International Student Admissions: A USA and UK Perspective Australian International Education Conference October 15, 2009 International Student Enrollment in the United States Total in 2005/06 564,766 Graduate in 2005/06 259,717 Total in 2006/07 582,984 Graduate in 2006/07 264,288 Total in 2007/08 623,805 Graduate in 2007/08 276,842 * Open Doors, IIE, 2008 1
The Application Process There is no federal or state standard for application requirements in the United States. Each institution independently sets its own minimum requirements. Attention to differences in application requirements is crucial to a successful application. Graduate Study in the United States: A Guide for Prospective International Students http://www.cgsnet.org/default.aspx?t abid=79&categoryid=1&category2id =7&List=0&catpageindex=2&Level=2 &ProductID=77 Graduate Application Requirements for Most Schools Application for admission and application fee Bachelor s degree or its international equivalent Statement of purpose/personal statement/statement of objectives Letters of recommendation (usually 3) Standardized test scores (eg.gre, GMAT) 2
Unwritten Preferences Research experience Relationship with faculty member Attended top university Best Practices for Letters of Recommendation Ask faculty members who know the student, the quality of their academic work, goals, and accomplishments Avoid using influential people or acquaintances Provide recommenders with a copy of the statement of purpose Ask the recommenders to include specifics, such as class rank, comparison ratings, or research experiences 3
Best Practices for Statement of Purpose Clearly state specific area of interest and long term goals Opportunity to state educational and research accomplishments related to goals Tailor to the specific graduate program-mention faculty with whom the applicant would like to study Use to demonstrate writing ability Length: brief but informative, 2-3 pages Successful Degree Completion Best practices that lead to degree completion Admission decision is first step toward successful degree completion Matching process between student and faculty Student study interests and faculty research interests should be in concordance Responsibility of both student and graduate program to make the right decision 4
English Language Part of the equation for predicting success IELTS recognized by approximately 2,500 US institutions Nearly all elite institutions recognize IELTS Speaking ability is the primary concern of faculty IELTS is a recruiting tool in the US The Admission Decision Process Most final admission decisions occur January-March for the following September Centralized admission-graduate School office of admissions makes admission decision De-centralized admission-individual graduate programs make decision Most schools combine the two models Financial aid accepted on or after April 15 is a firm commitment 5
Visa Requirements Evidence of admission Evidence of acceptable English language ability Evidence of financial resources for the first year of study Thank You! Andrea Scott Senior Product Champion IELTS International 602 Ridgewood Court Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 48103 andrea.k.scott@gmail.com 734-929-2015 6
Contents The UK as a study destination overview Entry to the UK & the new points-based system (Tier 4) The role of English language testing The UK student experience The UK as a study destination for international students 2 million full-time students 341,800 international students Importance of social and cultural activities and, therefore, of English language abilities in the UK setting 7
International students in UK Higher Education by domicile, level and category (excluding UK students), 2007/8 Level of study Postgraduate research Postgraduate taught Postgraduate other First degree Other undergraduate TOTAL EU 12,630 25,095 4,560 56,820 13,045 112,150 Non-EU 27,230 90,710 7,265 86,750 17,690 229,645 Total 39,860 115,805 11,825 143,570 30,735 341,795 Source: UKCISA Top sending countries to UK Higher Education Country 2006-7 2007-8 China (PRC) 49,595 45,355 India 23,835 25,905 Rep of Ireland 16,255 15,260 USA 15,955 13,905 Germany 14,010 13,625 France 13,070 12,685 Greece 16,050 12,625 Nigeria 11,135 11,785 Malaysia 11,810 11,730 Hong Kong (SAR) 9,640 9,700 Source: UKCISA 8
Entry to the UK & the points-based system (Tier 4) On arrival in the UK every student needs: a valid passport a Tier 4 visa (if a visa national) a letter from the applicant s sponsor (UKBA registered institution) that confirms the applicant has been accepted unconditionally for a full-time course evidence of enough money to pay for the course and maintenance 9
Points-based system Phase 2 - From March 2009: The process What is a Visa letter, or CAS? Changes Length of time permitted Obligations of the student Overseas Applicant completes application form and takes form with fee, passport, visa letter/cas, and all original academic certificates including English language qualification when required to the local Visa Application Centre Application considered at hub mission and decision sent to applicant; If successful, a vignette is placed in the applicant s passport In the UK Applicant completes application form and submits - with fee and supporting documents either by post or in person Postal applicant also makes appointment to submit biometrics; If successful, an ID card is issued 10
Responsibilities of the sponsoring institution Sponsor must assess qualifications and assess English language ability Copies of all sponsored students passports, showing evidence of entitlement to study, as well as contact details A report to the UK Border Agency of students who do not enrol Absence reports Withdrawal reports, which should include the name and address of any new institution that the student has joined Significant changes in circumstances Entry requirements Evidence of sufficient funds for an academic year Extensions Visa extension for current course Visa extension for another course Students requiring to change from 6-month visa Extensions can be processed from overseas over summer 11
The role of English language testing English language testing Level of English is decision of each Higher Education institution (HEI) Who makes the decisions, and do they have the correct information? What makes a good English language test? 12
The UK student experience Academic culture in the UK Independent learning Critical thinking ; students are expected to challenge More creativity, less memorisation Participation and dialogue Pair and group work, with the teacher as facilitator 13
Facilities for international students Students Union Personal tutors English language support programmes Recommendations to international students & advisors Preparation English preparation Greater awareness on the part of academics and coordinators Further information: UCAS Education UK Marketing UKCISA The database for research into international education The Journal of Studies in International Education (JSIE) Source: UKCISA 14
Thank you for listening! Stephen Carey, Marketing Manager, British Council Stephen.carey@britishcouncil.org With special thanks to Carly Moulding & Jenny Holliday, British Council Sarah Michelotti, Deputy Head, English language programmes, University of Surrey UKBA 15