The UK is at the forefront of scientific and creative innovation and you could learn alongside some of the world’s top intellects, providing an excellent atmosphere for study. The UK education style is personal, with a high level of student support, ensuring that you will not fall behind or feel isolated.
The possibilities of where and how you study are endless. You can choose from literally thousands of courses in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. You can be sure of their quality. You can go to a university or a higher education college. It is easy to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which lets you apply to a maximum of six institutions on one form.
The most popular undergraduate qualifications are the Bachelor's degrees (also called undergraduate or first degrees), which are now required for entry into a wide range of careers in the UK and other countries. Check individual prospectuses available via www.educationuk.org, or by looking at the Subject Review Reports. These are carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which publishes reports by subject and by institution. The Subject Review Reports look at the quality of the teaching of that subject by institution, but also at the student’s learning experience, including their progression and achievement, and the support and guidance available for them.
Entrance qualifications vary according to the subject and to the competition to get on to a particular course. You should get details of the course requirements from the institution’s current prospectus or direct from the faculty. An institution would want to know that you have met both its general requirements and those of the course. Generally, the basic requirements are:
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five subject passes (two GCE A-levels and three GCSE at grade C minimum), or |
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four subject passes (three GCE A-levels and one GCSE at grade C minimum), or |
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equivalent UK qualifications (such as Scottish Standards and Highers, and vocational A-levels ), or equivalent overseas qualifications (you can check equivalencies through your local British Council centre or the United Kingdom National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC). |
You should be able to speak and write English well. You may be asked to provide formal proof of your standard. It is worth checking this early to make sure you have enough time to take an English language test. Most universities and colleges will accept one of the following:
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International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 6 or above |
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Cambridge Proficiency of English or Cambridge Advanced English grade C |
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score 550 or higher |
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