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Advice needed for MSc at Oxbridge/Imperial/UCL

asdfghjklpo

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(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

hotpud

Original post by asdfghjklpo

Quick Profile:
BSc in Computer Science from a decent dutch university, will be applying at the start of my third year
GPA of 9.0 (for reference, 8.0 is a first class honours)
2 small research projects, nothing worth publishing
around 1 year of TA experience (4-5 courses)
no internships
With decent LoRs and personal statement would I realistically have a shot at getting into a good program (possibly with funding)? Or is it best to just save myself the application fees and not apply at all? I apologise if this is not the right place for such questions, I'm just getting anxious now that it's grad apps season haha.

Out of curiosity, what is your motivation. Why do you want to do these courses? There are two answers.

I really want to do the courses because they interest me

I feel they will help get a job

If point 2 is the reason, then I would suggest you need to see which jobs and if the course is absolutely necessary. Employers generally don't care what degrees you have as long as you have the skills and knowledge. So focus on the skills and knowledge and the jobs will come. If you focus on the qualifications and certificates, you will be waiting a long time to get a job and chances are it won't be tech related.

Reply 2

biggiecheese77

What is the GPA scale out of? 10? I got rejected from Oxbridge with a 1st class honours, but my GPA was just barely in 1st class territory.

I think that you could definitely get into Imperial and UCL with that resume. Oxbridge might be more difficult, I've known people with stellar grades and research experience who didn't get in. However, if you really like the look of the courses, it's worth applying. My girlfriend didn't think she'd get into the Oxford course but I convinced her to apply anyway, and she'll be starting a master's program there in a few months.

In terms of funding, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Typically, there are only one or two options you would be eligible for, and in my case I wasn't eligible for any. If you plan to go to one of those unis, budget as if you have no support from them because they are pretty used to affluent families attending.

Reply 3

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by asdfghjklpo

Postgraduate it’s much harder to say as there is much more variation in how competitive the admissions pool is (some courses competition is very fierce and some courses are much easier).

I think it would be ok to email the course director and say im applying from the Dutch academic system my qualifications & grades are: … , im hoping to understand if my background would make me a qualified candidate who has a realistic chance of admissions.

Then see what they say, doesn’t mean that they can’t say you look like strong candidate then ultimately reject you but it might give you some insight if you stand a chance or if you’re wasting your time.