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Opportunities open up when you have a Master's degree from the UK
As a professional in Electronic Engineering in Mexico with five years of experience working in various jobs and engineering fields, I realized that simply having a university degree was not enough to get the job I wanted or to start my own business, as I aspire to do. I lacked the knowledge or adequate experience provided by the companies that had hired me, so I decided to pursue a Master's in Renewable Energy.
Studying in Mexico was no longer an option for my growth and the path I wanted to take, so I chose to study in the United Kingdom because of the opportunities that open up when you have a Master's degree from the UK, as these are international opportunities. For example, even before finishing the program, I have already received job offers via LinkedIn for positions in the UK and even from other European countries like Poland or Germany.
I chose the UK because of the language, as English is an internationally required language. Personally, I have been learning English since I was very young, so it was easy for me to adapt, but even if you're not perfectly fluent, living here helps you acquire the ability to communicate with everyone. You should also consider that in the UK, there are people from all over the world, and everyone has different native languages, so you don't have to speak it perfectly to communicate well.
What Student Life is Like at City University of London and My Program: MSc. Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management
This university is located in the north of London, in a very accessible area close to major tourist and social attractions. In general, it’s a school that provides support in all the areas you need. The only thing I would recommend is to frequently ask questions and visit your program director, as they may sometimes forget about you or your situation if a problem arises. When you have a concern, insist on asking about all your doubts, and they will gladly respond within approximately 24 hours, as long as you insist.
The program I chose, MSc. Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management, focuses on the correct management of generation and demand, along with the electrical system, technical and financial aspects, and the regulations of the electricity market in the UK and Europe. This provides you with international opportunities. The program mainly covers areas such as Power Electronics, the Electricity Market, Smart Grid, Electrical Distribution, Wind Energy Generation, Solar Energy, Demand Optimization, among others.
The course is divided into eight modules, for which you have to take an exam that accounts for 50% of the grade and a written/practical project that accounts for the other 50%. After finishing and passing all the modules, you choose a project for your thesis, on which you will work for three months.
Accommodation
Staying in London is a bit more expensive compared to other cities in England. I considered living in London in the school’s student accommodations, but I also looked for options in the counties near London where there is direct access to the city. I found a room in a city 25 minutes by train from London on the UK website ‘SpareRoom,’ where you can interact directly with the people who are renting. You can search for options there and do video calls with potential landlords to find rooms that meet your needs.
The City Where I Live
I currently live in St. Albans City, a town 25 minutes by train from London. It’s a very beautiful, well-preserved, and quiet city that makes you feel at home. I can visit London whenever I want without having to live directly there, as it has a direct connection to King Cross in North London. It’s a peaceful city where you can find pubs, cafes, shops, supermarkets, etc., without needing to live in London, and the rent is more affordable.
Study Organization
For each module’s projects, I recommend working on them early, as soon as you know what you need to do. They may seem easy, but they are not, as each project requires research time. In the UK, they usually encourage you to research the topic on your own, and this can take time, so a well-organized agenda will always help you succeed. Social life happens naturally when you’re at ease, knowing that you have your tasks well organized. I don't recommend starting everything the last week, as you won’t have enough time to complete it.
Social Life
My classmates are mainly from Asian countries. You spend most of your time with them, so they inevitably become your friends. If you want to meet different people or those aligned with your interests, it’s recommended to make friends through social media groups or events that you wish to attend based on your interests. That’s mainly where you can find people with whom you have things in common, and from different nationalities.
Important Aspects Before Coming
Financial:
It is very important to consider the costs and have an initial balance for essentials like food, rent, and transportation. Transportation is usually expensive, so if you plan to live far from the university, you must consider this significant expense. Stick to your budget as much as possible if it’s tight.
Transportation:
In the UK, transportation is quite expensive, and there are many train service strikes, so it’s crucial to consider this expense and the time it will take you to travel from your accommodation to the university if you plan to live far from it. This is a very important aspect because your mobility to classes or important events depends on it.
Grades:
In UK schools, grading scales are different. The minimum passing grade is 50/100, but lecturers grade more strictly than in Mexico, so a very good grade is 70. Don’t be alarmed if you pass a subject with 50-60, as this is average in the UK. For the modules, each has credits that you need to accumulate to obtain the degree; these credits are earned by passing the module, so the scale of the grade itself is not that important.
The Process with Across the Pond
Across The Pond helped me a lot with the selection and application to the university. For the initial documents required to apply, they provide advice on how to improve your Personal Statement so that the university approves it. They also support you by sending available scholarships to help you as much as possible in achieving your personal goal.
They also assist by informing you about financial institutions that can support you, like FIDERH and FUNED. Without my advisor from Across the Pond, I wouldn’t have known about several opportunities available, like scholarships before starting the course. He also helped me with some doubts I had about the school even after the process.
- Stefanie
Student Accommodation in the UK
Where do you live when studying abroad? Do universities in the UK offer student housing? How much does student accommodation cost? Did you know that as an international student, you are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first or all your years studying at most of our UK universities? You will need to apply by the housing application deadline, and of course the best student accommodation in the UK goes first - so that is a good reason to apply early! There are several different student accommodations, price levels and facilities to choose from!
Most students choose to live on campus in their first year. This is social and a fantastic way to get to know students from all over the world! After that, most students choose to move into privately rented accommodation with their new friends. We recommend everyone to live in university accommodation in their first year, as it is a great way to get to know other students (and not just those on your degree).
Learn more about the different options, on-campus accommodation, how to arrange private accommodation and everything you need before applying for student accommodation in the UK via this webinar!
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Visa for European Students who want to study in the UK
Do you want to study in the UK and are wondering if you need a visa? Maybe you have applied to British universities already, or are considering applying to university in London or elsewhere in the UK, but would like to know more about the UK student visa for European students? This webinar recording is about the UK Student Visa for students who will be starting their studies at a British university and are from European countries. We cover everything regarding the CAS, the application process, cost and other practicalities worth thinking about when applying for a student visa.
Did you know that all non-UK students need a visa to study in the UK? How much does a student visa cost? Is it difficult to get a student visa if you want to study in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? For most European students in the UK, a student visa is now a fact.
After the UK left the EU, student visas have now become a reality for the vast majority of international students. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with this process as early as possible, so that you are well prepared when the time comes to submit an application for a student visa. In this webinar recording, we will go through useful information about student visas, when to apply, what you need for the application, costs, and other tips and tricks that can make the process easier. This webinar is suitable for those who have already applied, those who have accepted an offer, but also those who are considering studies in the UK and want to know more about the visa process.
We have the information and tools most people need to be able to go through the visa process without the need for individual follow-up/advice beyond the general information and guide from us. Remember that Across the Pond cannot provide individual advice on your visa application, only certified immigration staff can. In this webinar recording, you will learn about a number of important points that are good to be aware of when you familiarise yourself with the visa process.
City University has become my second home
Starting off my search for a postgraduate degree was hard and, frankly, annoying. Schools in the States were so specific with what they wanted from students and it became such a hassle. When I stumbled upon Across The Pond's advertisement, I was curious. At that point, I knew that I wouldn't financially be able to go overseas for school, but I gave it a shot to see what they were about and what they offered.
The very next day I got a personal email from my advisor with a bunch of information that would help get me started with the process of looking overseas. I will admit it was overwhelming, but the enthusiasm of my advisor made me really start to look into the process of applying and searching for schools. Any time I had a question (which was very often), I got a prompt email back to help me find resources and links to help me answer my questions.
I was very nervous about moving overseas where I knew no one, and I think the influx of questions I started to ask gave away that I was nervous. My advisor became so reassuring with the process and about going traveling to the UK. The webinars and guides that were provided made everything so much easier, especially when it came time to apply for a visa. With the webinar, I was much less worried about the process and much more prepared for the application and everything that followed.
After settling into my accommodation and really taking a look around me, I felt so good! It was such a relief that after the several months of applying and waiting for responses paid off, and I was finally in London for my master's degree! City, University of London has become my second home, and I am glad I chose to go here. The general location of the school is what attracted me to the school as well as the program and since being here, there is so much the school offers, between the Student Union to the City Sports center, there is always something to do!
With the location, I am able to visit all over London in minimal time! The museums, theatre, parks, and just the ability to walk around have made my downtime so much fun! I try and discover something new every week with my classmates and friends and with our varied interests you can guarantee that we will always be able to discover something new!
- Rhea
City University provides many opportunities
I chose City for several reasons. First and foremost because it is located in central London. I had been dreaming about returning to London ever since I studied abroad here during my undergraduate degree. City also contains the Centre for Food Policy, which perfectly aligned with my interests and the trajectory I wanted for my future career. After seeing that the professors were leaders in their field, often speaking at conferences, to media and policymakers, I realized that my academic learning would be complemented with access to this growing network of people interested in making change in the food system. The cost of tuition was also significantly less than in the US, and the support City gives to international students made it seem like a perfect fit for me.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF YOUR COURSE?
My favorite aspect of this course is the interdisciplinary nature of the modules and the projects that teach real-world skills. I also appreciate that the assignments consider tasks we will be asked to do as future policy makers or researchers. I have learned to conduct an academic literature review, put together a governmental memo, analyze the value chain of a food item and recognize its place within the political economy, and of course, conduct a policy analysis.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TIME AT CITY SO FAR?
The highlight of my time at City has been the connections I’ve made with fellow classmates, students, academics, and the community. City provides many opportunities to learn more about your chosen field or branch out and discover something new.
HOW IS CITY HELPING YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR CHOSEN CAREER PATH?
City offers a wealth of resources to help me develop my career readiness. The Careers Service initially helped me with translating my resumé into a CV that would be taken seriously by UK-based employers and directed me to a number of resources for finding a part-time job during my studies. They’ve graciously helped me look into the food and policy spheres to find the best places where I might find a full-time job after graduation, and they’ve kept me connected with a number of events centered on graduate schemes and internships. Most importantly, the International Student Advice Team was immensely helpful in helping me navigate the student visa application process.
- Monica
