I was very excited as I have always wanted to study in the UK but funding was posing a challenge. As an International Student tuition fees are comparatively higher, therefore it really helps when you can obtain a scholarship.
I would encourage anyone interested in studying at Aston to visit the International Office website and check out the scholarship offerings; the URL is http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/finance/internal-scholarships/io-postgraduate-scholarship/.
There are also additional scholarships available at http://www1.aston.ac.uk/aston-business-school/programmes/postgraduate/fees-scholarships/#Scholarships.
These web pages outline just how simple the scholarship application process is for Aston.
The Pre-Arrival Process
In retrospect, the visa application process made me the most anxious. My anxiety was greatly due to the fact that I didn’t have much time before the start of the academic term and I feared some delay with starting the MSc programme. The visa processing time for each country varies and for Jamaica it’s approximately two (2) weeks. After completing the Tier 4 online application and submitting the supporting documents and Self-Assessment (Appendix 8) form to the British High Commission, I then had to be patient…very patient….and wait to know the outcome. Luckily, the High Commission was true to its word and provided my visa within the two week period.
One of the things I found most useful during the pre-arrival process was the Pre-Arrival Guide for 2011-12 posted on the Aston website. It provided pertinent information about obtaining the Tier 4 visa for International Students, getting ready for university and living in the UK. It also helped in planning transportation arrangements to the campus as it outlined the different options, such as coach, train or cab, upon arrival in the UK. This made my trip to the UK much easier as it made me aware of what to expect upon arrival.
