Frequently asked questions
| Section One | Applying for a Course |
| Section Two | Financial Information |
| Section Three | Term Dates |
| Section Four | Accommodation |
| Section Five | General Information |
Section One: Applying for a Course
What are the entry requirements?
How can I obtain an application
form?
What do
I need to enclose with my application form?
Can I send in my application form even
though I have not received the references from my referees?
What if I completed my degree some years ago and am not able to obtain an
academic reference?
Is
there a closing date for the receipt of applications?
When will I
know the outcome of my application?
I
have been asked to take an English Language Proficiency Test. Do I have to take
the test?
What
are the entry requirements?
Each application is considered on its merits and is given full consideration
by our admissions tutors. The usual minimum entry requirement is a good second
class honours degree from a UK university, a recognised equivalent from an accredited
overseas institution or an equivalent professional qualification. Entry to some
courses require a degree from a particular discipline or discipline area. So
as to ensure that students are properly prepared for study, and so as to maximise
the benefit gained from the course, admissions tutors will also take close consideration
of the areas and nature of previous academic and other achievements.
Click on the 'How to apply' section of any of the courses or get in touch by sending an email to pgenquire@soi.city.ac.uk.
What do I need to enclose with my application form?
You should include the following:
- completed application form, including personal statement;
- two references in sealed and signed envelopes;
- transcript of your first degree results; and
- English language proficiency test result (where appropriate).
Can I send in my application form even though I have not received the references from my referees?
If you are unable to forward your references to us with your application, we can often consider applications without references and make an initial decision ahead of receiving these. Please note however that any offer of a place made following an initial decision will be conditional that two confidential references are submitted.
What if I completed my degree some years ago, and am not able to obtain an academic reference?
If you completed your degree more than seven years ago, we understand if you cannot obtain an academic reference; please instead supply two employer references detailing how your professional experience makes you suitable for the course.
Is there a closing date for the receipt of applications?
The closing date for full-time and part-time courses (for entry 2009/10) is Tuesday 1 September 2009. We recommend applying as early as possible, as competition for places is very high.
When will I know the outcome of my application?
Once we have received your complete application you can normally expect to receive a response within two weeks, and a maximum of four. This can be longer however during the busier periods of people applying. See above for what you will need to include in your application.
I have been asked to take an English Language Proficiency Test. Do I really need to take the test?
If your degree was studied in English, rather than your native language, it might not be necessary to take a test. We will, however, require written evidence from your university to confirm that your studies were in English.
The minimum test scores that we accept for postgraduate study are: TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based), 250 (computer-based), or 600 (paper-based); or IELTS 6.5. Find out more information.
Section Two: Financial Information
I want to study full-time, where can I find out about possible sources of funding?When am I required to pay my fees?
How do my sponsors pay for my course?
I want to study full-time, where can I find out about possible sources of funding?
For further information please visit our comprehensive Scholarships and Funding page, listing full details about scholarships, bursaries, awards, Career Development Loans, bank loans, working while studying, benefits, City student and alumni reductions, information for international students.
When am I required to pay my fees?
If you wish to pay your fees in full, you will be required to pay by or on your first day of registration as a student at City, in September
The University also accepts payment of fees in two instalments. Half of the full fee for the course is required to be paid on the first day of registration (in September), with the balance of fees payable by the last working day of the January following. Students with enquiries should phone +44 (0)20 7040 3026.
Please note that you will be asked to pay a deposit at the point of receiving an unconditional offer from the School (currently £500 for Home/EU students and £2,500 for Overseas students); the
amount you have paid in a deposit on accepting your offer of a place will then be deducted from the total fees you will pay when you register. This deposit is normally non-refundable should you later
decide not to register onto the course.
How
do my sponsors pay for my course?
Please print the SP1
sponsor form from the City Finance website.
Section Three: Term Dates 2009-2010
| Semester 1 | Induction and registration | 21 September 2009 - 25 September 2009 |
| Teaching | 28 September 2009 - 18 December 2009 | |
| Vacation | 21 December 2009 - 1 January 2010 | |
| Revision / reflection | 4 January 2010 - 8 January 2010 | |
| Assessment | 11 January 2010 - 22 January 2010 | |
| Semester 2 | Teaching | 25 January 2010 - 1 April 2010 |
| Vacation | 5 April 2010 - 16 April 2010 | |
| Teaching | 19 April 2010 - 30 April 2010 | |
| Revision / reflection | 3 May 2010 - 7 May 2010 | |
| Assessment | 10 May 2010 - 4 June 2010 |
Registration and induction sessions normally take place during the week before the start of term. If you are offered a place on one of our courses, please ensure that you will be able to attend the University during this period. Precise dates of these sessions (along with further induction and registration information) will be emailed to all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place, during August.
Section Four: Accommodation
See http://www.city.ac.uk/accommodation/.
Postgraduates are advised to apply as early as possible as places in halls are very limited; an application form is available at the above web site.
The enquiry line for the accommodation and welfare service is +44 (0) 20 7040 7040.
Section Five: General Information
Can I study for the MSc through distance-learning?Can I study for a Diploma rather than an MSc?
Can I study the MSc through distance-learning?
The two Geographic Information courses can be studied in this mode, further information on which can be found here.
Can I study for a Diploma rather than an MSc?
The two Geographic Information courses and our new course, Resilience, Assurance and Risk Management for Computer-Based Systems offer both Certificate and Diploma routes at the point of application. (The course Resilience, Assurance and Risk Management for Computer-Based Systems also offers single modules as CPD courses as well.)
For all other courses, students cannot apply to study a Diploma. However, once a student has gained 120 credits (equivalent to the taught part of the Masters course) they are eligible to take the Diploma and to choose not to submit their dissertation.
Disclaimer: the information given is believed to be correct at the time of writing. However, the University reserves the right to make changes in regulations, syllabuses, fees etc.