Preparing the application for my master’s program took a few months, between investigating the different options, requirements and others, it was at least 4 or 5 months of work. Here I leave the steps I followed, along with some tips!
1.Investigate thoroughly the programs that really interest you
Everyone says that master’s degrees are different from undergraduate ones. And they are right. Everyone is right. Your master program will definitely take you out of your comfort zone, and for that reason, you should choose the program very carefully. That requires investigating each program thoroughly, learning about the organization, the courses, the type of evaluation, the application deadlines and the requirements that you will have.
At this stage, it is also essential that you contact teachers or employers who could help you with a letter of recommendation. It is ideal to introduce yourself in person, discuss your plans and how they can make a big difference in referring you to the program. Make sure you have their contact information.
2. Review the requirements a couple of times
Different programs have different requirements. Although most universities in the United Kingdom have quite similar requirements, each university and department has its own guidelines. When you have found all the data you need, a good idea is to organize them in a table, including each program, university, and requirements so you can have a general sense.
In the same way, it is crucial to review the requirements of the visa, in case you need it. Applications must be made at least three months before traveling. The same happens with the language certifications if your mother tongue is not English remember that you must have the required certification (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) BEFORE you start the application, in this way if you receive an offer it will not be conditioned by the language.
3. Be sure to translate and/or certify everything on time
Usually, embassies can help you with a list of approved translators, that is, translators who are authorized to translate into English. Make this process on time, so you do not have last minute surprises! Scan all documents and save them with a universal ending, such as PDF. The idea is to have 3 copies of each document, in my case, for example, a scan of the original document in Spanish, a scan of the document translated into English, a scan of the original and the translation together.
4.Gather ALL the documents
Even though most application tools allow you to save your session to come back later, I personally do not recommend it. In my experience, the best thing you can do is to have ALL the documents at hand, originals and translations, and make the application in a single stand. So you will not lose the thread of what you’re doing
5. If you have doubts, ask!
If you have any questions about the program, the university or the visa, the best thing you can do is getting in touch BEFORE making the application. This way you can start the process without problems.
Finally, it is good to make a few applications, not just one. In this way, you will have the opportunity to decide between different programs in case of receiving offers.
Good luck!
Sara