IMESS: International Economy, State and Society

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The IMESS programme, recognised for its excellence by the European Union's Erasmus Mundus Programme, offers three distinct interdisciplinary study tracks, reflecting the unique multidisciplinary expertise of the consortium institutions. The study tracks are:

* Economics and Business
* Politics and Security
* Nation, History and Society

Students enrol onto one of the study tracks and specialise, from beginners level, in one of the partner institution languages.

The central objective of the programme is to enhance global understanding and awareness of the wider European region. As well as developing cultural and linguistic knowledge of both Eastern and Western Europe, participants acquire the skills to identify and critically analyse key factors shaping the economies, states and societies of the expanding European region.

IMESS is creating a pool of expertise for conducting advanced research for public or private sector organisations and is fast becoming the programme of choice for students with a serious interest in the economies, states and societies of the wider European region.

Each IMESS track combines compulsory language training, research methodology, specialist electives and an extended research thesis carried out from the end of the first year. The very best research dissertations will be published in Slovo - the post-graduate pubication of the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies.

The Economics and Business Track examines the economic challenges facing the Central and Eastern European region as it seeks to integrate into the globalising, knowledge-based economy. Students on this track may study options ranging from economic integration and optimal currency area theory, to health and development, to industrial change and corporate governance.

The Politics and Security track examines the communist system in Central and Eastern Europe, the main political and security aspects of the post-communist transition and the integration of the post-communist states into the European political and security structures. Students on this track may study options ranging from the politics of transition and security theory, to foreign policy and diplomacy, to human rights and public policy.

The Nation, History and Society track examines national and social traditions in Central and Eastern Europe and measures the impact of the collapse of communism on social structures and inter-ethnic relations. Students on this track are also able to explore in more depth the complexities of contemporary Central and East European politics and society from a cultural and historical perspective, analysing how the past shapes the present-day societies, governments and nations of the region and how this complex picture is reflected in and shaped by various cultural practices.

Further Programme details can be found on the IMESS Programme website:

All applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) an upper second class honours degree (or overseas equivalent) with honours in a relevant subject area. Where the Bachelors degree is in an unrelated subject, candidates must demonstrate their interest in IMESS through their supplementary personal statement.All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme. This can be either:A recently obtained acceptable English language qualification or test result. The qualification or test result must have been awarded no more than three years prior to the proposed date of enrolment. For IMESS admissions students must provide evidence of English proficiency - 'good' level in accordance with UCL English Language Policy.orEvidence (docmented) of substantial education (minimum twelve months) or work experience (minimum eighteen months) conducted in English and undertaken no more than three years prior to the proposed date of enrolment.applicants must complete the standard UCL graduate studies application form and include the additional required materials, paying particular attention to the guidelines on how to complete the supplementary personal statement .Online applications are encouraged (the IMESS degree is listed online as 'MA in Economy, State and Society' programme code R7U5), but please ensure that you properly upload your degree transcript, proof of citizenship, English language certificate and Erasmus Mundus or IMESS Bursary application form (if appropriate). Incomplete applications remain frozen in the UCL Registry, and this may affect your chances of Erasmus Mundus consideration, especially in circumstances when applications are both late and incomplete.Please make sure that you have clearly listed your choice of language and study track in your supplementary personal statement and that you have understood the terms of any scholarship or bursary that you are applying for.As UCL is the coordinating partner of the IMESS consortium, it is not necessary to also apply to your preferred second year university. UCL receives all the IMESS applications, and puts them forward to be considered by the consortium admissions committee. However, in order that your application is considered, you must make clear in your application what your study track and language/mobility preferences (ranking) are.It is often the case that students applying to the IMESS Programme won´t graduate until after the application deadlines in January and April. In this case, we ask students to provide their latest transcript and application materials. If their application is successful, students will be provided with an offer from UCL, conditional on graduating on schedule with the appropriate grade and language certificate.After you have appliedIn the previous IMESS intake, we received over 200 applications in total. As there are between 15 and 25 Erasmus Mundus Scholarships available each year and an additional 10-15 places for non-scholarships holders, there is a very high standard of competition for admission onto the programme. Therefore, successful applicants are usually those that follow the application guidelines VERY carefully.When students apply to IMESS, applications are initially received by the UCL Registry, who assess whether applicants satisfy the minimum admissions requirements. The applications are then passed to IMESS, where each applicant is individually assessed, by the IMESS Admissions Committee, according to a robust and stringent admissions criteria. High scoring candidates are put forward to be considered by the IMESS Programme Committee at the end of February. Shortly after this, candidates will be contacted as to whether they have been accepted onto the programme. Formal nominations will then be put forward to the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Agency and successful candidates will be notified in April of the final scholarship decision. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.