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Why
is Britain still a popular choice for International Students?
Britain has long enjoyed a widely
envied reputation for providing outstanding further and higher
education opportunities not just for its own citizens but
for the commonwealth and the world community. British educational
qualifications are probably more universally trusted and respected
than those of any other country.
 Caring
for the individual
Students who have experienced the most usual continental
European teaching technique of mass lectures in amphitheatres
- sometimes with standing room only - never cease to marvel
at the level of individual attention they receive in Britain.
Perhaps this is related to the honourable record Britain enjoys
in respecting the rights of the individual in general and
enjoying the cultural and religious diversity of those who
stay with us. This level of care should be discernible even
in the way enquiries and applications are dealt with. An overseas
student’s prior learning, work experience (if any) and
qualifications will be treated seriously and weighed on their
merits, not simply sifted by a computer following predetermined
criteria.
British Further and Higher Education
Choices in Higher and Further Education are difficult even
for those who want to study in their own country. For those
destined to travel thousands of miles, the choice can be even
more difficult.
‘Higher Education’ in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland, which currently consists of some 96 universities
and 70 or so Colleges of Higher Education, means the stage
of education which follows on after you obtain qualifications
equivalent to the Advanced Level of the General Certificate
of Education. In Scotland the qualifying examinations are
called ‘Highers’, and some students take a Certificate
of Sixth Year Studies, which is similar to A-levels. These
examinations are generally taken at the age of 17 or 18, in
a narrow range of subjects, sometimes only three subjects,
though new arrangements are extending this range.
 ‘Further
Education’ is study at the level of GCE A-levels and
similar examinations, but will also cover some lower level
courses - equivalent to the O-level examinations for example,
and technical and vocational qualifications at Technician
Level in a range of subjects, varying from accountancy through
computing, including perhaps the visual arts and usually languages
as well. Further Education overlaps with the later stages
of secondary or high school education, but is more varied
in both content and level. Some Further Education Colleges
offer qualifications at degree level as well.
Different Institutions
The higher education system consists of Universities, Colleges
of Higher Education and a number of small specialised colleges
in areas of study such as Fine Art, Music and Agriculture.
Colleges of Further Education exist in most medium and large
towns, and may sometimes be called ‘Technical College’
or ‘College of Technology’. They can be very large
institutions with upwards of 10,000 students, or much smaller
and consequently more specialised.
Entrance requirements
 Further
Education Colleges will rarely have formal entrance requirements,
usually providing open access, though there may be requirements,
often at the level of the GCSE or GCE O-level, for certain
courses, including sometimes A-level courses.
GCE Advanced Levels (or in Scotland passes in Scottish ‘Highers’)
are the usual entry qualifications for entry to first (Bachelor’s)
degrees, in Higher Education institutions.
For some Scottish universities, there will be different requirements.
Scottish ‘Highers’ are rather lower in standard
than the GCE Advanced Level, are taken in a larger number
of subjects than has hitherto been the case with GCE, and
are often taken at age 17 rather than age 18. If you are from
a country where school leaving examinations fit this pattern,
Scottish universities will be familiar with the system.
Graduate work
Universities, and to a limited extent Colleges of Higher
Education, offer a wide range of one-year, or sometimes two-year
taught graduate courses leading to the award of Master’s
Degrees.
Universities also offer research degrees, which have a very
limited taught element, and are an opportunity to undertake
research over a period of, generally, at least three years.
The period for the award of a research degree is not laid
down: it depends on what progress you make.
Study Plans
The maximum length of your stay in Britain could be restricted
to four years if you are following a series of short courses,
which last for under two years each. But if you have a study
plan, with a set educational goal that you are clearly following,
you should be able to stay for longer if necessary.
The International Officer, or Welfare Officer at your university
or college should also be able to help.
Choosing a University/College
The British system of Higher Education, and to a large extent
of Further Education as well, is based on departments teaching
a single subject. Unlike some other systems therefore, British
Education demands that you have a clear idea of what you want
to study, and at what level - secondary/further education,
post-secondary level access or foundation studies, undergraduate
for a Bachelor’s degree, taught Master’s, or postgraduate
research.
Making choices between them is probably the most difficult
thing you will have to do when contemplating entry to British
education. Where you study is a matter for you, not for anyone
else. The worst mistake you can make is to choose a university
or college because your friends are going there, or your parents
went there, or your schoolteacher went there.
What will it cost - the cost of tuition will vary from one
place to another. So will the cost of your living expenses
(usually called ‘maintenance’). You need to add
these together to make a comparison: don’t just compare
the cost of tuition, or the cost of housing, since they are
only a part of your expenses. In 1994-5 a reasonable annual
estimate for a nine-month academic year is £10,500 for normal
courses, £12,000 for laboratory - or workshop-based courses,
more still for medial and similar degrees. Apart from the
actual cost estimate, which you should obtain from individual
institutions, you need to consider:
-
is there any guarantee offered against increases in tuition
year by year?
-
how long is the academic year from the first day of the
autumn term to the last day of the summer term? The longer
it is, the more expensive your maintenance will be.
-
in addition to tuition fees are there extra compulsory
fees? - social fees for residence halls, college fees,
examinations fees, bench fees for laboratory work and
on? Always ask, or check prospectuses carefully.
-
If you have a grant or scholarship which pays compulsory
fees plus a maintenance grant, the level of fees does
not affect you, and does not matter, since you do not
pay them!
What academic services are there to
help you
-how much access you will have to computer training and facilities,
if there is a language laboratory and if there are study skills
courses. Does the institution have an International Office
which can represent your interests as an overseas student,
and meet your specific needs, which may well differ from those
of home students? There is a lot to be said for ‘one-stop
shopping’ - a place where your requirements will be taken
seriously and given priority.
Where is the institution - city -
Good services but dirty; suburban - moderate services and
anonymous; countryside - beautiful but isolated … and
what kind of place do you prefer? Bear in mind that the South
is warmer than the North, particularly in winter, and the
West is wetter than the East. If you like skiing, don’t
go to London, go North, as far as you can. Local and national
communications may also be important, whether access to airports,
main line railway stations, main bus routes (much cheaper
than rail), good local transport within the town or city.
What are the arrangements for overseas students
- does the institution have a lot of experience of overseas
students? And what proportion of the students, both in the
college and on the course you are interested in, are from
abroad?
What accommodation is there - are overseas
students given preference in housing allocations? Are they
dispersed among several residences?
There are two main avenues to detailed information about
a particular institution: exhibitions and prospectuses.
Exhibitions
From time to time, British Higher and Further Education institutions
get together and hold exhibitions in various key places. These
are often held under the auspices of the British Council’s
Educational Counselling Service (ECS)
Prospectuses
The written material provided by a university or college
is important. You should read it, and read it carefully. You
may find prospectuses at your local office of the British
Council, or you can obtain your own copy from the institutions
that interest you.
Awards and Scholarships
A recent estimate showed that the British Government has
given over £130 million to support overseas students. The
bad news is that there are at least 60,000 overseas students
in Britain. And 13,000 of the government supported students
were on the Technical Co-operation Training Programme, for
specific vocational training.
Your own country’s education office will be able to
let you know of any schemes they sponsor. And the local British
Council office, or if there isn’t one, the British Embassy
or High Commission, will be able to give you information on
British schemes you are eligible to apply for.
Sources of further information:
Educational Counselling Service
The British Council
Medlock Street
Manchester M15 4AA
Tel: (+44) 161 957 7000
(and other offices worldwide)
UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs (UKCOSA)
60 Westbourne Grove
London W2 5FG
Tel: 0171 229 9268/9
World University Service (WUS)
20 Compton Terrace
London N1
2UN
Tel: 0171 226 6747
British Universities and Colleges
British universities and colleges that are currently advertising
on this site may be found by clicking
here - Each page has a link to the institution's homepage
together with email links to their admissions Office, and
other relevant course & college information.
For more information on studying
for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course in the
UK we recommend you visit:
College Search
& Higher Education Advice at Courses & Careers UK
For MBA advice and information
please visit MBA programs
and
MBA Courses
Worldwide
If you are interested in Medical
courses or Nursing programs visit:
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& Nursing Colleges Worldwide
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