A graduate from Russia about the graduate program at the University of Essex

Hi! Tell us a little about yourself. How is it that you were in England?

My name is Yuri, I am 25. Born in a small town Zelenodolsk, Tatarstan. Then went to Moscow, graduated with honors bachelor degree of Economic faculty of Moscow state University and received a full scholarship to study in the ICEF MSC programme (approx. International Institute of Economics and Finance) at the Higher School of Economics. The last program is a partnership between the HSE and the London school of Economics. And she played a crucial role in how I ended up in England.

In what year were you admitted to the University of Essex? Why this University?

At that time there was a program of double diplomas between ICEF and the University of Essex, in which two best students in the first semester had the opportunity to go to the second year of the master in England (where one-year master's program) with 100% scholarship and upon completion of the program receive two master diplomas (high school of Economics and University of Essex respectively). I was lucky enough to be among these two. I submitted the documents (copy of diploma, motivation letter, etc.; the GMAT was not required since the flow is actually passed on the program of double diplomas) and were enrolled in the program MSc Finance and Investment , University of Essex.

If you are faced with any difficulties when entering University as a foreign student? If so, tell us about it in more detail.

Of me was not so much the arrival, but with the visa. The British are often prejudiced against the students because there were cases when many young people came to the students and then stayed on illegally. To prevent this, the Border Service of the UK (UKBA) requires a lot of documents when applying for a visa. The most annoying thing for me was – proof of funds in the account (at that time at least £ 800 per month for areas outside London, and 1000 for London). And you need to show funds for the entire period of study (i.e. about 10 months, which amounts to 8,000-10,000 pounds) and that's WITHOUT the cost of training, only the "everyday expenses".

Does the University of Essex scholarships for international students? Do you know of students that have received scholarships?

I know graduates of bachelor's of Essex, which for the outstanding student receives 100% tuition discount in the master, but about specific scholarships rasskachat can't. The program, which came, I ceased to exist, unfortunately.

What program are you studying? What are your impressions of the program? If you have a favorite subject, teacher?

I have done MSc Finance and Investment. In practical terms, this is a good app, all the items you need and the case, a year passed 7-8 items, which is significantly less than in Russia, where I was doing 11-12. Items as a rule, application-oriented, so the sense of "I do not understand how I could use that" does not arise. The most interesting and useful were the Risk management, Behavioral Finance and portfolio Management assets. The first course was a very interesting lecturer, former global head of risk management HSBC.

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Who went with you on your program? A lot of foreigners, Russian-speaking students? Were you able to have close friends, and who they are – Russian-speaking foreigners, the British? With whom it was easiest to find a common language?

Was a complete hodgepodge: Chinese, Latin America, the British. There were many Russian-speaking guys, but mostly not from Russia (Kazakhstan, the Baltic States, Ukraine). Problems with communication arise, the atmosphere was friendly.

What did you do in your free time at University? Did you in any student clubs? Tell us a little about it.

In addition to my studies I played football and Boxing. Sports – part of the English lifestyle. And learning, nasport that much material left to independent study, leaves room for the realization of their own interests.

Tell us a little bit about the city of Essex. What are the pros and cons you see for yourself? Easy to find housing, jobs, convenient transportation, and rich if night life?

Colchester, Essex - a small but beautiful town. In fact, with the campus nightlife there. But it is possible to estimate the true English culture. Although the "groupies" here will clearly be a little boring.

Tell us where you are working, in what capacity? Do you think that your education from the University of Essex helped you obtain this job?

Now working in London for the position of Finance Assistant the company is engaged in maintenance of oil trade transactions. Found this job completely by accident, so as to find a job in England for student from non-EU countries very difficult. Diligence, perseverance and luck bear fruit.

Thank you so much for this interview! What would you like to say in closing to our readers?

Before you go to England, it is important to decide what your goal is. To find a job in the UK? Then you are in top University, which will be low-cost, and in which you need to learn a whole lot just to finish. To obtain the diploma of a British University, to have fun and travel? Then you are in the University of the middle level, but which at the hearing, then you will not have trouble finding work upon returning Home. Hard to say what would benefit more in the long run, but most, in my opinion is important, and in that and in other case – life experience, which is difficult to overestimate. You decide!

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