Postgraduate: IELTS

 Hello, Everyone.

When I first heard that I needed to take the IELTS exams, I felt a bit daunted, to be honest. I always imagined that it would be hard, confusing, etc.

And oohhh boy, was I right, hahahahaha.

If you are in Malaysia, there are a few options that you can choose where to take your IELTS exams. But first, you need to understand the type of IELTS test that you need in order to apply for postgraduate.

Type of IELTS test:

1. IELTS Academic (RM795) - you need this if you are intending to study in an English speaking country.
2. IELTS General Training (RM795) - you need this if you wish to study at below degree level, work in an English speaking country or your own country and emigrate to an English speaking country
3. IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) (RM895) - this is specific for the UK, if you wish to study, work or emigrate there.

So, usually for postgraduate reasons, you would need the IELTS Academic test. This test will take overall 2 hours and 45 minutes.

You may choose to take the IELTS test from a few providers in Malaysia. I've have listed below two of the main providers I came across:

• British Council
• IDP Malaysia

Now, for the IELTS Academic Test, it is broken down into 4 Parts.

• IELTS Academic test Part 1: Listening Tasks (30 min)
• IELTS Academic test Part 2: Reading Tasks (60 min)
• IELTS Academic test Part 3: Writing Tasks (60 min)
• IELTS Academic test Part 4: Speaking Tasks (10-14 min)

It sounds a bit complicated, right? Hahaha. Don't worry, there are plenty of sites that allows you to take mock/ trial tests before the actual test date. Here's a few I found:

• British Council - if you rajin surf the site, BC actually provides resources to help you prepare for your IELTS. Click here.  
• IELTS.org Click here.
• IELTS Online Practice Test. Click here.

I highly recommend that you do a few mock tests to be familiar with how the conduct the test and parts. I took mine in October 2022 via computer. Took the morning slot at 9 am, and I finished Part 4 slightly after 1pm.

I had my IELTS test at the British Council IELTS test centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Address:

British Council Kuala Lumpur

Ground Floor, West Block

Wisma Golden Eagle Realty

142C Jalan Ampang

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +60 3 2723 7900

Fax: +60 3 2713 6599

Its located near the KLCC intersection in the same compound as the Selangor Dredging office or right next to NZ Curry House KLCC.

The results came out within 5 days, and I headed down to BC on the weekend to collect the hardcopy result. Please note that they will only print one copy. However if the university you are applying for requests a copy be sent to them, you may inform BC and they will send a copy to the university directly (free for first 5 copies). 

Hope this helps. If you need further info, just drop me a comment below, and will try to help where I can.

Toodles~

Love,
Me~

Postgraduate: What's next?

 Hello, Everyone.

Alright, so in this post I will share what are the first few things you would need to consider in moving forward with your postgraduate (Masters) plans.

First thing you would need to do is to submit your Masters application. In order to do that, you should do a bit of research on the programme, university and country you're interested in, before submitting your application.

A good basis, would be to refer to the latest QS University World Rankings or Times Higher Education World University Ranking where you can see which university ranks highest, or even based on your selected programme.

Once you have done that, you can then list down what are the necessary entry requirements that you would need to fulfill to submit a successful application. I have roughly listed down some of the information down here, for a guideline, but I would advise you study your respective university's entry requirements as it may differ from one university/ country to another.

1. A previous degree or professional experience - some universities would list the minimum CGPA from your previous experience. For instance, University of Queensland (UQ) requires a minimum of 2.67 CGPA for the Masters in Governance and Public Policy.
2. English language requirements (IELTS/ TOEFL/ GMAT for USA etc) - this would also differ across universities. UQ, for instance, requires their international students to obtain a overall 6.5 for IELTS(min reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6). And the examination test should be within the previous 1-2 years. Any longer than that, than you may need to retake the IELTS.
3. Have at least two professional references - kindly inform your referees on your intention to nominate them as your referees, as the university in most occasions will contact them for verification
4. Have a personal statement - this would generally state why you wish to apply for the programme, your experience, career background, etc.
5. Scan and have on hand all the relevant documents you need to submit - academic certificate and transcript, valid passport (scan the biopage), updated CV, English test result (IELTS/ etc), work reference letter (not necessary, but in some instances quite helpful)
6. Pay an application fee - depending on which university you are applying to. Some universities offer a waiver, so please check beforehand, and if payment is required, then make sure you have the funds needed. Like UK, the university's charge GBP50 for application fee. And for Australia, you may request for a waiver from some universities, but it won't be offered upfront. You would need to study the university website if they offer that option, and apply for it.

Also, you need to watch out the application deadlines for the respective universities. The cut-off time differs, depending which semester you are going for (whether Semester 1 or Semester 2 or some unis offer Semester 3), which country (UK generally have their semesters in Sept, Jan and April, while Australia has their in February and July, with options of Summer Semester). So keep these dates in mind, when applying and give yourself ample time to plan your visa application (which generally takes around 3-4 weeks for processing time) and subsequent move.

Once you have done all that and submitted your application, then just sit back and wait for the university to revert.

If the university is satisfied with all the information you provided, they will issue you a unconditional offer letter. Now, you would need this in order to continue the next step of getting a student visa.

However, in some instances, the university would give you a conditional offer letter. 

Now, please try your level best to provide all the necessary additional information that the university asks. Because you would need the unconditional approval letter, in order to apply for your visa (and for your dependents if you are coming with family). Especially for those coming under the JPA HLP, then yes, you would need the unconditional offer letter to proceed with your HLP agreement with JPA.

In my experience, applying to get into a programme is relatively easy and straight to the point, given that you have ALL the documentation ready. I found that the tough part for my case  was actually applying for the student visa later on. But will share that in a later post.

Alright, sambung later.

Take care and stay safe,

Toodles~

Love,
Me~

Preamble

 Hello, Everyone.

Maybe I will need to provide some background info for those who happen to drop by this blog of mine. To provide some sort of perspective of this journey of mine, and the information/ stories I share here.

I'm from Malaysia. A woman in her mid-40s with a husband and 3 primary-aged kids. I have been working in the Malaysian civil service for the past 18-odd years or so, holding multiple portfolios in multiple ministries.

Being in the service, as all civil servants who fulfills the criteria, I was eligible and successful in applying for the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (Federal Training Grant), alhamdulillah. And to my surprise (although I shouldn't be since I applied for it 😝, but maybe it was from the shock of actually being successful after a few failed attempts!), my application to undertake my postgraduate overseas was approved. 

Syukur Alhamdulillah!

Please bear into mind, this wasn't my first time applying for it. (I think) This was like my... fourth time applying for it? Went for interviews twice (but failed, bummer), and the third time I applied, but wasn't able to attend the interview, due to work commitments.

So... fourth time's a charm!

I applied sometime in May or June 2021. Underwent the interview on August 5, 2021, and the results came out on October 16, 2021. Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA)(Public Service Department - PSD) had the briefing to all successful candidates on November 20, 2021. 

So all in all, the whole process took around 6 months, give or take.

That was the easy part (I think). Then came down to shortlisting the universities and countries I was interested in. Mind you, PSD requires their overseas candidates to select and list based on priority three (3) countries/ universities, and they would make the final decision.

So yeap. After much consideration, I listed 1) Australia, 2) UK and 3) New Zealand as my top 3 countries. And PSD ultimately agreed for Australia as my study destination.

I plan to move (temporarily) there with my husband and kids. Uprooting everyone and getting everything sorted in between is no joke, and an adventure on itself.

So there it is. Just some background or intro on the whole story behind this blog.

I (hope) to later on share the details on my preparations, applying for universities, visa, kids schooling, medical checkup, biometrics and other things that come along on the way.

I'm still in Malaysia as of this post. So Hopefully, once things progress more, will have things to share and update.

Till then, toodles~

Love,
Me~

Making the jump!

So this is it! I'm finally making the jump!

After weeks of contemplating as to should I do this... or shouldn't I, I felt that I really needed to do this.

To document this journey. If not for my own keepsake and for memories, but maybe... just maybe, my sharing would help those out there embarking on the same journey I am.

So here I am. 

I hope to document every process, steps, challenges and (maybe) memories of the adventure that my family and I will be embarking on soon.

In the meantime, will keep this blog in cooler and bring it out once I'm ready.

Toodles!~

Love,
Me~