Oxford graduate applicants 2009/2010

eeeek! That just seems crazy to me :/ Do they even understand the concept of GPA? I know a lot of universities seem to have trouble comprehending the IB grading system too.

I know a lot of universities seem to have trouble comprehending the IB grading system too.

It's not that much better for UK students to be honest. VERY competitive funding, no student loans and bank loans that have to paid back as soon as your course finishes.

There's no way I can do a PhD without some form of funding which sucks big time. Self-funding the MA is one thing, self-funding a PhD is neigh on impossible.

Do you think Eastern Europeans are better off? (Or Central Europeans, or wherever you'd like to classify Hungary. Definitely not Western though..)

I find it frustrating how exorbitant it can be to study in the UK.. wish there were loans like there are for undergrads..
(or alternatively .. that I was made of money!)

Well, granted. But if you get AHRC funding then it's maintenance as well not just the fees. Even the paying for the MA, 15000 pounds is really really far too much money for my family - and that with my dad earning probably a slightly better salary than most Hungarian families. If we splash out on my Cambridge adventure that really leaves little aside for a rainy day. But that's the difference between East and West I suppose. (Although Hungary is not East really.) But were we a middle-class German family instead of a Hungarian one, the financing of my British education wouldn't keep me awake at night that's for sure. (It doesn't really keep me awake, but I'm not unknown to worrying about money issues, but I'm sure lots and lots of British students are in the same boat.)

(And I didn't mean to whinge, I'm sure I could be in a much worse situation if I was from Bulgaria or Romania or any other country that has an even lower standard of living than Hungary.)

Not meant to offend you. I just had the impression that some eastern european countries qualified for a few more awards. But maybe those were just Armenia and the like...

Yes, if. But the point is that it's a very big if. AHRC-funded students are the exception, not the rule.

And I was thinking... this whole thing about only British people being eligible for full AHRC funding, it would be so much more fair if it didn't come down to what passport you've got, but they would give foreigners a chance as well. They should set you a test on British culture/history/politics. Or test you on the Britishness of your accent. Or sound you out about your views on the Queen. (not that I'm necessarily pro-monarchy). Great ideas I should think!

They are?? But surely if you're exceptional you do stand a reasonsable chance. (Am not talking about myself, but my brother.)

On a more positive note, at least it's not international fees for us!

You are right though - finding sources to arrange 25K+ within a year is such a painful struggling for international students like me! And you know the worst part in my funding application? Since I am doing my first degree outside my country (UK), I am not eligible for any of the government scholarships (as well as some other sources, mostly large businesses) from my own country! Even in the UK, there are some funding bodies who disqualify international students having first degree from here! Sometimes I wonder - apart from the universities, is there really any financial support where I can ask some money for!!!

It seems like even if I pursue a Master's, I'd end up with a huge debt that won't be repaid until my son starts his degree!

You are right though - finding sources to arrange 25K+ within a year is such a painful struggling for international students like me! And you know the worst part in my funding application? Since I am doing my first degree outside my country (UK), I am not eligible for any of the government scholarships (as well as some other sources, mostly large businesses) from my own country! Even in the UK, there are some funding bodies who disqualify international students having first degree from here! Sometimes I wonder - apart from the universities, is there really any financial support where I can ask some money for!!!

It seems like even if I pursue a Master's, I'd end up with a huge debt that won't be repaid until my son starts his degree!

I'm actually not being able to study for my MA finals because of this Oxford-induced anxiety. And I really should, especially since UCL just sent me a fairly nasty conditional offer--I need to get the equivalent of a 4.3 GPA in my current MA to get into their MA programme. This can only mean that Oxford will either reject me outright or ask me for the same.

Any comments/ condolences for my poor soul?

Hello.

Ah, yes the degree conversions. I faced a similar situation as I;m a History Honours graduate from Delhi University, and the highest ever awarded would be somewhere between a 65-67. For subjects like history and english (atleast in the indian system), anything above a 60 is a first division and distinction!

Strange UCL would ask you for a 70, cause i was told most UK colleges recognize the fact that certain humanities subject never go beyond the late 60s.

Anyhow, what i did was - i sent in a transcript from my college that clearly mentioned i had a first division and distinction. In my CV i stated that i had secured the third highest in my graduating class, and also put in something like 'stood 11th out of 350 students from DU' as Delhi Uni provides all results online. Annnnd (if that wasn't enough) my referees all mentioned i was amongst the top students.
Ofcourse - i doubt you'll have to go to those lengths but a letter from your Uni stating that a 70% in english honours is RIDICULOUS (in much politer terms ofcourse ) should be enough.

I figured if they were not familiar with our grading system, drawing constant attention to the fact that i was in the top 5% of my graduating class would be enough to equate my 63% with a first.

Good luck, and hopefully Oxford works out !


Edit: Also, if it helps, i know many a-people who got conditional offers from places like LSE (to which every DU graduate applies) requiring 65%+ on graduating, which ofcourse they couldn't meet. All they did was write to the school detailing how 65% was a bit of a stretch, and i know quuiite a few who then got successful offers.

So guys remind me then coz I am freaking out seeing as my app has been in there for 10 weeks, is the decision deadline the 15th or 20th of March?

I hear you on that one. I have been in the US for the last three years or so (one year as visiting student at Oxford) and am not eligible for any scholarships from my home country (not that they have that much money to give in the first place). I am expected to pay the international student fees, and am only eligible for the Clarendon. Oh, money money money....


Good luck though!