The Access Masters Tour has announced the winner of its semi-annual lottery who will now have the unique opportunity to visit the grounds of a university of her choice for free.

► Meet top Masters programmes from around the world.

The winner is Athanasia Ageliki Theodorou from Greece, who participated in a One-to-One event in Athens as part of the 2018 Access Masters Fall Tour. She has chosen to visit one of Europe’s top universities - Loughborough University (UK).

Visit your dream university for free

Twice a year, the Access Masters Tour awards a free campus visit to an English speaking Bachelor’s degree recent graduate or senior student who has participated in a One-to-One event anywhere in the world. The name of the winner is selected in a random draw at the end of the fall and spring tour seasons. Subsequently, the Access Masters Tour arranges the campus visit to a university or business school selected by the winner, and covers travel and accommodation expenses of up to EUR 1,000.

The free campus visit lottery was introduced in 2014, giving Masters aspirants the opportunity to explore graduate schools during their search for the best Masters programme and study destination. So far Access Masters attendees have visited institutions such as ESMT Berlin (Germany) and Trinity College (Ireland), among others. Currently, the lottery winners can choose from a wide pool of universities based in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, United States and more.

Read: Making the Right Decision with a Campus Visit

Explore graduate schools before you apply

Campus visits are a key part of the Masters selection process. During their studies, the university campus becomes home to students for a year or two - the place they will share with peers, friends, and business contacts. The best way to pick a campus that is right for them is to visit it before they even apply. Touring a university and the city is a smart way to evaluate its distinguishing features and determine how well it suits one’s needs and personality. Applicants have the unique opportunity to walk the grounds between buildings, sample the local food and culture, and talk to the students, faculty, and administrators. Even just one or two days spent immersing themselves in the university’s environment will assist them in making that final, important decision about where to pursue their post-graduate study.

Visiting a university does not bind you to apply for admission. However, if you decide to apply, the visit can greatly help you build a really focused and informative application. Your personal impressions, tips and insider’s insights from attending classes and meeting students, professors and admissions’ officers, will help you build a strong set of arguments and examples to support your letter of motivation or statement of purpose - the most essential part of your application. Finally, having a glimpse at life in graduate school will help you assess the offerings of other universities. Overall, take every opportunity to explore graduate school; this experience will guide you to the right one for you.

Read: Making the Decision to Study Abroad

Meet your host before your trip

The Access Masters Tour visits 40 cities on five continents annually and introduces prospective Masters applicants directly to admissions’ officers and advisers of leading international universities and business schools. During a Masters event Bachelor’s degree senior students or recent graduates meet with university representatives during an open fair, workshops, school presentations or individually. This is an opportunity to learn essential details about the diversity of Masters programmes, admission requirements, scholarship options and career prospects.

Visiting a university to get a feel of life on campus after you have already met the admissions’ adviser is an extraordinary experience. Attending an Access Masters Tour event gives you the chance to win a free campus visit to a university of your choice. Don’t miss the opportunity and sign up now.

Take the opportunity now

The next winner will be able to visit their dream campus in spring 2020. Senior Bachelor’s degree students or recent graduates fluent in English can now sign up for Access Masters events in the fall 2019. Check out the schedule and destinations of the Access Masters Tour One-to-One  to make sure you don't miss your chance to get a feel of a desired graduate school.