Full-Time MSc Applications

Applications for 2013 entry are open for all programmes.

The ICMA Centre operates on a rolling admissions basis, meaning that prospective students can apply for our programmes throughout the year, however we do advise to apply early in the year. We aim to return a decision within 4-6 weeks of receiving your application.

Full-time applicants can apply online or download our application form and complete it by hand.

Flexible and Distance Learning Applications

We accept online applications only for flexible and distance learning.

Do I need to take GMAT?

If you are unsure as to the need to take GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test), please apply without taking it. We will advise in the form of a conditional offer if we think that it is necessary for you to take it. Obtaining a good score in the quantitative section of the test can support your case at the Admissions Committee. The GMAT is not a mandatory requirement for applications to the MSc programme, but can enhance an application. More information about the GMAT can be obtained at www.mba.com.

When is the deadline for applications?

There is no fixed deadline for full-time applications. However, you are advised to apply early, as the admission process can take up to 4-6 weeks to complete. Places become very limited from June onwards. You are encouraged to telephone the Centre after that date to clarify the situation.

Deadline for Flexible and Distance Learning applications: Wednesday 14th August 2013.

How long will it take to receive an answer to my application?

The admissions process will take up to 4-6 weeks from receipt of a completed application. We will endeavour to process your application sooner, however, the delay is normally due to outstanding supporting documents.

My referee has sent his reference direct, is this OK?

Yes. We keep all references and match them with applications when they are received.

Who decides on the suitability of an application?

Each application is considered by the Admissions Committee, made up of academic members of staff and the Admissions Officer.

How do I pay the £1000 deposit and when is the deadline?

By Sterling cheque payable to the University of Reading by credit card or bank transfer.

Applicants accepted on to an ICMA Centre MSc programme should pay their deposit by the deadline indicated in the  recommendation e-mail from the ICMA Centre.

Where do I send my information proving that I have fulfilled my conditions?

Send this information to the Postgraduate Admission Office, the ICMA Centre will be automatically updated. Their full address is:

Am I qualified to do this programme?

We can only give a considered answer to this question if we have received a completed application form and supporting documents. Without this information it is difficult to make any evaluation of your previous qualifications.

To whom should I address any queries about my application?

All queries should be addressed to the Admissions Team: admissions@icmacentre.ac.uk.

Does the ICMA Centre provide funding? If not, how do I fund the programme?

A range of scholarship awards are available. Please refer to the ICMA Centre Scholarships pages for further details.

How do I arrange accommodation?

All enquiries concerning accommodation should be directed to Student Services, telephone number +44 (0)118 378 5555.

MSc Scholarships

There are six different scholarships available at the ICMA Centre:

• Ambassador Scholarship – up to ten awards of £10,000 each for 2012
• CISI Stephen Cooke Scholarship Programme
• Solidus Securities MSc Scholarship**
• Academy of Economic Studies Scholarship
• Felix Scholarship

Deadline for applications: 16 March 2012. Applicants informed by 30 March 2012.

*Excludes CISI Stephen Cooke
and Felix Scholarship deadlines TBA.

**Candidates for the Solidus Securities MSc Scholarship will be considered in the summer.

Please note that applicants will have to submit an application for our MSc programmes and be offered a place before they can be considered for the scholarships.

Ambassador Scholarship

We are delighted to introduce our new ICMA Centre Ambassador Scholarship. Next year (2012 entry) we will offer up to ten awards of £10,000 (against fees) each to students on the basis of academic excellence.

Winning this scholarship not only provides you with a very substantial discount but comes with a number of added benefits including publicity (both on the website and in external media) and a valuable role to include on your CV. Your role will include mentoring international students at the Centre and participating in open days so you can share your experiences with prospective students.

Scholarship Entry Criteria:

• Be of UK or EU nationality with an excellent level of spoken English (those whose first language is not English will require an IELTS score of 7 overall with no significant weaknesses in any component of the test).
• Partial scholarship awards will be available to outstanding candidates for the MSc in International Shipping and Finance Programme

Application process:

All applicants for our full-time Masters programmes who meet the criteria will be considered for this scholarship. Successful applicants will be contacted via letter to arrange a convenient face-to-face or telephone/Skype interview. You will be notified within ten working days following the interview whether you have been awarded the scholarship subject to fulfilling any conditions attached to your offer of a place on the MSc programme. Please note that we expect demand to be high for this scholarship and the deadline for applications is Friday 16 March 2012.

Apply online today

ISF Directors’ Scholarship Scheme

Partial scholarship awards will be available to outstanding candidates for the MSc in International Shipping and Finance Programme. 

The CISI Stephen Cooke Scholarship Programme

The Stephen Cooke Scholarship is administered and awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment , the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK.  The awards commemorate the Late Stephen Cooke, Chief Executive of a leading private client firm, Gerrard Vivian Grey, who had a particular passion for education. The awards are only open to students attending CISI Centres of Excellence.  The purpose of the awards is to encourage students to focus on those standards needed for embarking on a successful career in the financial industry.

There are two tiers of Scholarship available to Masters students:

• One Premier Scholarship of £5000
• One General Scholarship of £3000.

The award for the premier scholarship are made on the basis of three factors:

• Submission of an essay
• General knowledge test
• Panel interview

Entry Criteria

Applicants need to be a registered student at an CISI Centre of Excellence and:

• be a postgraduate student, enrolled on a specified course at one of the CISI’s designated Centres of Excellence;
• must not have been a previous winner under the CISI Scholarship scheme.

For more information visit the CISI website.

Winner in 2011: Chardin Wese Simen – MSc student
Winner in 2010: Imran Khan – MSc student
Winner in 2009: Richard Hamilton – MSc student
Winners in 2008: Tamoor Ali and Philip Board – BSc students

Solidus Securities MSc Scholarship

The ICMA Centre is pleased to announce the Solidus Securities MSc scholarship, which has been established to support Greek students with a strong academic background who would benefit from financial support. This will be awarded annually to one Greek applicant to any full-time MSc programme at the ICMA Centre.

This unique scholarship includes:

• 50% of all tuition fees of any ICMA Centre MSc programme
• Optional 1-2 months summer training with Solidus Securities SA inAthens,Greece

Winner in 2010: Eleana Kitsara

Scholarship Entry Criteria

• Strong academic background (7.5 GPA in their first degree or equivalent)
• Evidence that the candidate would benefit from financial support (total family and/or personal income of less than 40,000 euro per annum – additional evidence will be required)

Academy of Economic Studies Scholarship

The ICMA Centre is pleased to announce up to five scholarships of a maximum of £15,000 for our full-time Masters programmes are now available to students studying at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest.

Scholarship Entry Criteria

• Achieved or expect to achieve excellent results at undergraduate level from aUK institution or the equivalent international qualification
• Submit a minimum GMAT score of 650
• Submit a statement (no more than 250 words) addressing the following statement: ‘Why ICMA should make this contribution to your education and how it may benefit you and the international securities markets?’

Felix Scholarship

The ICMA Centre is pleased to announce up to three scholarships for Indian graduates taking up places in September/October 2010.  Felix Scholarships are intended for scholars who would be unable, without financial assistance, to take up their place and who have not studied outside their home country.

The Felix Scholarships will cover full fees, living costs, a return air fare, and provide additional allowances for books, equipment, warm clothing etc.  For more information please see

http://www.extra.reading.ac.uk/studentfinance/felix2010.doc

Prizes

The Vetiva Prize

This prize is for the highest achieving full-time MSc Student from Africa graduating from the ICMA Centre, University of Reading. The prize includes a £1000, which will be presented upon graduation. The winner may be offered work opportunities with Vetiva and other Investment Banking firms that operate within the African Continent.

Prize Criteria

• The ICMA Centre will identify suitable recipients based on their examination performance and participation during the academic year;
• Applicants for the prize, may be asked to submit a short essay on a topic relating to African Financial Development (the precise title will be determined annually by the ICMA Centre);
• In the event of two or more candidates being ranked equally, Vetiva may then require an interview by the short listed candidates.

Winner in 2011: Chardin Wese Simen