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February Postgraduate Intakes at Lincoln Suit Global Graduates

13th October 2016 Posted by: Francesca Turauskis

WITH expert staff and world-class research, a degree from the University of Lincoln is often highly regarded by employers. And with generous scholarships for international students, 120 sports clubs and societies, and an awarding-winning student union, it’s no wonder that it is among the top 10 UK universities for student experience and teaching in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2017).

The postgraduate courses offered at Lincoln use business-relevant teaching, with a range of programmes offering work placement opportunities. And with starts dates in February, they are making it easier for international students that can’t start in September.

The academic year around the globe

Most countries in the Northern Hemisphere, including Britain, start university in September (a tradition that comes from the farming calendar, when there was less to do in autumn after the busy summer months) but academic years vary around the world. It has always been the case that the September/October start at university doesn’t work for all students.

February intakes may help students who are used to different academic years

A few countries, such as Thailand, have tried to combat this by changing their entire academic year to fit with a September start. But for many in the Southern Hemisphere, it still makes sense to follow a different school calendar. Nigeria, Kenya, Australia and New Zealand all run from January to December, with a summer break at the end of the year. Other countries in Asia like Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, start anywhere between February and April. September starts can be tricky for students coming to England from these countries, but February intakes like the ones offered at Lincoln could work better.

Stats and facts

Not all universities in Britain offer second-semester starts – a search on websites such as Find a Masters will show you that less than a third of taught Masters have a start in January or February. This may be because this second intake is usually very small – Lincoln’s postgraduate courses have up to 90% fewer students starting in February than September.

But for those students who find the deadline for a September start tricky, the January/February intake can save a lot of time wasted waiting for the next year. Traditionally, Lincoln’s January/February intake has predominantly attracted more international students, particularly from China, followed by Thailand, Vietnam and India. And although these students will be starting the course later than their September peers, the courses operate in a carousel format (meaning that students will study the same modules alongside the September enrolled students) and the total course length will be the same.

How will a February start benefit me?

A February start will seem natural for Nigerian, Australian and Vietnamese students, and others from the Southern Hemisphere. But there are many other benefits to starting your postgraduate course at this time, even for those students that are used to a September start.

If you finish your undergraduate degree in July or August, you will have extra time to work before you start your postgraduate degree – this will let you get some work experience, and save some money to help you during your studies. The extra time might allow you to retake modules if you want to improve on the grade you have received, and for international students, there is also the added benefit of giving you more time for visa and travel arrangements, which can be a lengthy process.

Once you’ve started, the lower intake means there will be less students during your orientation period, giving you a more personal welcome. For postgraduates, this also means you are able to avoid the undergraduate rush, some of whom – let’s be honest – are not necessarily there to work for their first few weeks!

Joining the University of Lincoln in February, you may find it a bit quieter

Another thing to consider is that the work world does not follow Britain’s academic calendar either – many business either work with the calendar year (January – December) or the tax year (April – March). New jobs are advertised throughout the year, not just in the summer when most graduates are looking. As a February starter finishing your postgraduate degree around December, this means there will still be plenty of job opportunities when you graduate and (more importantly) much less competition.

What courses does Lincoln offer?

There are eight postgraduate courses that start in January/February: courses such as the MSc Crisis and Disaster Management or the MSc Fashion Management allow you to focus on a specific area straight away, whilst the MSc Management offers a more general approach with pathways in Oil & Gas/Luxury Brands/Markets and Consumers.

As part of the Business School, students will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts: previous speakers have included representatives from organisations including Deloitte, Santander, HSBC, Innocent, and The Institute of Internal Auditors. A prominent past speaker is the ex-Chairman of the IASB, Sir David Tweedie.

Guests from big businesses, including Santander, lecture and speak at the University of Lincoln

Masters programmes last 1 year full-time, and the entry requirements for these courses vary only slightly: the majority require a minimum 2:2 in a relevant honours degree, and an IELTS 6 or equivalent. (The university offers a PEASS course if you don’t currently meet the IELTS 6 requirement – more information below.) The MBA (Executive) course also requires two years relevant work experience.

What’s more, the University of Lincoln also offers a free internal English Language Test meaning that you do not necessarily have to take an IELTS test before you commence your studies.

How can Lincoln help international students?

The university has a Virtual Open Day facility on their website, so you can get a look at the campus without having to visit. If you want help paying for your degree, a range of Scholarships are available that are aimed at international students.

PEASS (Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills) programmes are run at the English Language Centre at the University of Lincoln. PEASS courses are designed for international students who are planning to join a course at the University of Lincoln, but need to increase their English language level to meet the entry requirements. The 5 week course would start in January, and run until the start of orientation in February. Students applying for a January/February intake may be eligible for the FREE PEASS course if they meet the English language requirements (5.5 IELTS or above). Students will be required to pay for the programme in advance, then the cost will be deducted from their Masters course fees at enrolment.

The English Language Centre at the University of Lincoln is available to international students throughout their degree. It offers drop-in sessions and a number of extra courses including:

  • Writing and Grammar for Academic English
  • Culture and Conversation
  • Active Listening
  • Better Pronunciation
  • Critical Reading
  • English for Dissertation Writing
  • Effective Presentation Skills
University campus accommodation can be provided for international students

When getting to the university, the town of Lincoln is within easy access of major cities including London, and it has good rail and road links. If you want some help getting to them at first, they offer a FREE airport pick up service for international students (on selected dates). The International Office team can also help international students find accommodation, and can give advice and support finding somewhere on or off campus. They will help you settle in to life in England.

How do I apply?

If you know you want to start a Masters but September seems too soon, why wait a whole extra year? Apply directly with the college either on their website or with a paper application. If you are an international student applying for full time programmes, you should normally apply by 30 November to allow time for your visa application.

If you are interested in studying at the University of Lincoln, click here and request more information about the courses or application process by using our online form.


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