FAQ Applying for EASy MSc
News: Feb 2010. Pegge Scholarships on
offer from Oct 2010
News: Dec 2010. Phil Husbands is now Convenor for the EASy MSc, any
queries should be addressed to him philh@susx.ac.uk
*** APPLICATION procedures may change in the future, this page
indicates procedure up until end of 2010.
What is the EASy MSc?
This is
a one-year (or part-time over 2 years) MSc in Evolutionary and Adaptive
Systems. It is research-oriented, within the EASy group,
associated with the CCNR. Information
on it is available here.
Formal Application
Application
form and further details from here
(paper applications) or here (online
applications). Online applications are much preferred (in fact
paper ones get transferred, with delays, to the online system).
Statement
of academic interests, and two references essential.
For administrative enquiries related to EASy MSc applications, mailto:scitech-postgrad@sussex.ac.uk.
Online Applications
This
link allows for online
applications. If you supply email adresses for
referees, reference-requests
should be sent automatically to
their emails, provided that
you remembered to hit
the "request reference" button.
It is your responsibility to
get the references provided, so you
should independently ask them to respond quickly to this request. You
should be able to monitor your application online to see when the
references are added ; when checking on progress of your application,
please check for arrival of any such references since the reviewing
process does not seriously start until they arrive. [this policy may
be different from that of other Sussex MScs, that may make offers
'subject to references' -- for the EASy MSc we expect to see references
before making an offer ***]
What happens
to the application?
Until references have been received, usually nothing. For online applications
that pass the preliminary criteria, I
[***]
will
only start reviewing them seriously after the references are added. The
formal requirement is for a
first degree in a relevant subject (widely interpreted) at a grade
equivalent to UK class 2.1 or better. For overseas degrees, our
postgraduate office translates different types of grades or GPA scores
into the equivalent UK standard for me. A further postgrad
qualification, or significant experience, can be treated as 'bumping
up' a degree classification by one step. But I have wide discretion,
and pay considerable attention to the informal requirements:***
- Is there evidence you have sufficient
programming experience to be able to program mini-projects within the
first term? Any previous projects of any size that you might have done,
mentioned in your application or by referees, will be relevant.
- Is there evidence of either
Maths or Scientific or
Analytic experience and ability? Will you be able to reason
analytically and critically in complex arguments. [Evidence, eg
experience in Maths or Science subject or Law or Philosophy or Music or
...]
- In the Statement of academic interests,
is there evidence of informed interest in some area(s) relevant tothe
EASy course?
Is there an interview?
Usually an application is accepted/rejected without an interview. I may
email you for further information (check the email that you provided on
the application form), in exceptional circumstances I may ask for an
interview.***
When should I apply?
If you want to be considered for any possible funding (see below), you
are advised to apply by May for starting this October. Otherwise we do
continue considering applications until August.
What are the tuition fees?
See http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/fees/
and links from that. In particular UK/EU students should note the new
ELQ rules that mean (roughly) that if
you have more than just a first degree -- eg if you already have a
Masters or PhD in some different area -- you will not benefit from the
full subsidy that brings tuition fees down to Home/EU levels.
Is there any possible funding from
Sussex?
See FAQ EASy MSc funding
for this -- also see Pegge Scholarships link. If you are applying
for funding from some other organisation, we
may be able to write a letter in support of your application.
Can I get more informal information?
Try emailing us. If you want to come for a visit, then we can usually
arrange to meet you, show you the labs, introduce you to current
students. We have EASy students from a wide range of countries, so we
may be able to put you in touch with a current or past student from
your country who can tell you how things are different here compared to
what you are used to.
*** APPLICATION procedures may change
in the future, this page indicates procedure up until end of 2010.
Inman Harvey
Convenor, EASy MSc
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