I did not choose the university. I chose the project and the professor(s). I was okay to be in any university which has a good global ranking and was based in UK or USA or New Zealand. I was open to applying for any university providing me with a funded opportunity to work on my interests under supervisors who have a good h-index.
Course Curriculum :
I don't have a course syllabus. I am a PhD student so it is more about how motivated you can be and what kind of an environment you get.
Exams :
The minimum English Language requirements are specified at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/entry-requirements/english-language.aspx. Please note that for the purposes of this Stage B (SHEAR Student Consortium application), you do not need to show proof of English, but if you are successful for Stage C (shortlisting, and interview), then for Stage D (King’s College London application) you will need to provide proof of English, depending on your country of origin. My scores were TOEFL 112/120. Educational requirements: You should hold a Bachelor’s degree with 1st class honours (or overseas equivalent) and a good Master's degree. At undergraduate level, a 2:1 (upper second class) honours degree (or international equivalent) may be acceptable depending on the candidate's academic background (e.g., strong performance (predicted or achieved) in a Master's degree, mature students with relevant workplace experience, mitigating personal circumstances).
Placement :
Again, I am a PhD student and this is not applicable to me. Under my SHEAR Studentship, I do have to apply for an internship but I have not searched for any.
Events :
I sit in the Strand campus of King's College London. It was previously the BBC building and hence the infrastructure is new but good. However the old Strand building, the one near the Somerset House was more spacious and is an old architecture with some rooms facing the London Eye or the Thames. Being a part of KCL gets you an access to not just the libraries of KCL but also to the British Library and the SOAS library. Sports facilities are incredible. You have several clubs with very gullible people.
Scholarship :
I received the NERC ESRC funding through the LANDSLIP SHEAR project.
Faculty :
The Faculty within our department (Department of Geography) are extremely friendly and very approachable. It's a friendly atmosphere where we can sit together over drinks to discuss about our work.
Campus Life :
Well my department is really more fun as compared to others, in case of PhD students. We have a close knit group where everyone is welcome and we share an extremely cosmopolitan environment. We have lunch together, we go for walks together and we party every Friday together.
Hostel :
No. I live in an apartment that was provided to a friend of mine by the Indian government. So I never had to pay for anything and I lived with my friend in that 2BHK duplex apartment.
