Looking at the phrase "background is not strong enough", I suspect the modules in your undergrad/MSc may not be related to the topic you chose at Manchester (assuming you applied for one of the advertised topics). If you proposed your own topic, it can also be interpreted that potential supervisors in that research group are not experts in the topic you had proposed. Did you contact a potential supervisor at Manchester prior to making an application? I had intentions of applying for a PhD at Manchester, all the potential supervisors I contacted told me they were not taking up new students, based on their response I didn't even make a formal application.

I have an engineering background and thus I have little information about how it's done in Humanities. In my field, the fact that I have a Mechanical engineering BSc and MSc does not mean I can be admitted as PhD student in any research group. The branches within Mechanical engineering are so diverse.

Northampton is in England while Ulster is in Northern Island, so in terms of movements to other parts of mainland UK or indeed Europe, Northampton in my view is well placed in that regard. In terms of job prospects AFTER graduation; well as long as you're on UK visa, you can travel to any part of UK be it Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland and look for a job BUT job prospects are quite slim in UK these days for non-EU (international student graduates) after the abolition of Post Study Work Visa. Most job opportunities are open to UK/EU citizens and it's not uncommon to see adverts explicitly stating "UK/EU citizens only". This can also be attributed to the complexities associated with getting a work visa and the demand placed by UKBA.

In terms of cost, entertainment; Jordanstown Campus is few miles away from Belfast city centre. University accommodation for both Jordanstown and Belfast campuses are in Jordanstown. But many students prefer to live in Belfast City centre where there's pretty much everything and you will be able to interact with students from the "sister" university Queen's University Belfast (QUB). So if you're the type that loves bit of entertainment/shopping, Belfast City centre is good for you. There are so many houses and you may share a house with other students from both Ulster and QUB. Monthly rentals in shared accommodation can be in the region of 200-300 pounds per individual. Belfast City centre and Jordanstown is regularly serviced by train and buses.

I think Ulster Business School is a good school, I know someone there doing another MSc programme and they love it.

All the best

astrarta
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My uni has a subscription for ASME journals but unfortunately they can only be downloaded when within campus and right now I am away from campus on Easter break until Monday next week (13 April). In case you don't receive a positive feedback from the authors or other colleagues here by Monday next week, let me know.

On your previous FLR(O) application, the guys have all the information in their system about you and everyone who's had a UK visa before. Whether that might have played a part in arriving at the decision, I am not sure. Regarding studying in New Zealand, I think you should keep all your options open, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Making a fresh application to pursue a PhD at this time will definitely not work. It may be perceived that you're desperate to gain entry at whatever cost. Try by all means to present new evidence of your dad's income, proof of your previous/current employment and any other relevant document

You guy who're talking about finishing one or two chapters are scaring me. One and half years to go, haven't done a single chapter, busy with experiments. :'(

In such situations, you have to make sure you present all possible documents that can help argue your case. This government is under intense pressure to reduce the net migration and they're doing everything possible to deny those who don't furnish them with necessary documentation/evidence. The major source of scepticism in your case is no doubt the work visa that you had. Arising from your previous work visa two points of contention can be deduced if I put myself in the shoes of the ECO.

(1) The ECO is probably wondering why you never did an MBA during your 4.5 years in UK especially through part-time/evening.
(2) The fact that you already possess an LLM which is essentially at same level as an MBA which you intend to pursue can be misconstrued as not being a genuine reason. I am pretty certain your application would have succeeded had you applied to pursue a higher degree than what you already have e.g PhD

Try making new application and avail them with whatever evidence you can produce e.g your dad/mum's evidence of source of income

The ECO guys are under enormous pressure from Theresa May to reduce Non-EU numbers entering the UK.Visa applications especially from self-sponsored non-EU students are under heavy scrutiny these days leading to a reduction in Indian students coming to UK, with most of them opting for other destinations like USA, Canada, Australia etc. This clamp down has not just affected students, but all visa categories including academics. There are reports where some academics have not been granted leave to remain in the UK and have ended up finding jobs in other countries, the latest high profile case being that of Miwa Hirono, the Nottingham University academic.

All the best

I take it that you applied for the "general" university scholarship and not a "project specific" scholarship. The general scholarships are normally open to all candidates in all the faculties/schools. The way it works; schools or supervisors are asked to advertise topics to prospective candidates. Candidates who meet the minimum requirement are interviewed by a panel that includes the supervisor for topic chosen. Your supervisor is the one who makes a decision to forward your name to the next stage. After all schools have conducted interviews, the shortlisted candidates have to compete for the few scholarship places. From the language of the email you received, you may have made it to the next stage. Awarding of scholarships is done by Graduate School (or other constituted body). They look at many factors like how many students on similar scholarships has your potential supervisor got right now. And they have to distribute them equally to all faculties. Your potential supervisor has no input whatsoever at this stage. Don't expect a decision immediately after Easter break. Most likely decision will be around May. Good luck

Just as Auroracase has explained, this is the exact scenario at my university.The difference between PG Dip and an MSc is a thesis. If I were you I would spend an extra 3 months to write a thesis and get an Masters degree

If you have an opportunity to publish a paper right now before applying for a scholarship, do it. Due to stiff competition out there, applicants who have published in peer-reviewed journals have an edge. Also bear in mind that the UK government has suspended TOEFL and they're not accepting them for now. My understanding is that in USA, PhD applicants from certain countries are required to sit for GRE. Australia and New Zealand are quite similar but you will find helpful information on the university websites regarding entry requirements

There are many factors that you have to look at, e.g proximity of your university vis-a-vis transport cost, your age group, whether accommodation off campus is shared, etc. As a PhD student, I stayed for one academic year in campus accommodation, every Friday/Saturday nights were party times for the two American flatmates would bring their friends. They'd mess up the kitchen and wouldn't bother to clean up. We were summoned by the accommodation officers on several occasions. When my contract ran out, I decided to rent an apartment outside campus and I don't regret making that decision. But take note, there are many types of accommodation off-campus which are shared, it can be the same scenario of having noisy housemates

I can identify myself with you. It happened to me but luckily I got the offer much early (May for the September intake). I just kept calm, I just had a feeling that writing or calling them would annoy them and lead them to revoke my studentship which I had struggled to get for 2 years.

But there's no harm making an inquiry. If it's in UK, they're probably busy with UCAS admission, but they'll eventually respond

Cranfield is highly regarded in the the field of Aeronautical/thermofluids engineering. It's the only public university in UK which has it's own runway and probably one of the few with research strength in aircraft crash investigation