Studying at a UK university

1. www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.uk

7. Degree structure and terminology www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.u

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 www.kent.ac.uk

11. Support services

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 www.kent.ac.uk

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 www.kent.ac.uk

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? www.kent.ac.uk

15. League tables

16. Rough Qualification Equivalencies www.kent.ac.uk

17. 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 www.kent.ac.uk

18. 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 www.kent.ac.uk

19. Fees and Funding Academic 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 www.kent.ac.uk

20. 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. www.kent.ac.uk

21. 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

22. 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 www.kent.ac.uk

23. Scholarships Examples of the types of awards available: www.kent.ac.uk

24. 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 www.kent.ac.uk

25. Mary Hughes m.p.hughes@kent.ac.uk Alastair Ross a.c.g.ross@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk