-scholarships/scholarship-scheme#section-0


8. IMPIT (Finland)// university specific scholarships:

I had already described about this scholarship on previous blogs as well. Please go through the following blog post to know more about it:

IMPIT Scholorship and Credit Transfer Issues
For dealing with university specific scholarships: Exploring university website

IMPIT website: http://cs.joensuu.fi/impit/

Exploring university website

When, you start surfing university website, you might be bit confused what to look for. It happens with almost all of the applicants. I am trying to simplify this on easy for steps for you:

You will find most of the university websites are in Finnish language by default. You can change it to English version by changing language option. You can find, flag of UK or "In English" or "English" or "International" option to change the language to English. These options are generally placed on top-right or top-left or below the left menu panel. Unfortunately, some polytechnics does not offer their websites in English at all. Thats very sad part of them, but you are helpless to explore their websites in that case. In that case, just try to get any email address from the website and mail them for further information about them.

First Step: Search course or program of your interest
The very first step will start with exploring does that university or polytechnics offer course or program of your interest or not. Programs they offer can be found under 'Studies' or 'International Student' or 'Perspective students' or 'Admission' section. Sometimes, they can be found under Department websites as well. So, try to explore as much options as you can. Once you find the courses of your interest, read its description in detail. And confirm yourself whether that program is taught in English or Finnish? whether they international students for that particular program or not?

Second Step: Exploring Admission process and materials required
After you met courses of your interest, you need to explore how and when to apply for that program. You need to find admission information under 'Admission' or 'How to apply' section. You will find there, what are the minimum criteria of admission and whether you meet those criteria or not? What are the documents they required for application package and among them which are mandatory and which are preferable? What is the application period and deadline? What is the admission process and whom are you suppose to send your documents? What is the contact information of the contact person whom you can query about your application status?

Third Step: Maintaining contact
Sometimes, it happens that you won't understand all of the information presented on the website. And, it might also happen that information on website does not satisfy you. In that case, the best option is to mail them. Finnish are very co-operative on emails. Definitely, they might be busy and can take a long time to reply your mail, but they will reply with optimum information you need. Its better to contact the concern person depending upon your query. For example, you want to know about courses, you need to mail contact person of particular department. You need to know about international students and related stuff, contact International office. You need to know about admission process, contact Admission Officer. If you can't find the email of the concern person, then, don't bother about it; just send a mail to anyone, they will forward your mail to the concern person and notify you about it.
Most of the email addresses you find on their websites are arranged on firstname and lastname basis. You will find email addresses on following format:
Contact Josie Parkinen for Information Technology, Sophie Norad for Business programs and Annie Connie for Sociology.
Their email address is firstname.lastname@hut.fi
So, their email addresses are josie.parkinen@hut.fi, sophie.norad@hut.fi and annie.connie@hut.fi where hut.fi is the domain of their email.
If you are not sure which one is their first name and which one is last name, just send to both. It means, send to both josie.parkinen@hut.fi and parkinen.josie@hut.fi if you can't find which one is her first name. Generally, if it says Josie Parkinen, Josie is the first name and if it says Josie, Parkinen; then Josie is last name. Remember, a single comma is inserted in between names which last name is written first.

Fourth Step: Job and scholarship options
If you are seeking for scholarship during your studies, explore scholarship options offered for your program. Since, Education is free in Finland, scholarship refers to the living cost during your studies. Try to find the answer whether that particular university offer any specific scholarship or not? Does that scholarship available for your particular program or not? Are you eligible for that Scholarship or not? Does it provide any kinds of funding options other than Scholarship? Its very important to know all of the answers since most of the universities and polytechnics provide such type of scholarships.
If you are seeking for job during studies, please keep in mind that JOBS ARE VERY DIFFICULT IN FINLAND EXCEPT IN Helsinki. I did not mean only the jobs related to your field. Its very difficult to find even those restaurant and courier type jobs except few major cities. So, you need to search only the colleges near by large cities whose population is comparatively higher. My suggestion will be just limit your search to Helsinki, if job is must for you. If you come to smaller cities or cities far from Helsinki, make your mentality that NO JOBS are available here. I am not trying to discourage you. I am just trying to make you alert about the job status over here.