Is it possible to apply for a budget in england. UK education system: how to enter a UK university
For students planning to receive, we strive to give as complete, understandable and detailed answers to any questions as possible. Of course, the question of admission is not at all simple, but quite solvable: we hope that in our article you will find useful information and answers to all doubts.
Ways of admission to universities in England and Great Britain
V Russian schools ah, children spend 11 years, and in British - 12 years: this is connected with the fact that Russian certificates are not recognized as academically sufficient for admission to. You will either need to study for one or two years in Russian University and then start the translation procedure (by passing the English language exams), or take care in advance and take additional training courses (in a private school, international college or at the university). The main options for the last 3 - let's consider each in a little more detail:
- (2 years)
The most challenging, but also the most prestigious, traditionally British training program for hardworking, hardworking and gifted students. Students with A-level certificates are accepted in the first place in the top-rated universities and for the most prestigious programs with high competition (for example, medicine).
The program is designed for 2 academic years: at the AS-level, students choose 4-5 of the most priority subjects, and in the second year, only 3-4 of them remain, for which exams are taken. Grades are given in 5 point system(A - the highest score, E - unsatisfactory). Universities themselves determine the passing score for their faculties, but admission to the top-rated usually requires at least 3 excellent marks (A * -A). Also, some universities use the UCAS points system to describe the entrance requirements - for example, 280 UCAS points. This is interpreted as follows: A score on the exam is equal to 120 UCAS points, B is valued as 100 points, and a C grade is equivalent to 80 points.
Basic requirements of British universities:
- Secondary education certificate - 12 years
- Age from 17.5 years
- The level of English from IELTS 5.5-6.5 and above
- A-level certificate (at least 3 exams) and (at least 4 exams) for points not lower than C. If you received another certificate, the marks are transferred to the British system (from A to U) and entered into
- If possible - a bachelor's / specialist's diploma from a Russian university, a report card with grades and a list of all studied specialties (if you are transferring from university to university or applying for master's course)
- Personal resume
- from teachers and employers, personal curator
Remember that all documents must be translated into English language and certified by a notary.
Admission and enrollment process
Acceptance of documents and enrollment of applicants in the UK always takes place on a competitive basis - than more prestigious university and the chosen specialty, the higher the competition.
Most likely, selection committee will appoint you an additional interview-interview, ask you to tell you personally about your achievements, advantages, success in academic and other spheres, about your career and personal goals. What are you planning to achieve by studying on the chosen course?
In general, we recommend starting the process of admission and preparation 1-2 years before the expected start of studies. At the start of accepting applications, the most rated specialties and universities close admission by October 15 (for example, this applies to Oxford and Cambridge).
If your level of English is not sufficient for full English, effective teaching in English universities, you can enroll in a preliminary intensive language course... This can be a standard English course or academic English, preparation programs for specific programs (Pre-A-Level, Pre-IB,), take courses in portfolio building or an intensive course in certain academic subjects.
Pros and cons of British, American, international schools
21 Best Colleges with a Residence in England 2019 by Smapse Education
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
| 15 | |
| 16 | |
| 17 | |
| 18 | |
| 19 | |
| 20 | |
| 21 |
Top 50 UK Universities
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
| 15 | |
| 16 | |
| 17 | |
| 18 |
The first certification and admission campaign for USE results... The mistakes of the new system have yet to be analyzed by officials and universities. However, the rectors of the leading Moscow universities, at meetings with journalists, expressed their main complaints: there are many Olympiads, the ability to apply to an unlimited number of universities, the lack of a creative approach in themselves. test items... Officials say the new system Russian education gives ample opportunities for a school graduate, both passing and failing state exams. He may be tested again next year or go to colleges and vocational schools. In addition, graduates of this year and previous years may try to enroll in universities abroad. For example, get an education in British universities, which today are one of the most quoted European universities among Russian applicants.
The already enrolled students told Gazeta.Ru that it takes immeasurably more money, effort and time to enroll in Britain than in Russia. But the result, according to the graduates of Russian schools, is worth the effort.
For Britons, compulsory secondary education ends at age 16 when they take the uniform State exam GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). In fact, this document can be compared with the Russian certificate for the ninth grade. Then the student can choose between the average vocational education(Futher Education) and higher education (Higher Education). Those schoolchildren who want to go to universities are required to study in colleges for another two years - according to the A-level program. She prepares the student for a specific profession, there are only a few majors in it. The results of A-level exams are accepted by universities as entrance tests... The British finishes school under this program at the age of 18.
Russian applicants cannot enter British universities immediately after leaving school: the equivalent of secondary education in Britain is a Russian matriculation certificate and two years of study at a university.
To get into a UK university, Russians need not only to have a high school diploma at home, but also to make up for the difference between secondary education.
Therefore, before entering the university domestic graduate must study in the UK on special programs: either on a two-year A-level with British students, or on the more popular one-year Foundation program, designed specifically for foreign applicants (usually admissions take place in September and January). The program provides for familiarization with training system Great Britain, a system for assessing students' knowledge and pulls the applicant's English to the level of admission to a university. To become a student of the program, you must pass the IELTS test of English at 5.5 points or TOEFL at 500 points.
Language classes is dedicated to most of Foundation program time - almost a third of the entire course. In addition to the language, students also study specialized subjects that will be useful to them in the future for admission - from mathematics to the basics of business. Before that, the student must choose the direction in which he will study: business, law, art, etc. By the way, at the A-level, unlike Foundation, the student chooses exactly the subjects he needs. Almost every university has agreements with certain colleges that teach students for the Foundation program. Therefore, usually school graduates first choose a university, and then look at which colleges it has agreements with.
Russian schoolchildren who came to receive higher education in Great Britain told about their studies on the program "Gazeta.Ru". “Studying in Britain is tough, it’s not comparable to our education,” says one of the Foundation students at Kaplan Aspect College, located in the resort town of Bournemouth. Due to location educational institution many students choose the specialty "tourism", especially since Bournemouth University, one of the college's partner universities, also trains personnel in this field. Although, they say in the college, Kaplan Aspect students don't get hung up on tourism. “At first I was preparing for one profession, but then I decided to apply for a photographer. I have chosen a suitable university for myself and I am going to send my exam results there, "said college student Carolina in early May this year, adding that she is sure that in the UK" there are more opportunities for creative professions in general. " Another student, Daria, chose the specific profession of "golf manager", which is difficult to find training in Russia.
To enter the university, Foundation students must pass an English test and test for the course they have taken. Students submit their final test results after verification to the UCAS University Admissions Service.
According to UK rules, packages of documents can be sent to no more than five universities. “To enter, you must not only pass tests, but also be able to do scientific work and presentations, ”says one of the Kaplan Aspect students. In addition to exam results, the package of documents should also contain the student's resume, a list of preferred universities in alphabetical order, and a recommendation from the college. Moreover, often students first send their resumes, and then the results of the exams.
Tuition for the Foundation program in the 2009-2010 academic year costs about 7-8 thousand pounds per year, that is, about $ 11.5-13 thousand. After a year of study (although students with good English can finish the program earlier), students will have three years of study at a British university to become an Undergraduate degree.
Tuition fees vary depending on the chosen university and course and can range from £ 4,000 per year to £ 12,000, and sometimes even higher.
After graduation, you can enroll in a Postgraduate degree, study there for one year. Graduates of Russian universities can study in a British master's program without additional training, but for this you need to have a high level of language, and many prefer to first take a course to prepare for a Postgraduate degree. Master's studies cost from 10 to 20 thousand pounds. Housing rent should also be included in the expense item.
After graduation student visa there is another year, during which graduates are given a chance to get an internship or find a job. If desired, the employer can subsequently issue a work visa to an employee from Russia. As noted by an employee of the international department University of London Westminster Anna Colehoun, the university offers students a variety of scholarships and grants, according to which you can study for free in a master's program. According to the interlocutor, Westminster is generally the leader among London universities in providing scholarships.
Kaplan Aspect instructors say that with many who arrived from Russia and the former USSR students they have to conduct "educational conversations."
Russian school graduates claim that they want to study only at Oxford or Cambridge, and they do not even consider other options for universities. “But Oxford prepares government officials. This is not exactly what an international student usually needs, ”say the staff of the international department of the college.
According to the interlocutors of Gazeta.Ru, the main thing for them is to correctly orient students in choosing a profession, and then help in choosing a university.
Already held students of British universities said that in choosing a university they were guided by the university rating among British universities and the rating of the chosen faculty. The leading positions in most UK universities among Russian students are occupied by three areas - finance, management and jurisprudence. At the University of London Westminster "Gazeta.Ru" was told that Russian students, who are the fifth largest foreign students at the university, in addition to the Faculty of Business, enter language specialties and the Faculty of Journalism and Media is one of the most popular in the university, which has good rating throughout the United Kingdom.
Often, a student makes the final choice of a university based on its location. For example, at the Glamorgan University of Welsh in Cardiff, as an employee of the international department of Natalie Hughes University told Gazeta.Ru, there are not many Russian students, because our applicants prefer to study directly in England and practice "classical English".
Indeed, school graduates from Russia and the former Soviet republics can be found in almost every university in England.
“I graduated from a university with a degree in world economics. I read about British universities on the Internet, I chose a specialty in which I want to continue my studies in a magistracy. Then I turned to the agency, which prepared a visa for me, all the documents and arranged for the preparatory courses, ”says a student from Chelyabinsk who is taking a preparatory course for a master's degree. The University of Exeter in the South West of England, where he studies, is ranked fourth in England for attracting international students. A spokesman for the university says that about 14.5 thousand students study at the institution, almost 2 thousand of whom are foreigners from more than 100 countries. So, in British universities there are quite a lot of students from Kazakhstan who are applying for government grants. After studying in the UK, according to the agreement, they will have to return to their country and work in Kazakhstan for five years.
And most of the Russian students in the UK study at the City University of London.
The university told Gazeta.Ru that the crisis only increased the number of students, but the administration is going to carefully approach the issue of raising tuition prices so as not to lose its reputation as the most popular London university among foreigners. The university also implements the Bridge double degree program, according to which, for example, St. Petersburg politechnical University... In addition to Bridge, there are other programs and areas in which British universities interact with Russian ones. So the Faculty of Journalism at the University of London Westminster has established close ties with the Faculty of Journalism and launched a summer student exchange program.
As the students themselves say, the “approach and methods” in British universities differ from the Russian education system.
So the teachers, according to the students of Exeter, treat the students as equals, and "it is simply impossible to download the abstract from the Internet" due to the strict plagiarism check. “Here you write the work yourself, you don’t just retell the literature, you are forced to think, reflect, draw conclusions,” says Gulnara from Kazakhstan. All conditions have been created for work: good technical equipment, free internet and a 24-hour library. True, two students from Kazan, Alexandra and Yevgenia, students at the department of sports and health, complained that they had to spend too much money on literature: many departments electronic libraries paid. “There may be an illusion that it’s easier to study here, but it’s not. Therefore, here you have to control yourself more. Nobody forces you to do anything. You decide for yourself whether you need to study or not, ”says Alexandra.
Students note that in Britain no one will allow to retake the exam three times, and this is also "stimulating to study."
It is true that economists and lawyers generally agree that the education system in Great Britain is better and more promising than ours. One of the teachers at the Business School in Exeter, who previously lived and worked in Russia, also believes that it is better to study in the UK economic sciences... “In Russia, they teach management, not economics,” she is sure.
Concerning technical specialties, then, as students say, "the learning process is no different from ours: the same control, coursework, exams." But "in Britain the material and technical base is large, much larger than the Russian one."
“I disagree with young people who criticize our education. Our technical education is better. It is better to study in Russia, but to research here, because there is a material and technical base, "one of the students, Viktor, told the Gazeta.Ru correspondent, showing the laboratories of the City University.
Not everyone is planning to stay in Britain after graduation. “It’s hard here with work,” says Dmitry from Nakhodka, who is studying in Exeter in the economic direction. Many students say that after their studies they will return to Russia, because "English and diploma will play their part" and in the future they will good job Houses. But most people prefer not to guess. “Let's try. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll come back, ”said City University students.
In addition, in early September, the UK government announced the tightening of immigration law for skilled workers from outside the EU.
As the British Home Secretary noted, this was done to weaken the aggravated over Last year problems of unemployment in the country.
University professors shy away from the question of how many students stay in the UK, confining themselves to the answer that "each student decides for himself." At the University of Westminster, Anna Colehoun, an employee of the international department, noted that, due to the fact that the pound sterling fell, it became cheaper to study in the UK. But students' requirements for education increased, they began to look for a university that would provide them with further employment. Some university students do indeed already work in Britain. True, they said they found a job for themselves. The rector of the City University Business School believes that with a British education it is best to go to work in a global company. Moreover, according to his observations, if a student finds work in a similar place, then, as a rule, at home.
Ways of admission to a British university: from high school before the master's degree
15-16 years old - iGCSE program
What is it
The iGCSE (International GCSE) preparatory program has been designed specifically for international students entering a British high school. You can only enter it at 15 or 16 years old - the 2-year British plan of preparation for high school takes place here in 1 year. As a rule, Russian schoolchildren go to this program after receiving a certificate of completion of the 9th grade or after graduating from school as an external student. As part of the program, students study 5-8 subjects, study intensively in English and take the iGCSE certificate exam.
Why apply
The earlier the child gets into English system education, the easier it is for him to adapt to a new environment. The student will already be focused on his academic results, without being distracted by learning the language and solving issues related to living in a new country.
It is important to note that the earlier the transition is made, the more gentle entrance requirements await the student. The iGCSE program has significantly less stringent requirements for applicants than the upper classes of the English school (A-Level or IB). This allows you to get an advantage, because it is quite difficult to go straight to high school in the UK. A child without preparation falls into conditions increased load on a par with English students - no one will give a discount to foreign students. iGCSE has become a certain transitional period from Russian to British school... In addition, intensive English learning and small size study groups allow curators to work with each student individually.
What is needed
As a rule, the more prestigious the school, the higher the requirements. Usually you need to take an English test, provide a certificate with grades. Many schools will also ask for a math test, some will ask for additional subject exams. It may also require an interview - via Skype or in person.
16-17 years old - high school English school (A-Level or IB)
What is it
The high school English program exists in several versions, the most famous are A-Level and IB (International Baccalaureate). These are two-year courses (from 16 to 18 years old), during which the student studies 3-4 subjects of his choice at an advanced level (A-Level) or 6 academic subjects (3 at an advanced level and 3 at a standard level) from six discipline groups (IB ).
A-Level is aimed at a narrow specialization and is more suitable for students who have already chosen their university and specialty, the IB program is more extensive and is considered somewhat more difficult. There is also a two-year Pre-U Cambridge program providing in-depth study 3 items from the proposed and is a kind of hybrid of A-Level and IB. In fact, these programs are a British high school diploma. They are recognized by all countries in the world as a university admission qualification. But which one is right for you, the secondary education consultant will help you determine.
Why apply
To enroll in Cambridge, Oxford or any of the top 5 universities in the UK, you need to have excellent academic background and references. Moreover, for all the complexity of admission, it will be even more difficult to study - British universities, unlike Russian ones, expel students very quickly and quite easily for academic failure. No one will convince a student to pass the test on time or to participate in a seminar - it will simply be taken into account in the assignment of grades. Two years of study at A-Level, IB or Pre-U Cambridge give students the opportunity to perfectly learn all the features of the British education system from the inside.
What is needed
To enter the A-Level or IB, you need to pass an exam in English and mathematics, as well as provide a certificate with grades and pass an interview. Some schools may have additional requirements.
17-18 years old - Foundation program
What is it
In Great Britain, students study at school for 12 years and enter university at the age of 18. In Russia school course take place in 11 years, but nevertheless before the 18th birthday in British university you will not be accepted. Therefore, in the UK, especially for foreign students, they created a preparation program for entering the university - Foundation. The usual duration of this program is academic year, that is, 9 months. But there are options for those who have a low level of English (12 months), and for those who are fluent in the language (6 months). Program participants learn the language profiling academic subjects and are purposefully preparing to enter the university.
Why apply
The peculiarity of the program is that upon successful completion of the program, the student is guaranteed to enter one of the universities with which there is an agreement on the recognition of this Foundation program. This can be a specific university or several to choose from. You can, of course, wait for the 18th birthday and apply to the university on your own, but an applicant with a Foundation certificate will always have an advantage in admission. In addition, a year of study in the preparatory program is good practice and preparation for independent study at a British university, as well as the opportunity to pass the required language exam.
What is needed
It is necessary to provide a diploma of secondary education (Russian certificate of maturity) with a high average score and an intermediate level of English (IELTS 4.5-5).
18-19 years old - to a British university after the 1st year of a Russian university
What is it
The International Year One or International Diploma program, designed specifically for international students, corresponds to the first year of a British university. Education is carried out in small groups, in addition to subjects in the specialty, English as a foreign language is also taught. A dedicated mentor provides support to students throughout their studies, helping to address both academic and UK residency issues. The program itself is designed for 9 months of study, and for applicants with a low level of English, a program for 12 months is offered.
Why apply
The transfer from a Russian university to a foreign one has an important plus - it is the opportunity to change specialization. By changing the institution of higher education, the student can choose to study in a new field for himself. In addition, this opportunity is especially interesting for those who want to get a degree in a field that is not widely used in Russian universities.
Thanks to the International Year One or International Diploma, Russian students can enter the University of England without losing a year of study. At successful completion programs, the student is automatically transferred to the 2nd year of the university and continues to study in the general stream together with British students.
What is needed
Extract from the exam report, a certificate of complete secondary education and the results of the language IELTS exam not less than 5-6 points. It is possible that in order to transfer to the chosen university you will have to pass additional exams, write motivation letter, provide recommendations or get an interview.
20-21 years - transfer to a British university after the 2nd or 3rd year of a Russian university
What is it
Students who have completed two or three courses at a Russian university may try to transfer to a second year at a British university. True, different universities have different policies in this regard. Somewhere transfer to the second and subsequent undergraduate courses is not practiced in principle - only to the first year. In some universities, transfer to the second year is not allowed for all specialties, while transfer to the third year, as a rule, is not practiced in any top university. Much depends on the availability of places in the senior courses - and in prestigious universities they practically do not exist.
Why apply
There may be several reasons. Some students, having completed 2-3 courses at a domestic university, understand that the quality of education and the amount of knowledge they acquire do not satisfy them. Someone gets a prospect of overseas employment where they may need international diploma... And someone decides to connect their plans for the future with life in the UK, which causes a quite logical desire to get a local diploma of higher education... In any case, we can say that the procedure for such a transfer is not easy, and the reason for it must be weighty.
What is needed
As well as after the first course, it is necessary to provide an extract from the examination and test report (grades must be brought in line with British system, and the Russian university must be officially recognized in the UK) and the results language exam IELTS not lower than 6-7.5. It is possible that in order to transfer to the chosen university, you will have to pass additional exams, write a letter of motivation or go through an interview.
After 21 years - Graduate Diploma, pre-masters and master's degree
What is it
Holders of a bachelor's or specialist's degree who have completed 4 years of training in Russian university, can enter a British university and receive a master's degree in their specialty. Before entering the master's program, it is recommended to complete the Pre Masters preparatory program, within which language skills are improved and adaptation to the new education system is smoother.
If the new specialty is somewhat different from the one you have already received, then you should pay attention to the Graduate Diploma program. This program allows you to change the direction of study and enroll in the future in a magistracy in a specialty other than a bachelor's degree (but with certain restrictions - for example, an economist cannot enroll in a medical magistracy).
Why apply
The Pre Masters program provides an opportunity for 3-6 months to improve English to the level required for master's degree studies. The Graduate Diploma program will be useful for those who want to change their specialization before further admission to the master's program or who wish to acquire additional training and diploma. English university in the area of interest.
What is needed
Higher education diploma (bachelor or specialist), document confirming proficiency in English at the IELTS 6.5-8 level, motivation letter, essay, resume, recommendations and results of GRE or GMAT exams. Requirements vary depending on the university and the chosen specialty. We enter the best universities from January 2018 >>
Entering a university in England is not only prestigious, but also very promising. Even foreigners with incomplete secondary education can start preparing for studies in universities in the country. To do this, it is enough to have good grades and speak English.
Many students are attracted by England, British education is recognized as one of the best in the world, and studying in this country allows you not only to speak English like a native speaker, but also to get ideal preparation for employment.
Are you dreaming of getting an education in the UK? Below we will tell you about the procedure for admission to various degree programs at universities in England.
Until then, click on the picture below to download your free university brochures.
Studying in England after 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th grade
The program for which foreign student can be enrolled in England, depends on how many years he studied in his country.
Admission after grade 8 or 9
Foreigners aged 14-15 can enroll in english schools to the GCSE program, which leads to the receipt of the British General Certificate of Secondary Education.
For students who graduated from grade 8 in their country, study on the program lasts 2 years, and for students with Russian incomplete secondary education (grade 9 graduates) - 1 year.
During their studies, students study both compulsory subjects such as English, mathematics and natural Sciences, and optional subjects that they choose on their own. In total, students study 9-11 subjects. At the end of the program, they take 6 to 10 final exams.
GCSE students receive excellent academic and language training, which makes it possible to continue their studies in England.
Intensive IGCSE programs are also available to foreign students in England, which are designed specifically for foreigners and imply an in-depth approach to the educational process.
Both programs in England are offered on the basis of traditional schools, boarding schools, international training centers and sixth form colleges created specifically for such programs.
Admission after grade 10
Graduates of the 10th grade of Russian schools and graduates of the above GCSE / IGCSE programs can apply for the A-level program.
Students aged 16 and over are accepted for this program. It lasts 2 years and leads to a British high school diploma.
The A-level program includes 45 subjects, of which each student chooses 3-6 disciplines to study. It is important that these subjects are appropriate for the student's future university specialization.
The academic A-level program consists of two parts, each of which lasts 1 year. At the same time, the program assumes 20-25 hours of classes per week. After the first year of study in England, students receive an As-level degree, after the second year - an A2-Level degree. After completing the program, students take exams to obtain an A-level diploma.
Having an A-level diploma allows a student to apply to universities in England and many other countries.
Admission after grade 11
Graduates of Russian schools who have received a certificate of complete secondary education are not eligible to submit admission documents directly to universities in England.
Instead, they have enrollment options that include completing preparatory programs.
First, the Foundation's one-year preparatory programs are available to students, which accept students aged 17 and over. The program provides general academic and language preparation for university studies.
Secondly, a student can enroll in the classic 2-year or intensive one-year A-level program, which we wrote about above.
It should be noted that not all British universities consider the Foundation diploma to be an analogue of the A-level diploma and accept it. Apply for Foundation program only recommended if it matches entrance requirements selected educational institution in England. In all other cases, it is worth undergoing training in the A-level program.
Admission to undergraduate universities in England
The education system in England offers a convenient centralized platform for applying for university entrance documents - UCAS(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
To apply, the student must register on the UCAS website and choose from 1 to 5 British universities and the programs for which he wants to apply. At the same time, applying for one program costs $ 14, and for several - $ 28. Thus, it is more profitable to apply for several courses than one.
After registering, choosing universities and programs, the student must fill out a personal form on the website, indicating information about himself, his academic and work experience, if any.
The completed form must be accompanied by:
- a copy of the passport
- certificate of complete secondary education
- Foundation or A-level diploma
- motivational essay
- two letters of recommendation
- IELTS or TOEFL certificate
Note that this list the assignment documents are indicative. More accurate information about required documents can be obtained on the website or from representatives of the selected educational institution.
Admission to the Master's program at universities in England
Depending on the chosen master's program and university, it is also necessary to submit entrance documents through the UCAS system or directly to the university.
The second option is more common since only a few universities in the country receive applications for admission to master's programs through a centralized system. A complete list of them can be found.
