₦airaland Forum

Thank you for the advices Bosses @Slik07, @Maziude and @Frankrobbn1. I studied BSc Mass Communication (2:1) and MBA (Distinction).
From your responses, I guess going for a PhD in management will be better though Sept 2019 looks so far away plus the thought of writing GMAT/GRE and getting the required score is angry cry. Well, whatever is worth doing is worth doing well...

maziude:
Hello boss,

If you go online, there are lots of courses these days that deal with project management and every other field related to it. So a VO might reason along this line. So doing applying for a PGD in Project Management might raise flags.

Going for another masters has to be justified when you eventually get accepted and are applying for your VISA. Meaning, you will need to put in extra work to convince the VO, that you are indeed a genuine student.

Now for the PhD application; If you will be kind to share your education background then people might be able to weigh in and give you the accurate advice.

But in general, for PhD, you would need to have a research goal and idea in mind. In most cases, you need to secure a supervisor who is willing to accept you. That is where the task is. There is no one rule fits all for supervisor search. But as a basis, you need to have formed a research intent (What area of your intended discipline are you looking at?) Is there any professor that is working in that area or field or in a closely related area? If there are you should contact them with your CV, Research purpose or why you wont to go into that field, your educational history and transcript.

NB: Some professors will respond, others wont respond. But you still have to carry on sending tailored emails.

If you read back, there couple of techniques posted by members of this forum with respect to contacting professors/supervisors. You should avail yourself of such information.

Again, I understand you want to get all your bases covered first before the VISA application steps, but I would encourage you to just make up your mind and do that which you think will work best for you (PGD, Masters or PhD) and apply fast. Time is running out. When you get to the VISA application bridge, you cross that.


Again, it is not an easy process but if you persevere, you would surely get it right.

PS: The above is also applicable to every intending applicant.

I cannot go through SOPs now especially if it is urgent as I have deadlines to catch up with.

Thank you for the advices Bosses @Slik07, @Maziude and @Frankrobbn1. I studied BSc Mass Communication (2:1) and MBA (Distinction).
From your responses, I guess going for a PhD in management will be better though Sept 2019 looks so far away plus the thought of writing GMAT/GRE and getting the required score is angry cry. Well, whatever is worth doing is worth doing well...

Slik07:
1. No. You dont need GRE for PhD admission. It's mostly MBA admission that requires GMAT/GRE. What'll boost your chances is to publish paper(s) on an impact factor-based journal. That paper stands as your research experience and capabilities. If you've not published any paper, dont stress yourself. You can still get PhD offer without it. Most schools in Canada offer funding for PhD especially Engineering students. A school with low budget as MUN offers minimum of CAD$19, 000 for PhD engineering students and CAD$16, 000 for MEng students per year.

2. Yes because you're not on ground, it's a bit difficult but not impossible to get a supervisor. I would advise you check the department of the course you want to apply for. Read the areas of research of the professors and their journals before you email them. Pls, avoid generic emails. Tailor their emails to suit their research interests. Dont go about boasting of your high CGPA. Dont go begging or acting desperate. Simply tell them the value you can add to their research group. The contributions you can make if s/he agrees to supervise you.

3. I'm not sure. But you can quickly go and fill pre-qualification form for USASK now. It takes 10 weeks for them to get back to you. Once you're picked, admission is assured whether you contacted a supervisor or not. Pls, dont make mistake in filling the form esp the supervisor part. It's automatic disqualification if you do. You can also check Ryerson, Western, Queen's Universities etc.

The new immigration law in the UK according to @zan1999 is the Tier 2 visa. After graduation, you can apply for Tier 2 visa to remain in the UK for 24 months.

Best of luck!

Thank you for the advices Bosses @Slik07, @Maziude and @Frankrobbn1. I studied BSc Mass Communication (2:1) and MBA (Distinction).
From your responses, I guess going for a PhD in management will be better though Sept 2019 looks so far away plus the thought of writing GMAT/GRE and getting the required score is . Well, whatever is worth doing is worth doing well...



1. No. You dont need GRE for PhD admission. It's mostly MBA admission that requires GMAT/GRE. What'll boost your chances is to publish paper(s) on an impact factor-based journal. That paper stands as your research experience and capabilities. If you've not published any paper, dont stress yourself. You can still get PhD offer without it. Most schools in Canada offer funding for PhD especially Engineering students. A school with low budget as MUN offers minimum of CAD$19, 000 for PhD engineering students and CAD$16, 000 for MEng students per year.

2. Yes because you're not on ground, it's a bit difficult but not impossible to get a supervisor. I would advise you check the department of the course you want to apply for. Read the areas of research of the professors and their journals before you email them. Pls, avoid generic emails. Tailor their emails to suit their research interests. Dont go about boasting of your high CGPA. Dont go begging or acting desperate. Simply tell them the value you can add to their research group. The contributions you can make if s/he agrees to supervise you.

3. I'm not sure. But you can quickly go and fill pre-qualification form for USASK now. It takes 10 weeks for them to get back to you. Once you're picked, admission is assured whether you contacted a supervisor or not. Pls, dont make mistake in filling the form esp the supervisor part. It's automatic disqualification if you do. You can also check Ryerson, Western, Queen's Universities etc.

The new immigration law in the UK according to @zan1999 is the Tier 2 visa. After graduation, you can apply for Tier 2 visa to remain in the UK for 24 months.

Best of luck![/quote]

Really appreciate the good work you're doing on here Slik07, God's blessings all the way! Please I would like to get your opinion on some issues that I'm concerned about...

1. Do I require GRE or any test to get a PhD funding in Canada?
2. Can I easily get a PhD supervisor before applying because it looks like it's really difficult when you're not on ground?
3. Do you know of any Uni that admits for January 2019 cos Sept 2019 is way too far?

....And Please what's the new immigration law in the UK?
Your candid advice will be highly appreciated.
Cheers

Slik07:
You dont need to have a second thought. Your visa will definitely be approved any moment from now as you applied since Nov. PhD applicants dont have too much wahala.

For the new immigration law in the UK, if you still want to go there, it's not late. To get a UK offer can take between 2-4 weeks if you've funding. And you dont pay any processing fee.

Thanks for your candid advice!
God bless you real good

Frankrobbn1:
Doraries,

Option 1-) If you've so much interest in this program PROJECT MANAGEMENT, having an MBA in Uk. I best suggest you go for a Phd. I'll like to also let you know that there are PhD students here in person of MAZI (Maziude) who is already in Canada, you can possibly Pm him and get informations from him and Silk07 who is presently active on this great forum. The both of them can be of paramount assistance in proof reading your letters and securing funding for you.

Option 2-) Go for another Masters degree in project management in Canada and don't disclose it to CIC that you already have an MBA in UK. This will also fly.

The above are my two opinions. As for the PGD, Its not a welcome idea.

All the best!

Nice one Frankrobbn1... thanks for these helpful tips and keep up the good work you're doing here.

Please I would like to know if it's advisable to go for a PGD in Project Management in Canada after an MBA program in UK or would another Masters in project management be ok?

Reason I'm going for project management is because
I run a company here in Nigeria, partly projected towards conference/workshop organization. But from my experience so far, I discovered that I need to learn more on how to handle these projects and I feel that an in-depth project management course/program would help a lot.

On another note, I don't mind going for a PhD in Canada but how easy is it for me get through the admission process including finding a supervisor as well as getting funding for the program?
Your candid advice will be highly appreciated.
Cheers

Frankrobbn1:
Hello Room!

I was going through the thread and I noticed that most applicants were refused of their study visas based on the following grounds shorlisted on this post and this has given most of them sleepness night, some have decided to quit the Canadian dream and end up having the mindset that Canadian study visa is tough and can not be easily approved unless you use an AGENT, some even go as far as paying millions to AGENTS just to get their study visa. I must tell you that it is a lie, most agents even go as far as complicating issues for applicant, which most times lead to misrepresentation and a 5 years Ban. After reading this post, you have to get up to your feet , beat your chest and do things in the right way and get your study permit app approved Asap.

RECENT REFUSAL GROUNDS:

1-) Purpose of visit
2-) Current employment situation
3-) Personal asset and financial status.
4-) family ties in Canada or home country.

In this post I'll address the above reasons and give POSSSIBLE WAYS to tackle the concerns of the visa officer.

1-) PURPOSE OF VISIT -

It is important that your visit coincides with an important event in your life or the purpose of the visit can be reasonably explained in your SOP. If it is for study you must have qualifications in that field or have the expertise in that area. Most times, your job role or company should be relevant to previous studies and to your chosen field of study in Canada.
If you decide to change career path, it should be clearly stated on your SOP with compelling/strong/ and convincing reasons to why you decide to change a career path.

Your letter of intent should reflect the following and should be addressed in each paragraphs to avoid repetition.
1-) Describe your academic background briefly.
2-) Why you choose Canada not Nigeria.
3-) The school.
4-) The program of choice.
5-)How you intend to finance your studies in Canada without working.
6-) What you intend to achieve at the end of the program and how it might benefit you in the future.

Everything should point to 'studying in Canada' not working or visiting friends and family in Canada or securing a PR after completion of studies.

Address all academic backlogs, study gaps, study plans etc... on your SOP.


2-) CURRENT EMPLOYMENTSITUATION

Every embassy will like to satisfy themselves that the applicant has a gainful employment in their country of residence and that the prospects of getting a job when they loose their current one is high. That satisfies them that you won’t leave your job when you travel to their country. Canada’s High Commission is no exception. You need to prove to them that you’ve been working for at least 2 years continuously, you earn a good salary, say CAD$400- CAD$1,000 plus a month depending on the level of your education, you have leave to travel, and you are qualified for the job you are currently employed in. So add your CV, school certificates, previous and current job offer letters, leave letters, pay slips and introductory notes from your firm to evidence your employment.

3-) PERSONAL ASSET AND FINANCIAL STATUS

Like most embassies, the Canadian High Commission will also be interested in your finances. Show a 6-month bank statement or more for any Canada visa application; both current and savings accounts, showing your salaries or income from employment. If you have treasury bills, building society savings, mortgages, microfinance or credit union savings and the pass book or certificates, share investments in companies etc, add all to prove you have enough financial resources before and after your trip. There is no cut off bank statement figure. So try as much as possible to show your monthly inflow and outflow of salaries in your salary bank statement with a good closing balance as a proof of financial establishment.

4-)

FAMILY TIES IN CANADA OR HOME COUNTRY

Prospective travellers who were refused with this point wondered why they should have a family in Canada before being given the visa. Note that the full statement is “family in Canada OR family in your home country”. So its either you failed to prove each criterion or both criteria, that is, whether you have family ties in Canada or whether you have family ties to your home country. This is what you do :

Show sufficient ties to your home country i.e. what will compel you to return home?

1-) Do you have a spouse and kids(minors) and are you leaving them behind?
2-) Do you have elderly parents who depend on you?
3-) Do you own businesses/property that you need to continue managing?
4-) Do you have adequate funds?
5-) Do you have family members whom are not accompanying you to Canada?

All these mentioned are HOME TIES, so if you have any of the following listed, endeavor to show evidence to each of them and make sure you add it to your application.

The above information is Legit and was obtained from a Canadian Legal personnel.

I wish you all Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

All the best to the hopefuls and to the approved, CONGRATULATIONS!!!.