Admission

Following is the Standard Operating Procedure of Application for Admission to East Coast University.

1. Online Application Form
Notes:
  • All application materials must be submitted on-line with the online application form (with the exception of letters of recommendation, which may be mailed). Materials sent by postal mail, electronic mail or fax are not considered.
  • You may apply to two departments simultaneously and to any number of degree programs within the selected departments. You will be considered by each department in the order these are ranked on the application form (preferred department vs. alternative department.) Please note that if you are going to apply for multiple programs, whether delivered by one or more departments, you will need to submit a separate application for each program.
  • You can track your progress and learn the outcome of your application by checking your online application form. The admissions decision will be displayed in it as soon as it is posted by the relevant academic department. Please go here to find out more about this feature.
  • Non-degree candidates should submit the application form and documents required for non-degree and visiting students.
  • ECU does not return application documents, or copies thereof under any circumstances.
2. Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must have two (or, to certain doctoral programs, three) letters of recommendation submitted assessing their ability to conduct graduate-level work, and potential for a successful academic or professional career. The letters of recommendation must be written by faculty members or job supervisors – i.e. people most familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional abilities and character – in English.

Alternatively, letters of recommendation may be sent by regular (postal) mail also. In such cases, the recommender should provide one copy for each department the applicant is applying to, place each copy in a separate envelope, sign it across the seal, and mail it to the ECU Admissions Office.

NOTE: Recommendations sent by postal mail are often delayed, misbelieved, or lost in transit. Also, they take longer to process even if received in time. We therefore strongly encourage the online submission of recommendation letters.

3. Academic Records

Applicants must submit with the online application form a scanned image of:

  1. An official English translation* of their transcript (transcript = an official report supplied by a school on the record of an individual student, listing subjects studied and grades received) or an official copy thereof if it is originally in English;
  2. An official English translation* of their diploma or an official copy thereof if it is originally in English.

Admitted students must supply hard copies of the above documents, as well as

  1. An official copy of their diploma in the original language, if other than English, with the ink stamp and signature of a notary public or an authorized university official;
  2. An official copy of their full transcript in the original language, if other than English, with the ink stamp and signature of a notary public or an authorized university official.
Notes:
  1. Applicants in the process of completing a degree program must submit an interim transcript and an official letter in English signed by the registrar, stating that they are expected/scheduled to complete their current course of study by August 1, 2011.
  2. Admitted students must submit a hard copy of their full transcript (with an official translation if applicable) listing ALL courses studied, including any transfer credits with the relevant grades, while completing their degree program.
  3. Applicants to Master’s programs must submit academic records of their first (Bachelor’s) degree. Applicants to doctoral programs must submit academic records of both their first (Bachelor’s) and second (Master’s) degrees.
  4. Students holding an official transcript containing a statement about the degree earned, including the date of graduation and the title of the academic degree awarded, are exempt from the requirement to submit an official copy of their diploma.
  5. For students holding an official “Diploma Supplement,” which is an additional document given with a diploma: according to EU rules, this document cannot be accepted in place of the diploma. Therefore, students holding a “Diploma Supplement” are still required to submit an official copy of the diploma in the original language with an ink stamp and signature of a notary public or an authorized university official and an official English language translation* of the diploma.

*An official translation

bears the ink stamp and signature of a sworn translator or an authorized official of the institution that issued the original; contains the stamp and signature on each page or over a folded and fastened corner of the document; includes a statement of authenticity in English.

4. A full curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of publications, if any
5. Proof of English proficiency

This is defined as an official score report from one of the English-language examinations listed under Language Requirements. Please submit available scores with your application, or request exemption from the English testing requirement, if applicable. Candidates applying are eligible to take the ECU-administered institutional TOEFL. Admitted students must provide documentary evidence of their scores prior to enrollment.

Criteria for admission to Undergraduate Programs:
  • Academic: one or more of the following (please see table below): 
    – excellent (senior) high school graduation grades for relevant subjects 
    – completed A Levels, IB or an internationally-recognized Foundation Year program with relevant subjects 
    – completed the first year of an HND or Advanced Diploma related to the relevant program 
    – in the first year of study on a relevant undergraduate degree
  • Age: students are at least 18 years old
  • English Language Level: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 513 (183 computer based test, 65 internet based test), Pearson test of English (PTE) 46-48, or equivalent; GCE “O'”level English grade C
Criteria for admission to Postgraduate Programs:

The following admissions requirements represent the university’s general policies. Individual departments may establish additional criteria for admission as deemed necessary, including, but not limited to, specifying appropriate academic backgrounds and requiring higher minimum language test scores.

Eligibility requirements for Master’s programs

Applicants must have a first degree from a recognized university or institution of higher education, or provide documentation indicating that they will earn such a first degree before enrolment in a ECU Master’s program. For its one-year US accredited Master’s programs, ECU normally accepts students who have completed four years of undergraduate university study. Applicants with a three-year Bachelor’s degree will be considered for two-year Master’s programs (both for the ones accredited in the US and in Canada).

Admission into the accredited one-year programs with a three-year Bachelor’s degree will also be possible for suitable candidates.

Eligibility requirements for doctoral programs

Applicants must have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a related field from a recognized university or institution of higher education, or provide documentation indicating that they will earn such a degree before enrolment in a ECU doctoral course of study.

Students enrolled in a doctoral program at ECU must not be simultanously enrolled in other institutions of higher education, and are required, at the beginning of their studies at ECU , to sign a declaration to this effect.

Transfer from doctoral programs at other universities

Students enrolled in doctoral programs at other institutions may request transfer to a ECU doctoral program. In such cases, the doctoral committee of the relevant ECU department may accept the student on condition that the student:

  • takes the complete coursework component of the program, or
  • takes some courses of the coursework component of the program, and/or
  • passes the comprehensive examination component of the coursework.

Before you begin your course, you must enrol as a student at East Coast. You should follow the following steps to enrol:

Step 1

You will be required to complete an online pre-enrolment process prior to attending the University. Details about this will be sent to you once you have confirmed your acceptance of an unconditional offer.

Step 2

Attend your face-to-face enrolment session at the University. Details about the date, time and location of this enrolment session will be sent to you by your Faculty.  

You must bring a number of documents with you:

  1. Proof of your identity – this should be one of the following:
    • Passport
    • National identity card
    • Original birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth (and original marriage certificate if your birth name has changed through marriage).
  2. Original certificates or official results notification for all the qualifications required to meet the conditions of our offer, unless your faculty has confirmed that they have already seen these.
  3. A printed copy of your online pre-enrolment confirmation.
  4. Passport-sized photographs, if requested by your faculty.
Step 3

You must pay, or make arrangements to pay, your study fees. It is a condition of enrolment that you accept full responsibility for the payment of all course fees and any other fees you incur while registered as a student, including accommodation fees if you are living in University accommodation.

If you have claimed a tuition fee loan to cover your tuition fees you should bring with you a copy of your Student Local Authority support letter, providing details of your tuition fee loan and showing your student support number. If a sponsor, such as an employer, is paying your fees you should bring a sponsor letter confirming your sponsor’s intention to pay your fees.

If you accept a conditional offer, we will confirm your place on the course once you have met those conditions. Sometimes, even if you don’t achieve the required grades of the offer, it may still be possible to reserve a place on the course.

If you receive an offer of a place without being invited for interview, you may wish to visit the University to discuss your application and see our facilities before deciding whether to accept the offer. Our Open Days provide an opportunity for this, or you can arrange an individual visit through the faculty.

If you’re not accepted on your chosen course, or your place is not confirmed after we’ve received your results, you may find an alternative place through Clearing.

Deferred entry

If you’re thinking about taking a year out before coming to the University, we will be happy to consider your application for deferred entry, particularly if you plan to use the time constructively.

Tuition fees for the courses vary depending on the course. For further details, please get in touch with the relevant contact for the course you are interested in.

Students with equivalent level qualifications (ELQ)

If you are a Hungarian or EU student who already holds an equivalent or higher level qualification to the one you wish to study, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. Please visit our ELQ fee information page for further details.

Living costs

In addition to your tuition fees, we estimate that you will require approximately €6,000 to €7,000 per year to cover the cost of accommodation, heating, food, books, stationery, travel and other basic living expenses.

Funding for undergraduates

There are a number of ways you may be able to receive financial help with your tuition fees and living expenses, including student loans, grants and bursaries. For more information visit the following pages:

  • Support for full-time undergraduates
  • Support for part-time undergraduates

To attract outstanding individuals irrespective of their financial situation, East Coast offers a range of Financial Aid packages supporting the majority of our students during their studies. The main types of East Coast Financial Aid include:

  • East Coast Fellowships for students (full and partial)
  • Tuition waivers (full and partial)
  • East Coast Doctoral Fellowships for most students pursuing PhD degrees
  • Externally Funded Financial Aid from the European Commission as well as other private and public donors and organizations including federal loans for US citizens

East Coast Alumni Scholarships awarded to students in financial need who have a proven record of leadership in extracurricular activities, community service and civic engagement.

In addition to the Financial Aid, East Coast rewards academic excellence of its current students through various research grants and achievement.

East Coast Financial Aid is awarded based on academic merit – to students from all around the world.

East Coast Financial Aid is awarded on a highly competitive basis. We urge each applicant to make a responsible assessment of their financial need before requesting financial aid or to seek support from other sources such as foundation grants, or individual or employment sponsors.

For Undergraduate students

Financial Aid is awarded for the upcoming academic year only. The award is valid for one year and is not transferable if the student defers enrolment.

For four-year Bachelor’s programs, the award can be extended for the second year, based on academic performance during the first year, and in accordance with the institutional Financial Aid allocation guidelines. ECU reserves the right to alter the terms of the Financial Aid award and eligibility requirements at any time.

For Postgraduate students

Students admitted into East Coast doctoral degree programs are eligible to receive a Full CEU Doctoral Fellowship for up to three years.

Doctoral students who receive funding from state sources or other organizations are required to declare that they are supported externally. For the duration of their external grant, such students are not eligible to receive financial support from East Coast.

Additionally, in those cases in which a student wishes to keep his/her employment, East Coast may request full or partial tuition payment and will expect the student to be able to cover his/her living costs.

Other Scholarship Funds

As well as an extensive range of East Coast Financial Aid packages, the university administers several externally funded scholarships. Students may apply for funding from the International Visegrad Fund, or take advantage of scholarships from the European Commission, private donors and organizations.

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