FAQ

Who can apply?

The double-diploma programme is open to EBS bachelor students enrolled in the international business administration courses.

What are the admission requirements?

Candidates have to achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 4 (5-grade system) at the end of their second year of studies, and possess a very good level of English (IELTS 6.5 point or TOEFL 580 points).

How will I be taught?

LUMS prides itself on its varied and innovative teaching methods. In addition to traditional lectures and tutorials you may also participate in group work, analyse case study, prepare business plans, and take part in simulation exercises, company based projects and presentations.

The courses which you take at EBS in the first two years prepare you to enter the BSc Business Studies degree at LUMS (http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/undergraduate/businessstudies/), and to take the specialisations in Accounting and Finance, Economics and Management Science. There are lots of opportunities also for additional specialisations. The curricula on both sides have been compared and found to be compatible.

BBA programmes place special emphasis on group work and role playing exercises. The one-day "team spirit" course for BBA students at the beginning of the 2nd year is always immensely enjoyable and rewarding (1^st year at LUMS for EBS students).

It is recommended that you take the course on British Business and Society in the beginning of your studies at LUMS.

How will my work be assessed?

You will be assessed both on coursework and examination. Each course requires a certain amount of work to be handed in or tests to be taken each term and the marks you get are combined with your end of year examination to give you an overall mark for that particular course. Where appropriate, some courses are assessed by coursework only. In this way your final degree classification reflects your overall performance during years 2 and 3 (Part II) of your degree and does not just depend on the results of a final examination.

How the study fee should be paid?

During the first two years, fees will be paid to EBS against the appropriate invoice. More: www.ebs.ee

Fees for the last two years will be paid to LUMS at the current rate. In 2007/08 the EU study fee at LUMS is 3000£ (ca 52 800 EEK) per study year (does not include travel and living costs and study books). The fees will be nearer £3100 by 2008/09.

Students do not have to pay additionally to EBS for the last two years.

What are the estimated living costs?

Check out a rough estimate of living costs while studying in Lancaster.
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/studentsupport/finance/costsandbudgeting.htm

Are there any opportunities for scholarships from LUMS?

Unfortunately LUMS, like most British universities, does not offer too many opportunities for scholarships EU students, since they are paying the same fees at British students. One of the advantages of joining the international community, since non-EU fees are ca. £10,000 p.a. Some more information: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/studentsupport/finance/

University financial awards are both limited in number and amount and are also highly competitive. The key criterion used to allocate the awards is "academic excellence". Although EBS and LUMS will exchange information on our top students who have opted to go to Lancaster, with full details of their marks, but the probability for this kind of support is very small.

Can I apply for the loan from the Students Loans Company?

The Student Loans Company (SLC, http://www.slc.co.uk/) is a UK public sector organisation established to provide financial services, in terms of loans and grants, to over one million students annually, in colleges and universities across the four education systems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

According to the confirmation from SLC the students from EBS/LUMS Double-Degree Programme will receive a UK qualification and they will be entitled to assistance with their tuition fees when attending the UK institution (Lancaster University).

Application forms for the academic year will come out in the March-April before the start of the academic year (e.g. 08/09 starters will be able to apply from March/April 2008 on the new application form which will be made available at that time).The deadline for applications is 9 months after the student starts the course, e.g. students who start in Autumn 2007 have until the 31st May 2008. NB! The deadline is UPTO 9 months but students should apply in March/April before they start in September. The loan is paid directly to the school once they are registered - just reading the guidance notes.

In order to apply for student finance the student would be required to contact SLC’s EU team and they will then provide the relevant paperwork in order to apply for student finance. Students can download an application form from www.direct.gov.uk or alternatively contact the EU team on 0141 243 3570. A student should be prepared to send a certified or original copy of the passport or ID card. The documents should be sent along with the application by post. EU students are only able to apply for a tuition fee loan which will cover the full tuition fees at public institutions such as Lancaster.

Links to the form 2007/2008:
Guidance Notes 2007/2008:

If you take out a new student loan, your repayments will be based on your income after your graduation. You only start repaying your loan when you earn £15,000 a year (in UK). If your income exceeds these amounts, you will be required to make repayments. In most cases, these repayments are collected automatically through the tax system. Repayments will only begin if you earn over the threshold, and will stop if your earnings fall under the threshold.

NB! According to British Council Estonia, in Estonia, you only start repaying your loan when you earn £9,000 a year (it is called “threshold”). You will pay back 9% of the sum that exceeds £9,000 a year. You will not pay back anything if your salary remains smaller in 25 years.

The amount to be paid back will depend on the amount borrowed plus the interest charged. Interest is linked to the rate of inflation and is adjusted each year in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI). From 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008 this will be 4.8%.

The best place to find out further information on the loans available is www.direct.gov.uk

Are there company scholarships?

EBS would like to encourage students to look for company financial support. Talk to companies! Prove the value of your knowledge and contribution after your studies in one of the best schools in England! We are positive there are companies looking for new team members, who have strong will, courageous attitude and high-quality international background.

Are there any other ideas for additional scholarships, grants, loans?

More links and hints from the British Council Estonia:

Scholarships database: http://www.educationuk.org/scholarships/
British Council scholarships: http://www.britishcouncil.org/et/estonia
Grants directories, university web sites
Estonian funds (Eesti Kultuurkapital, Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond)
Foreign-Estonian Scholarships: http://www.eac.ttu.ee/stipendiumiuudised/
Study loans from Estonian banks.

Am I allowed to work during my studies?

UK and EU students are allowed to work in the UK. However, to avoid conflict with your academic studies, it is not recommended to work more than 20 hours per week during term-time. The hours during vacations are of course unlimited.

How do I get more information on studies at LUMS?

Check these pages to find Pre-Arrival Guide and other useful information:

http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/studentsupport/international/prearrival.htm
http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/AboutSchool/International/students/

What type of student accommodation is available, and how much does it cost?

LUMS is a campus university, a cosmopolitan, parkland site with its own shopping centre, banks, travel agents, university theatre, museum and performing arts centre. Residences are available on campus, which lies about 5 km outside the small town of Lancaster, and we are informed that EBS students will have guaranteed accommodation for the first year and probably the second.

Cost of living in Lancaster is reputed to be one of the least expensive in the UK.

There are around 5,000 single study bedrooms on campus, some with en-suite facilities. You share a kitchen and washing facilities with 7 - 15 other students.

Your accommodation, whether on or off-campus, will be your biggest expense other than that of tuition fees. Prices vary according to which type you opt for (i.e. with private bathroom [en-suite] facilities or without). Undergraduate rooms are priced from approximately £55 to £85 per week.

More: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/studentsupport/international/download/PreArrivalBooklet0708.pdf

What computing facilities are available to students?

LUMS has its own dedicated computer labs with 24 hour student access and laser printers. A Help Desk service is usually available during office hours. In addition to these facilities, there are many more computer labs on campus and an information systems service, which runs a wide range of courses.

Students can have their own e-mail addresses. If you have your own PC or Laptop, do bring it with you. This will ensure you have computer access when you want it, including for group work sessions in LUMS new building, and all single campus bedrooms have the facility to hook up to the internet.

What is the social and sporting life like at Lancaster?

It is excellent. As you can see from the University prospectus and from the web site, there is a wide range of social and sporting activities on offer. The Colleges provide the focus for much of the social activity of the university and, in addition, there are many clubs and societies to join, including 36 sports clubs. The indoor sports centre houses a 25m swimming pool, squash and aeroball courts, a rock climbing wall, men"s and women"s weights rooms, sauna, solarium and much more.

Although much of the student social life happens on campus, you will find that Lancaster and Morecambe offer plenty of entertainment including many pubs and restaurants, a ten pin bowling alley, a professional theatre and a multi-screen cinema. The University has its own night club in Lancaster, run by the Students Union, called the "Sugar House" and there are lots of clubs in Lancaster and Morecambe which put on regular special student nights at discount prices. You will also be only 40 minutes from Blackpool and just over an hour from the lively city of Manchester.

Why I should consider LUMS and pay more for such a programme?

This scheme obviously has an effect on the cost of your studies, since you will have to pay four years’ tuition fees – two to EBS and two to LUMS. However, as business students you should be able to do a good cost-benefit analysis! What does this opportunity offer you in case you find financial sources for these studies? Wider career prospects? Studies in a stimulating and challenging environment? A chance to improve your English?

Lancaster could offer all these and more, if you dare to stretch your wings and fly!