MSc in Physics for Indian BSc Student: Eligibility & Admission

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the eligibility and admission process for an MSc in Physics for an Indian BSc student, with a focus on universities in the U.K. Participants explore various aspects including funding opportunities, the differences between BSc and BSc Hons degrees, and the general admission criteria for international students.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about eligibility for MSc programs due to the three-year duration of the BSc in India.
  • Another participant suggests that eligibility should not be a major concern since BSc degrees in the U.K. are also typically three years long.
  • Some participants note that TA/RA grants are uncommon for master's degrees in the U.K., although international funding may be available depending on the university.
  • There is a contention regarding the duration of BSc Hons degrees, with some stating they are four years and others arguing that they are three years, depending on the context and specific educational systems in the U.K.
  • Participants discuss the differences between ordinary and honours degrees, with some asserting that the distinction is based on the number of courses taken, while others highlight deeper academic routes in honours programs.
  • One participant mentions that they received funding for a master's degree in the past, indicating that such opportunities may have changed over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the duration and nature of BSc Hons degrees in the U.K., with multiple competing views presented. The discussion on funding opportunities also reflects uncertainty and differing experiences.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of educational systems across different regions of the U.K., particularly the distinctions between Scotland and the rest of the U.K. There are unresolved assumptions regarding the availability of funding for international students and the specific eligibility criteria for MSc programs.

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.
 
  • #10


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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