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: Why the UK? Introduction to undergraduate studies in the UK The practicalities Second session: How to choose the right university and course? Advice on writing your personal statement 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): 3 years (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) 4 years (Sandwich course) 4 years (Scottish degree) Exceptions: Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture and Engineering List of recognised UK degree: www.dcsf.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees Undergraduate studies in the UK Types of courses Pre-degree / Access / Foundation programme Higher National diploma (HND) Foundation Degree First degree Taught master 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 enquiries@britishcouncil.org.hk 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?