Dubai is considered a diverse, dynamic and friendly city. She enjoyed learning the Arabic Language even though it was a mandatory requirement for her degree. She would have not been able to experience this opportunity anywhere else. When it comes to culture, even though Islam is the predominant religion in the city, Dubai comprises a myriad of different cultures, cuisines and ethnicities. Between India and the UAE, there are various cultural similarities including an appreciation for arts, flavourful cuisines, a focus on family values, etc., and many more.
Experience at the University of Birmingham, Dubai
This article features the story of Priyali Bathla and her experience as a student studying BSc Psychology with Business Management at the University of Birmingham, Dubai. She shares her experience of filling in tedious college applications for numerous months and undergoing the tension every time the application portal gets a status update. The only aim while choosing an institution was to find the one that fits perfectly with one’s ambition and persona.
Courses that match her interests and universities with diverse exposure
It is definitely a daunting task for a 17-year-old to pick the right foundation as one must go through the tears and grins of several rejections and acceptances. Before entering into the University of Birmingham, she did the International Baccalaureate program. She received her high school diploma from Pathways School, Gurgaon. She sensed a shortage of institutions within India that could offer her a combination of the given both: courses that match her interests in the field of social sciences and universities that provide international and culturally diverse exposure.
Her parents were extremely reluctant to send their teenage daughter miles away all by herself even though she had made up her mind to leave her home country to pursue higher education. While she was researching potential study-abroad options in the middle east, she initially discovered the Dubai campus of the University of Birmingham. The good Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking of the campus attracted her the most. Moreover, the faculty consists of some experts. Above all, the whole experience shared by the alumni gave an interesting picture of the campus.
Experience the best of her two interests – BSc Psychology with Business Management
The option of combining the two subjects that she wanted to pursue, that is, Psychology and Business made her choose the University of Birmingham. My course comprises two modules. For example, she is required to take several different modules in Psychology within the subject. Such modules would include Developmental psychology, Research methods, Psycho-biology, etc.
However, when it comes to business, she had taken two prerequisite modules so far which included Managing financial resources and Introduction to Marketing. The modules that have been offered cover a variety of fields in psychology and business. Therefore, this has allowed her to explore her interests. Moreover, she was also able to delve into the different aspects of the two different disciplines.
The University also provides labs, seminars, workshops, etc. Through these facilities, they are able to apply the theoretical knowledge that they gain during lecture hours in several engaging activities. Specifically, she chose this course specifically due to the breadth it offers. It offers breadth in terms of career paths. She also chose this course as her interests and competence lie within these two disciplines.
Receiving admission and scholarship from the University of Birmingham
Compared to most US and UK college applications, the process to apply to the University of Birmingham, Dubai was simple. She applied through a direct online portal and submitted all of her details. She also submitted her past academic qualifications, English proficiency scores, predicted grades, a personal statement and lastly, one letter of recommendation along with her application. Within a week of submitting her application, she received a response to her application. She did the entire process by herself.
The offer was made even better with the scholarships that the university offered her. She received her offer letter along with an academic scholarship. Based on her IB predicted grades (42/45), the University offered her a 30 per cent Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship. She also received a 10 per cent Advance Payment Award. Therefore, it totalled up to 40 per cent in the first year and 30 per cent in the second and third years. You are automatically considered for a scholarship at the University of Birmingham once you apply for admission.
You are considered for a scholarship purely on the basis of your academic qualifications. Depending upon your predicted and final grades, the Chancellor’s merit scholarship can range anywhere from 10 to 50 per cent. However, the students can also avail themselves of several other scholarships such as the STEM scholarship, Alumni Connections scholarship, Refer a Friend Scholarship, etc.
The Culture and Environment in Dubai – Diverse and Vibrant
Dubai is considered a diverse, dynamic and friendly city. She enjoyed learning the Arabic Language even though it was a mandatory requirement for her degree. She would have not been able to experience this opportunity anywhere else. When it comes to culture, even though Islam is the predominant religion in the city, Dubai comprises a myriad of different cultures, cuisines and ethnicities. Between India and the UAE, there are various cultural similarities including an appreciation for arts, flavourful cuisines, a focus on family values, etc., and many more.
Moreover, as up to 30 per cent of the population in the UAE is comprised of Indians, it is not a big challenge to access fresh, scrumptious food that reminds one of their homes. Moreover, one is unlikely to experience a language barrier as English and Hindi are the second and the third most spoken languages in the country respectively. As she was surrounded by several Indian students in her university and her accommodation where she could interact with many students, she did not experience any major culture shocks.
On the contrary, she was astonished to experience an extremely safe environment when it comes to travel, work and study, especially as a female student. Other than that, there is an endless list of places to explore in Dubai, which includes beaches, rooftop restaurants, infinity pools, nightclubs, desert bonfires, skydiving, nightclubs, etc. Moreover, city life in Dubai is extremely fast-paced. However, the cost of living will vary depending on the lifestyle that a student chooses. Moreover, being a student, one might need better management.
Life at the University of Birmingham Campus, Dubai
Priyali Bathla shares that her experience at the University of Birmingham, Dubai so far has been certainly rewarding. She had the opportunity to join a variety of clubs and societies during her first year. Through these clubs and societies, she was able to interact effectively with people from different cultures across the world.
She also had the chance to develop her soft skills by taking part in the workshops and seminars offered along with her lectures and academic classes. Certainly, from the experience that she would have received in an Indian University, this experience is different. The exposure that she received at the University of Birmingham Campus, Dubai was diverse in terms of academics, culture and ethnicity.
Distinct methods of assessment and teaching standards
When compared to traditional Indian institutions, the standards of teaching and methods of assessment are tremendously distinct at the University of Birmingham, Dubai. At the University of Birmingham, Dubai, the coursework is in the form of essays, research projects, MCQ exams, etc. On aspects such as critical thinking, independent thinking, proper styles of referencing, practical understanding of subjects, etc., there is an incredible amount of stress imposed.
Doing the IB diploma has played a major role so far in easing her experience at the university. She saved an enormous deal of time and effort through the skills that she had learnt in high school. Such skills included citing and referencing, using GDC, reading research papers, academic integrity practices, critical thinking, etc. When it came to the transition from high school to university, she was able to rapidly adapt and adjust to it.
A finance journal is a key to savings – No Part-time jobs
Priyali Bathla was not allowed to do part-time jobs or work in Dubai since she was on a university-sponsored student visa. In order to keep her spending in check for this, she devised a plan. When she first came to Dubai, she started a finance journal in order to note down her daily expenditures. Since then, she became very mindful of each penny that she spent on various expenses.
Advice to fellow students willing to study abroad
She also gives another piece of advice to students who wish to pursue a higher education degree from abroad. She advises them to brace themselves and mentally prepare their minds before embarking on the journey of studying abroad. Students must get out of their comfort zones. Before making such a crucial decision, they must be strong-willed and headstrong. Moreover, disciplining oneself is the most important thing one must do. Also, before coming off to the university, they must learn the basic skill set such as doing laundry, financing, cooking, etc.
A student must show perseverance and determination as a high schooler. They must focus on their academics in Classes 10, 11 and 12. More importantly, students must not miss the chance to involve themselves in as many activities as possible such as clubs and volunteering activities. This will help them expand and develop their portfolio. Furthermore, during summer holidays, students must take up internships and enhance their Curriculum Vitae as best as they are able to. You must commit yourself to the process. This will help you reach where you want to be.
End Note – A conclusive statement
The University of Birmingham, Dubai is working on the challenging path of developing great minds in various fields for more than a century. The university is dedicated to delivering a first-class learning experience led by academic experts. Studying at the University of Birmingham, Dubai opens up a variety of opportunities for students in the current global job market trends that are evolving alongside the advent of artificial intelligence in Industries.
Further, the presence of access to a degree with diverse fields of study will help the students explore various arenas and provide them with a multidisciplinary approach. Also, students get to network with professionals and experts in various fields which will open up a variety of opportunities for them in the future such as internships and placements.
Above all, students will also be able to transition to research opportunities through the facilities offered at the University of Birmingham, Dubai. The Campus facilities at the University of Birmingham, Dubai also provide a better learning experience to the students. Students who wish to study at the University of Birmingham, Dubai can apply now for the September 2023 intake in order to pursue any of their dream courses.
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