Postgrad UK 2008/2009 - (Page 10) 10 Advice and Information www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ‘The months prior to arrival and the first few weeks at university are critical to ensuring the students have an excellent experience. That is why we put so much energy keeping contact pre-arrival, helping them to prepare and then welcoming and orienting the students when they get here.’ ‘I settled in well when I first arrived and the University made it very easy for me,’ says Girrish. ‘They provided me with enough information, so I knew where to go if I needed help with anything.’ Before students arrive in Bath, they are also given the opportunity to meet British students through the University’s international student mentoring project, Amity. Students are introduced to their Amity mentor via email before they leave home, so they can find out a bit about each other. They then get introduced during their first week at Bath and continue to meet once a week for the first few months. This is an opportunity for mentors and mentees to learn more about each other and to discuss any issues they might have in adjusting to a new environment. ‘Many students actually meet up more than once a week and become lifetime friends,’ says Nicola. ONGOING SUPPORT Throughout their studies at In brief FUNDING The University offers 75 International Scholarships worth £3,000 for taught Masters students. There are also additional scholarship schemes aimed at students from specific countries and ten fully-funded PhD studentships available. TAUGHT FEES 2008/9 Qin Zhang is studying an MSc in International Social Policy. She is hoping to apply the knowledge she has gained to her job as deputy division director of American and Oceania Affairs at the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office in China. ‘The course is well structured. The first semester focused mainly on traditional approaches to social policy, while in the second semester we addressed the development role of social policy,’ explains Qin. This MSc looks at social policy development in different countries and world regions, in response to globalisation and socioeconomic change and the emerging forms of global social policy making by organisations such as the UN. It examines the links between social policy and economic development, an area Qin is keen to explore further. ‘Asian countries have enjoyed good economic growth in recent years but the common assumption is that economic development is more important than social development. This is not the case. The development role of social policy and the concepts of human needs and wellbeing are just as important and when I return to my job in China I will certainly have a new outlook on this.’ Qin is also using her research to create links between Bath and Chongqing. ‘My supervisor and I have talked about an international seminar in Chongqing, which will include academics from Bath and Chongqing, local governmental departments and businesses,’ she explains. ‘We hope it will offer an opportunity for knowledge sharing and learning and as reference for local policy-making. My Masters has certainly given me a greater knowledge of social policy and this will help me with my career.’ A HOME FROM HOME As well as an impressive Arts and Social Sciences £10,300 Science and Engineering £13,150 RESEARCH FEES 2008/9 Arts and Social Sciences £10,000 Science and Engineering £12,750 ACCOMMODATION All full-time postgraduate overseas fees payers are guaranteed University accommodation for up to one academic session once they accept an offer to study at Bath, if they return their application form by the due date. LIBRARY AND COMPUTING FACILITIES Bath students can expect a high level of support and guidance, right up until graduation and beyond. In particular, many international students make use of the International Office International Student Support Team who provide a daily drop-in service for students to talk about welfare and immigration issues with experienced advisers. ‘This really can be anything from feeling homesick and needing to talk to somebody, wanting advice on how to extend their student visa to how to set up a bank account,’ explains Nicola. Students also receive academic support throughout their course and take part in workshops on how to find employment once they have completed their study. The University also has a careers adviser who has a particular expertise in providing resources, guidance and support for international students. This is particularly helpful in light of the new Post-study work scheme which will allow students to stay in the UK and work for two years after their studies. The University is home to the first 24-hour library and learning centre in the UK. There are over 400 PCs in this centre and a further 100 installed in teaching labs across the University. Data connection is available in all residences for students with their own computers, enabling free internet access. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTRE academic record and financial support, the University scores highly when it comes to the welfare of its students. International Student Support Manager, Nicola Peacock, says that the University prides itself on the support and development opportunities it offers to international students. ‘It is important to us that students feel supported and are encouraged to make the most of their time here at Bath. The English Language Centre on campus offers a range of presessional courses for students who need to improve their English before they start their course. They also offer free English courses during the academic year to support students in their studies and to improve their English. FURTHER INFORMATION www.bath.ac.uk/international http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK http://www.bath.ac.uk/international http://www.bath.ac.uk/international
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