<p>I'm really interested in going to the UK to do a yearlong masters program after graduation. I've looked at programs at LSE and Cambridge and found some I really like. I'm only a sophomore but I'm graduating a year early at the end of next year. A lot of kids from Northwestern have gone to do these programs on fellowships post-graduation, and I'm planning to apply for some of those fellowships. I wanted to know though, is it unusual for American students to enter a M.Phil program without funding? Is it financially feasible? I'm looking to do this prior to applying to medical school, if that makes a difference. My undergrad is in psychology and bio, but I'm interested in a range of social sciences and so I'm not necessarily targeting a specific field.</p>
<p>Uh, well I am doing it…or at least, hope to be doing it.</p>
<p>I have applied exclusively overseas - hoping to do a one year program, then go onto law school. I also have quite a few friends who went to LSE and ended up later at law school, more grad school, etc… So it’s pretty normal to hear of people doing one year programs to boost their resume, or give them a taste of academia…then go onto other careers.</p>
<p>The funding issue is super tricky. Most likely, you won’t get funding. If you want to try for funding - make sure to apply as early as possible! Yes, you will get into debt when you go [and the UK 'aint cheap!]… however, hopefully once you get a better paying job down the line it will pay itself off.</p>
<p>Also - look at Fellowships, scholarships, etc… LSE has a specific Fulbright grant and they have other overseas scholarships.</p>
<p>I am not familiar with the systems in place at LSE or Cambridge (or wherever you said you were applying…), but as far as I am aware the M.Phil is not a one year masters program. My understanding is that the M.Litt is the one year program, which is mostly taught, involves a masters thesis, and takes a full year to complete. The M.Phil is a two year research course that is kind of like a mini PhD. It is the one-year program that is the general equivalent to the American “Masters.” Make sure to look carefully at the programs you’re applying to because in the UK there is more than one kind of masters program (my uni has 3 different degrees under the heading of “Master,” which are absolutely not equal in rank)</p>
<p>As far as funding is concerned, you will need to apply far in advance. Finding funding as a non-UK citizen will make the process more difficult. However, while the tuition fees will be higher for non-UK citizens, I believe that they will still be lower than fees at a comparable American institution. So if you can afford to pay for grad programs, you may make it okay without the funding.</p>
<p>I’m going to add a question here, I do apologize if it’s out of place. It seems like the original poster and the person who first responded know about some system or normal way in which US undergrads can get some type of graduate degree in the UK. Is this something that happens through your US universities, or is this a standard track you can take, just like finding a job, applying to US graduate schools, doing a teaching or gap year activity, etc.?
I don’t know how precisely how this would fit into my plans, because any future education I get will be graduate school somewhere; I’m not “pre” anything. I’ve been fascinated for a while with the idea of studying in the UK, and have done a lot of research on my own, thus discovering and learning about all these curious M.blah degrees. I’m still not sure I understand those, to be honest.</p>
<p>^I did that quite extensively…met with basically every possible study abroad office, went to multiple info sessions…turns out it’s not feasible for a variety of reasons, but I certainly gave it my best shot.</p>
<p>It’s a very good suggestion in general, though, so thanks.</p>
<p>Overseas students rarely get funding. It is not unusual for a student to study at the colleges you named and not receive funding. It will be very expensive, however, especially considering the exchange rate. </p>
<p>If you will be attending medical school, I suggest looking for similar programs in the US, and the funding available for such programs. Medical school is not exactly inexpensive. Of course, the theory is at least, you will make it up in salary afterwards.</p>