Entente Cordiale FAQs - British Council France

Entente Cordiale Scholarships



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		Entente Cordiale FAQs

	Entente Cordiale FAQs

		What is the IELTS test and where can I take it?

IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is the English language test most widely accepted by UK universities for students who wish to follow undergraduate or postgraduate courses.

You can take the IELTS test at the British Council in Paris.

		Is any other test of English language acceptable?

	Some British universities also accept other English language tests or diplomas. If you have already taken the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency or the TOEFL, and these tests are accepted by the universities in the UK that you are applying to, this can be included in your scholarship application.

		I can’t take the IELTS test before the 9 April deadline. What should I do?

IELTS sessions at the British Council fill up very quickly, and it may be that you are unable to book a session before 9 April. Provided that your application, including ALL necessary documentation except IELTS results, reaches us by 9 April, you may apply to take the IELTS test after this official deadline. The results must reach the British Council by end April at the very latest, and will be added to your application. When you send your application to us, please include an explanatory note.

No additional documentation will be accepted after 30 April 2010.

		Do the two references have to be academic ones?

	One of the references may be a professional one, providing it is relevant to the course of study you are applying for in the UK. Otherwise both references should be academic.

		Do I have to apply to three different universities, even if the course that I want to study is only available in one institution?

We ask for applications to three institutions to ensure that if we do offer a student an award there is a strong chance of them being able to accept it, even if they are not admitted at the institution of their first choice. At the time of year when we interview (May) some students are still holding conditional offers or waiting on responses from universities.

This also helps us to ensure that students research all their options carefully and make a well-informed selection of institutions according to their speciality.

If there is really only one institution that offers your choice of course, then you are not obliged to add a further two choices. However, you must be able to justify this single choice in section 12 of the application form, and, if you are selected, at interview.

		British universities are asking for certified translations of my diplomas and transcripts. How do I obtain these?

	For the translation of your documents you need to contact a certified translator.

		Why is the deadline for scholarship applications so early in the academic year?

	The application procedure involves a rigorous selection process, both through short-listing and at interview, in consultation with our partners. The April deadline allows enough time for students to submit their application and for the British Council to manage scholarships in the best way possible for the scholar and for the partners involved.

		Can I still apply for an Entente Cordiale scholarship if I don’t have French nationality?

	Our policy is to offer information on study opportunities, and where possible scholarships, to students in the countries where our offices are situated. For this reason, to be eligible for scholarships managed by the British Council in France, students must either have French nationality, or have undertaken all of their higher education (since the baccalauréat) in France.