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Making the most of attending an education fair
Visiting university representatives at an education fair is an increasingly important part of choosing where to study for a postgraduate qualification. Tim Rogers, international marketing consultant for the QS World Grad School Tour – the leading series of international postgraduate education fairs - outlines some of the key areas students must consider when attending an education fair.
The advent of the Internet and a whole host of institutional and generic advisory websites have reduced much of the need for face-to-face contact with counsellors and academics from individual universities. But the opportunity to talk to someone in person should never be passed by. It might be the best, or indeed the only, chance you have for gathering a valuable insight into what will be a life-changing decision to go and study for a postgraduate qualification in your own country or overseas.
Education fairs, like trade events of many kinds, have been an established way of meeting universities and their representatives for many years. Arranged and promoted by commercial and governmental organisations alike, education fairs provide an exciting format for potential students and universities to meet one another. A new type of education fair, however, is now emerging as a more dynamic and worthwhile format for those seeking Masters and PhD degrees. The QS World Grad School Tour will provide an opportunity for potential students and institutions to meet each other in September, October and November this year in 29 cities across Europe, Asia and North and Latin America.
"Preparation is essential if you want to make the most of your opportunity of meeting a university representative or admissions counsellor."
Preparation is essential if you want to make the most of your opportunity of meeting a university representative or admissions counsellor. What you must try and avoid at an education fair is pitching up with no clear idea of the questions you want to ask and the type of information you want to get. All events of this kind are well publicised ahead of time and have clear attendance lists for participating institution so you know who’s going to be there before you arrive.
So, how do you prepare? Well, the first thing you must do is explore the range of programmes on offer at the institutions participating in the fair at your local venue. Make sure you have either a paper copy of their prospectus or view book, or at least access to their online course catalogue so that you can review the type of programme available in the subject area you are interested in. Pay particular attention to how the programme is structured, how it is taught – whether by lecture or by seminar - and who teaches on the programme.
Broader issues around choosing the right institution for your postgraduate degree also have to be taken into account. Though experience of international education is in itself a good thing to have on your resume, prospective employers tend to have a more sophisticated approach and look for qualifications from recognised and academically respectable institutions. Make sure the institution you’re interested in is well known and, in both a national and international context, recognised and accredited. Your qualification will need to be transportable and valid wherever you decide on settling.
Above all else, do your homework on costs. If financial aid is your primary concern, ensure that your background research has established which institutions offer financial aid and which do not. Fees for masters and PhD programmes vary enormously from subject to subject, institution to institution and country to country. Additionally, consider the cost of living related to the institution you are interested in. Are there opportunities to take loans or offset some of the costs by working and studying at the same time.
When you’re at the fair, locate the institutions you are particularly interested in on the floor plan (always provided) and make your way to see them. Be patient, as some fairs can be particularly busy, and wait your turn to talk to one of the representatives. Present your questions clearly and concisely – offer information on your background only when asked and if you have certificates with you, keep them in your bag until they’re needed – and take notes if you think this will help you. Don’t forget to take the opportunity to assess the people you are talking to – are they interested in you and your questions? Can they answer your questions? Do they seem professional? Meeting people face-to-face like this is as much about you making a judgement as it is about them providing you with relevant and comprehensive information. Ask for a business card to follow up any queries you may have when you’ve left.
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