MSc in Physics for Indian BSc Student: Eligibility & Admission

AI Thread Summary
An Indian BSc Physics Honours student is seeking information on pursuing an MSc in Physics in the UK, specifically regarding eligibility, admission processes, and funding opportunities. Concerns were raised about the three-year duration of the BSc in India compared to UK degrees, which are also typically three years. It was clarified that while funding for master's degrees is rare, some international funding opportunities may exist depending on the university. The discussion highlighted differences in degree structures between the UK and Scotland, emphasizing that BSc Hons programs can vary in length and depth. Overall, the student is encouraged not to worry excessively about eligibility based on degree duration.
radhikak
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Hi All,
I am a BSc Physics Honours student at the University of Delhi in India. I am interested in pursuing an MSc in Physics from a good university in the U.K. I am looking for information regarding the univs offering MSc in Physics, TA's/RA's /funding for foreign students, information on eligibility and the admission process. One of my concerns is whether i would be eligible for admission as BSc in India is a three year course.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
 
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I'm not sure I can be much help, since your question is very general, and may depend on what specifically you want to study. Some general answers, though: I wouldn't worry about eligibility, since BSc degrees in the UK are only 3 years long as well. As for TA/RA grants: they don't exist for master's degrees in the UK. You might be lucky and get some international funding, but this will depend on the university and department. I haven't heard of anyone get funding for a masters degree, but that isn't to say you won't be able to.. just that it's uncommon.
 


A BSc is 3 years in the UK, but a BSc Hons (which is what radhikak speaks of) is 4 years. I do see occasional MSc Studentships being advertised - though usually not from any of the 'top' UK Universities - and I'm not sure if they include funding for International Students.
 


Noo said:
A BSc is 3 years in the UK, but a BSc Hons (which is what radhikak speaks of) is 4 years.

Erm.. no it's not! E.g. http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/course.php?code=000281

The only difference between an honours degree and an ordinary degree is the number of credits/units (or whatever they're called at your university) taken per year. In an ordinary degree, one takes a couple of courses less per year, but both take 3 years.
 


Noo said:
A BSc is 3 years in the UK, but a BSc Hons (which is what radhikak speaks of) is 4 years. I do see occasional MSc Studentships being advertised - though usually not from any of the 'top' UK Universities - and I'm not sure if they include funding for International Students.

A four year undergraduate degree is an undergraduate masters, or MSci/MPhys, which is designed to help prep you for research.
 


calvinuk said:
A four year undergraduate degree is an undergraduate masters, or MSci/MPhys, which is designed to help prep you for research.

No - it's not. Not in Scotland, at least. BSc Hons is a 4 year course - 5 years for Masters.

[QUOUTE=cristo]The only difference between an honours degree and an ordinary degree is the number of credits/units (or whatever they're called at your university) taken per year.[\QUOTE]

Again - in Scotland at least - there is a difference beyond that. There are Honours routes, studying similar subject matter in greater depth. Students usually split after 2 years (although sometimes prior) into those who are likely to proceed to honours and those who arent.
 


Noo said:
Again - in Scotland at least - there is a difference beyond that. There are Honours routes, studying similar subject matter in greater depth. Students usually split after 2 years (although sometimes prior) into those who are likely to proceed to honours and those who arent.

But that's in Scotland, which is a completely different education system again, since one leaves school a year earlier than the rest of the UK. I had assumed the OP was asking about the majority of the UK, and not a minority.

In the majority of the UK, the system is as I described above.
 


I had assumed he asked of the UK - not England.
 


Noo said:
I had assumed he asked of the UK - not England.

If you assumed he meant the UK why was your answer solely about Scotland?

Both of our responses were on England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; the UK, minus Scotland of course.
 
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I got funding for a masters, but I'm old enough to come from a time when such things were possible.
 
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