UK higher education: an introduction How to make a great application for

UK higher education:
an introduction
How to make a great
application for
undergraduate study
in the UK!
Katherine Forestier, Director of
Education, British Council
Rachel Knutton,
International Officer
The University of Nottingham
Agenda
First session:
ƒ Why the UK?
ƒ Introduction to undergraduate studies in the UK
ƒ The practicalities
Second session:
ƒ How to choose the right university and course?
ƒ Advice on writing your personal statement
ƒ Navigating UCAS online application
Q&A
Why you should choose a UK education
• Tradition and innovation
• At the forefront of science and creativity
• A world-class qualification.
• Unrivalled quality assurance.
• The skills you need and employers want.
• Learning how to think, not what to think.
• A huge choice of courses at every level.
• A variety of teaching methods and assessment.
Map of the UK
Over 300
Universities
and
Colleges
50,000 +
Courses
Undergraduate studies in the UK
Types of institutions
• Colleges of higher education
• Universities
Duration (undergraduate):
ƒ 3 years (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
ƒ 4 years (Sandwich course)
ƒ 4 years (Scottish degree)
ƒ Exceptions: Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture and Engineering
List of recognised UK degree:
www.dcsf.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees
Undergraduate studies in the UK
Types of courses
ƒ Pre-degree / Access / Foundation programme
ƒ Higher National diploma (HND)
ƒ Foundation Degree
ƒ First degree
ƒ Taught master
ƒ Research programme
Undergraduate degree (學士學位課程)
• Offered in universities and some colleges
• Duration: 3 - 4 years
(Some exceptions: Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture and Engineering)
• Awards include BA, BSc, BEng / MEng, LLB
• Honours, joint honours, combined honours, ordinary degree, sandwich
course
• Wide range of subjects available
• Assessed by coursework / examination
• Apply direct to institution or through UCAS
(Universities and Colleges Admission Services)
www.ucas.com
Entry requirements
• UK Advanced Level and AS Level
• HK Advanced Level and AS Level
• Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
• National Diploma
• Higher National Diploma
• Foundation course
• Check:
• Institution prospectus and web site
• UCAS web site (www.ucas.com)
• Reference books
Entry requirements – English language
• Minimum of either of the following:
• GCSE – Grade C
• HKCEE Standard-referenced – Level 3
- the new HKCEE language subjects have been benchmarked against
the IGCSE by Cambridge Assessment. The HKCEE results in
English Language are recognised as equivalent to the IGCSE results
as follows:
Levels attained in HKCEE
5*
5
4
3
Grades attained in IGCSE
A*
A
B
C
• HK A/S level, Use of English – credit pass
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Band 6.0
• Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- 550 (paper based)
- 213 (computer based)
Working in the UK
•Tier 1 of the points-based system allows up to two years of post-study
work for the following:
• Students who have successfully completed and obtained a degree
course, postgraduate certificate or diploma, masters or PhD to
work in UK for up to two years (formerly International Graduates
Scheme)
• Students who have successfully completed a higher national
diploma (HND), degree course, postgraduate certificate or diploma,
masters or PhD at a Scottish university and have lived in Scotland
during their studies to work for up to two years (formerly Fresh
Talent scheme)
For further details, please visit:
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk
www.ukcisa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm
Do I need a visa?
• Entry Clearance Certificate (英國學生簽證) - rrequired for
students who intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months
• HKSAR passport holders need to obtain an Entry Clearance
Certificate (£99)
• BN(O) holders can apply for a UKRP either in Hong Kong (free)
or in the UK (£295 - £500)
• With effect from 11 October 2007 all visa applicants, irrespective
of nationality, will have to apply in person at the British ConsulateGeneral in Hong Kong and provide their fingerscans and a digital
photograph in support of their application.
• www.britishconsulate.org.hk
Fees
• Tuition:
• £7,000 - £12,000 per year
• Clinical: £10,000 - £21,000 per year
• Cost of living:
• £800 per month (in London)
• £650 per month (elsewhere in the UK)
Why you should choose a UK education
Student life need not be expensive!
•Student can work part-time
• Maximum of 20 hours / week during course of study
• Full time during vacation
•Travel, restaurant discounts etc
•Eligibility for National Health Service (NHS)
• Free doctor’s consultation
• Free hospital treatment
• Free dental treatment & prescription
How to apply
• Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS)
(英國大學及學院聯合招生辦事處)
•
•
•
•
Centralised online application system
Cycle starts 1 year in advance
Co-ordinate whole application process
Applications for full time, first degree, foundation degree &
higher national diploma (HND)
www.ucas.com
UCAS online application system
www.ucas.com
Apply
Register
Sections of your UCAS Application
•
•
•
•
•
•
Personal Details
Choices
Education
Personal Statement
Reference
Payment - £17
UCAS – Important application dates
Late June
Online Apply open for registration
1 September
First day for receipt of applications
15 October
Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry
Oxford or Cambridge
15 January
“On time” applications
30 June
Applications received after this date held for Clearing
Oxbridge applications 2009
•For University of Cambridge, you must submit a
Cambridge Overseas Application Form (COAF) as well as UCAS
application.
• University of Oxford does not require separate application form, but
extra information is required for some international interviews.
• Application Deadlines:
20 September for interviews outside EU/UK
15 October for interviews in UK/EU
• Applicants can ONLY apply to one institution.
• Application details and forms
Oxford: http://www.ox.ac.uk/undergraduate
Cambridge http://www.cam.ac.uk
Forthcoming events at the British Council
Scottish education evening
10 October 2008 6.30 p.m.-9.00 p.m.
Chinese International School, 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill
UK schools information day
19 October 2008 1.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Harbour View Room, 3/F, The Excelsior, Hong Kong, 281 Gloucester Road,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Education UK exhibition
14-15 February 2009
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
For enquiries and reservation:
Telephone 2913 5100
E-mail [email protected]
How to make a
great application
for undergraduate
study in the UK!
Rachel Knutton,
International Officer
The University of
Nottingham
How to make a great application for undergraduate study in the UK!
Choosing a subject to study
Choosing a course to study
Choosing an institution
Sources of information
Making an application
The personal statement
How to choose?
Choosing a subject
Choose a subject before an institution…
Think about…
• What interests you?
• What can you commit to for minimum 3 years?
• Subjects are you currently studying?
– Ideas – subjects you might want to continue
– Ideas – related subjects you might be interested in
– Ideas – subjects you definitely want to avoid
• Careers you are interested in?
• Do you want to study something completely different?
– What ‘new’ subjects are available?
• What pre-requisites do courses have?
• Stamford Test
Be open-minded and realistic about the options …
Choosing a course
Wide range of course structures available
Choose a degree structure that suits you, your background and
career aspirations
• Foundation, Bachelor degree, Undergraduate, Masters degree
• Single Honours, Joint Honours
• Other opportunities
– Integrated work placement
– Opportunities to study abroad
• Learning style, i.e. Medicine – Problem based or Systems based
• Practical work / field studies
Don’t be fooled by course titles!
• Course title vs Course description
• Check pre-requisites
Choosing a university
Subjects offered
Course structures available
Types of University in the UK i.e.
•
•
•
•
Russell Group
94 Group
Million +
Old/New
Campus / City Universities
Location
Academic facilities
Personal interest facilities
Choosing a university
Initial Research
•
•
•
•
•
UCAS course search, entry profiles
HE fairs
Institution representatives – Individual consultations, Presentations
Talk to family, friends and teachers
Long list of institutions
Further Research
• University website / prospectus
• Open days, private visits or virtual tours
• Shortlist of institutions
Exploring the options - sources of information
There’s lots of information so do your research thoroughly…
Don’t lose sight of what’s important to you
Useful websites
The UCAS Process
UCAS
• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
• Central applications agency for HE applications in England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland
• UCAS operates on behalf of all full-time HE courses at member
institutions
• Handles over 450,000 applications per year
• www.ucas.com
• Online applications system – one application, consideration by up to 5
University choices
The UCAS Process
•Simultaneous consideration (except Art & Design Route
B)
•‘Invisibility’
•Apply from 1 September 2008 for 2009 entry
•Start preparing early – check requirements
•15 October deadline for Oxford / Cambridge and for
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science/Medicine
•15 January / 30 June deadlines
How do you apply?
Ucas apply:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Registration
Personal Details
Choices
Education
Employment
Personal statement
Reference
Declaration
Payment (£7/£17*)
*Check www.ucas.com for fees relevant
to your year of entry
Personal statements
Most important element of the UCAS form
Interviews less popular
More emphasis on personal statements
This is your chance to
• sell yourself to admissions tutors
• stand out amongst the applications !!!
The University of Nottingham – History Degree
• 1470 applications for 105 places (14:1)
Personal statements
Prepare early
Consider:
• What you’re going to write about
• How you’re going to write it - it is not enough to just list things
Present a clear and well prepared statement
Must be your own work – statements are checked for plagiarism!
Talk to your personal tutor and ensure they understand
• What you are interested in
• How dedicated you are to pursuing a chosen career path
• Work to ensure Personal Statement and Tutor’s reference balance
each other
What are admissions tutors looking for?
No-one can tell you exactly what to write.
Requirements/preferences vary between universities and
admissions tutors
But there are common themes:
What are admissions tutors looking for?
Students who
• Are suited to the course
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Have qualifications and qualities for it
Are conscientious, hardworking and unlikely to drop out
Able to work under pressure
Can adjust to new university environment
Have good communication skills
Show dedication to the course and researched it well
Have genuine interest in the subject and a desire to learn more
Source: www.studential.com
What are admissions tutors looking for? - Content
What interests you about the subject area?
An understanding of the subject area, evidence of interest/motivation
• eg. Study of Literature:
– Evidence of wider reading (newspapers, articles outside A-level
syllabus)
– Watching & listening to relevant programmes
– Creative writing
– Theatre and cinema trips
An understanding of what is involved in the study of a subject
(especially if the subject is new to you)
Take care if applying for joint honours or different subjects at
different institutions
What admissions tutors look for - Content
• Career aspirations
• Relevant work experience/interests/hobbies
• Voluntary activities/experience
• Explanation of subjects and skills learned
• Explanation of skills learned through hobbies and interests
• People who are going to contribute something to the university
community
• Enthusiasm – people who are eager to learn
• Motivation for Higher Education
• Identify why you want to pursue the degree programme
• Two subjects? - try and identify a link between the two
• If you’re taking a year out – why?
Brainstorm
Sports and
leisure
activities
Prizes/
achievements
Part time/
voluntary
work
Positions of
responsibility
Coursework/
school
projects
Gap year?
Skills, experience and achievements audit
A personal statement isn’t a list of achievements
Why does a particular experience/activity make you a good
candidate?
Make skills/experiences relevant
Ask yourself – ‘So What?’
• Attempt to prove you have relevant skills and motivation to pursue
chosen course
• Identify skills they might be looking for
• Identify your skills and experience – a great place to start when writing
your personal statement
Mind Map
MY EXPERIENCE
Business
Studies
Group Project
Communication Skills
Organisation Skills
Innovator/Leader
Mind Map
MY EXPERIENCE
School
School Prefect
Time Management
Communication Skills
Organisation Skills
Mind Map
MY EXPERIENCE
Football
Captain of
school team
Time Management,
Leadership,
Team work
Skills, experience and achievements audit
Exercise to brain storm your skills and experience
Be prepared to explain your skills as well as list them
Example
‘I am a school prefect.’
Compared with:
‘In my role as school prefect I work with a variety of people
and have developed my communication skills as a result. I
liaise with the students, the staff and the senior members of
management which all involve a different style of
communicating’
Structure
Look at structure of example personal statements
Strong opening paragraph
Why you want to study the subject/course
Commitment to the subject
Why should you get a place?
•
•
•
•
•
Work experience
In-school activities/positions of responsibility
Extra-curricular activities
What you will bring to the course/University
Your goals or career plans (if relevant)
Leave the last paragraph memorable – for the right reasons!
Conclude on a positive note
Be concise in 47 lines, 4000 characters!
Use of language
The use of language is just as important as what you are saying in
your personal statement
Be positive and proactive
Try to use key buzz words and phrases
• negotiated, co-ordinated, directed
• Nothing too elaborate
Check spelling
Check grammar
Top Tips! – DON’T
Lie or embellish the truth
Start every sentence with ‘I’
Use vocabulary you wouldn’t normally use
Use txt language or slang
Try to make jokes
Show preference for one University over another
Repeat information that is elsewhere in your UCAS form
Directly copy example statements
Include quotations
Top Tips - DO
Start early
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brainstorm
Review and reflect, and write draft after draft after draft…
Consult friends and family
Make sure information is relevant to your application
Check university websites for specific guidance
Prepare the statement in a word processing package first
Proofread – some mistakes are note picked up by spell-checkers!
(spot the deliberate mistake…)
• Make copies
• Stand out from the crowd – for the right reasons!
So what next???
Know yourself
Research your options well
Prepare your best possible application:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Start with a mind map
Read around subject area
Careers advisors & tutors
Friends and family
Look at good and bad practice
Draft a statement
Critique and amend
Good luck!
Successful
applications!
Thank you for your time
Any Questions?