www.kent.ac.ukpage 1. studying at a uk university mary hughes director, enrolment management...
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www.kent.ac.ukPage 1
Studying at a UK university
Mary Hughes
Director, Enrolment Management Services
Alastair Ross
Head of Administration, Brussels
Introduction
• Why study in the United Kingdom?
• Factors to consider when choosing a university
• UCAS and the application process
• Fees, funding and student loans
www.kent.ac.ukPage 3
Prestigious institutions
• Excellent reputation• 32 UK universities in top 200 (THE)
• Internationally recognised qualifications
• World leading research• Quality assured by peer review
• Internationally acclaimed academic staff• Large number of Nobel Laureates (117)• Many institutions have won Queen’s
Anniversary Prizes; a recognition of world class excellence
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Teaching quality
• High quality research-led teaching• Monitored by the QAA• National Teaching Fellowships
• Small group teaching
• Variety of teaching and assessment methods• Lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops,
self-study
• Extensive information services• Library holdings and electronic catalogues• Subject specialist librarians
• Learning support services
• Importance of student satisfaction • Monitored via the NSS
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Diversity and flexibility
• Over 150 institutions
• Over 50,000 courses
• Various types of qualifications• Certificates, diplomas and degrees• Professional, vocational, academic
• Diversity within degree programmes allows for personalisation of learning• Joint honours• Year abroad• ‘Sandwich’, or work placement, year
• Bachelor’s degree in 3 years
• Master’s degree in 4 years
• Full-time or part-time
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Degree structure and terminology
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An international experience
• UK universities have a long history of welcoming international students
• Typically institutions have:
• Large numbers of non-UK students
• Large number of non-UK staff
• Partnerships with universities around the world to support
• Research collaboration
• Study and work abroard
• Double degrees
• Support systems geared to international students from English language to pastoral care
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Student life
• Student Union (NUS)
• Clubs and societies
• Sports (British Universities & Colleges Sport)
• Volunteering and fund raising
• Student media
• Language acquisition
• Governance roles
• Entrepreneurial skills
• Part-time employment
• On-campus student accommodation
• Range of support services
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UK universities value and support extracurricular activities
Student living
• Most UK universities provide student accommodation, often guaranteed for first year students
• Variety of options:• Catered, part-catered or self-catered• En-suite or shared facilities• In town or central campus
• Common rooms, dining halls, bars and cafés
• Student committees for coordinating social activities and advocacy role
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Support services
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Employability
• Transferable skills
• Part-time work during study builds experience and develops transferable skills
• Sandwich years offer the chance to earn a salary and gain vital transferable skills
• Two-thirds of employers provided industrial placements (6-12 months)
• More than half have paid internships lasting three weeks or longer
• Good graduate starting salaries and employment rates
• Continued support from Careers service after graduation
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The application process
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Visit the UCAS website Do a course search Look at entry requirements, possibly league tables and location
Order a prospectus and visit the university website
Visit the university! Make your choices
www.kent.ac.uk
Factors in choosing a UK university
• Course portfolio
• City-based vs campus-based
• Location• Transport links
• Costs
• Entry requirements
• Extracurricular activities
• League tables• What elements are important to
you?
www.kent.ac.ukPage 14
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League tables
Rough Qualification Equivalencies
A levels IB EB
A*AA 38 overall, 19 Higher Level 85% (90% in related)
AAA 36-37 overall, 18 Higher Level 82-85%
AAB 35-36 overall, 17 Higher Level 80%
ABB 33-35 overall, 16 Higher Level 75-78%
BBB 32-33 overall, 15 Higher Level 70-75%
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The Application Process
• Choose Course
• Applying• Mid Oct – Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry,
Veterinary, • Mid Jan – All less above.• End Mar – Art and Design less above.
• 5 Choices• Details, Education, Personal Statement (47 lines,
4,000 characters) Reference.
• Offers• Interviews, Entrance Tests• Firm, Insurance
• Results• Extra
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10 Tips on Personal Statements
• Express interest in the subject and show real passion
• Go for a strong opening line to grab the reader's attention
• Relate outside interests to the course
• Think beyond university
• Get the basics right
• Don't try to sound too clever
• Take time and make it your best work
• Don't leave it until the last minute
• Get a second opinion
• Honesty is the best policy
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Fees and Funding
Academic costs• Tuition fees• Books and materials
Living costs• Travel• Accommodation• Food• Clothing and laundry• Personal items• Social life• Mobile phone• TV licence*• Unexpected costs/healthcare
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• Your living costs could vary between £185 and £374 per week
• London is more expensive than elsewhere in the country
• The north of England has a lower cost of living than the south of England
www.kent.ac.uk
* If you use a TV in the UK, you must have a TV licence
Tuition fees and government loans
Cost
• The cost of undergraduate study in the UK is between £6,000 and £9,000 per year (for UK and EU full-time students)
• Each university sets its own fees
• The cost of years in industry, years abroad and postgraduate study can vary
Tuition Fee Loan
• Every full-time UK and EU student is entitled to a full loan to cover the cost of tuition
• This is paid directly to the university by the UK government; you do not have to pay anything upfront
• Because they are loans, they do earn interest and have to be repaid.
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Loan repayment
• Repayments begin the April after graduation and only when income exceeds £21,000 per year or equivalent
• Repayments are calculated at 9% of anything earned over £21,000
For example:
• If you earn £25,000, you repay 9% of £4,000
• £25,000 - £21,000 = £4,000
• 9% of £4,000 = £360 per year
• Or £30 per month
• If income falls to £21,000 or less, repayments stop
• Any amount remaining after 30 years will be written off
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Other financial support
• Scholarships are awarded on merit• Often for academic achievement• Also for the arts, music and sport
• Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need
• Check the university website for details and apply for any funding for which you may qualify
• Scholarships are not always awarded automatically
• Unlike loans, these awards do not need to be repaid
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Scholarships
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Examples of the types of awards available:
Conclusion
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UK universities provide:
• Reputable and internationally recognise qualifications
• Excellent teaching by research active staff
• Choice, diversity and flexibility in learning of subjects
• Superb student support services
• Involved and developmental student activities
• Financial support and scholarships
www.kent.ac.uk
