The Essential guide to UK Universities

UK UniversitiesThings to considerOxford and CambridgeArt and DesignMedicine / Law

Overview of UK UniversitiesAncient UniversitiesUniversity of London (1836)Civic Redbrick Universities (Latter part of

19th Century)Plate Glass Universities (1960s)New universities (1992)

What do I need to consider?What are you studying / proposing to study at HL in IB?HL courses determine types of degree course

s

Predicted grades?Determine the universities you can apply to -

be realistic as you only have 5 choices Students will do 3 HLs, university offers

generally based on these.

Research excellenceWhat is the significance of these universities?Research intensiveVery competitiveStudents need to demonstrate independenceFewer contact hours with professors

How to get in?Strong academic gradesComprehensive study planStrong reference letter

Average UCAS points

Value of IB scores:IB 40 = 611 UCAS pointsIB 39 = 589 UCAS pointsIB 38 = 567 UCAS pointsIB37 = 545 UCAS pointsIB 36 = 523 UCAS pointsIB 35 = 501 UCAS points

Scores are combined with SL and HL – be realistic with your expectations, average IB score around the world has consistently been 30 for 40 years.

IB score distribution

Highest number of applications

Applications per placeLSE – 11.5Edinburgh 8.6St Andrews 8.4King’s College London 7.8Bristol 7.7UCL 7.7Warwick 7.4Imperial 6.6Oxford 5.5Cambridge 4.7

Post 1992 Universities (Teaching Excellence)Specialise in teaching (vocational courses)Many academics have industrial or business

experienceMore contact time with professorsResearch suggests that new universities are

academically more effective at teaching (Quality Assurance Agency QAA)

Build industry links and promote internships

How to choose the right course/university?Predicted grades? (SL exams will give an

idea)What do you want to study?What is more important, course or

university?

Choosing the right course:Use UCAS searchList entrance requirements

Result of UCAS search for EconomicsBirmingham require 38 points – minimum 665 with 6 in

maths

Cambridge require 39-42 points minimum 776 with 7 in maths

Durham require 39 points – minimum 665 with 6 in maths

Leicester require 34 points – minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL

Leeds require 34 points – minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL

UCL require 39 points – minimum of 766 with 7 in maths

Oxford or CambridgeCan only choose oneWill be expected to get highest grades possible –

“If you wish to apply for an undergraduate place at Cambridge, you need to be in the top one or two per cent of your year group, and doing very well in the subject area you'd like to study.”Application deadline is 15th OctoberComplete SAQ (supplementary application

questionnaire), sent via emailAttend interviewEnglish Language – Minimum of B in GCSE or 5 in SL IB

Oxbridge InterviewsDoes this person show outstanding ability in their

subject?Have they the potential to bring something new to

the field?Would this person gain academically from my tuition

at the college?Is this a person I would enjoy teaching?Would this person enjoy life at Oxbridge?

Likely to be asked questions that need consideration. Potential tutors will want to see how you react to ideas for team work or general guidance

Art and Design ProgrammesSpecialist schools for fine art include:

I. Slade School of Art (University College London)II. University of the Arts, London (Central St Martins) III. Edinburgh School of Art (University of Edinburgh)IV. University for the Creative ArtsV. Glasgow School of Art

Foundation programmes are not specified, but students have a better chance of acceptance at the above institutions if they have done one.

Art and Design ProgrammesMany of the 1992 universities offer these programmes and are very good at preparing students with vocational skills. In terms of art and design, courses on offer include:

Product DesignShoe / Clothing & Fashion DesignCar DesignGraphic Design / Computer GamesCeramicsAnimation / IllustrationPhotography / Media

Art and Design deadlinesI. There are two deadlines for Art and Design

Programmes, 15th January and 24th March.

II. You can apply for 15th January courses and 24th March courses later on same application

Medicine / DentistryDeadline 15th OctoberYou can only apply to 4 institutions, the 5th

programme must be something differentApplicants must take UKCAT (most common)

or BMAT (Oxbridge / Imperial / UCL) – Can be done in Taiwan

Medical InterviewInternational places = 7½% of available

places

UKCAT and BMATCan do once a year, check for test dates on respective websitesUKCAT / BMAT test:1. Verbal Reasoning2. Quantitative Reasoning3. Abstract Reasoning4. Decision AnalysisEach of the sections are marked and an average score is taken. UKCAT score up to 900 – 650+ = a competitive score. BMAT score up to 9, 5 is average, 6 is seen as competitive.Both tests are 2 hours long and multiple choice

Other TestsLeading universities need the LNAT test (National Admissions Test for Law), universities include:Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, King’s College, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL

2¼ hours42 multiple choice questions - measure reading,

comprehension and logical reasoning skills (Oxbridge forums state 18+ on multiple choice is good).

Reading40 minute essay question

What are the best universities?There is no “best” university, they all have different missions. This is highlighted in the following that shows which universities have the best recruitment record:The University of Surrey  96.9 

Harper Adams University College  96.5 

The Robert Gordon University  95.9 

The University of Cambridge  95.2 

King's College London  94.6 

Choosing a course

How to choose your course:What are you interested in?If you are not sure you can check online careers guidance at http://www.fasttomato.com/ or more detailed Centigrade test (£30 for international students) http://www.coa2.co.uk/centigrade/?pagename=index

Check the UCAS site for important dates (deadlines)

Personal Statement – Why universities should choose youWhy do you want to study the course? Can link

skills/experience Check spelling and grammarKeep sentences short (12-20 words)Each sentence should add something new, not increase

word countQuality of writing reflects quality of thoughtDon’t be too formal or familiar80% of statement should focus on course for competitive

universitiesBe honest – the statement can be used as basis of

interviewGet someone to check your statement

Completing the ApplicationPayment – £23 for 5, or £12 for oneReferenceSubmission to UCAS

UCAS EXtraIf you've used all five choices and are not holding any offers, you may be able to use Extra to add another choice if: you've received decisions from all five

universities or colleges, but want to change course

you weren't accepted or you declined any offers you received

Offers and accepting offersConditional / Reject?Deadline to accept (set when all universities

have made a decision)Accept Firm / InsuranceWait resultsUnconditional (?)

Clearing and AdjustmentClearing AdjustmentUniversities know grades

before students doIf grades are lower and

university has not accepted you, need to go into clearing

Check UCAS to see what courses are available. Contact university.

Be careful, if you accept a course, cannot continue looking

If you did better than expected, can apply for more competitive course.

Like clearing, call university and see if they accept you

Won’t lose course at original firm

Q & A

Still confused? Need more help?Upcoming Events:October 10th: Study World, Songshan Park Eslite, Taipei New Horizon (6F) No 88 Yanchang Road, Xinyi Dist.

More Information:Jack Shull – TES University & Careers CounsellorUKEAS – 3 Offices in Taipei - open for counselling from 10am to 7pm, Monday to FridayWebsite: www.ukeas.com.tw