2. Studying at a UK university
Mary Hughes
Director, Enrolment Management Services
Alastair Ross
Head of Administration, Brussels

3. Introduction Why study in the United Kingdom?
Factors to consider when choosing a university
UCAS and the application process
Fees, funding and student loans

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Degree structure and terminology
Masters
PhD
Bachelors Degree
Foundation Degree/Year
HNC/HND
Joint Honours & Sandwich Courses
Full/Part Time
Postgraduate
Undergraduate

8. 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

9. Student life
UK universities value and support extracurricular activities
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

10. 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

11. Support services
Personal support
Collegiate structure
Student Advice and Information Service
International Development team
University Medical Centre and Pharmacy
Counselling Service
Chaplaincy
Oaks Day Nursery
Learning support
Student Learning Advisory Service
- Study guidance
- Study skills workshops
- Academic Peer Mentoring
- Online skills resources
- VALUE MaP workshops on effective study
Disability and Dyslexia Support Service
Careers support Kent Union Jobshop Careers and Employability Service - Extensive website - Online vacancy database - Careers Information Room - Personal advice and guidance - Workshops, talks and visits from graduate employers - Career education programmes - Alumni Careers Network - ‘Employability Points’ scheme
One of only 8 universities in the country that boasts a collegiate system (the others are Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, York, Lancaster, Bristol and Roehampton (checked May 2011)
Ready-made community which eases transition from home to university
Each college contains accommodation, teaching rooms, catering and social facilities
Each college has a staffed reception area
College masters are responsible for student welfare and provide personal support
College student committees:
Represent the students’ interests
Actively contribute to the way the colleges are run

12. 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

13. The application process
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

14. 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?

15. League tables Survey of final year students Teaching on the course
Assessment and feedback
Academic support
Organisation and management
Learning resources
Personal development
Overall satisfaction
Students’ Union
League table (newspaper)
Entry requirements
Feedback
Job prospects
Overall quality
Spend per student
Staff/student ratio
Teaching quality
Quality of research produced by universities
Rank of 4* means the research is of a world leading or international standard
Students benefit from learning from experts in their subject
League table
Completion rates
Entry requirements
Investment in facilities
Research
Student satisfaction
The Table of Tables is published by the THE and combines the results of all the UK’s university league tables

16. 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%

17. Entry requirements
Entry requirements differ depending on the programme of study and the university
Look on the university website to find out what the general entry requirements are for your qualification/country
If in doubt, contact the university
If you are not a native English speaker, you will be required to prove your English language ability:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Check university websites or prospectuses for others

18. 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

19. 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

20. Fees and Funding Academic costs Living 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
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
* If you use a TV in the UK, you must have a TV licence

21. 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.

22. 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

23. 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

24. Scholarships Examples of the types of awards available:
Academic scholarships
£2,000 per year
For AAA at A-level; IB for 35 points with 15 points at higher
Other universities may have scholarships for specific subjects
Study Abroad scholarships
£2,000 (during year abroad)
By essay
Sports scholarships
Financial support of between £250-£5,000 per year
For elite sports people competing to a recognised standard
Music scholarships
£500-£5,000 per year
For performance and music lessons
Allocated by audition

25. Conclusion 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
The ‘feel’ of the university came in as the 4th most important factor in choosing a university; therefore it is essential that you go and visit.

26. Mary Hughes m.p.hughes@kent.ac.uk
Alastair Ross