IMESS How to Apply

FAQs - The Application Process 

My English language test and/or the results won’t be available until after the submission deadline – can I still apply?

You are still able to apply pending later submission of your English language certificate but in this case you will, assuming your application is of sufficiently high quality, receive an offer from UCL conditional on your providing the language certificate. However, since language competence is an important selection criteria for the award of IMESS scholarships, you are unlikely to receive maximum marks in this part of the assessment. Additionally, if your language certificate is not received by April/May, it is unlikely that there will be time to secure your visa for entry into the UK. 

Where can I find out more about the English language requirements?

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme. The UCL regulations on this are strict and clearly explained. We require a ‘good’ level. 

Do I have to sit a IELTS test if I already have a qualification in English Language or my language of instruction has been in English?

There is a section on the UCL Application form for you to evidence any recent experience of, instruction in, or study of English language. Please include any transcripts or certificates with your application to support this. The UCL Registry will evaluate each application on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the academic criteria for admission but not the language proficiency, you may be issued with a conditional offer letter, meaning that admission to UCL and the IMESS Programme will be dependant on your taking an IELTS test (or any other test that is recognised by UCL) and receiving results to a ‘good’ level. Please consult the UCL website for details. 

What is the name of the department to which I am applying?

You are applying to UCL SSEES (School of Slavonic and East European Studies) 

Do I have to apply to UCL and the second year university?

No, as the coordinating partner of the IMESS consortium, UCL receives all the applications. Firstly they are assessed by the UCL Registry and then they are considered by the consortium admissions committee. In order that your application is considered, you must answer the IMESS Supplementary Questionnaire very carefully.

How do I submit my references when I apply online?

When you apply online you will be asked to enter the details of each of your referees. UCL will automatically contact your referees with a request to upload an electronic reference, once you have submitted your application. We advise applicants to inform their referees that they have submitted their IMESS application and that they should expect a reference request, as some do go astray to spam folders. 

It is not possible to attach existing references to an online application, referees must upload their references using the link sent to them in the UCL reference request e-mail. 

How do I submit my additional documents when I apply online?

If applying online, upload your transcript and English-language certificate under the relevant headings. 

What will happen if my references are provided after the deadline?

Your application is not complete, and will not be considered, until acceptable references have been received. References are very important in the scoring process for scholarship nominations. Reference requests are sent to referees once the online application has been submitted. Therefore, applicants must submit their applications at least two weeks before the deadline in order to give their referees enough time to upload their references. Applicants lacking complete references at that time will not be considered for the scholarship nomination process. Applicants may update their referees and re-send references via the online application system. 

I cannot upload some of the documents for my online application.

Make sure the document you are trying to upload does not exceed the maximum file size. If you are still unable to upload the documents please contact the IMESS administrator with your application reference number for help. Remember to include your applicant number and the track that you are applying for. 

What type of visa will I need?

Prior to starting year one in London, the IMESS consortium will provide support in obtaining a (Tier 4) visa to all overseas IMESS offer holders. In June, successful applicants who have accepted their unconditional offer of admission will receive a CAS number. A CAS is a unique 14 digit reference number, containing a mixture of letters and numbers that is given to you by UCL and confirms to the UK Border Agency that you are a genuine student. A CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued.

You should use your CAS to apply for a Tier 4 student visa no earlier than 3 months before the start date of your course. It is not possible to issue a CAS for students who have conditional offers. Where necessary the IMESS consortium will liaise with embassies and consulates. During year one the application process for the year two visa will begin.

See http://www.ucl.ac.uk/iss/immigration-visa for advice on visa related issues.

Do I need an English language qualification even though I completed a degree taught in English?

Not usually but it is recommended that you check this with the IMESS Administrator. 

I won’t graduate until after the application deadline – can I still apply?

This is the most common case for our applicants. If you are in the final stages of your undergraduate degree you may apply, but only if you are able to present your final transcript of marks/results by no later than 31 August. When you apply to UCL, you should provide your latest transcript details and all other application materials. If successful, you will be provided with an offer conditional on your graduating on schedule and with the appropriate grade. 

After Application

I have applied to IMESS already – when will I hear the results of my application? Will I receive an acknowledgement of receipt?

When students apply to IMESS, the applications are initially received by the UCL Registry. Online applicants will receive an automated acknowledgement via the UCL application portal. After an initial vetting by the UCL Registry to establish that the minimum admissions requirements are achieved, the applications are then passed to IMESS, where each applicant is individually assessed, by the IMESS Admissions Committee, according to robust and stringent admissions criteria. You should not routinely be expecting to hear from the IMESS admissions board until 4-6 weeks after your application has been received. If anything is missing from your application, however, we will contact you. After you have submitted your application, you can follow its status using the UCL applicant portal. Applicants can use the portal to:

track the status of their application, update their contact details, resend reference request, update or replace referee details if required, view their application and uploaded documents, withdraw their application, view their offer letter and conditions of offer, and respond to an offer. 

When and how will I hear the results of my application?

You will normally hear in two stages. First, you will hear – via the UCL applicant portal from the UCL Registry whether or not you have been offered a place on the programme. This is totally independent of any scholarship application you have made. Second, after the relevant deadline has passed, all of the qualifying applicants will have their applications assessed and scored by the admissions panel. All applicants, successful or otherwise, will then be contacted via email with the results of their application for a scholarship. This will normally be 4-5 weeks after the relevant deadline. Please do not contact the IMESS team requesting information on the status of your application for a scholarship during this period. Please note that we are not able to provide individual feedback due to the high number of applications. 

I have received an offer from UCL which I am asked to decline or accept. However, I need to know the outcome of my scholarship application before I can make a decision. What should I do?

The best course of action is to accept the offer from UCL. You can later change your decision once you hear about your scholarship application, if necessary.