HMC Projects Scholarship Programme

A Scholarship for Two Years in a British Boarding School
with
HMC Projects in Central and Eastern Europe

The contest for the academic year 2024/25 (to start studies on September 1st, 2024) began on October 1st, 2023. Applications were considered from October 1st till November 5th, 2023. Following the pre-selection tests (November 2023) the selection interviews were held in January 2024. The scholarship offers for the year 2024 were finalised at the end of February — the beginning of March 2024. Please refer to the Contest Schedule for details. New applications are not considered until the next context is announced in October 2024 (to start studies in September 2025). 

Starting in autumn 2023, the application pack will be completed and submitted through the HMCP student/parent portal after registration with the country coordinator for Ukraine.

The Scholarship Programme to win a two-year scholarship in the Sixth Form of a British boarding school will run as usual during the war and coronavirus lockdown. All the changes in the organization of the selection process will appear on ConcordiaUA website.

General Information

HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) is an association of the Headteachers of many of the leading independent schools in the United Kingdom. HMC Projects is a British charitable trust which organises two scholarship programmes targeted at talented 16/17 year-olds from non-affluent backgrounds in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It takes about 90 scholars each year and places them in some 60 boarding schools in all parts of the UK, so that they can study for the full two-year Sixth Form programme and take internationally recognised qualifications (A levels, the International Baccalaureate or Scottish Highers).

Click here to read or download the HMC Projects Brochure.

For more information, please refer to the detailed description of the programmes (HMC Projects – How the Scholarship Programmes Work) and visit www.hmc.org.uk/projects.

HMC Projects Scholars come from 14 countries in all: Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. Since HMC Projects started in 1993 some 2000 young people have received scholarships from a range of boarding schools in the UK and in some cases abroad. Over 70 Ukrainian scholars have won HMC Projects scholarships since 2009.

Scholarships are advertised nationally each autumn (normally in October) and the advertisements will carry details of the persons and addresses to be contacted. Applications are made through your HMC Projects Country Coordinator – Ukrainian-American Concordia University around November time. Selection Interviews take place in January or February. Those awarded scholarships start the new school year in September.

In Ukraine, the HMC Projects Scholarship Programme started in Kirovohrad (Kropyvnytskyi) around the 90s under the patronage of a resident of Great Britain of Ukrainian descent. In Kropyvnytsky, the scholarship is still known under the name “Elworthy-HMC”. Between 2008–2017, the contest was organised by the Ukrainian Schoolheads’ Association. Since September 2017, Ukrainian-American Concordia University is responsible for administering the programme nationally acting as HMC Projects Country Coordinator for Ukraine, organising student interviews and providing support and advice for the scholars before their departure to the UK.

Could You Win a Scholarship? 

  • Are you bright, able, adaptable, different, ambitious, interesting?
  • Do you have consistently excellent school grades?
  • Do you have a very good command of English, spoken and written?
  • Are you a self-starter?
  • Could you not only cope, but thrive in a new environment, away from home, immersed in a different approach to learning?
  • Could you contribute to your new school academically, socially, culturally, in the arts, in sports?
  • Will you inspire others in the classroom? Are you ready to make new, lifelong friends?
  • Would you be a great ambassador for your own country?

HMC Projects will select students who, in addition to being very good in their academic studies, are sociable, adaptable, interesting and interested in other people and in ideas; they need to have charm and be ready to give of themselves to their new communities.

 

Two Scholarship Programmes

There are two parallel scholarship programmes for students who join the Lower 6th initially for one year, although it is now the normal practice for schools to invite students to stay on for the second year of the Sixth Form:

  • Full Scholarship Programme
  • Reduced Fee Scholarship Programme

HMC Projects Full Scholarships are intended to benefit those whose parents cannot afford to pay full United Kingdom boarding school fees. Schools participating in the Scheme consider this to be part of how they offer public benefit. Scholars offered a full scholarship are placed by HMC Projects in a school which has offered a firm place on the programme. To be eligible to apply your parents’/family’s income (annual) must not exceed the equivalent of £30,000.

Students who perform very strongly in the selection process, but who cannot be offered a full scholarship may have their names added to a list of reserves. These candidates are offered the opportunity to apply for a reduced fee scholarship along with the small number of those specifically selected by the interviewers because parental income is between £30,000 – £80,000 per annum. Schools which have offered a place/places will then choose their preferred applicants from those who apply. Reduced fee scholars pay partial fees to the school: typically, 20–25% of full fees (from £5,000 to 10,000 per annum). HMC Projects cannot guarantee that all recommended students who apply will be offered a place.

How to Apply

Applications for the academic year 2024/2025 are considered from the date the contest is announced (October 1st, 2023) till November 5th, 2023. The contest has two stages, Pre-selection (local/regional) and Selection Interviews (national):

  • The Pre-selection stage is housed by the coordinating committee in Kyiv and our local/regional agents, who conduct initial consultations with candidates and their parents, assist in filling in the online application forms, and organise the preliminary tests (November 2023) in order to identify the level of English proficiency of the candidates.
  • The Selection Interviews take place online or offline in Kyiv (and Kropyvnytskyi within Elvorti-HMC Programme), usually within one or two days in January. The candidates are interviewed by a team of HMC Projects in Central and Eastern Europe Around March. If in-presence interviews are impossible (due to wartime or lockdown restrictions) they are held online. The winners are announced at the beginning of March.

To get more information on the organisation of the contest in Ukraine please visit our Facebook group “HMC Projects – Ukraine” or contact Tetiana Nyzhnyk at +380 95 008 5850 or at hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua.

Application Process Step-by-Step

  1. Before you apply

Before you apply, the applicants and their parents are strongly advised to read the documents and instructions carefully. If the parents cannot read in English fluently, the applicants are supposed to translate the information for them:

  1. Preliminary registration

For preliminary registration (before submitting the completed Application Form) please tap on the “Quick Registration” button and fill in the required information. You can also pre-register by sending a brief email with your personal details (full name in Ukrainian and English, date of birth, full name of school in Ukrainian and English, current form, city, your contact telephone number and email, names and contacts of your parent or parents) to hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua. On receiving your data, we will contact you via email in order to confirm your registration data. Please keep in mind that ‘registration’ does not equal ‘application’. It is at this stage that you might receive a letter of rejection in case you are not eligible for participation in the programme (please check the section “Eligibility for HMC Projects Scholarships”). You can skip the preliminary (quick) registration if you include the above-mentioned registration data in the application letter (see below).

  1. Application via email

In order to apply, you should email the Country Coordinator for Ukraine – Ukrainian-American Concordia University at hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua. In your letter, please write that you are wishing to apply for the scholarship and attach a scan of your passport or ID card showing your photo and information including your date of birth. This year, we are charging an administrative fee payable to the Country Coordinator (390 UAH). After confirming the registration data, you will get a link to the Student/Parent Portsl of HMC Projects, where you will have to create an account and start completing the online application form, along with the full application instructions.

  1. Pre-selection tests

The Pre-selection tests are held in November. There are two test sessions you will have to sit:

  1. Online test of English – will be held online by the Ukrainian-American Concordia University within the second week of November, most likely on Friday or Saturday. The process will be thoroughly proctored to ensure the credibility of your results; the tests are marked automatically.
  2. Unprepared essay – you will have to write your essay (on one of the three topics announced during the session) during the second/third week of November. Most likely, this year you will have to write the essay online — in such a case the process will be thoroughly proctored to ensure the credibility of your results. It might be possible to organise the session offline on our regional agents’ sites. No electronic devices or print resources will be allowed. The regional agents assess and mark the essays and submit to the Country Coordinator the list of those recommended for selection interviews with HMCP representatives.

Based on your pre-selection test results, we will make the final list of candidates for selection interviews with HMCP representatives from the UK. This list will be posted in our Facebook group. These people will receive a follow-up email from the Country Coordinator (UACU) confirming that you have been selected for interview.

  1. Completing the full application pack

Following the receipt of the confirmation letter, you will have to upload to the Student/Parent Portal the Checklist Items, incl.:

  • your colour passport-style digital photo
  • the teacher e-mail address form containing the names and contact e-mail addresses of the teachers who you have asked to write a recommendation (your current English teacher, Maths teacher and either your class teacher, tutor or school Principal); the recommendations will be completed by those teachers online)
  • a separate form for academic grades for the previous and current academic years; copies of your last and current official school report cards with your subject grades signed and stamped by the school administration; your language certificates (e.g., IELTS)
  • additional supporting evidence (normally, some informal digital photos of you with your family and friends)
  • the parental personal statement and medical form
  • the parental income and assets declaration form

The Country Coordinator will provide further instructions and inform you of the interview dates assigned.

If yoy have any questions, please contact your regional agent or Country Coordinator (Ms Tetiana Nyzhnyk, +380 95 0085850, hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua).

Contest Schedule

The schedule of activities for the current contest (to start studies in September 2024):

  • October 1st 2023: the competition is announced and the application process starts; applications are considered from October 1st till November 5th 2023; Ukrainian panels of judges are registered on each of the local / regional agent’s locations; lists of applicants for a scholarship are compiled by the regional agents; dates for the pre-selection English tests are fixed by our regional / local agents.
  • November 2023: the coordinating centre in Kyiv and our local/regional agents hold the written pre-selection tests in order to determine the applicants’ English competence; the first test (November 11th) is centralised and held online by the Ukrainian-American Concordia University; the second test (November 18th) is the unprepared essay written either online or, when possible, offline on one of our regional agents’ sites (Kyiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Bila Tserkva, Zalishchyky, Dnipro); test committees mark the applicants’ essays and submit the essays and committee records to the Country Coordinator in Kyiv; by November 26th-30th the Country Coordinator shortlists the applicants recommended for interview with the representatives of HMC Projects from the UK.
  • December 2023: the Country Coordinator reviews the submitted application packs of those selected for interview and drafts the schedule of selection interviews; the list of candidates and the interview schedule is transferred to the interviewers in the UK by December 15th.
  • January 2024: representatives of HMC Projects from the UK interview the shortlisted candidates.
  • February – March 2024: HMC Projects select the full scholarship winners; strong and specifically selected candidates and offered to apply for the reduced fee scholarship.
  • March – May 2024: the winners receive correspondence from the school in the UK for which they had been selected by HMC Projects; each school sends a formal invitation.
  • June 2024: winners apply for a visa to travel and study in the UK; submit the documents required for the visa application; interviews in visa centres; flight tickets are purchased.
  • August/September 2024: the scholars start studies in the UK.

Contacts

KYIV – Country Coordinator for Ukraine

Contact person / Programme Supervisor:
Ms Tetiana Nyzhnyk
E-mail: hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua
Tel.: +380 95 008 5850

Ukrainian-American Concordia University
Postal address: 8-14 Turhenievska Street, Office 1-4, Kyiv, 01054
Tel./Fax: +380 44 236 9085, tel.: +380 44 236 1916
Rector: Prof. Oleksandr Romanovskyi

The coordinating centre in Kyiv is supported by the regional agents:

Kyiv Region (Bila Tserkva)

Contact person: Olena Bukhrashvili, e-mail: shvili09@gmail.com, tel.: +380 98 541 8332

Gymnasia №1 of Bila Tserkva (Persha Bilotserkivska Himnaziia)
Postal address: 54 Yaroslava Mudroho Street, Bila Tserkva, Kyivska Oblast, 09107
Website: http://www.gimnasi1-biltse.com.ua
Tel./Fax: +380 45 635 1977
E-mail: 1gimnasi-bts@ukr.net
Headmaster: Borys Smutok

Western Ukraine (Zalishchyky)

Contact person: Iryna Luchyn, e-mail: iraluchyn@yahoo.com, tel.: +380 97 660 9751

Zalishchyky State Gymnasium
Postal address: 68 Stepana Bandery Street, Zalishchyky, Ternopilska Oblast, Ukraine, 48600
Website: http://klasnashkola.eu/zal-der-gimn/pro-shkolu/
Tel.: +380 35 54 21383
Headmistress: Oleksandra Voichyshyn

Eastern Ukraine (Dnipro)

Contact person: Maryna Pyvovarova, founder of SIMPLEX.UA

E-mail: pyvovarova.m@simplex.ua
Tel.: +380 67 631 6320 (+Telegram/Viber)

If a regional agent does not respond, please contact Ms Tetiana Nyzhnyk at +380 95 008 5850 or at hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua

 

KROPYVNYTSKYI – Elvorti-HMC Programme

This progamme is administered in the city of Kropyvnytskyi & Kirovohrad region only and supported by Michael Clarkson Webb, а grandson of the Elworthy family.

Contact person:
Andrii Bondar, Anastasiia Svoboda
E-mail: hmc.krop@gmail.com
Tel.: +380 66 274 9794, +380 96 998 6446

Contest webpage: http://eti.kr.ua/konkurs-elvorti-nmc

Robert Elvorti Economics and Technology Institute
Street address: 3 Chykalenko Street, Kropyvnytskyi

Eligibility for HMC Projects Scholarships

    • You must apply via the HMC Projects Country Coordinator in your country. The current HMC Projects Country Coordinator for Ukraine is Ukrainian-American Concordia University (previously named Wisconsin International University (USA) Ukraine).
    • To be eligible for the HMC Projects Scholarship Programme you should be no younger than 16 years old and not older than 17 years and 6 months on 1st September (i.e. to start studies on 1st September 2024, a student’s date of birth must be between 1st February 2007 and 1st September 2008).
    • An applicant should complete all parts of the application form in which you tell HMC Projects about yourself and your achievements and write about why you want to win a scholarship. You will also organise references from your teachers, take an English Language test and, if invited, you will attend an interview (online or offline in Kyiv or Kropyvnytskyi) with one or two representatives of HMC Projects. Several sections of the application form have to be filled in and signed by an applicant’s parents (or guardians).
    • Your parents or guardians must support your desire to win a scholarship. You cannot apply without your parents’ consent!
    • HMC Projects Full Scholarships are intended to benefit those whose parents cannot afford to pay full United Kingdom boarding school fees. Thus, the combined parental income of applicants must not exceed £30,000 as assessed during 2022 (disposable income after tax has been paid). The parents of applicants for a full scholarship must sign a declaration that their combined net annual income will not have exceeded the equivalent of £30,000. Applicants, whose combined parental income in 2023 exceeds £30,000 (and falls between £30,000 and £80,000) and so who are not eligible for full scholarships, are welcome to apply for a Reduced Fee Scholarship. If family income exceeds £80,000 then applicants are ineligible for both programmes.
    • The parents of applicants invited to interview must also complete a separate Parental Income and Assets Declaration form.
    • A student may not apply for an HMC Projects scholarship if he or she is currently attending another school in the UK or has already been accepted to do so for September 2024.

What Will You Have to Pay?

All candidates are supposed to pay a small administrative fee of UAH 390 to the Country Coordinator. This fee is not refundable.

Full Scholarships

The full scholarship awarded by the school will cover all tuition fees and residential boarding fees (incl. meals and laundry during term time). HMC Projects charge an administrative fee of £1,000, payable to HMC Projects by parents of all HMC Projects scholars as a necessary contribution to the funding of such expenses as interviews, initial student bursaries and half term support. The latest date for payment is 1st July, 2024.  Thereafter, this fee is not refundable.

Reduced Fee Scholarships

Reduced fee scholars do not pay an administrative fee and so receive no bursary or any other benefits from HMC Projects. Your family will have to pay reduced school fees – typically between £5,000 and £10,000 each year.

You will have to pay your travel costs to and from the UK, to and from school to the nearest airport (incl. main and half term holidays). All HMCP students are expected to travel home during the main school holidays. If you have friends/relatives in the UK, it is fine for your son/daughter to stay with them over the half term holiday.

Your family will also have to pay visa and healthcare costs (incl. UK health insurance).

The expenses calculator will help you to roughly estimate the costs.

There are likely to be some extras that will be added to a termly bill presented to parents by the school at the end of each term, to be paid before the start of the following term. This might include such things as weekend trips away from the school site, certain stationery requirements and specialist activities which are not part of the school’s core curriculum (£50–£100 per term). Students will receive advice and guidance both from their school and from HMC Projects as to how they can keep such costs to an absolute minimum.

Scholarship Winners

2023

On September 1st2023, five Ukrainian pupils (incl. both types of offers, full and reduced-fee, from all regions of Ukraine) are starting studies in the following independent schools:

  • Framlingham College(Framlingham, Suffolk, England) – a top UK co-educational day and boarding school, located in stunning surroundings in the market town of Framlingham, in the heart of Suffolk – https://www.framlinghamcollege.co.uk/
  • Rugby School(Rugby, Warwickshire, England)– founded in 1567, one of the oldest independent schools in Britain, famous for being the birthplace of the game of rugby football – https://www.rugbyschool.co.uk/
  • Akademeia High School(Warsaw, Poland)– a private academically-selective international high school in Warsaw, offering iGCSEs and A Levels – https://edu.pl
  • RossallSchool (Fleetwood, Lancashire, England) – a co-educational day and boarding school, located next to Rossall Beach; established in 1844, Rossall is the only school in the UK to have its own Astronomy Centre and Victorian Observatory and is home to an International Football Academy, an International Piano Academy, and the Broadway Academy of PerformingArts – https://rossall.org.uk/
  • The Mount School York(York, North Yorkshire, England) – a day and boarding school for girls with the campus located just 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of York – https://www.mountschoolyork.co.uk/

2022

In 2022, nine HMC Projects applicants (incl. both types of offers, full and reduced-fee, from all regions of Ukraine) won scholarship places in eight schools:

  • Dollar Academy(Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Scotland)– founded in 1818, it is the oldest co-educational boarding school in the UK, situated at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Central Scotland – dollaracademy.org.uk
  • New Hall School(Chelmsford, Essex, England) – an independent co-educational school in Essex – newhallschool.co.uk
  • Woodhouse Grove School(Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire, England)– an independent co-educational day and boarding school, founded in 1812 and situated on a 70-acre campus in Yorkshire – woodhousegrove.co.uk
  • King William’s College(Castletown, the Isle of Man) – an independent co-educational day and boarding school, founded in 1833 and situated on the Isle of Man – kwc.im
  • Frensham Heights School(Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey, England) – a progressive independent day and boarding school with a 100-year history – frensham.org
  • Cheltenham College(Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England) – an independent co-educational school of the Victorian period, founded in 1841 – cheltenhamcollege.org
  • Ellesmere College(Ellesmere, Shropshire, England) – an independentco-educational day and boarding school set in rural northern Shropshire, located near the market town of Ellesmere; founded in 1884 by Canon Nathaniel Woodard – ellesmere.com
  • Akademeia High School(Warsaw, Poland)– a private academically-selective international high school in Warsaw, offering iGCSEs and A Levels – edu.pl

When the war began, HMC Projects were working hard to secure as many boarding places for Ukrainian pupils as possible. At their initiative, those participants of selection interviews who, initially, had not been granted full or reduced-fee scholarships received scholarship offers from independent boarding schools in the UK. Thus, additionally, 20 Ukrainians were placed in 19 British schools with full or partial tuition discounts, i.e. Barnard Castle SchoolBenenden SchoolBerkhamsted SchoolCheltenham CollegeDollar AcademyFelsted SchoolGiggleswick SchoolGodolphin SchoolKing’s School RochesterMoreton HallPangbourne CollegePlymouth CollegeRatcliffe CollegeSherborne SchoolThe Leys SchoolTruro SchoolWoodbridge SchoolWorksop College, and Wrekin College.

2021

On September 1st, 2021, seven Ukrainian scholars started the new academic year at six British independent schools:

  • Chigwell School(Chigwell, Essex, England) – an independent co-educational school situated in 100 acres of beautiful grounds, ten miles from London – chigwell-school.org
  • Dollar Academy(Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Scotland) – founded in 1818, it is the oldest co-educational boarding school in the UK, situated at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Central Scotland – dollaracademy.org.uk
  • Durham School(Durham, Durham, North East England) – an independent co-educational boarding and day school, situated in the majestic surroundings of Durham City, within walking distance of the World Heritage sites of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, as well as the prestigious Durham University – http://www.durhamschool.co.uk
  • Harrogate Ladies’College (Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England) – founded as a girls’ senior school in 1893, it is an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls located in the town of Harrogate, England – http://www.hlc.org.uk/
  • Scarborough College(Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England) – an independent co-educational day and boarding school – scarboroughcollege.co.uk
  • Shiplake College(Shiplake, Oxfordshire, South East England) – an independent boarding and day school in Shiplake, by the River Thames, just outside Henley-on-Thames – http://www.shiplake.org.uk/

2020

On September 1st, 2020, eight Ukrainian scholars got an opportunity to start the new academic year at eight British boarding schools:

  • Chigwell School(Chigwell, Essex, England) – an independent co-educational school situated in 100 acres of beautiful grounds, ten miles from London – chigwell-school.org
  • Dulwich College(Dulwich, London, England) – an independent day and boarding school for boys; only 12 minutes by train from central London – dulwich.org.uk
  • Loughborough Grammar School(Loughborough, Leicestershire, England) – an independent day and boarding school for boys, founded in in 1495 – www.lsf.org/grammar
  • Scarborough College(Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England) – an independent co-educational day and boarding school – scarboroughcollege.co.uk
  • Seaford College(Lavington Park, Petworth, West Sussex, England) – founded in 1884, an independent co-educational day and boarding school, situated in the heart of West Sussex – www.seaford.org
  • Sherborne School (Sherborne, Dorset, England) – an independent boys’ day and boarding school, located beside Sherborne Abbey in north-west Dorset – www.sherborne.org
  • Woodhouse Grove School(Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire, England) – an independent co-educational day and boarding school, founded in 1812 and situated on a 70-acre campus in Yorkshire – www.woodhousegrove.co.uk
  • Wycombe Abbey School(High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England) – an independent girls’ boarding school, founded in 1896 – wycombeabbey.com

2019

On September 1st, 2019, four Ukrainian scholars started their 6th Form studies at the following British schools:

  • Bede’s Senior School (Upper Dicker, East Sussex) – an independent co-educational school located in the heart of the Sussex countryside – http://bedes.org
  • New Hall School(Chelmsford, Essex) – an independent co-educational school in Essex – newhallschool.co.uk
  • Sutton Valence School(Sutton Valence, Kent) – a coeducational independent school in the county of Kent– http://www.svs.org.uk/
  • Chigwell School(Chigwell, Essex) – an independent co-educational school situated in the village of Chigwell on the north-east edge of London – http://www.chigwell-school.org

2018

On September 1st, 2018, five Ukrainian scholars were selected to study at:

HMC Projects Country Coordinator for Ukraine

The current HMC Projects Country Coordinator for Ukraine is Ukrainian-American Concordia University (previously named Wisconsin International University (USA) Ukraine).

Ukrainian-American Concordia University and HMC Projects in Central and Eastern Europe signed the Memorandum of Cooperation with the intent to efficiently realise the scholarship programme for gifted Ukrainian secondary school pupils, offering them an opportunity to study for the full two-year Sixth Form programme in boarding schools of the United Kingdom and take internationally recognised qualifications.

Starting from 2018, the HMC Projects Country Coordinator – Ukrainian-American Concordia University – operates at the pre-selection stage nationally through the system of regional agents. If your school / educational institution is eager to assist us in administering the programme locally, please contact us at hmcprojects@uacu.edu.ua.

Personal Data Protection

Ukrainian-American Concordia University as the Country Coordinator for Ukraine will act in accordance with the policy for data collection, security, use and retention defined by HMC Projects in Central and Eastern Europe in compliance with the legal requirements of the general data protection requirements (GDPR) in the UK.

Tips and Comments from Alumni

  • It doesn’t make us less happy to receive the Hogwarts letter 5 years later than we were supposed to, and not by an owl-post, but as an email. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation whether to give this opportunity a go or not. Tickets bought (airplane – not a Hogwarts express), suitcases packed and we are in the UK, in a homey town named Harrogate, to be precise.  

    Harrogate is a shy town that doesn’t stab the clouds with skyscrapers’ spires, doesn’t disturb squirrels with car honks and people with advertisement banners. Actually, try to use all your stereotypes about England to outline Harrogate in your mind: green fields, brick houses and lots of corgis.

    It becomes obvious now why Harrogate Ladies’ College was established exactly in this place 128 years ago. The spirit of learning – this is what has not changed since those times, unlike the roads, hopefully.  

    Let us take you for a virtual excursion in school. Close your eyes and imagine that you are walking down the corridor. Laughing girls in navy blue uniforms leave you behind as you stare, mesmerized, at artworks: abstract paintings and majestic dresses made by students. You peep in every classroom that you pass. Whether it is a chemistry lab, a drama studio or a music hall – every room has modern equipment, piles of books and big windows to observe lacrosse games outside. There are also small rooms called “studies”. Perhaps, it is too obvious, but pupils study there – do their prep (homework) or just hang out with friends. If you follow the smell, it will guide you to the noisy dining hall, stuffed with girls and teachers. Help yourself to the fish and chips!  

    While you are enjoying your lunch, we will reveal to you a secret – this is a precise description of us on the day of our arrival. We had the same excursion and were even 10 times more excited than you!

    We were sure that it was the biggest shock we would experience. However, it appeared we never actually knew what the shock was, until we received our schedules. As we study in the Sixth form (google British system of education), we were supposed to choose only 3 and yes, it is not a printing mistake, – 3 subjects. So instead of having all day filled with lessons, we have lots of free hours. Although, it may look as if we are chilling here, it is right on the contrary, because we have at least 2 teachers for each subject. For example, I have 3 teachers for my English literature, which means I have to write 3 essays for my prep. Add other subjects. Plus studying them not in a native language. Even though I am not good at Maths, I can say that it is quite a lot.  

    This is what my sister says about her experience so far:

    “At the beginning it was hard. Imagine talking foreign language 24/7, explaining your feelings, thoughts and needs. In addition to the huge number of unfamiliar words to learn, we have to understand various accents and get used to the fast pace of speaking.  

    Lessons are conducted differently than in Ukraine. For instance, during History we need to take notes by ourselves, as no one will give you a complete list of reasons “Why Churchill lost the 1945 general election”. Psychology is a totally new subject for the local girls as well. This makes lessons a bit easier as we are all in the same boat. We have already done some experiments: found out that larks react faster than owls and tasted 2 types of chocolate as a part of our repeated measures design study. During French lessons, me and 3 other girls (yes, the groups can be that big) discuss different types of marriage, reasons for a divorce and political “coming-outs.”  

    There will definitely be days full of stress and anxiety because of being surrounded by everything new. There will be days which we will call “the best of our lives”. Discoveries and disappointments, victories and struggles – everything will happen.

    But you know what? We are enjoying it so much! Knowledge is a treasure, learning – a challenge, which we are more than ready to embrace. 

    HMC Projects Scholars from Ukraine (2021), Harrogate Ladies' College
  • Hey everyone! It’s been almost three weeks since I left home and began my ‘adult life’ in the UK. I know that it might be too early to make such a claim but it is the best experience I have had in my life so far. I enjoy every single minute spent in my new school and feel extremely happy.

    Believe me or not, but you do not have time to feel homesick or upset because you always have something to do and it is not only about studying. You may join the music department, do different sports or take up art classes, for example. There is a wide range of facilities and you just have to choose what you like the most or try something that you have never done before. You won’t be bored, I promise.

    To be honest, there might be some times when I feel really awkward or do not know how to do something. It is quite challenging to learn all the physics terminology an theory not in my native language but it is getting better every day. However, if I have any questions or queries, people here are always happy to give me a hand. In such a friendly and warm atmosphere I actually feel like home.

    Boarding is another great aspect of studying abroad. It is all about laughing at the same jokes, cooking together on Sunday mornings, organizing exciting trips or competitions and simply having a good time.

    If you still doubt whether you should apply for the HMC Projects or not, I ask you to try! Do not be afraid, get out of your comfort zone and make your dream happen. I assure you that it is possible to win. Believe in yourself, work hard and keep going! I take my chances, do you?

    HMC Projects Scholar from Ukraine (2019), Sutton Valence School
  • My first impressions of the life in Dollar Academy

    From the moment I was offered a scholarship at Dollar Academy, I already knew that my life was going to change completely in the nearest future. I was asking myself a question: ‘How would it be, life in a boarding school?’ Now, two weeks since my whole world turned upside down, I think I have an answer.

    And the answer is: it’s the best experience I could ever wish for. Of course, it requires lots of efforts: leaving your family and friends, packing all the stuff you have in your room into only 23 kilos you’re allowed to have in your suitcase, trying not to lose yourself and your documents at the airport… But this big adventure of yours is absolutely worth it because it’s the first step you take into the adult life.

    My story starts on the plane, heading to the airport of Edinburgh. I’ve never seen such breathtaking landscapes before, even though I have travelled a lot. This pure, virgin beauty of Scottish Highlands made me realize that it’s time to give a birth to a new and definitely a very thrilling chapter of my life. ‘I’m ready, I told myself, and I’m capable of everything.’ There I was, accepting the biggest and the best challenge I’ve ever been given.

    First of all, as cliché as it sounds, it’s all about meeting new people. So far, it has been the best part of my life in Scotland because it’s the people who make the place, and that’s what I found in Dollar Academy. Starting from my house parents, who are one of the kindest and most supportive people I’ve ever had a pleasure to meet, to my teachers, who are in love with their subject and who are ready to share this love with all the students. Thanks to them, studying has become a pleasure for me and even Mondays do not scare me anymore.

    Secondly, it’s about experiencing unfamiliar things you’ve never done before: doing your tie, reading Shakespeare’s “Othello” in the original, auditioning for the school play, singing hymns in the assembly. And, believe me or not, you may find a lot of fun doing this.

    Life in a boarding school is something that you cannot prepare yourself for, but once you’ve tried, it will be difficult to abandon it. In this short period of time I have already made many good friends from different parts of the world, designed my own pizza menu for my graphic communication class, strolled around the picturesque city of Edinburgh and fulfilled my dream to make an art project. And I know that it’s only the very beginning. Much more is waiting for me, and I’m looking forward to facing it.

    HMC Projects Scholar from Ukraine (2018), Dollar Academy
  • A message to scholars

    Dear scholars,

    First of all – please, let me congratulate you on receiving such a prestigious award! You and your family should be extremely proud of you, as you really deserve it!

    I remember being put in your place three years ago and my heart fills in with such joy just by thinking about this fantastic experience. However, I also remember wondering where would this journey take me and what potential difficulties should I expect, so I will try to make it easier for you and not to let your worries ruin all the eagerness you are experiencing right now.

    Getting visa is already a very serious and important step on your way to the UK, so make sure that all the right documents are submitted, but don’t worry – HMC Projects is always there to help you with your preparations. Make sure to book your appointments as early as possible, as a waiting list for them could be quite long in the summer – this will also assure that you have plenty of time to re-apply for your visa if you would have to.

    The first serious problem you might have to deal with in UK is understanding of spoken English, as there would be a lot of different accents (as you would expect from such an international community). However, the most complicated accent for me to understand was Birmingham accent, which is prevailing in the area of Wolverhampton (and Tettenhall). The cure to that is to get familiar with it beforehand by watching some YouTube videos and if you are into British series – watch “Peaky Blinders”.

    Tettenhall College is indeed very welcoming and all the staff/students make sure that you are feeling like at home. You will have multiple activities that will help your integration into a school community. Therefore, go out there and do not be afraid “not to fit in” – in TC there is a place for everybody!
    “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” – one of my Chinese partners has shared this saying with me and I have been living by it since then. Hence, my advice would be to get in to all the activities, that are very popular among English students, but not very popular with other international students – for example: musicals, clubs, plays, sports, etc. This will not only help you to become more interesting and confident person, but also to gain respect from all the staff.

    Do ask questions! – My ability and confidence to ask any question has helped me in achieving my fluency in English, as well as securing admirable grades in all my subjects.

    After my studies I have had a fantastic opportunity to work with an English Summer Camp and still am continuing my co-operation with it – as for now, I am representing this camp in China for 6 weeks and teaching Chinese students (the referee for my job application was one of the members of staff of Tettenhall College, so another piece of advice would be to keep yourself open for any opportunities).

    Such an opportunity was granted by my university – University WSB in Poland, which has allowed me to study distantly while I am away for this trip. This university has also provided me with a scholarship (which covers all the costs associated with my stay in Poland) last October for the whole duration of my studies (3 years), so now I study “International Business” in English there.

    In conclusion, I would like to promise you that you will have the time of your life in Tettenhall College, just like I had, no matter your age, background or interests.

    Best regards

    HMC Projects Scholar from Ukraine (2015), Tettenhall College
  • Going to study to the UK was truly life changing experience for me. Thanks to HMC Projects I got to spend 2 years at Seaford College in West Sussex, with its welcoming and caring community. Education system in the UK is completely different to the one in Ukraine. As part of my A-level studies I was able to choose 4 subjects that truly interested me and focus on studying what I enjoy. Classes were small and full of discussions, prompting students to express their own opinions and learning how to defend your point of view. Skills I learned as a result of such educational system, have helped me a lot not just in further studies, but in life in general.

    Of course, moving to a different country with a different language and culture has its own difficulties. The biggest struggle for me turned out to be the language. It took me two or three months before I could fully express myself as freely as I would do it in my native language and this was particularly difficult for me, as a person who values communication with people a lot. But thanks to wonderful people around me I overcame this problem with ease. While preparing for the trip it is important to be ready for changes, they will be everywhere: in your way of life, in your way of thinking and even in your mentality! I would also recommend to explore and embrace the novelty and take the most out of it, the time will pass so quickly, but the memories will stay forever, so it is important to go and create your memories!

    Nowadays I am studying dual degree in International Relations at university in Warsaw, Poland in partnership with Coventry University. At the same time I work at Accenture corporation and continue to be an active student participating and organising conferences and educational events for students. I am also a member of a student NGO and helping to launch and maintain Women In International Security Project.

    I cannot stop thanking HMC Projects for such a truly unique and life changing opportunity to study at the UK and hope that it keeps prospering and helping young bright students to discover new world and new self. Thank you!

    HMC Projects Scholar from Ukraine (2013), Seaford College