Summer School in China

Applications are now open for the 2018 ACU Summer School, hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong on the theme of Designing and Creating Sustainable Communities.

Brunel University London students have access to bursaries and a discounted registration rate, and applications close on 14 January 2018.

Taking place from 1-9 July 2018, the Summer School will feature: expert lectures by local and international speakers, skills development, social events providing insights into Hong Kong’s fascinating culture, group work, networking opportunities, and field trips to key local sites.

For full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit acu.ac.uk/summer-school-2018

Stand out…

with work experience in China through the British Council Generation UK – China programme! Whether you’re an undergraduate or recent graduate wanting to get on the career ladder, spend two months in 2018 as an intern in an industry of your choice. Choose from six locations and over 15 different industry sectors – business, engineering, law, marketing, design etc.

Funding covers all internship placement fees, accommodation, comprehensive travel insurance, business and cultural activities, as well as your airport pick-up and dedicated support throughout your placement.  Find out more about the programme and how you can apply.

Deadline for applications: 14 January 2018 at 23:59 PM (BST).

Find out about other opportunities to work or study abroad through Study Work Create.

LAST CHANCE: PhD funding Fair

PostgraduateStudentships PhD Funding Fair 2017
4 December 2017
Central London – Venue to be advised to successful applicants only

• Dedicated event focusing on the needs of potential PhD students
• Face-to-face opportunity to discuss your PhD plans and aspirations
• Meet over 20 high quality Universities with PhD funding to offer
• Chat to current PhD students about their experience of looking for and being a PhD student in our ​unique and ever popular PhD Student Peer to Peer Advice Room​
• Attend talks on how to apply for a PhD and funding

Specialist Subject Sessions: The Fair is divided into two subject Sessions:
​The Morning Session covers PhD funding in the Arts and Humanities, Law, Management and Social Sciences.
The Afternoon Session covers PhD funding across the range of Science and Engineering subjects.

As this is a specialist Fair, and we have limited spaces in both the morning and afternoon Sessions, you will need to have applied, been accepted, and have received a personal invitation to the Fair, in order to attend.

Free to attend, but you need to apply now.  Register – www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/postgraduatestudentships-phd-funding-fair

CyberFirst

CyberFirst is a Student scheme inspired and led by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which aims to support and prepare undergraduates for a career in cyber security. NCSC partners with other government departments and selected industry to offer students a comprehensive package of financial assistance and cyber skills training to help you kick start a career in cyber security.

Find out more at gchq-careers.co.uk/early-careers/cyberfirst.htm

Train to Teach

10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday 18 November 2017
Congress Centre, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Register at https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/teaching-events

Free to attend the event will give you the opportunity to get questions answered by a range of teaching professionals and find out how to get into teaching and how to apply for training in your region.

China calling

Are you looking for an internship and like the thought of China as a destination?  The good news is that the University will provide a travel bursary for L1 and L2 students to get there. However, the program is open to all students.

Find out more about the InternChina program.

• Get an insight into modern China
• Gain valuable work experience
• Learning Mandarin Chinese, and
• Discover traditional Chinese culture.

Also check out the Generation UK – China programme in partnership with the British Council who offer several other programs for working and studying abroad.

Research project in child health?

Thouron Award for postgraduate study at the University of Pennsylvania

Applications are now open for graduate study scholarship in the US with The Thouron Award.

Up to TEN awards, each with a total value of approximately US$90,000 per year, covering tuition fees, health insurance and living expenses, including travel in the US will be available (for one or two years) from 1 September 2018 for candidates who wish to pursue a postgraduate programme at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, US.

Applications are invited by 23:59 (GMT) on 1 November 2017 from UK university graduates, including forthcoming summer 2018 graduates, who are British citizens normally resident in the UK.

Scholars are chosen not only for their academic achievements, but for their ability to engage with one another and take an active part in a changing world. They are expected to act as student-ambassadors, putting their energy and intellect to work strengthening the ties between two great nations.  www.thouronaward.org.

Study in Germany?

All you need to know if you’re interested in studying, doing research, or teaching in Germany from DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service – whether you’re an undergraduate, postgraduate, researcher or senior academic.  They also run a number of Special Programmes.

The website also gives some funding and placement resources.

Need PhD funding?

PostgraduateStudentships PhD Funding Fair 2017
4 December 2017
Central London – Venue to be advised to successful applicants only

• Dedicated event focusing on the needs of potential PhD students
• Face-to-face opportunity to discuss your PhD plans and aspirations
• Meet over 20 high quality Universities with PhD funding to offer
• Chat to current PhD students about their experience of looking for and being a PhD student in our ​unique and ever popular PhD Student Peer to Peer Advice Room​
• Attend talks on how to apply for a PhD and funding

Specialist Subject Sessions: The Fair is divided into two subject Sessions:
​The Morning Session covers PhD funding in the Arts and Humanities, Law, Management and Social Sciences.
The Afternoon Session covers PhD funding across the range of Science and Engineering subjects.

As this is a specialist Fair, and we have limited spaces in both the morning and afternoon Sessions, you will need to have applied, been accepted, and have received a personal invitation to the Fair, in order to attend.

Free to attend, but you should apply sooner rather than later as places are limited.  Register – www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/postgraduatestudentships-phd-funding-fair

Finding funding

Try something a little different…

An article on the Raindance site gives some top tips for planning a crowdfunding campaign.  Whatever your aim, others have been successful in achieving their targets, so give it a try!

 

Funding your Master’s or PhD

Take a look at these – annual £5,000 scholarships + a number of smaller awards in any subject from:

• FindAMasters.com
• FindAPhD.com

Applications opened in May.

Find out more about funding:

• Postgraduate Loans Guide
• General Funding Guides
• Funding for International Students in the UK

UK-Japan research

Join the JSPS London network for Japanese researchers based in the UK – open to visiting Japanese scholars as well as tenured Japanese academics based at UK institutions.  It’s free to join with events and funding schemes exclusive to members.  Register at https://ssl.jsps.org/members/?page=regist

The Science and Innovation Network Japan (SIN Japan) have produced a booklet (2016) Sources of funding 4th edition which is a guide to funding sources available to facilitate collaboration between the UK and Japan – from funding for travel and networking, to research exchange, international fellowships and major research grants. It’s available in English and Japanese and can be downloaded at https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/uk-science-innovation-network-in-japan.

Useful resources:

• JSPS’s booklet, “Life in Japan for foreign researchers” – https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-plaza/51_lifeInJapan.html
• Japan Student Services Organisation guide to studying in Japan: http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/sgtj_e.html#contents
• Nagoya University’s Handbook for Foreign Researchers http://www.iech.provost.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/forresearcher_handbook.html

Decisions, decisions… should I do a PhD?

These resources on jobs.ac.uk may help you to decide:

• PhD Video Blogs: Get a real insight into life as a PhD student
  Short films of PhD students at various stages of their PhD and locations around the world.  The vlogs, or video blogs, will cover everything from starting a PhD, moving abroad to do a PhD, finding funding opportunities to viva preparation and finding your first academic job.
• Postgraduate Options – Is a PhD for me?
  A 60-minute live online video event with a group of expert panelists who shared their insights and top tips on doing a PhD, the routes to doing a doctorate, how to find PhD opportunities and how to compose a good application.
• PhD career ebooks and toolkits
  hould I do a PhD?; Career planning for PhDs; 10 Career paths for PhDs

Postgrad in TV, film or games…

but will need some funding?  Investigate the BAFTA scholarship programme which is open to British Citizens.  What’s on offer?

• up to £12,000 towards your course fees
• mentoring support from a BAFTA member
• free access to BAFTA events around the UK

Find out more at http://guru.bafta.org/opportunities/scholarships

Master’s funding?

Investigate MastersCompare £5000 Postgraduate Scholarship for the academic year 2017/18.  The scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students with an unconditional offer of a place on a part-time or full-time postgraduate Masters by 1 September 2017.

Note:  You will need to register on the MastersCompare site and tick the Scholarship box.  The Scholarship will be allocated in a draw in October 2017.

Mechanical engineer?

How about some resources?  Take a look at….

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers who put the development of professional engineers at the heart of what they do. An IMechE–accredited degree offers a path to membership of the Institution, opens up more job opportunities and shows employers that you are employable.

What’s on offer?

• free Affiliate membership for undergraduates. An essential first step into the professional community
• financial assistance awards and scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students
• resources and events, designed especially for students and graduates, such as networking events, young member groups and careers guides
• use of the members–only online engineering library and research tools
• guidance in choosing the right engineering sector for future employment, and career support as they work towards a rewarding career becoming professionally registered engineers

Need funding?

The Leverhulme Trust provides funding for research projects, fellowships, studentships, bursaries and prizes; it operates across all the academic disciplines, aiming being to support talented individuals as they realise their personal vision in research and professional training.

The Study Abroad Studentships scheme supports students who wish to undertake a period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning anywhere in the world except the UK and the USA,  and applications are currently being accepted for awards commencing from June 2017.  Find out more….

Becoming a Barrister

Take a look at the prime resource – The Bar Council Careers website.  Check out the statistics: How many Bar course graduates secure a pupillage, how many students achieve a place on the BPTC?

Download The Inner Temple’s Guide to Becoming a Barrister – specifically developed by the Inner Temple to help you on your journey to the Bar. It provides information about how to become a Barrister, training for the Bar, financial assistance and what you can expect from your BPTC year at the Inn.

Discover the other Inns of Court.

Good news…

you can now get a loan for your Masters course but you do have to pay it back!

The basics or take a look at this video:

• You will have to be studying a taught or research Masters course
• You can be studying at uni or by distance learning
• You have to be under 60 when you commence your course
• You must normally live in England
• You can apply for up to £10,000 towards your course and living costs
• You can apply from this summer (June 2016)
• You will be charged interest on your loan but will only start to repay this once you’ve finished your course and earning over £21,000 pa.  Remember that, if you’ve had a loan for your undergraduate course, you’ll also have to repay that too

Find out more on the Student Finance England – SFE’s dedicated student finance zone on the The Student Room and  FindAMasters websites.