Study in the UK By the British Council
About the British Council International organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities Build opportunity and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people in English learning and exams Education Creativity and Society We started our work in Hong Kong in 1948.
Agenda Higher education (HE) in the UK Admissions requirements How to apply Tuition fees and living costs
UK Higher Education Undergraduate courses 3 years duration (4 years in Scotland) 4 years duration (Sandwich courses / engineering / modern languages) 5 6 years duration (Clinical courses) Postgraduate courses 1 to 2 years duration (MA/MSc/MPhil) 3+ years duration (PhD)
Pathways to UK education
Entry requirements for direct entry to undergraduate courses Hong Kong United Kingdom HKDSE 3 subjects at Level 4,3,3-5**,5,5 Year 1 of a bachelor s degree ALWAYS CHECK WITH UNIVERSITIES
Different entry requirement standards Cores and/or electives Minimum level in core subjects UCAS Tariff Exclude Chinese and/or Liberal Studies Some examples: 4,4,4-5,4,4 5,5,4 (including two electives) 5,4,4-5*,5,5 in electives and min. Level 3 in cores Min. 260 UCAS Tariff from min. three subjects
English language requirements Minimum of HKDSE English Language Level 4 IELTS Band 6.0 IB Standard English Level 4 IGCSE First language Grade C IGCSE Second language Grade B TOEFL 79 ibt Find out more about our English language courses and IELTS at www.britishcouncil.hk/english www.britishcouncil.hk/ielts
Results of the Benchmarking Study between IELTS and HKDSE HKDSE English Language Subject Level Equivalent Range of Overall IELTS Band Score 5** 7.51 7.77 5* 7.16 7.32 5 6.81 6.99 4 6.31 6.51 3 5.48 5.68 2 4.79 5.07
www.ieltsasia.org/ieltsprize
IELTS Prize 2017/18 The Prize is awarded to high-calibre individuals with the motivation to develop their career, and who demonstrate the potential to contribute to society www.ieltsasia.org/ieltsprize
Other pathways to university Hong Kong HKDSE 2,2,2 4,3,3 IELTS 5.0 or above HKDSE 3,3,3 4,4,4 IELTS 5.5 or above United Kingdom 1-year international foundation course leading to a bachelor s degree 1-year international diploma leading to 2 nd year of a bachelor s degree or 2-year HND or foundation degree leading to 1-year top-up for bachelor s degree
How to apply for pathways and higher education courses Undergraduate degrees (including HND and FdD) apply through UCAS International foundation and international diploma programmes apply directly to colleges or universities
What is UCAS? 14 What UCAS does: Process applications for all UK universities Information, advice & training Fraud & verification Education sector engagement What UCAS doesn t do: Suggest courses/universities Make decisions/offers Advise on finance/immigration or visas
Top Tips for research 15 Important things to consider before applying: a subject you enjoy investing time, money and effort is it right for your career path check with employers location city/rural, transport links, accommodation a study style that suits you extra-curricular activities finances
UCAS search tool 16
Course details 17 Shows a summary of entry requirements, and course fees. Read course details. Link to the university s website. Check the course is available.
Your application 18 Entirely online www.ucas.com Maximum of five choices Some choice restrictions: medicine, veterinary science, dentistry (maximum of four) Oxford or Cambridge Simple application cost: one choice 13 two to five choices 24 Equal consideration Invisibility
When to apply 19 Late May Early September Apply available for applicants First day for receipt of applications 15 October Medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry Oxford or Cambridge 15 January Recommended deadline (UK/EU particularly) 30 June Last date for applications before Clearing
Completing your application Six sections to complete: personal details choices education employment personal statement referee details 20 tutor adds reference UCAS universities/colleges
Common errors 21 Fail to check entry requirements Qualifications missing or incorrectly entered Inappropriate email address Tick some boxes (e.g. relevant, unspent criminal convictions) in error Fail to tick other boxes (e.g. Section complete)
Universities decisions 22 Universities and colleges will review the: Personal statement Reference Qualifications Admissions test results Interviews Portfolios Auditions You ll get 1 of 3 decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Unsuccessful
UCAS Track 23
Your Replies 24 Wait for all decisions from all choices then choose one: firm if all conditions are met, where you will be placed insurance usually lower conditions, in case the firm conditions are not met Any other offers must be declined You don t have to have an insurance (14 day CMA cooling off period)
Confirmation of places 25 Exam results are published and HKDSE students need to send the results to universities and colleges. There are four possible outcomes: 1) Placed at your firm 2) Placed at your insurance 3) Missed out on both? You could still get a place through Clearing 4) Done better than expected? You can change your course in Adjustment
Application summary 26
Other options 27 Extra (25 Feb 4 Jul) Used all five choices and had no offers (or declined all offers/withdrew). Add Extra choices for consideration one at a time Clearing (early Jul to Oct) Apply after 30 June, receive no offers, decline all offers, or not met conditions Adjustment (up to five days in Aug) Placed with firm choice and did better than conditional offer
Personal statement 28 The section you have most control over Your only chance to sell yourself as an individual Max 4,000 characters Min 1,000 characters No spelling / grammar check One personal statement for all choices No formatting
What is being looked for? 29 An understanding of the course Good numeracy and literacy Essay writing - don t write lists! Independent study skills Research skills Self-awareness Time management skills Motivation and commitment Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus
Other points to remember 30 Strong opening paragraph Your research into the courses will help you 80% academic (about the subject), 20% extra-curricular Be honest and make sure it is your own work Draft, redraft and proof-read
Tuition fees Undergraduate courses 9,700 24,000 (Classroom based) 9,700 33,950 (Laboratory based) 10,500 49,600 (Clinical courses) International foundation and diploma programmes 6,000-19,500 Postgraduate 9,900-31,608 (MA, MSc, MPhil/MRes) 9,700-40,750 (Clinical) 8,100-49,000 (MBA) Many institutions offer scholarships for international students.
Living costs Estimated monthly living expenses (for applying Tier 4 student visa) London: 1,265 Elsewhere: 1,015 Working while studying Part-time max. 20 hours per week (degree level or above) during term time Full time during vacation Minimum wage rate is 5.90 (18 20 y.o.) or 7.38 (21 y.o. and over), from April 2018 Healthcare services Eligible for National Health Service (NHS) The surcharge is set at 150 per visa year for students Mandatory and paid as part of the immigration process
Student residence Credit: Glora Mak and Bryan Ng, student ambassadors
Travel and leisure
Upcoming events Study UK exhibitions - July and August 2018 Pre-departure briefings - July and August 2018 Subject specific seminars year-round
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