Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a postgraduate degree from a US university just by doing independent research?
No. Master's and PhD's in the US require you to complete at least 1-2 years of taught coursework before pursuing independent research. If you just want to do independent research then consider applying as a non-degree student or visiting scholar.

How can I find out which universities are best for my subject?
A good university will offer you the degree programme you want, with courses, facilities, faculty and funding that can support and develop your research interests. With over 1,700 universities offering postgraduate degrees there will be many 'good' programmes in your field, often from institutions you have not heard of before. There is no official ranking of graduate schools in the US although unofficial rankings for a number of subjects are published. These unofficial rankings usually shed little light on the typical graduate student experience at the university and a wise student does not use rankings as a shortcut to doing thorough research into suitable programmes. A more reliable source of information and advice will be your professors and peers who have studied in the US. You will also find that universities and their faculty members are mentioned in academic articles and professional journals, enabling you to find out who is leading the field in your subject area. Internet access also makes it easy to research postgraduate programmes and to contact professors and current graduate students in the US. You should apply to the graduate programmes that best fit your needs.

What are the GRE General and GRE Subject Tests?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is a 3 - 4 hour, multiple choice aptitude test. The test assesses verbal reasoning, analytical skills and quantitative ability and is required by the majority of graduate schools for arts and science subjects. Some universities also require a subject test to be taken in your proposed area of study, e.g. literature, computer science, etc.

The GRE general test is only available in the UK on computer. The computer-based test is adaptive, which means that test takers will receive weighted, harder or easier questions depending upon how they are performing on the test. Plan to be at the centre for up to four and a half hours.

GRE subject tests are only available as paper-based tests. Because of limited testing dates those students who need to take them should plan well in advance.

Preparation aids for the GRE general test are available at EAS, including test preparation books for sale or reference use as well as software which simulates the GRE computer-adaptive test conditions for use in the Fulbright Technology Centre. Preparation books for the GRE subject tests are available for reference use only.

How important is the GRE and how well do I have to do?
Graduate schools in the US very rarely demand a certain score in the test and few universities will reject an applicant for a poor GRE score alone. As a general rule, GRE scores will be examined within the context of the entire application, so that your performance on the GRE becomes less important the better the other elements of your application, i.e. classification of your undergraduate degree, academic/professional references and written statement of purpose. The different sections of the test will also vary in importance depending on the subject area for which you are applying, so for example scores on the maths section of the test will be less important for English literature students than for economics students.

What are my chances of getting financial aid?
This will depend on your subject area and where you plan to apply, as realistically, you should look to the universities for funding. The EAS reference library has a number of directories on independent funding organisations. The Directory of Graduate Programs and the Peterson's Guides to Graduate Study, available for reference at EAS, indicate which university departments offer financial aid to postgraduate students.

What are my chances of being fully funded by a university?
This will depend on the university department. Financial aid does not always cover full costs so you should apply to other sources of assistance as well. First year students are less likely to receive assistance, while some universities may restrict their funding to US citizens and residents. There are three main forms of university financial aid available. The first is a teaching assistantship. For 20 hours a week you may help a professor with lectures, taking class discussions, grading exam papers or teaching undergraduates. The second is a research assistantship whereby a student will help with departmental or professorial research projects. An assistantship will typically cover the cost of tuition and fees for a year and may include a stipend for living expenses. The third form is a fellowship, which is normally awarded to students admitted onto Ph.D. programmes. They entail no work responsibilities and may cover the cost of tuition and fees plus a stipend. Full fellowship support for the duration of a programme is rare and will generally be combined with an assistantship. All aid is awarded on a year-by-year basis but should be forthcoming if the minimum grade is maintained. Occasionally university scholarships may be available for postgraduate students.

Will I need to take the TOEFL if English is not my native language?
If you have completed your degree in an English-speaking country, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) will usually be waived upon request. However, if most of your coursework is not essay-based you may wish to submit a TOEFL score to strengthen your application, particularly if you are applying for a teaching assistantship.

How can I get further information about US universities if it is difficult for me to come to London?
1) If you have questions about the application process you are welcome to email or call EAS. Once you have received application forms, EAS provides an essay review service that can be conducted over the telephone if necessary, although in-person is preferred. Please call EAS for further details.

2) If you need to research university programmes you may want to visit one of the Regional Information Centres or Secondary Information Centres that EAS supports across the UK for those unable to visit EAS in London. These centres hold Peterson’s annual guides to graduate study and other guides and directories. Regional Information Centres hold directories for the current year, while Secondary Information Centres hold directories for the previous year. Please note that Regional and Secondary Information Centres DO NOT respond to telephone or postal inquiries, but are open to all visitors interested in US postgraduate study, not just individuals from the institution where they are housed. The five Regional Information Centres are located at the careers services of the University of Edinburgh; University of Wales, Swansea; University of Manchester; The Queen’s University of Belfast and Belfast Central Library. Secondary Information Centres are located at the careers services of the University of Dundee; University of Birmingham; University of Hull and the University of Ulster – Magee College.