1. The Essential guide to UK Universities
Things to consider
Oxford and Cambridge
Art and Design
Medicine / Law

2. Overview of UK Universities
Ancient Universities
University of London (1836)
Civic Redbrick Universities (Latter part of 19th Century)
Plate Glass Universities (1960s)
New universities (1992)

3. What do I need to consider?
What are you studying / proposing to study at HL in IB?
HL courses determine types of degree courses
Predicted grades?
Determine the universities you can apply to - be realistic as you only have 5 choices
Students will do 3 HLs, university offers generally based on these.

4. Research excellence What is the significance of these universities?
Research intensive
Very competitive
Students need to demonstrate independence
Fewer contact hours with professors
How to get in?
Strong academic grades
Comprehensive study plan
Strong reference letter

5. Average UCAS points

6. Value of IB scores: IB 40 = 611 UCAS points IB 39 = 589 UCAS points
Scores are combined with SL and HL – be realistic with your expectations, average IB score around the world has consistently been 30 for 40 years.

7. IB score distribution

8. Highest number of applications

9. Applications per place
LSE – 11.5
Edinburgh 8.6
St Andrews 8.4
King’s College London 7.8
Bristol 7.7
UCL 7.7
Warwick 7.4
Imperial 6.6
Oxford 5.5
Cambridge 4.7

10. Post 1992 Universities (Teaching Excellence)
Specialise in teaching (vocational courses)
Many academics have industrial or business experience
More contact time with professors
Research suggests that new universities are academically more effective at teaching (Quality Assurance Agency QAA)
Build industry links and promote internships

11. How to choose the right course/university?
Predicted grades? (SL exams will give an idea)
What do you want to study?
What is more important, course or university?
Choosing the right course:
Use UCAS search
List entrance requirements

14. Result of UCAS search for Economics
Birmingham require 38 points – minimum 665 with 6 in maths
Cambridge require points minimum 776 with 7 in maths
Durham require 39 points – minimum 665 with 6 in maths
Leicester require 34 points – minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL
Leeds require 34 points – minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL
UCL require 39 points – minimum of 766 with 7 in maths

15. Oxford or Cambridge Can only choose one
Will be expected to get highest grades possible –
“If you wish to apply for an undergraduate place at Cambridge, you need to be in the top one or two per cent of your year group, and doing very well in the subject area you'd like to study.”
Application deadline is 15th October
Complete SAQ (supplementary application questionnaire), sent via
Attend interview
English Language – Minimum of B in GCSE or 5 in SL IB

16. Oxbridge Interviews
Does this person show outstanding ability in their subject?
Have they the potential to bring something new to the field?
Would this person gain academically from my tuition at the college?
Is this a person I would enjoy teaching?
Would this person enjoy life at Oxbridge?
Likely to be asked questions that need consideration. Potential tutors will want to see how you react to ideas for team work or general guidance

17. Art and Design Programmes
Specialist schools for fine art include:
Slade School of Art (University College London)
University of the Arts, London (Central St Martins)
Edinburgh School of Art (University of Edinburgh)
University for the Creative Arts
Glasgow School of Art
Foundation programmes are not specified, but students have a better chance of acceptance at the above institutions if they have done one.

18. Art and Design Programmes
Many of the 1992 universities offer these programmes and are very good at preparing students with vocational skills. In terms of art and design, courses on offer include:
Product Design
Shoe / Clothing & Fashion Design
Car Design
Graphic Design / Computer Games
Ceramics
Animation / Illustration
Photography / Media

19. Art and Design deadlines
There are two deadlines for Art and Design Programmes, 15th January and 24th March.
You can apply for 15th January courses and 24th March courses later on same application

20. Medicine / Dentistry Deadline 15th October
You can only apply to 4 institutions, the 5th programme must be something different
Applicants must take UKCAT (most common) or BMAT (Oxbridge / Imperial / UCL) – Can be done in Taiwan
Medical Interview
International places = 7½% of available places

21. UKCAT and BMAT
Can do once a year, check for test dates on respective websites
UKCAT / BMAT test:
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning
Decision Analysis
Each of the sections are marked and an average score is taken. UKCAT score up to 900 – 650+ = a competitive score. BMAT score up to 9, 5 is average, 6 is seen as competitive.
Both tests are 2 hours long and multiple choice

22. Other Tests
Leading universities need the LNAT test (National Admissions Test for Law), universities include:
Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, King’s College, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL
2¼ hours
42 multiple choice questions - measure reading, comprehension and logical reasoning skills (Oxbridge forums state 18+ on multiple choice is good).
Reading
40 minute essay question

23. What are the best universities?
There is no “best” university, they all have different missions. This is highlighted in the following that shows which universities have the best recruitment record:
The University of Surrey 
96.9 
Harper Adams University College 
96.5 
The Robert Gordon University 
95.9 
The University of Cambridge 
95.2 
King's College London 
94.6 

24. Choosing a course How to choose your course:
What are you interested in?
If you are not sure you can check online careers guidance at
or more detailed Centigrade test (£30 for international students)
Check the UCAS site for important dates (deadlines)

25. Personal Statement – Why universities should choose you
Why do you want to study the course? Can link skills/experience
Check spelling and grammar
Keep sentences short (12-20 words)
Each sentence should add something new, not increase word count
Quality of writing reflects quality of thought
Don’t be too formal or familiar
80% of statement should focus on course for competitive universities
Be honest – the statement can be used as basis of interview
Get someone to check your statement

26. Completing the Application
Payment – £23 for 5, or £12 for one
Reference
Submission to UCAS

27. UCAS EXtra
If you've used all five choices and are not holding any offers, you may be able to use Extra to add another choice if:
 you've received decisions from all five universities or colleges, but want to change course
you weren't accepted or you declined any offers you received

28. Offers and accepting offers
Conditional / Reject?
Deadline to accept (set when all universities have made a decision)
Accept Firm / Insurance
Wait results
Unconditional (?)

29. Clearing and Adjustment
Universities know grades before students do
If grades are lower and university has not accepted you, need to go into clearing
Check UCAS to see what courses are available. Contact university.
Be careful, if you accept a course, cannot continue looking
If you did better than expected, can apply for more competitive course.
Like clearing, call university and see if they accept you
Won’t lose course at original firm

30. Q & A

31. Still confused? Need more help?
Upcoming Events:
October 10th: Study World, Songshan Park Eslite, Taipei New Horizon (6F) No 88 Yanchang Road, Xinyi Dist.
More Information:
Jack Shull – TES University & Careers Counsellor
UKEAS – 3 Offices in Taipei - open for counselling from 10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday
Website: