[TheAmerican923]

I'm an undergraduate student at a well known university in the United States looking at doing a master's program in the UK. As I have studied abroad a couple of times in Britain and I really liked the way things were set up academically in England where I was studying.

I'm planning on doing post-grad in international Relations or International History. So I was looking at the following uni's for a taught masters at, KCL, Nottingham, Reading, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Warwick, Leeds, Manchester Durham, LSE, And perhaps a few others as well if I see anything that interests me like Hull or Aberdeen.

Since I'm nearing the end of my undergraduate career I'm looking at doing a master's program in the UK due to the factors I mentioned above. However, one crucial aspect of applying to UK universities as an American worries me, and that issues is that I'm concerned my GPA isn't high enough! As it is only at 3.1-3.2 at the moment as my grades suffered last semester due to the liberal art's classes that all students in American colleges are forced to take thus causing my GPA which was previously at around 3.3-3.4 to go down. I've also taken alot of hard classes esp. language classes which further add to my record but have caused my total gpa to decline a bit. Even though what I have is considered quite decent in the US.

Although one thing about comparing the US system to the British honor's system is that GPA doesn't always line up to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class. Ex. With my GPA at some places it lined up to be well within the 2:1 range, while for some others it was much higher.

I'm going to work hard to bring it back up again the fall. I should also get very strong recommendation from my professors, and I have alot of related extracurricular activity on my record like official research etc. In addition to a strong statement of purpose that I should be able to come up with. I'm also doing an internship at the moment in international relations and I maybe doing another one this fall as well, to further add to things.

Therefore I was wondering if anyone could give me input on my GPA, the courses I'm applying to at the universities, or anything else?

With everything considered am I totally screwed for getting into postgrad at any UK university(esp. a highly ranked one) considering my gpa(if anyone here is knowledgeable enough about the American system? And the relatively narrow criteria looked at when the uni's make their decisions. Or do I have some hope?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to my thread!

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by TheAmerican923)
Therefore I was wondering if anyone could give me input on my GPA, the courses I'm applying to at the universities, or anything else?

I am from the US.
Generally speaking you are right that the "2.1" border is not clearly defined. But you place it too low. In reality it is between 3.25 and 3.5 GPA

From my experience: I got accepted into several British schools. The lowest condition I had from Edinburgh was 3.25 US GPA. Bristol asked for 3.3 GPA.
The highest condition was from Cambridge 3.8 GPA, but they ask for the First, not 2.1
LSE and Oxford asked for 2.1 and defined it as 3.5 US GPA

Overall, I'd say that you need 3.25 at a minimum. Otherwise you can still get into one of a lower level schools, but I would not recommend it. It is possible to get an offer from better schools, too, but they still could make it a condition that you have at least 3.25 on your final degree.

Top level schools like Oxbridge and LSE will ask for at least 3.5, so forget them. The rest - maybe, but you will need to pull it up to at least 3.25

[TheAmerican923]

(Original post by janjanmmm)
I am from the US.
Generally speaking you are right that the "2.1" border is not clearly defined. But you place it too low. In reality it is between 3.25 and 3.5 GPA

From my experience: I got accepted into several British schools. The lowest condition I had from Edinburgh was 3.25 US GPA. Bristol asked for 3.3 GPA.
The highest condition was from Cambridge 3.8 GPA, but they ask for the First, not 2.1
LSE and Oxford asked for 2.1 and defined it as 3.5 US GPA

Overall, I'd say that you need 3.25 at a minimum. Otherwise you can still get into one of a lower level schools, but I would not recommend it. It is possible to get an offer from better schools, too, but they still could make it a condition that you have at least 3.25 on your final degree.

Top level schools like Oxbridge and LSE will ask for at least 3.5, so forget them. The rest - maybe, but you will need to pull it up to at least 3.25

From what I've read online I guess I am placing the margins too low. However, I should be able to get my gpa back up to 3.3 next semester and my record is very stellar over wise.

My top pick is KCL, and I think I could pull it off but it would be difficult. Failing that I really like what I see of the University of Nottingham as it's highly ranked, has a few courses that I am interested in, and I think I am in a position where I would be competitive for admission to a program.

I'm still going to try for LSE though as I think I could pull off at least a conditional offer or entry by diploma.

[gm15]

(Original post by TheAmerican923)
I'm an undergraduate student at a well known university in the United States looking at doing a master's program in the UK. As I have studied abroad a couple of times in Britain and I really liked the way things were set up academically in England where I was studying.

I'm planning on doing post-grad in international Relations or International History. So I was looking at the following uni's for a taught masters at, KCL, Nottingham, Reading, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Warwick, Leeds, Manchester Durham, LSE, And perhaps a few others as well if I see anything that interests me like Hull or Aberdeen.

Since I'm nearing the end of my undergraduate career I'm looking at doing a master's program in the UK due to the factors I mentioned above. However, one crucial aspect of applying to UK universities as an American worries me, and that issues is that I'm concerned my GPA isn't high enough! As it is only at 3.1-3.2 at the moment as my grades suffered last semester due to the liberal art's classes that all students in American colleges are forced to take thus causing my GPA which was previously at around 3.3-3.4 to go down. I've also taken alot of hard classes esp. language classes which further add to my record but have caused my total gpa to decline a bit. Even though what I have is considered quite decent in the US.

Although one thing about comparing the US system to the British honor's system is that GPA doesn't always line up to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class. Ex. With my GPA at some places it lined up to be well within the 2:1 range, while for some others it was much higher.

I'm going to work hard to bring it back up again the fall. I should also get very strong recommendation from my professors, and I have alot of related extracurricular activity on my record like official research etc. In addition to a strong statement of purpose that I should be able to come up with. I'm also doing an internship at the moment in international relations and I maybe doing another one this fall as well, to further add to things.

Therefore I was wondering if anyone could give me input on my GPA, the courses I'm applying to at the universities, or anything else?

With everything considered am I totally screwed for getting into postgrad at any UK university(esp. a highly ranked one) considering my gpa(if anyone here is knowledgeable enough about the American system? And the relatively narrow criteria looked at when the uni's make their decisions. Or do I have some hope?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to my thread!

RHUL do a Msc in IR.
I'm trying to find the gpa requirement for that course but while i look this is the college's general bit about gpa for masters applicants

Students who have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate subject with good grades/GPA and at a reputable university will be considered for entry to a Royal Holloway Master's degree programme. Exact requirements will depend upon the programme, but most departments will ask for a GPA of between 2.8 and 3.2/4.0.

[sj27]

(Original post by janjanmmm)

Top level schools like Oxbridge and LSE will ask for at least 3.5, so forget them. The rest - maybe, but you will need to pull it up to at least 3.25

Cambridge state a minimum GPA of 3.85 for applying to their IR masters.
LSE is also highly competitive - OP, I think you'd find it difficult without at least a 3.7 for them. Not sure about Kings - I know their War Studies MA is highly competitive and probably neede the equivalent of a first class, but not sure about the straight IR one.

[TheAmerican923]

(Original post by sj27)
Cambridge state a minimum GPA of 3.85 for applying to their IR masters.
LSE is also highly competitive - OP, I think you'd find it difficult without at least a 3.7 for them. Not sure about Kings - I know their War Studies MA is highly competitive and probably neede the equivalent of a first class, but not sure about the straight IR one.

Of course I never said I was applying to Cambridge to begin with.

On KCL/LSE my philosophy is you never know until you try I know it would be difficult trying get into ether.

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by TheAmerican923)
On KCL/LSE my philosophy is you never know until you try I know it would be difficult trying get into ether.

Did you look at LSE International Relations page?

Intake/applications in 2010: 94/1,319

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate...Relations.aspx

You can try, of course, but it is going to be 50 pounds... and your chances are very close to zero.

Even if your GPA was 4.0 your chance would still be far from 100%. Most of the people who apply have perfect applications with high GPA.
I am not trying to discourage you, but be realistic.

If your institution uses the cumulative grade point average (GPA) system you should normally have obtained, or expect to obtain, a GPA of at least 3.5 (out of 4) or above.

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate...ents/home.aspx