MSc Admissions Blog

Every year we welcome students from around 100 different countries. In order to participate fully in the collaborative learning process, it is essential that all students have an excellent command of the English language to study with us here at Cass. This short post is intended to provide you with advice on all aspects of taking the IELTS exam – from initially preparing to take the exam, to reporting your final score to Cass.

We hope you find this guidance useful!

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses the English language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. The IELTS assesses four core competencies: listening, reading, writing and speaking. According to the British Council, over 2 million people took the test last year! Continue Reading →

If you are thinking about submitting an application, but have not yet done so, you may wish to check out our advice on how to fill in the online application form. These slides (below) take you through the complete process, from setting up your login details to clicking on the final ‘submit’ button.

The application form and supporting documents are integral to the application process, and are used to assess your candidacy. It is therefore important that you clearly include the relevant information in order to best demonstrate your suitability for the course.

Tips for Filling in the Application Form

As always, please contact us if you require any further assistance.

Good luck!

The MSc Admissions Office is now closed for the Christmas break, and will be opening again on 5 January 2015. Please note that it is likely that we will be busy at the beginning of January, and it may therefore take slightly longer for us to respond to your emails. We thank you for your patience.

Stay tuned for more advice and information about the MSc courses in the new year.

Enjoy the holidays and Happy New Year!

Given that the GMAT is highly recommended for entry onto a number of our masters programmes, many of you may be in search of detailed GMAT-related guidance to help you prepare a strong application. This short post is intended to provide you with advice on all aspects of taking the GMAT: from initially preparing to take the test, to reporting your final test score to Cass. We hope you find this guidance useful!

What to expect from the GMAT test
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a three-and-a-half hour test, designed to allow graduates to showcase their suitability for a post-graduate business education. The GMAT assesses four core competencies which are vital for success at masters level study: analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative skills and verbal skills.

The GMAT: To take or not to take?
The GMAT is highly recommended for entry onto our Finance-group programmes and MSc Management. If you are unsure whether the GMAT is recommended for your chosen programme, then your first port-of-call should be to check the ‘entry requirements’ page for your chosen course. Continue Reading →

We get many queries from prospective students about their reference letters. These supporting documents are an important element of your application and it is crucial that you read our guidance carefully to ensure you provide valid references.

Choosing your referees

We require two reference letters for each student. Usually we would recommend that you provide one academic and one professional reference.

If you do not have any work experience, you may provide two academic references. Similarly, if you have been out of full-time education for at least two years, we can normally accept two professional references.

Please note that we cannot accept references from fellow students, friends or family – even if you have worked in a family business – as we cannot guarantee the impartiality of these. Continue Reading →

As you prepare your application for Cass Business School, we are sure that you are keen to sell yourself and demonstrate your suitability for your chosen course. One of the best ways to demonstrate your enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, a course or industry sector is through your personal statement and CV. A well-written personal statement and CV can help the admissions panel understand your motivation, which might not be conveyed through your degree transcript alone. In this post we give you some hints and tips for writing your personal statement and CV. Please remember that these two documents form part of your whole application file, and a successful application will also require a solid academic background that meets our requirements.

Personal Statement

• Be concise – We are often asked how long the personal statement should be. Ideally it should be 500-600 words, although there is no particular limit. It is better to be concise so the admissions panel can easily pick out the key points.

• Look to the future – The admissions panel use the personal statement to determine whether the course you have applied for is right for you. You should therefore address why you want to take the course, and what your future careers aspirations are. If you can, demonstrate how particular modules will help you in the field you wish to enter after graduating.

Continue Reading →

Applications for 2015 intake are now underway! Thanks to everyone who has applied online already – we are currently busy processing your applications. Over the next few months we will be providing you with tips and advice on the various components of the application, such as references, English proficiency and the GMAT, so keep our blog bookmarked for updates.

Following our successful on-campus Information Sessions for the Finance (including Quants) Group and Management Group of courses earlier this month, a number of attendees have requested a copy of the presentation slides. We have linked to them here so you can view them at your leisure. Choosing the right course is an important step before you begin your application, and we hope that these slides will be of use when making your decision.

Finance Group Presentation 6 Nov 2014

Management Group Presentation 6 Nov 2014

We have a number of additional on-campus Information Sessions coming up in the new year, as well as exhibitions, Masterclasses and one-to-one sessions abroad. Why not take a look at our website to check if we will be coming to a city near you? If you are not able to attend our events in person we also hold online infosessions so you don’t have to move an inch.

If you have any questions about our courses or the application process, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Admissions Officer. We look forward to hearing from you!

As I write this, the corridors of Cass Business School are abuzz with the sound of students; today is the Clubs and Societies Fair where students can sign up for the numerous opportunities available to take part in extracurricular activities, make new friends from all corners of the globe, and add valuable skills to their CVs. Everyone I have spoken to has expressed their excitement about starting their degree and the prospects for the year ahead, whether they be career-related or simply forging lasting friendships and getting to know a new, vibrant city. We wish everyone all the best in their studies!

If this makes you eager to start your application for our September 2015 intake, keep reading! We will be opening for applications around November – please keep an eye on our website for further details. However, before you rush into submitting an application think carefully about which course is best for you. You may wish to read our earlier post about how to pick the right course. It would be better to take some extra time to read about the courses available and how they will fit in with your career aspirations, than to rush into your application with little preparation and possibly end up on a course that is not right for you. Undertaking a Masters is a significant investment – make sure you understand your own objectives before applying. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend our upcoming Information Sessions, one-to-one sessions and exhibitions, where you can speak to our knowledgeable staff about the courses and admissions process.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the MSc Admissions Team for advice. Please note that, although we are not able to give you any indication of the potential outcome of your application at this stage, we can help you understand the admissions process and entry requirements. We look forward to hearing from you!