Doctoral studies in New Zealand or how to go to the ends of the world

More than once, I saw published articles on Megamind about the entry of doctoral programs to foreign universities, and finally I decided to add my experience to this piggy bank. On February 1, I will begin my studies as a PhD candidate in the field of electric power at Queen Victoria University, which is located in the capital of New Zealand - Wellington (Victoria University of Wellington).




Briefly about his academic and professional past. I graduated from my university with a degree program (5 years), majoring in Electrical Equipment and Ship Automation in 2012. At the end of my fifth year I received an invitation from a major oilfield services company, where I started my work in December of that year. At the same time, he went to the magistracy in the direction "Power and Electrical Engineering". That is, in fact, he worked full time at the company on a rotational basis and studied full-time at the master's program, which he successfully completed in 2014. I worked with hydraulic equipment, and I would continue my career, but in 2015, after all the financial turmoil in the country and my company, I decided to return to the field of electric power and electric drives and I quit to continue my studies under the doctoral program. Even before signing the contract with my employer, I saw two options for the development of events: either the academic environment or the field of research and development. In both cases, I needed a doctorate, so with the onset of the crisis in the industry, I decided to go this route.

I had my own reasons not to write a candidate in Russia (although I did offer it), so after leaving my office, I sent my stops to Moscow to pass the IELTS and prepare to move out of the country. Having received my results after two weeks (L7.5 / R7.0 / W6.0 / S6.5 / O7.0), which were enough to enter the university, I still decided to go to language courses in NZ, because I had to to improve the spoken and written part, and in general I understood that it was necessary to leave the country, to motivate, let’s say so. And two months after receiving the exam results, I was already in New Zealand, in Auckland.

Completely omitting the moment of studying in language courses, I began to search for the place of my new training. In general, I considered the universities of New Zeladnia only as an alternate aerodrome after Australian universities, but it turned out as it happened, and not to say that I am not happy with my place of residence at the moment. It is worth mentioning that I had savings, but not enough to pay for 4 years of study in a rather expensive country like New Zealand. Therefore, the only option was to receive a scholarship. Actually, I wrote to a professor from the University of Auckland who invited me for an interview. Interview with him, the mandate of the research proposal, then its revision and on a new one. Sending documents, resumes, translations of diplomas, letter of motivation, results of the English exam, letters of recommendation. As a result, After a while, Offer of place came to me. The problem was that there was no scholarship, for I was late with the summer round of scholarships for doctors. The option proposed by the professor was as follows. Start your studies, pay for the first year, and then apply for a scholarship. Doctoral studies for foreigners cost as much as for local about 7-8 thousand NZD. However, accommodation will cost about 15-20 k. Therefore, as you know, the option is very risky, if you fly with a scholarship, then it turns out that you are in a rather difficult financial trap. Doctoral studies for foreigners cost as much as for local about 7-8 thousand NZD. However, accommodation will cost about 15-20 k. Therefore, as you know, the option is very risky, if you fly with a scholarship, then it turns out that you are in a rather difficult financial trap. Doctoral studies for foreigners cost as much as for local about 7-8 thousand NZD. However, accommodation will cost about 15-20 k. Therefore, as you know, the option is very risky, if you fly with a scholarship, then it turns out that you are in a rather difficult financial trap.Be that as it may, it was a start. One option, although not the best from a financial point of view, was already.

Then I conducted an interview with the head. Department of Technical University of Auckland (AUT). The conditions are approximately the same, but instead of a scholarship, the rates of the teacher and researcher at the department. However, given that the university is very young and not listed in international rankings, it was decided not to waste time writing a proposal. At the same time, a project from Robinson Research Institute, which works together with Queen Victoria University, caught my eye. The standard procedure is to send a letter to the professor and after a couple of letters he gives the green light to submit an application. Everything is more or less standard and includes the following documents:
1. Letters of recommendation. Both from my department from the department head and his deputy, both in the past are supervisors of my graduation projects. No one called them to verify their accuracy, so normally written letters should be enough;
2. Expression of Research Interests Form, actually your cover letter. Approximately the same letter is usually sent to the professor. Why did you choose this university, project, etc .;
3. Qualifications and Experience Form. Academic and professional past, articles, conferences, other merits;
4. An example of your academic letter (article) of 2000 characters. I sent around 1700. There were no unnecessary questions.
5. Translated diplomas and their annexes;
6. Results of exams in English. Most universities require an average IELTS score of at least 6.5, and no lower than 6.0 in each part. But there are always exceptions like Harvard and Oxford.

I prepared the documents and sent them a week before the deadline, which was July 1. During the year, there are three dates for sending documents for admission: March 1, July 1 and November 1. A month later, a professor wrote to me and said that my application is currently being considered by the application committee, and he should conduct an interview with me to give them recommendations. It was decided to conduct an interview by phone, but because of his trip to Australia, a senior researcher from that Robinson Research Institute interviewed me. As it turned out there and with him I will work all this time. About an hour by phone and encouraging words that it will take another 4-5 weeks to wait for a decision. And actually a month later I received a letter stating that I was offered Offer of place & scholarship. The doctoral scholarship, as in all universities in the NZ, is 2000 NZD. Not the golden mountains but it’s quite possible to live, if not majorize. Next, apply for a visa, travel, student paperwork and waiting for the start of work.

I would be very happy if this article gives you an idea of ​​doctoral studies in the National Academy of Sciences, especially since this experience applies to many other countries. If you have any questions on the topic, I will be happy to answer them.

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