Studying in English
speaking universities and
the art of applying
2012
Why study in the English speaking
world?
Selective system
Small group teaching
Low drop out rates
Fixed length of study
Progression to international post-graduate
study
Where to study within a country?
Large city or small town rural area
Cost of living
University/campus location
Academic and social facilities
Accommodation facilities and costs
Using essential information sources
Ucas: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
Ucas is the central organisation that processes applications for fulltime undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges
You can apply for five courses (4 courses for medicine) at the same
time
Accurate self-assessment in relation to course: see grade
equivalence sheet
22 pounds for multiple applications/7 pounds for single application
collegeboard.com and Canadian universities
Using the ucas website
Ucas and other deadlines
15 October deadline for applications to Oxford
and Cambridge
15 October for: medicine; dentistry; veterinary
medicine/science
15 January is the main deadline for all other
applications
Entrance exams
Timelines: school based dates
Application forms and self profiling
Personal statement – be very careful about age
Academic history
List your achieved and pending French qualifications and
GCSEs
UK universities are familiar with French school
system/grades
English language qualifications: C grade at English
GCSE and OIB bi-lingualism
Essays and self-presentation
Personal statement
Read the course requirements on university
website via ucas and respond
Show enthusiasm
Balance if applying to different areas: check with
university for any underlying criteria they may
have
Don’t alienate different institutions
Extras: stages; skills; reading; work experience.
TPE: very important
Start now!!!!!!
Personal statement (cont)
The opportunity to sell yourself
Good introduction
Clear structure
Positive messages
Strong ending – idea of a future
career/readiness for university
NO PLAGIARISM OF ANY SORT
The reference
The reference should support your
application
You are responsible for its input: not the
referee
Various sources: bulletins; teacher
profiles; students; outside activity leaders
and teachers.
What happens to the form?
Transmitted live online to UCAS or to American
universities; by mail to Canadian universities
Sent to admissions office at universities
Forwarded to departmental admissions tutors to make
decision
Offer/Shortlist/Reject
Universities inform ucas
Ucas informs you
American and Canadian inform you directly
What universities are looking for
Students who will be interesting to teach
Motivation
Dedication
Students who meet the entry
requirements: balance between selfknowledge and ambition
Exchange schemes
Check with your institution if an exchange
agreement with European or world universities
institution exists
Particularly appropriate for bi-lingual students
Erasmus most well known at the moment
Apply through your home institution
Details on tuition fees, transferability of credits,
Erasmus grants etc are linked to individual
programmes
Study abroad/ visiting students
For students who are interested in
studying at a UK institution, but where no
Erasmus link is available
Check individual websites for more
information, entry requirements and
English language qualifications
Tuition fees and living costs
www.studentloans.gov.uk
www.direct.gov.uk
Browne report
Next year: student fees rise from £3,200 to a max. of
£9,000
With student loan, this can be paid back at 9% of any
income over £21,000
EU countries outside UK do not incorporate this into their
taxes
Student loan company ask for an Overseas Incomes
Assessment form
Initial reports on applications this year suggest that apps.
down 12% at end of October
Useful contacts
www.ucas.com
Department for Innovation, Universities
and Skills www.dius.gov.uk
Finally…
Any questions??