Off to Study Abroad!
- Giao Nguyễn
- Sep 30, 2023
- 5 min read
Hi everyone!
As I type this, I’ve been wandering the charming streets of England for about two weeks (and by the time I finish, it’ll be even longer!). Before the flight, I scribbled down some thoughts to share about my adventure studying abroad, especially for those who, like me, have a serious case of wanderlust. Let’s dive in!
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1. About the Course
Design is all about hands-on experience; it’s a field where teaching is learning. I’ve noticed that many designers often feel drained by the relentless cycle of commercial projects throughout their careers. It’s like a constant tug-of-war between keeping up with market demands and carving out space for personal creativity. So, when I decided to slow down and dig deeper into my field, I set my sights on the UK, where master’s programs are condensed into just one year.
When choosing a program, many folks look at university rankings and zero in on the top schools. I took it a step further by considering tuition fees, scholarships, and the quality of student projects. After some thorough online research and a bit of “low-key stalking” on Instagram to check out past students’ work, I narrowed it down to three exciting universities with wallet-friendly tuition: Birmingham City University, Nottingham Trent University, and Kingston University London. All three are located in central or southern England, where the sun seems to shine a bit more often and they’re close to major economic hubs.
After months of preparation and anticipation, I’m thrilled to be studying for my MA in Furniture and Product Design at the School of Art and Design at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
2. About Scholarships
If you’re not too worried about costs but need a quick decision, I highly recommend applying for a scholarship from Birmingham City University. They automatically consider your application based on your grades and undergraduate degree—no essays or video pitches required! You can expect an offer letter and scholarship decision within just 10-15 days. However, keep in mind that the maximum scholarship amount is capped at £2,000 for first-class honors and £1,500 for second-class honors.
For those feeling lucky with their scholarship applications and visa processes, consider Kingston University London! They offer a single scholarship worth £5,000 for international students. After submitting your application, if you receive an offer before the scholarship deadline (within 15-20 days), you can still submit a video application and wait another 30 days for results.
If you want to secure your scholarship while allowing ample time for visa applications, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) might be your best bet. Their processing time is around 10-15 days, with multiple scholarship rounds available for early applicants. The results come in about 15-20 days—I was lucky enough to receive the NTU International Merit Scholarship!
3. Application Materials
For design students, here’s what you typically need to prepare:
(a) Personal Statement: 300-500 words detailing your relevant experiences and reasons for wanting to join the course.
(b) Portfolio: 10-20 pages showcasing your previous projects—most schools also ask for 3-5 pages of hand sketches.
(c) Resumé: Include education, work experience, volunteer work, awards, and references.
(d) Reference Letters: From two referees—ideally one academic and one professional.
Crafting these documents was an adventure in itself! I spent a week organizing my portfolio followed by another week getting feedback from friends and family before polishing it up.
4. Visa Application Process
If this is your first time studying abroad, I strongly suggest finding a consultancy that can help you navigate the visa application process. While you'll still need to gather all your documents yourself, their expertise can save you from potential pitfalls.
5. Getting There
This part is brief but worth mentioning! I flew with Vietnam Airlines from Vietnam to England. While there are direct flights from Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai airports to London Heathrow, they can be rare—so book at least a month in advance!
The train ride from Nottingham to London takes about two hours. If you're starting at NTU during your first year, the university provides coach tickets from Heathrow Airport to Nottingham's bus station—a magical experience that felt straight out of Harry Potter!
6. Language Skills
Nottingham is home to many international students, so during my first week here, I found myself laughing through tears as everyone spoke Vietnamese on the streets! To prepare myself for classes, I signed up for several orientation events at school to practice my English with fellow students.
Listening to lectures has been surprisingly manageable since professors are used to having international students in class—they adjust their speaking pace accordingly!
I took various language courses before arriving: IELTS classes at CEFALT (HCMC), an online course with ila, and one-on-one sessions with Ian Monty at vietnamenglish.vn—each had its unique benefits!
6, Feeding the Soul
I bet you've seen a gazillion bloggers talk about money and skills for studying abroad. But as a designer in the trenches, I've realized nurturing my inner world is just as crucial. So, here's my not-so-secret recipe for spiritual prep:
Ukulele Jams: I've been strumming more often (looks chill, but there's a method to the madness, haha).
Art for Art's Sake: More doodling and creating stuff that has zip to do with work.
Beach Therapy: Hitting the waves whenever I can.
Nature Immersion: Spending quality time in nature.
The goal? Breaking free from the never-ending work hamster wheel and reconnecting with those values we all know are important but often forget in the daily hustle. It's about rediscovering what really matters, right?
I think these little things are worth tossing into your travel prep mix. After all, who knows what wild adventures life's got in store for us? Maybe it's these seemingly small choices that'll lead to the biggest surprises on your journey. So, while you're packing your bags, don't forget to pack some soul food too!
7. First Impressions of NTU
My first impression? The warm welcome from everyone at NTU! Regardless of where you’re from or what issues you face, staff members are patient listeners with smiles on their faces.
The creative departments are housed in the stunning Gothic-style Arkwright building—a historical gem dating back to 1877 that has served as a library and museum! On my first day? You guessed it—I got lost despite asking staff for directions!
The university organizes an array of welcome events throughout September for new students—think global lounges buzzing with languages from around the world! Plus there’s a gym for winter workouts and Boots Library filled with books galore.
Even though I'm still in the early weeks of my MA program in Furniture and Product Design, the curriculum already seems well-structured. We kicked off our Major Study Project right away alongside courses like Design Tools and Design Research Methods.
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I hope this gives you a lively glimpse into my preparations for studying abroad! There’s so much more I’d love to share but writing takes time—and we all have assignments waiting! Cheers!
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