How is work/volunteer/research experience verified applying for UK masters?

If it matters, I'm coming from the perspective of applying for a Computer Science related masters to the Russell group, but feel free to answer based on the field you know about.

As I understand it, the only "proof" about your experience is in your personal statement and what you learned from it. What's stopping people from fluffing or straight up lying about it?

I've heard that if you weren't an automatic admit, they could call you in for an interview and question you about many things, including this experience and what you did and what you learned. I've heard that people who read your application will remember and they'll eventually find out somehow once you're enrolled and your story about yourself differs then.

In any case, I haven't seen any, like, hard proof required. More that UK masters are cool with taking international students with good grades and know how to talk about themselves because they can charge them more.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 1

UoS PG students

Official Rep

Hi,

Sometimes the application process might require a couple of references which could be contacted to provide further details on the applicant if the university really want to check, or, as you mentioned, the admission process might require you to demonstrate your abilities in an interview. But, like you said, this doesn't stop people making up/exaggerating their other experience/work.

I suppose that (especially for a postgraduate level degree) it is expected that applicants, although trying to make themselves stand out, would never lie about their knowledge/experience because it is only themselves who will find it harder in the long run. For example if they apply to a course which expects a certain level of previous knowledge/experience that they don't have, it will be them who struggles/has more work to do when the time comes.

That being said, universities want you to pick them and to do their courses so as long as you can prove why you would be a good candidate and put the effort in to make up any difference in experience between what they expect and what you actually have then this doesn't mean you will definitely be rejected. It is similar to when applying for a job: you don't need to fill every single point in the criteria but if you can evidence a certain level of skill and suitability and show a willingness to learn then you are in with a good chance.

Hope this helps :smile: