My life as a student at University of Glasgow

Rahul S. shares his experience at University of Glasgow.

Q :- You have been one of those highly respected lot of students who have been doing higher studies at University Of Glasgow how does it feel to be at University Of Glasgow UK?
A :- It’s really very good feeling as this is one of the best institute.

Q :- Please tell us about which course you are studying and why did you choose that course?
A :- I am doing M Sc. in Management. I chose this course because I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and also according to me M Sc. in management will help me more than doing MBA. I have completed my under graduation in Genetics.

Q :- Why did you choose the UK for higher education?
A :- I chose UK for higher education because in UK the course is only for 1 year and in other countries the course is for 2 years. The quality of the education is very good and in Glasgow I have a family friend who stays here so it was easier for me.

Q :- How is University Of Glasgow different than any other UK University based on whatever you have heard from your friends about
A :- There are 4 Universities in Glasgow and University of Glasgow is very old University and it’s one of the first four English Speaking University. The quality and the reputation are very high.

Q :- Are you happy with your decision?
A :- Yes I am happy with my decision.

Q :- Where do you live? On-campus or off-campus and why?
A :- I live off campus because it is cheap and the distance from campus to the University and the city center is very far, the place where I live near to the city center have lots of shops where I get the things needed very easily and cheap. It is the same distance what we have to travel from campus to the university and my place to the university.

Q :- Please share some of your experiences of the UK for aspiring students
A :- UK is very good place to live in from the job perspective right now it is difficult to get a job but then it depends on the grades that you get for the job here. I have few friends, who were my seniors, they got good job however there are few who did not get any suitable job yet so that depends. After completing the course we have 2 years post study work i.e. we have permission to work for 2 yrs. and according to the rules if we get a good job with a salary above 22000 pounds p.a., we can get the work permit easily, this is for those who are below 22 yrs. old by age, and for above 22years of age the salary cap they should have is 27000 pounds p.a. Here the salary depends on the age, the salary increases with age. Even for part time jobs those who are below 22 yrs. age they get the maximum 4 pounds and 83 pence /hr. and for those above 22 yrs. old they get around 5 pounds and 83 pence / hr.

Q :- How should students select the UK Universities? What are the important things to look at and compare among various Universities?
A :- Look out for the best Universities. In each University there will be one course that will be highly reputed; the student should give preference to the University depending on the course that he is planning to pursue and the quality of education. Fees are also a concern so they need to have budget. If they are planning to go abroad then it is good if they already know someone in that country because if the student doesn’t know any one then for first few months it will be very hard to survive or else they should stay on campus as the people there are helpful.

Q :- What’s your advice to students who aspire to go to the UK for higher studies?
A :- Choose your course and the University properly; also check the location where the university is actually located i.e. make sure that it is not far from the town because not all Universities are in town some are far from town and the students who are out there may face problems to get the things needed from shop, as there are no shops near to the University they have to travel a lot to get into the town for purchasing. Such Universities do give scholarship however please decide very well before choosing such University.

Q :- Other than academics, what else did you learn from the country UK?
A :- Other than academics it’s a very good place to live, the culture is very different, we learn to respect everyone. No pollution at all as there is less number of vehicles it is a very clean place.

Q :- How are the studies in the UK different than the studies in India?
A :- Study in India is like spoon feeding as we get each and every notes, books etc. to attend the classes is also compulsory however here the attendance is not compulsory, you need to collect the notes and you have to search for the journals by your own. We are given assignments which we have to complete in a month’s time for which we have to do lots of research work they do check the assignments and it should not be similar to other students.

Q :- Is it worth spending so much money to get a degree from the UK as compared to similar degree in India with lower costs?
A :- For me yes it is worth because University of Glasgow has its own reputation and I got good experience before selecting the University I thought of doing the course in India however I found it very much similar to the Engineering study. Education is good here and we learn to adapt in different country and new culture.

Q :- What’s your advice to parents of aspiring students?
A :- Parents really need to help their child while choosing the course and the University they should not think that let the student decide or if some of the students friends are going to abroad country then they should not decide on this behalf, instead of this they should search the information go to the consultants for guidance. In my case my Dad helped me a lot in selecting the University he came with me to the consultancy asked the doubts that he had and then we selected the University.

Q :- Key things to remember for parents and students while planning for the studies in the UK
A :- The students should not give much preference to part time job when they are doing the course, if they think that they can manage the job and study well then they can do it, however if they don’t get good grades then it will be difficult for them to get the job.

Q :- What are the 3 important things you learnt after you entered the UK?
A :- 1) Help yourself, 2) Respect everyone and 3) Study really hard to achieve your goal.

Q :- Did you see the movie 3 idiots? Do you relate to that movie? Please share your thoughts.
A :- I didn’t watch the movie however I have read the book 5 point someone because I thought it’s the same story, I will watch when I get time.

Q :- What are you future plans?
A :- After my course I will be looking for a job here in retail management and then after 2 years if I have good finance and the time is also suitable then I will plan for my MBA.

Q :- What are your views about the current economic environment in the UK? Has it changed anything for the students like you?
A :- 2 years back it was easy to find a job with good salary and to extend the visa however now there are job cuttings and it is very hard to get the job. Now it depends on us, if we are helpful to the company and we work really hard for them only then they will be ready to sponsor us to extend the visa. It is not a cake work to get a job in UK and to settle down without working really hard.

Q :- Any other advice to students and parents?
A :- No, not really.

Q :- Any other references you can give us who can answer similar interviews?
A :- Yes, her name is Jesintha Rose, she is here from last September she is also from Chennai, she is doing Life sciences.