The University of Hertfordshire is offering 100 new achievement-based scholarships to woo international students. In an interview with Shibani Chattopadhyay, Cath Harris, head of international office, gives the lowdown

Q:What are the courses taught at Hertfordshire and which ones are popular among Indian students?

The University of Hertfordshire (UH), one of the top five universities in the UK, offers an extensive range of options to suit a broad range of students. The undergraduate and

postgraduate degree programmes most popular among Indian students include engineering and telecommunications, IT/computer science, courses in biosciences, pharmacy, business and management as well as courses in creative arts. All these areas are relevant to the needs of India’s fast-growing economy. Our graduates from these programmes have gone on to pursue outstanding careers in a wide range of industries and professions, based in India and abroad.

Q:At present, how many International students do you have on campus?

Of the 2,000-plus international students at the university, more than 400 are from India. The total student community strength (including undergraduates and postgraduates) is more than 24,000.

Q:What special facilities does the university offer?

The University of Hertfordshire’s award-winning learning resources centres are among the largest in the UK, providing 2,900 study places, 1,500 computer workstations, and a wealth of digital and printed materials. They are also open 24×7.

The recently built de Havilland Campus is Europe’s most significant higher education initiative in the last 20 years. Other extensive on-campus research and learning facilities include a flight simulator, wind tunnels, environmental and anechoic chambers, a simulated intensive care unit, creative studios and digital workshops.

Business and industry can tap into the university’s specialist facilities to support commercial and research activities, while spin-out and start-up companies can take advantage of technology-rich office accommodation at the University of Hertfordshire’s Innovation Centre.

The university has also recently opened a new building called the MacLaurin Building, which is the university’s business hub and houses its career development and graduate employment services.

StudyNet, the university’s innovative virtual learning environment, connects students to university staff and to each other, and offers online access anywhere and anytime for personalised course and study information.

Q:Are there any funding facilities?

Apart from the regular scholarships available, we are now offering 100 new achievement-based international scholarships, worth £2,000 each, to international students taking up a place at the University of Hertfordshire in 2007-08.

These scholarships, known as the Chancellor’s International Scholarships, are designed to support the university’s international community and to ensure that the university continues to attract the most talented students from across the world.

The Chancellor’s International Scholarships are available across the full range of the university’s full-time undergraduate and postgraduate taught degree programmes, including business, computer science, engineering, life sciences, psychology, pharmacy, art and design, film, music and media, humanities and law.

To be eligible, students should have been assessed as “overseas” for fee purposes, they should have met the university’s academic and English language entry requirements and should have an offer of admission from the university. A downloadable application form is available at www.herts.ac.uk/international.

Students who have not yet applied to the university but would like to be considered for the scholarship should contact one of the university’s official representatives in India for further information.

They can get the contact details from the university’s website (www.herts.ac.uk).

Q:What is the selection procedure for these scholarships?

The Chancellor’s International Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and the potential and ability to make a significant contribution to the University of Hertfordshire community.

Applicants must fill out an application form (downloadable at www.herts.ac.uk/international), provide details of their previous academic qualifications and attach a supporting statement outlining relevant work experience, extracurricular activities, what they expect to gain from the opportunity to study at the University of Hertfordshire, and how this would contribute to their career aspirations.

Q:What is the fee structure for international students ?

The fee for undergraduate courses (BSc, BA, LLB, bachelors and masters in English, and MPharm) is £8,500. There is a discount of £500 if the full amount is paid at the time of registration. The cost for taught masters courses (MA, MSc, LLM) and for enrolling in an MPhil or a PhD (postgraduate research) programme is around £9,500 and the same discount of £500 applies at the time of registration. The Chancellor’s International Scholarships will be payable on enrolment through a fee deduction of £2,000 from the first year overseas tuition fee. This scholarship is, however, not applicable for postgraduate research. Living expenses would amount to another £130 per week.

Source: The Telegraph (Kolkata,India)