The Essential guide to UK Universities

1. The Essential guide to UK Universities • UK Universities • Things to consider • Oxford and Cambridge • Art and Design • Medicine / Law

2. Overview of UK Universities • Ancient Universities • University of London (1836) • Civic Redbrick Universities (Latter part of 19th Century) • Plate Glass Universities (1960s) • New universities (1992)

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

4. Research excellence What is the significance of these universities? • Research intensive • Very competitive • Students need to demonstrate independence • Fewer contact hours with professors How to get in? • Strong academic grades • Comprehensive study plan • Strong reference letter

5. Average UCAS points

6. Value of IB scores: • IB 40 = 611 UCAS points • IB 39 = 589 UCAS points • IB 38 = 567 UCAS points • IB37 = 545 UCAS points • IB 36 = 523 UCAS points • IB 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.

7. IB score distribution

8. Highest number of applications

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

10. Post 1992 Universities (Teaching Excellence) • Specialise in teaching (vocational courses) • Many academics have industrial or business experience • More contact time with professors • Research suggests that new universities are academically more effective at teaching (Quality Assurance Agency QAA) • Build industry links and promote internships

11. 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 search • List entrance requirements

14. Result of UCAS search for Economics • Birmingham require 38 points – minimum 665 with 6 in maths • Cambridgerequire 39-42 points minimum 776 with 7 in maths • Durhamrequire 39 points – minimum 665 with 6 in maths • Leicesterrequire 34 points – minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL • Leedsrequire 34 points – minimum of 5 in all subjects at HL • UCLrequire 39 points – minimum of 766 with 7 in maths

15. Oxford or Cambridge • Can only choose one • Will 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 October • Complete SAQ (supplementary application questionnaire), sent via email • Attend interview • English Language – Minimum of B in GCSE or 5 in SL IB

16. Oxbridge Interviews • Does 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

17. Art and Design Programmes Specialist schools for fine art include: • Slade School of Art (University College London) • University of the Arts, London (Central St Martins) • Edinburgh School of Art (University of Edinburgh) • University for the Creative Arts • 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.

18. Art and Design Programmes Many 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 Design • Shoe / Clothing & Fashion Design • Car Design • Graphic Design / Computer Games • Ceramics • Animation / Illustration • Photography / Media

19. Art and Design deadlines • There are two deadlines for Art and Design Programmes, 15th January and 24th March. • You can apply for 15th January courses and 24th March courses later on same application

20. Medicine / Dentistry • Deadline 15th October • You can only apply to 4 institutions, the 5th programme must be something different • Applicants must take UKCAT (most common) or BMAT (Oxbridge / Imperial / UCL) – Can be done in Taiwan • Medical Interview • International places = 7½% of available places

21. UKCAT and BMAT Can do once a year, check for test dates on respective websites UKCAT / BMAT test: • Verbal Reasoning • Quantitative Reasoning • Abstract Reasoning • Decision Analysis Each 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

22. Other Tests Leading universities need the LNAT test (National Admissions Test for Law), universities include: Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, King’s College, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL • 2¼ hours • 42 multiple choice questions - measure reading, comprehension and logical reasoning skills (Oxbridge forums state 18+ on multiple choice is good). • Reading • 40 minute essay question

23. 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:

24. 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)

25. Personal Statement – Why universities should choose you • Why do you want to study the course? Can link skills/experience • Check spelling and grammar • Keep sentences short (12-20 words) • Each sentence should add something new, not increase word count • Quality of writing reflects quality of thought • Don’t be too formal or familiar • 80% of statement should focus on course for competitive universities • Be honest – the statement can be used as basis of interview • Get someone to check your statement

26. Completing the Application • Payment – £23 for 5, or £12 for one • Reference • Submission to UCAS

27. UCAS EXtra If 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

28. Offers and accepting offers • Conditional / Reject? • Deadline to accept (set when all universities have made a decision) • Accept Firm / Insurance • Wait results • Unconditional (?)

29. Clearing and Adjustment Clearing Adjustment • Universities know grades before students do • If 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

30. Q & A

31. 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 Counsellor UKEAS – 3 Offices in Taipei - open for counselling from 10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday Website: www.ukeas.com.tw