Frequently asked questions

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Can you tell me about the QS World Grad School Tour?

The QS World Grad School Tour is a graduate education fair offering prospective graduate students the opportunity to meet with Admissions Directors and other members of staff from international universities and colleges. The events are held over four hours, allowing you to meet universities face-to-face and ask questions that will enable you to make an informed choice about the your graduate program.  In some cities free seminars are offered on issues such as university rankings, application tips and career opportunities after masters and PhD programs.

QS Research indicates that potential graduate students consider direct contact with Admissions Directors as the very best way of exploring their study opportunities, making the QS World Grad School Tour a centrally important part of your decision making process.

How can I make the most of the fair?

Review the websites of the universities and colleges attending your local QS World Grad School Tour so that you have a good understanding of what they might be able to offer you: do they offer the program you are interested in?  What facilities do they have?  Can they offer you financial aid or a scholarship?

To really get the best out of the QS World Grad School Tour it is important that you prepare.  Make sure you have devised a number of questions that will help you make the right decision based on some preliminary research: what are the advantages of the program you are interested in?  Is the program being offered recognised internationally?  How employable will you be after graduation?

Make sure you arrive in plenty of time and allow yourself enough time to meet all the Admissions Directors and have your questions answered.  Many of the QS World Grad School Tour events are busy and so you need to plan on being patient so that you see all those universities you want to.

Why register now?

Attending the QS World Grad School Tour is free of charge.  We encourage you to register as soon as possible so that you are informed of any opportunities relevant to your graduate degree or specific program.  Pre-registration allows you to receive the monthly QS World Grad School Tour Newsletter and ensure that you satisfy one of the major requirements of the QS Scholarship for Innovation.

In addition, early pre-registration allows us to manage the events as professionally as possible so that we can inform schools of the number of candidates that will attend in order for them to prepare accordingly.  Pre-registration also enables universities and colleges to access your academic and personal details and invite you to specifically meet them at the QS World Grad School Tour.

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How do I qualify and apply for scholarships offered through the QS World Grad School Tour?

Pre-registering and attending one of the QS World Grad School Tour events qualifies you for more than $1.1 million worth of institutional and QS scholarships.  These awards are administered by the universities themselves but are offered in association with QS.  Once you attend one of the fairs you will be offered further information on the application and award process.

How do I apply for the specific QS Scholarship for Innovation?

The QS Scholarship for Innovation is offered annually to a candidate that has pre-registered for and attended one of the 40 QS World Grad School Tour events.  Only one award of this kind is available and is offered to a graduate student already in receipt of an offer of admission to a university or college.  The scholarship application requires the submission of an 800 word essay on the subject “How my graduate degree will equip me to make an innovative impact” along with supporting material such as any required admissions tests (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS) and proof of your offer of admission.  Only those students holding an offer from a university outside of their home country will be considered.  The QS Scholarship for Innovation has a deadline in April every year with the winner being announced in the middle of May.

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Which graduate programs can I find out about at the tour?

Depending on which of the top universities are attending your local QS World Grad School Tour venue, you will be able to learn about the full A to Z of academic programs offered at the masters and PhD levels.  If you keep an eye on your local newspapers and educational websites you will be able to see a complete list of universities that will attend your local venue and prepare questions accordingly for those programs that you are particularly interested in.

Do you run any seminars?

Seminars and presentations are offered at many of the QS World Grad School Tour events.  These tend to vary from venue to venue but include presentations on graduate program applications tips, advice on using world university rankings, tips on making the most of study abroad at top universities and individual university presentations on specific institutions and their programs.  Details are released before the QS World Grad School Tour event in your city, so keep an eye out for your local details.

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Which universities take part in the tour?

Each year a high proportion of the top universities appearing in the THES-QS World University Rankings travel with the QS World Grad School Tour.  Universities and colleges from more than 25 countries take part any many, known for their leading Masters and research programs, use the Tour as an integral part of their annual student recruitment strategies to secure the most talented students from around the world.  In 2006, universities as diverse at the Kings College London, the University of San Diego, the National University of Singapore, London School of Economics, Princeton, Maastricht, Pepperdine, Politecnico di Milano, EM Lyon, Yonsei, Malaya, St Andrews, Drexel and George Washington all attended a range of the city venues.