Oxbridge (Oxford & Cambridge universities)

1. Oxbridge (Oxford & Cambridge universities) A talk to students, staff & parents IV Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Emilii SczanieckiejŁódź, Poland

2. Studying at university in UK British universities differ from Polish ones, typically: • Away from home • Beautiful environment (gardens, architecture, …) • Small group teaching & practical + lectures • Emphasis on individual thought (not just learning facts) • Personal Tutor support • Expense: ~£3,300 fees + ~£6,700 living expenses = £10,000/year (PLN ~50,000/year) • For details on all courses & universities www.ucas.ac.uk • All UK university applications are through UCAS

3. UCAS Application • Choose course/university www.ucas.ac.uk, www.ukuniadvisor.com, http://unistats.direct.gov.uk • Complete UCAS Application online: 15/10 Oxbridge, medics, dentists, vets 15/1 all other courses (except 24/3 art & design courses) 30/6 late submission (only those who still have places) • Registration on ‘Apply’ system • Personal details, education, employment • 5 choices of course/university • Personal statement • School reference with predicted grades • Pay UCAS fee • Attend interviews, take entry tests • Use ‘Track’ to manage your application:  receive offers by 31/3: conditional, unconditional, unsuccessful • if no offers, use ‘Extra’ (28/2 – 6/7) send decision on all offers by 5/5: firm acceptance, insurance acceptance, decline  19/8 no successful offers, enter ‘Clearing’

5. What makes Oxbridge different? • In top 10 world universities • Exceptional students, staff, facilities, environment • Highly selective entry • College system • Individual teaching • Traditional and beautiful environment • Facilities for students • 3terms/year of only 8 weeks • Financial support • Personal support • www.ox.ac.ukwww.cam.ac.uk • http://www.oxbridgepoland.org/

6. Oxford versus Cambridge

7. Oxford versus Cambridge Most things the same, few differences Different courses: choose the course you like Oxford maybe slightly more political & frivolous, Cambridge maybe slightly more scientific & serious Cambridge bursary scheme open to EU students (up to £3,400/year)

9. Oxbridge Application process • Visit: Open Days (end June, September) or guided tours or contact:http://oxpolsoc.org/ polsoc@cusu.cam.ac.uk • Brief your teachers on requirements • Choose a course, check entrance requirements • Choose a college (or open application) • [Choral/organ scholarship? Oxford by 1/9, Cambridge by 4/9] • Complete UCAS application form online www.ucas.ac.uk 1/9 – 15/10 • [Cambridge: complete SAQ online by 22/10] • Submit any special requirements (essays, tests, …) • Interviews by college 5-17/12 • Offers by college ?/1 • Exam results & college confirms place 19/8 • Start as a ‘fresher’ 1/10

10. Finances • ~£3,300/year tuition fees (UK government loan for EU students) • living costs £6,800 – 8,000/year Oxford, £6,000 - 7,500/year Cambridge • no loan for living costs for EU students • but Cambridge bursary up to £3,400/year • Extra income: family, company sponsorships, organ & choral scholarships, holiday jobs (26 weeks), part-time jobs, college prizes

11. Dziękuję za uwagę • Czy są jakieś pytania?

12. Action by teachers • Students can apply directly through UCASwww.ucas.ac.uk using online ‘Apply’ system. • Or school can become a Centre and students can apply through Centre. Ask internationalenquiries@ucas.ac.uk There is workshop 15/10/10 for ‘international agents’ • UCAS needs Teacher Reference (up to 47 lines or 4,000 characters + Predicted grades) in English www.ucas.ac.uk/advisers/online/references • Predicted grades are the main basis for university offers • Provide an informed academic assessment of suitability for further study: • their academic performance in post-16 education • their potential for academic success in higher education • why the course they have chosen is suited to them • personal qualities which will benefit them at university: skills, aptitude, enthusiasm • what they bring to the university: extra-curricular activities & interests. • comment on their ability to write /speak in English, say if they were taught in English. • give details & describe how they compare with others in their class. • Read student’s application to understand intended career direction, chosen courses & universities. Do not repeat any of the student’s information, unless you want to comment on it. • Do not name any particular university, because at this stage UCAS does not allow them to see the identity of the other institutions to which an applicant has applied - they will all read your reference. • brief details about the school (size, type of school, number of students in student's year group and/or class sizes, proportion typically progressing to HE, typical qualifications achieved by students, school policy on predicted grades, school ‘catchment area’). “Reference should focus mainly on the student”