The grad school admissions process can feel pretty daunting (and with reason). From your GRE scores to letters of recommendation and your statement of purpose, it’s important that you get everything right, meet all the deadlines, and differentiate yourself from other applicants every step of the way. To get into your dream grad school, whatever your discipline, you must combine excellent standardized tests scores with a flawless statement of purpose and a clear vision of the value you could bring to your chosen institution.

1. What’s your story?

To make a strong and last impression, you need to tell a compelling story. In the context of grad school admissions, the narrative needs to show how you’ve progressed so far, how grad school fits into the next chapter of your life, what you’ll bring to your chosen institution, and even your ambitions for a wider contribution to the world. What are the values, skills and distinctive experiences that make you who you are? What makes you the perfect candidate for your chosen program, and how will this help you take the next steps in your story? Understanding your own story is the first important step, so you’re ready to capture the grad school admission committee’s imaginations.

2. Make your statement of purpose a cliché-free zone

Your statement of purpose is arguably the most important part of your application – and it needs to be impeccable. Depending on your subject, location and school, this statement may fulfil various purposes, but it will have to be a notch more focused than your undergraduate statement of purpose. At all costs, stay clear of clichés and long-winded statements about your passion for a certain subject or topic. As a rule of thumb, your statement needs to do three things: outline your research interests in more or less detail depending on the course you are applying to; define your career goals; and list your credentials.

3. Choose your referees wisely

Your letters of recommendation are also very important. Nurture good relationships with your undergraduate professors and choose the most experienced faculty members you have the best rapports with to recommend you. While most of your professors are likely to accept if you ask them for a recommendation, think carefully about who you choose to approach. A less-than-glowing, or even neutral, reference could do you more harm than good. Contact your chosen referees several months in advance, and give them some information about what you’re applying for and the impression you’re aiming to make, so they can support your application effectively.

4. Don’t be let down by late transcripts

Your overall grade point average (GPA), a measure of your overall performance ranging from 0 to 4, and the courses you have chosen to undertake in your undergraduate degree, will carry weight with the admissions committee. Your undergraduate school’s registrar office should mail your transcript to the graduate school(s) you are applying to. Note that it is possible for applications to be rejected on account of transcripts failing to be received on time, so you need to begin this process several weeks in advance.

5. Plan ahead for grad school admission tests

Most graduate schools in Canada and the US will require that you sit some kind of standardized test – usually the GRE revised General Test, a GRE Subject Test, or the GMAT Exam. Most schools do not state a minimum GRE score and a near-perfect score is unlikely to guarantee you a place on your chosen course, but a less-than-desirable score could potentially hurt your application. Plan ahead and check online for GRE/GMAT testing centers near you and test dates to make sure that you meet your application deadlines – and allow time to re-sit the test if necessary. You will be asked at the testing center to submit your chosen graduate school’s institution code, and to state whether you wish your scores to be sent to the university.

6. Do your research before interview day

Depending on your course, you may be asked to attend an in-person interview to determine your suitability. Remember that this is also an opportunity for you to decide whether the grad school is a good fit for your profile. It’s important that you spend time researching the school, its faculty and resources, and come prepared with a very clear idea of what the institution could do for you, as well as your own relevant skills and areas of knowledge. Showing you’ve done your research will send out lots of positive signs – providing tangible evidence of your interest, commitment and initiative. 

Applying to grad school?

You might be interested in reading our complete guide on How to Apply to Grad School, available to download for free. Meet universities and grad schools from around the world at the QS World Grad School Tour – your chance to get personal answers to all your questions, as well as attending free seminars and applying for exclusive scholarships. 

Which factors have the strongest influence on choices about where to study, and how does this differ around the world? How and why do students consult rankings, and what other sources feed into their decisions? What shared motivations and beliefs unite students worldwide, and what sets them apart?

These are some of the questions explored in a new report – “What Matters to International Students? Global Overview” – published today by QS, based on a series of focus groups with prospective international students in 11 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The insights gained through these focus groups are complemented by a short survey, which highlights some of the key differences between students in distinct locations, as well as global trends.

Key themes explored include:

Motivations for studying abroad

As the chart above shows, quality of education is the leading perceived benefit of studying at an internationally recognized university in the developing regions covered by the report. For students in the US, on the other hand, establishing a global network is at the top of the list, while Europeans place greater emphasis on improved employment prospects. The report explores these trends in more depth, drawing on the focus groups to examine what ‘quality of education’ means to different groups of students, and the various push and pull factors at play in each context.

Employability and teaching quality

Students worldwide are united in a shared attempt to assess both employability and teaching quality when choosing a university. As the above chart shows, teaching quality is the top priority for students in most locations covered, while employment rates are the leading priority for those in the US, and within the top five everywhere else. The report examines the various ways in which students attempt to evaluate these two essential components, and the types of information and support universities can provide to make this easier.

The role of rankings

Around the world, students tend to state a preference for subject-specific rankings. While this trend may be partly explained by the fact that most survey respondents were applying at master’s or PhD level, and therefore often had a clearly defined field of study in mind, the report suggests additional reasons for this preference – including the perception that subject rankings are likely to provide a better gauge of educational quality. The study also explores the strong perceived link between rankings, reputation and employment prospects, a belief which holds true worldwide.

This global overview is complemented by a series of reports dedicated to trends in international student choice by region – covering the US, Latin America, India and China, with a forthcoming report on South East Asia.

Each year the UK’s Alliance Manchester Business School partners with QS to offer two exclusive scholarships for attendees of the QS World Grad School Tour. Covering 50% of tuition fees for a one-year master’s program at the business school, this year’s scholarships have been awarded to Fabio Farina and Alexander Rübner, from Italy and Germany respectively.

Part of the University of Manchester, Alliance Manchester Business School prides itself on welcoming talented students from around the world each year. “The scholarship is important to help us maintain a diverse body of students, so they’ll get to make friends for life with classmates from different backgrounds, and also forge their networks for the future,” explains admissions manager Tania Smith.

Noting that this year saw an extremely high level of applications, she says Fabio and Alexander impressed the selection committee due to “the high level of written ability in their statement of purpose, which complemented their undergraduate academic achievements.”

Fabio Farina

Nationality: Italian

Program: MSc Finance and Business Economics

Currently completing an undergraduate degree in economics, Fabio was keen to find a master’s program that would allow him to develop his knowledge in the fields of both finance and economics. He was especially keen to study in the UK, in order to develop his English language proficiency and gain direct experience of the British business environment.

When he discovered the MSc Finance and Business Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School, Fabio says everything about the course and the university seemed “perfect” – except for the cost, which was above the budget agreed with his parents. Having considered other options, however, he remained convinced that this was the best program for him – and was excited to find out that the school offered several scholarships.

“I sent all the documents needed and even though, actually, I was not sure I would receive any financial help, I felt more confident about talking to my parents,” Fabio recalls. “They understood my determination and trusted my decision, allowing me to accept the offer for the course I wanted to study, in the university I desired to be.”

He still clearly recalls the moment he found out he’d been chosen for the QS-Alliance Manchester Business School Scholarship. “I could not believe it. I started jumping and crying,” he remembers – adding that his mother “probably fainted” when he called to share the good news.

During his year studying in Manchester, Fabio plans to focus on preparing for the working world, and hopes the university’s well-established careers network will support him in finding a position to work in the UK afterwards. Having already spent some months living abroad in both the UK and US, he’s not concerned about being away from home, though he expects this time to be rather different: “I will go there to build the foundations of my career and my future life, making the whole experience much more challenging.”

Advice for other scholarship applicants: “The earlier you start organizing your plans, the wider will be the set of opportunities available, and having the time to take special care of any application or letter sent can make a big difference. Secondly, I feel like encouraging students to build a distinguishing profile, rich in unique experiences, and imprinting their personal mark in any essay or statement they attach to their applications. Last, but not least, if you know any rite to gain the good will of the blindfolded goddess, do not hesitate to make it!”

Alexander Rübner

Nationality: German

Program: MSc Marketing

Having been interested in marketing throughout his undergraduate degree in business administration, Alexander is keen to pursue a master’s program in this field as the next step towards his desired career. He’s particularly keen to take on a role in sports marketing, an ambition which has been strengthened by his experience as an intern in the sports department of German advertising agency Jung von Matt.

During his search for highly reputed marketing programs, Alexander discovered the course at Alliance Manchester Business School. He was attracted by the institution’s strong reputation, the in-depth knowledge and professional skills provided by the course, and the prospect of studying abroad – “the new country, culture and people I will meet and which will surely support my development also on a personal level.”

After graduating, Alexander hopes to gain a place on a graduate training program at a large multinational, gaining experience in various fields of marketing and in different locations abroad. In the longer term, he’s keen to develop his abilities as a leader – applying the knowledge gained from his studies, as well as his own direct experience of inspiring and people-centered leaders. 

Both his short-term and longer-term career goals, Alexander believes, will be brought within closer reach by the master’s degree at Alliance Manchester Business School, not least due to the strength of the institution’s reputation. This, he says, “signals to employers that graduates have already succeeded in a competitive election process and afterwards received a high-class education” – setting expectations he is keen to live up to.

Advice for other scholarship applicants: “There are so many different scholarships, which makes it difficult to give general advice. What I experienced is that in most tasks you have to fulfil to gain a scholarship, reflection plays an important role: Who am I; what are my strengths and weaknesses; what do I want to achieve in life? Big questions of course, but the answers will not only raise your chances of obtaining scholarships, but also build the foundation of your personal development during your studies and beyond.”

Sponsored by The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)

Are you planning on becoming a teacher or taking a course in education studies? If so, there are lots of exciting trends ahead! The future of education is set to become even more personalized, mobile and hands-on…

The world of learning and education is moving with the times – and so it should. Thanks to significant improvements in mobile and cloud technologies, digital transformation has invaded virtually every area of life and work – and the 21^st century classroom has not been passed by. Schools at all levels are in need of modern, tech-savvy graduates to take on leading roles. If this sounds like you, read on for an overview of key trends shaping the future of education…

1. Bring your own device (BYOD)

Schools in increasing numbers are implementing BYOD and allowing students and staff to use mobile devices on the Wi-Fi network, and it’s not hard to see why! BYOD comes with many benefits, including greater student engagement, more opportunities for personalized learning, access to a host of uber-trendy pedagogical apps – not to mention the savings on tech, free-flowing information and data, and greater independent learning.

2. Revamped learning spaces

While digital transformation comes with many benefits, it also presents schools with a challenge: how can we foster a love of books in an increasingly digital age? To tackle the challenge, some schools have begun rethinking their libraries as open spaces, or learning hubs conducive to rest, independent learning and creativity.

3. 3D printing

Of course, while there’s been much talk of using 3D printers to assist in the teaching of STEM and design subjects, countries are still prototyping feasible applications. In the UK, for instance, 3D printers have been in large part restricted to the teaching of design, but there is also scope to use 3D printing to teach various concepts within mathematics, biology and engineering. If you’re particularly keen to learn about potential applications – and you should be – you could take advantage of The Education University of Hong Kong’s two 3D printing rooms and a mobile computing lab!

4. Better tools to support dyslexic students

While many schools continue to use outdated phonics-based methods to teach students suffering from dyslexia, the picture is looking better than it did only a few years ago – thanks to the rise of computer-based assistive technologies such as text-to-speech programs and predictive spellers, as well as changes in attitudes surrounding dyslexia and improved awareness of dyslexic brain processes. In the years to come, teachers will be focusing on new ways to support dyslexic children.

5. Student-driven learning

Teachers are increasingly becoming the facilitators (rather than the chief protagonists) of their students’ education and learning experience. Schools in our mobile age are moving away from rote learning toward valuable skill-based wisdom. It is not just about what you know, but rather how you know it, and what you are planning to do with that data. By presenting students with deeper-level questions and instant access to almost infinite data and information, teachers are able to encourage children to become inquisitive problem-solvers and innovators. 

6. The internationalization of education

In today’s global economy, it has become a basic requirement for those working in the education sector to have cross-cultural skills and perspectives. An increasingly popular way to achieve this is by completing a Master of Education overseas. Students in Asian countries often favor graduate schools in the US or Western Europe, while many European and North American students opt for Asian universities. International postgraduate programs in education would prepare students for all the challenges and opportunities ahead – providing an invaluable global understanding of education, access to jobs abroad, and an international community of passionate educators from all four corners of the world.

Train for international careers in education at a world-leading institution                  

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) is a new university in Asia, focusing on teacher education. EdUHK, formerly known as the Hong Kong Institute of Education, provides a stimulating academic platform for research training and professional doctorate programs to nurture trailblazers and spirited individuals who can make substantial contributions to education and wider development – locally, within Asia, and globally. The university offers a range of postgraduate programs, including a Master of Education, Executive Master of Arts in International Educational Leadership and Change (an International Baccalaureate-accredited program), Master of Teaching and Master of Arts in Teaching Chinese as an International Language, to name a few.

For full-time research students in research postgraduate (RPg) programs, EdUHK offers a Research Postgraduate Studentship. The monthly stipend for the 2016-17 academic year ranges from HK$15,000 (approximately US$1,900) to HK$15,600 (approximately US$2,000), depending on the status of the student.

The university greatly encourages its RPg students to present their work internationally. Financial support for these students includes the provision of up to HK$11,000 (approximately US$1,400) for each candidate to attend conferences or workshops which are directly related to their thesis. Furthermore, additional financial support is available to students for conducting their research projects.

In the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, EdUHK ranks 2nd in Asia and 12th in the world in the field of education, with a strong reputation among academics and high levels of research impact.

Sponsored by Macquarie University, Sydney.

We all know the animals are cute and the people are friendly. But the benefits of studying in Australia are seriously life-changing. Here are seven incredible things you’ll walk away with after your time ‘down under’. 

1) Blue skies ahead

The beautiful natural environment in Australia doesn’t just make it a great place to go to the beach. There’s something about living under blue skies and swimming in clean blue waters that changes your whole perspective on life and makes you feel free. Universities like Macquarie also boast amazing green campuses that feel more like parks. Reading lecture notes sitting on green grass, in the shade of a gum tree? Not a bad way to spend a few years.

2) The most amazing adventures

Although your main focus will be study, Australia also offers you the chance to create some incredible memories (and Instagram posts!) in life-changing places like the Great Barrier Reef, the ‘red center’ of Uluru, and of course the amazing city of Sydney. Your only problem will be trying to find time to travel to all the Australian places you want to see. 

3) Live in the city of your (career) dreams

Apart from consistently ranking among the top 10 best student cities in the world, and offering amazing weather and lifestyle, Australian cities like Sydney are home to some of the world’s biggest and most innovative companies that are always on the lookout for great graduates. You’ll be in prime position to take your career to new heights.

4) The power to change your path

Australia is a land of personal freedom and equal opportunity. It doesn’t matter what country, culture or religion you come from, or how rich you are. You’ll be free to be yourself, prove what you can do, and take your life where YOU want it to go.

 5) The chance to learn about a new culture… or 100

In today’s globalized business world, having cross-cultural skills will really set you apart. At Australian universities like Macquarie, you’ll be studying with – and learning from – students from more than 100 countries. So you’ll graduate not only with knowledge of Australian culture, but countless others as well – opening up career opportunities in whichever country you have your sights on.

6) Connections that could make you a millionaire

With so many of the country’s universities ranked among the world’s best, it’s no surprise that Australia attracts so many talented students. You’ll be sharing a classroom with some incredible minds, and you might just meet a future business partner who you go on to achieve amazing things with.

Just look at Samuel Yang, dubbed the ‘godfather of solar energy’ by Chinese media. While studying economics at Macquarie University, he met some scientists. Together they founded what is now one of the largest solar energy companies in the world.

7) The confidence to do anything

Studying overseas – particularly in a country as far-flung as Australia – often involves a big step out of your comfort zone, forcing you to learn new skills and become independent. With the student support Australian universities are famous for, you’ll develop emotional intelligence and graduate with a brand new confidence in yourself. Combined with a highly-respected Australian degree, you’ll be able to walk into any room – or job interview – with your head held high.

Study abroad in Sydney at a 5-Star university

Ranked among Australia’s top 10 universities, Macquarie University is located 15 kilometers from Sydney’s city center in one of the largest business and technology precincts in the Southern Hemisphere.  With a 5-star QS rating and global reputation for expertise in areas like business and health and medical sciences, Macquarie produces graduates who are among the most sought-after professionals in the world.

Connect with Macquarie University on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube for news and student stories, or to get in touch.

Nunzio Quacquarelli, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, publisher of the QS World University Rankings, comments on the decision of UK voters to leave the European Union:

Research recently conducted by QS found that UK students stood firmly against Brexit, with 56% of those surveyed believing that the UK leaving the European Union will have detrimental effects on their career prospects.  Many educators in UK higher education also opposed Brexit, for fear of cuts in research funding and reduced access to talented EU faculty and students.

Whilst I think it is regrettable that the UK could not renegotiate terms with the EU to enable our ongoing membership, I remain optimistic that UK universities will continue to thrive within the global higher education industry, as long as the UK government provides the support they need.

Let me give you four reasons why I remain optimistic about the prospects of UK universities.

Firstly, UK universities have established standards of excellence in research which are recognized around the world. There are currently four UK universities within the top 10 of the QS World University Rankings, and the UK is second only to the US in terms of numbers of universities within the top 200. Although there will be reductions in European Union research funding (£687m annually – European Research Council), it is my belief that a responsible UK government will understand the importance of a world-class higher education system to the UK economy (worth approximately £40bn in GDP – Universities UK) and will make up much of this shortfall in research funding.

Secondly, the UK attracts international students from around the world (436,000 in 2014/15, of which 124,000 were from the EU – HESA) and again is second only to the US in terms of numbers of international students recruited. Demand amongst EU students to study in the UK would reduce if they have to start paying international fees, but total revenue from EU students may actually increase. At the same time students from the rest of the world may find new visa rules to be more favorable under a rational points-based system which favors well-qualified master’s and PhD students and eases the rights of the well-qualified to stay and work in the UK. The LEAVE campaign has used Canadian and Australian systems as a template for new visa rules and both countries have favorable conditions for international students. Visa changes, combined with a sustained weakness in the sterling exchange rate could lead to windfall gains for UK universities.

Thirdly, and a related point, is that a new points-based visa system should make it easier for UK universities to attract the brightest young post-docs and faculty from anywhere in the world and not just the EU – a talent pool which has been frozen out by recent UK visa regulations.

Finally, QS research also shows that 67% of employers globally prefer students with international experience. UK universities should feel compelled to establish more international collaborations and study abroad opportunities around the world. Opening up these opportunities for UK students in Asia and other regions can only be a good thing for their career readiness. Ironically, few UK students took advantage of EU membership in the form of Erasmus exchanges. We may even see greater interest amongst UK students in taking exchanges and internships in the EU now they realize they have to make an effort to retain the cultural ties which have been a principle benefit of the EU.

So if the UK government follows through on commitments made repeatedly during this campaign by Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and other members of the LEAVE campaign, UK universities may not face the apocalypse so many fear. 

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of this year’s QS Scholarship for Academic Excellence is Simon Gsponer, a graduate of Switzerland’s University of Zurich who is now preparing to study an MSc in Management Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK.

Awarded annually, the QS Academic Excellence Scholarship is worth US$10,000, providing support for a student embarking on a master’s or PhD course anywhere in the world. Applicants are assessed based on their academic achievements to date, as well as the potential they show to make a contribution within academia or another area.

Simon, who completed his bachelor’s degree in business and economics, has previously taken part in the Swiss-European Mobility Program to study a semester abroad at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Spain. He says his long-term aim is “to become a tech entrepreneur and combine all of my skills to contribute to social betterment.”

From academia to big pharma

Having completed his thesis on the topic Preferences for Redistribution and the Acceptance of Inequality, Simon is now keen to pursue further study in this area. Specifically, he’s keen to investigate an enigma related to the decision to accept economic inequality, explaining: “While research on redistributive preferences has accomplished a lot in terms of quantifying the extent of economic inequity that exists and the level of inequality people deem acceptable, no study could, to the best of my knowledge, explain the discrepancy between these two quantities.” Simon aims to explore this topic from a behavioral perspective, and hopes to publish his findings in an academic journal.

In the longer term, Simon hopes to use his knowledge and skills to positively impact on the distribution of power within the pharmaceutical industry. He argues that this sector – as “the only branch of healthcare that is not based on considerations of the common good, but on bare-knuckled capitalism” – is of paramount importance for the future of the world’s living standards and costs.

He outlines his future plans: “Pharmaceutical firms have raised prices of various drugs dramatically over the past few years, which can be mainly explained by the producer-dominated market structure. Therefore, I want to globalize the current, national distribution of drugs in an entrepreneurial venture, which would weaken the bargaining power of pharmaceutical companies and thus redress this worsening problem.”

Advice for other scholarship applicants

On receiving the QS Academic Excellence Scholarship, Simon says he is happy to be relieved from some of the financial burdens of studying a master’s degree, so that he can now worry less about money and focus on achieving his goals. Furthermore, he believes that this achievement validates the hard work he has undertaken so far, inspiring him to continue working to fulfil his aspirations: “This nomination vindicates my decision to take risks in life and my attempt to continuously tackle more demanding challenges.”

Noting that scholarship seekers unfortunately outnumber the scholarships available, Simon recommends that others should avoid simply churning out as many applications as possible, and instead adopt a more focused approach. He says: “Apply for only a few scholarship positions, yet invest as much effort as necessary to leave a unique, long-lasting impression. Luck favors the bold; ergo, scholarships are awarded to people that stand out of the crowd, and not to the ones that hide behind hackneyed statements.”