TAKING A FIRST DEGREE AT A UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

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1 acu information TAKING A FIRST DEGREE AT A UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM These notes have been prepared to answer general enquiries received from students interested in studying for a first (bachelor s) degree at a university in the UK. 1. What universities are there? There are currently over 150 higher education institutions in the UK permitted to award their own degrees according to the UK s principal government agencies responsible for education BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) ( Of these the majority are in England. The representative body for the higher education sector in Scotland - Universities Scotland currently lists 20 member higher education institutions ( In Northern Ireland there are 3 universities and 2 university colleges ( Higher Education Wales has 12 members ( Some institutions are federal, comprising various colleges and affiliated institutes; the University of London, the University of the Arts London and the University of Wales are the most notable examples. In addition, there are a number of colleges and other higher education institutions in the UK offering degree-level courses which are validated and awarded by a university. Information about UK universities is included on various websites and in related directories. A checklist of such sources is given in the Appendix below. UCAS, the agency which processes applications to UK universities, publishes a comprehensive directory annually: The Big Guide: The Official Universities and College Entrance Guide ( The information available from the British Council is also invaluable, particularly for international students. In addition to their websites ( and ( - the British Council publishes a series of useful education information sheets which are available from British Council offices and via their website ( The ACU s own website ( includes links to the universities themselves. Some printed directories should be available in reference and academic libraries as well as many British Council offices internationally. It is, in any case, recommended that in addition to using relevant websites students check with British Council offices in their own country; these are frequently the first point of contact for students in other countries who are planning to study in the UK. There are international students taking first (undergraduate) degree courses at all UK universities. (It is worth noting, however, that the Open University is a dedicated distance learning institution providing tuition by correspondence supplemented by radio/tv programmes, the internet, etc. The majority of its students are resident in the United Kingdom or Europe, though their courses are also available elsewhere usually through partnership agreements with other institutions. Cranfield University and the Royal College of Art are also distinctive, since both are primarily graduate-level institutions.) 2. Which institutions are accredited? In the UK there is no formal, national, system for the accreditation of institutions of higher education

2 2 generally, such as there is in the USA for example. However, as noted above the British government's education-related departments make available on its websites lists of the UK bodies and institutions that may lawfully award degrees, and of the institutions which provide courses for these 'recognised' degrees ( All the university institutions named in these lists are included in well-established web sources (eg Education UK, UCAS, UniversitiesUK, etc.) as well as standard printed directories such as those issued by UCAS. If you are thinking of studying in Britain for a first degree offered by a university that is not listed it is again advisable to contact the nearest British Council office in the first instance. 3. What types of degree course are there? The majority of first degree courses are available in arts, science, social science and engineering subjects. Most first degree courses lead to a bachelor s degree with honours, for example Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BSc). Other qualifications include BEd (Bachelor of Education - teaching) or LLB (Law). First degree courses normally last for three or four years and involve the study of a single subject or of two main subjects in a joint or combined studies programme; increasingly, modular courses are being offered though, in which students choose different (and usually interrelated) subjects each year. Four-year courses often include a year of study abroad or a period of industrial or professional training 'sandwiched' between periods of academic study. In some universities extended first-degree courses are now available in certain professional/vocational oriented subjects (which, with the inclusion of a placement year, can last up to five years). These lead to an enhanced qualification, for example Master in Science (MSci), Master of Physics (MPhys) or Master of Engineering (MEng). Courses in more specialised fields as, for example, in architecture, medicine, dentistry and veterinary science can last up to between five and seven years. In Scotland, where school leavers may enter university one year earlier than in the rest of the UK, an honours degree usually lasts for four years, an ordinary degree (called a 'general degree' at some universities) for three. The inclusion of a 'sandwich' placement (a period of work experience as part of the qualification) can extend an honours degree to up to five years and an ordinary degree to four years. Courses normally begin in late September or in October with three terms or two semesters in each academic year, though there are a few institutions which offer programmes starting in January. Among the most notable exceptions is the University of Buckingham where degree courses start each year in January and last for two calendar years with four terms in each year. Students from countries outside the European Union (EU) are not normally allowed to enter the UK to study part-time (see Sections 9 and 16 below). (With effect from March 2009 a new points-based student immigration system was introduced; under its new regulations course-related work placements, and some part-time work, are allowed.) 4. What subjects can I study? The range of subjects offered is very wide and varies from one university to another. There are course search options on the Education UK ( and UCAS websites ( UCAS s The Big Guide: The Official Universities and College Entrance Guide lists course titles (under section 3). Another useful basic subject listing is also published annually in British Qualifications (( see Appendix). 5. Where can I get details of courses? Each university publishes information about its courses on its website as well as issuing a prospectus/handbook describing its first degrees. Most also publish material specifically for students from abroad. For further details on the relevant course students, having checked the website, should check with the Undergraduate Admissions/International Office of the university, stating clearly which subject(s) they

3 3 wish to study and at what level. A range of information is also widely available on the websites of higher education organisations and education-related media. (In addition to the EducationUK site ( some of the general web addresses listed at the end of this summary could be useful.) 6. Can I get into medical school? All medical and dental schools in the UK form part of a university. Medical schools have a strictly limited quota of international students which they are allowed to accept. This can be between 6 and 16 places, depending on the size of the medical school. Admission is therefore highly competitive. At some (though by no means all) medical schools the few undergraduate students from abroad are usually from countries where there is little or no provision for the training of doctors. At most dental schools the position is similar. (A review issued by the UK s Department of Health, though published in 2000, is still available on the DH website Medical Training in the United Kingdom: a Guide for International Graduates ( More recently several institutions have developed a graduate entry programme (GEP) which enables graduates in other disciplines to complete a medical qualification in 4 years. Details of these institutions are included in the British Medical Association s publication Becoming A Doctor ( as well as in the useful British Council/EducationUK summary Medicine ( Further information for prospective medical students is also available on the General Medical Council (GMC) site ( Links to all UK medical school websites, as well as brief advice notes for potential medical students, are included on the Council of Medical Schools website ( ( An entrance test for admission to many medical and dental schools has also been introduced - the UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) ( Students should check directly with individual schools to confirm if this is now part of that institution s current entrance requirements. 7. What is the cost of study and residence? In the UK there are different fee levels for home and overseas students. International students pay what are often called 'full-cost' tuition fees. (The tuition fees of most 'home' (UK) students are normally subsidised by the UK government through local education authorities or other appropriate bodies. A contribution of up to a maximum of 3000 per year (with a slight annual increase due to inflation) towards fees is currently payable by home and European Union students on undergraduate courses. A summary of the current conditions which apply is available on the UKCISA website ( Students will normally have to pay 'full-cost' fees if they have not been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the three years immediately preceding the start of their course. ('Ordinary residence' excludes time spent in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.) Two exceptions to this general rule are: students who are given refugee status by the UK immigration authorities, and those who are normally resident in other countries of the European Union. Students with refugee status and European Union residents are eligible to pay the same rate of fees as UK students. Students who are uncertain as to which category they belong for fees purposes should seek advice from the university to which they are applying. In some cases, however, a final decision on this question may not be taken unless and until the student is actually offered a place.

4 4 (Further useful information is available on the following sites: Living Costs (Education UK - under Living in the UK, Money Matters, then Course Fees ) ( an earlier summary Higher Education Tuition Fees ( and on the UKCISA site ( Each university sets its own fee levels, and it is only from the university itself that a definitive statement of its tuition fees can be obtained. As a guideline, fees for the 2008/09 academic year generally ranged from: 8,200-9,700 for an arts course 1 8,700-12,300 for a science course 21,000-23,600 for clinical courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. (see UUK s annual Survey of tuition fees for international students ( Courses with field work may require a further contribution. At the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, college fees are payable annually in addition to the fees charged by the university and the student's living costs (accommodation, meals, etc.). These fees vary but for international students could range from approximately 4,000 to 5,000 p.a. (see Cambridge: Financial Costs and Support for International Students ( Oxford: Undergraduate College Fees under Student Funding Services ( To cover your living expenses in the UK (accommodation, meals etc.) a single student from abroad will need between 650 to 950 per month, depending on location. Expenses can vary widely from one part of the UK to another depending on the location of the university, the type of accommodation obtained and personal needs. (Inevitably living costs are higher for London and the surrounding south-east area.) Costs will obviously also be much higher if you decide to bring your family with you (see section 15). Estimated living costs are included on the EducationUK site (see Living in the UK, Money Matters, then Living Costs ) ( and specifically the British Council booklet Studying And Living In The United Kingdom (( Full details of fees and an estimate of costs can be obtained from the universities to which you apply. Both fees and living costs are likely to rise from year to year. The information which is sent to you by a university should include a section on medical treatment and insurance. 8. Can I get a scholarship? In general, universities in the UK do not offer scholarships to students from abroad which would cover the whole cost of first degree study and residence, although there are partial scholarships available from some universities which contribute towards the tuition fees. Compared with the number of awards for postgraduate study, there are very few scholarships from any source available to students from other countries for study in the UK leading to a first degree. 1 For this purpose an 'arts' course is normally one that does not involve significant laboratory/workshop/studio-based activities, and a 'science' course is one that does. The title of a degree - BA, BSc, etc. - will not necessarily tell you whether the course leading to it is classified as 'arts' or 'science' for fees purposes. Each university will be able to tell you into which category its various courses fall.

5 5 If you live in a developing country you should find out whether your own ministry of education offers any awards tenable in the UK or nominates for scholarships offered under inter-governmental arrangements. (Under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), for example, scholarships are available only to citizens of the Falkland Islands, Maldives, St Helena, and Seychelles (i.e. countries where no undergraduate provision exists) ( If you live in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or another developed country there are few, if any, first degree scholarships for which you could apply that would cover the UK. Please note that the ACU has no money of its own from which it can independently award scholarships or give loans, nor can it sponsor students. Information on the few undergraduate scholarships available for international students is now mainly available through various websites. The British Council s Education UK site has a useful scholarships database ( as well as brief summaries with related links ( and ( A Student Finance England site (under Directgov) has some advice notes and resources; although principally for UK students it has some brief details and links for international students, particularly those applying from elsewhere in the EU ( mothereucountries/index.htm). There are some printed guides also available. The Grants Register: The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide (Palgrave). An annual directory to grants and scholarships, including a few available at undergraduate level, which are tenable internationally ( Unesco s Study Abroad An international handbook of awards offered outside a student s own country. Although now of print it may still be available in some academic and reference libraries ( and If you need a scholarship, start making enquiries at least a year before you plan to begin your studies. It is unrealistic to expect to find full funding for undergraduate study once you are in the UK. 9. Can I work my way through university? The UK immigration authorities apply various conditions for students in relation to employment (indicated on the passport on entering the UK (i.e. restricted, authorised, etc.)). In general there is a limit of up to 20 hrs per week during term time. Useful summaries of the current conditions are available on the UK Home Office (Border Agency) ( UK Home Office (Border Agency) (Visa Operation) ( and UKCISA websites ( ( ( Working in the UK during your Studies (Information Sheet)) and the British Council s Studying And Living In The United Kingdom ( The UK s Home Office (Border Agency) also maintains another useful source of information on a specialist site ( 10. Will my educational qualifications satisfy entrance requirements? Each university decides for itself which students it will admit. Entry is competitive, and for most degree courses there may be more qualified applicants than there are places available (e.g. see section 6). To find out whether you can satisfy the requirements for admission both to the university and to the degree

6 6 course of your choice, you should check with the admissions office of the university concerned with full details (including grades) of your current qualifications and any forthcoming examinations. Students who have followed UK-based educational systems and qualifications may find useful The Big Guide: The Official Universities and College Entrance Guide, which includes a CD-ROM - Entry Requirements (details as noted in section 4 above). This sets out the predicted course entry grade requirements for applicants offering qualifications such as: GCE A/AS levels, BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council), Advanced GNVQ or GSVQ Level III, IB (International Baccalaureate), Scottish Highers and SCOTVEC. It does not, however, comment on admission with other qualifications gained in other countries. You should enquire at the university in which you are interested about this. (Although there is no detailed and comprehensive national list showing which qualifications obtained outside the UK are acceptable, the UCAS site does issue a useful guide International Qualifications for Entry to Higher Education ( General information on the recognition of key academic qualifications obtained overseas is included in information and services available from the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC). Full details are included on the NARIC site ( Local British Council offices may also be able to give some advice. Access/Bridging/Foundation courses. If your educational qualifications do not fully satisfy the admission requirements for the course that you want to take at a particular university, you can ask whether the university itself, or a nearby college, offers any access, bridging or foundation courses that would be suitable for you. Some UK universities have links with colleges which offer courses specifically for international students. Students who satisfactorily complete such a course can apply for admission to a course leading to a first degree, though it should be noted that completion of an access course does not guarantee a place at a chosen higher education institution. Access courses may last one or two years and often combine academic study with tuition in English language (see below). There is information on foundation courses on the Education UK site, with access and foundation courses being listed as one of the course search options ( Access courses are also listed on the UCAS site, though these are not intended specifically for international students ( Useful sources are also available specifically for refugees and asylum seekers: the Refugee Council ( and Education Action International (the new working name for the World University Service (WUS) (UK)/RETAS (Refugee Education, Training and Advice Service)) ( UKCISA s Information Sheet Asylum And Studying is also useful ( 11. Is my knowledge of English good enough? You must have a very good command of written and spoken English. If English is not your first language you should tell your chosen university what formal qualifications in English you have. You will normally be asked to pass, at a satisfactory standard, a particular test of proficiency in English. Examples of such tests include the various Cambridge Certificate and Diploma courses ( tests conducted at British Council offices under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) ( or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) ( administered by the Educational Testing Service in the USA. The university will tell you which tests it accepts or prefers, and what standards it considers satisfactory. During the long vacation (July to September) many universities offer courses in English for students whose command of the language needs to be improved before they begin their academic studies. (Sometimes attendance at such a course is made a condition of admission.) At several universities longer courses of up to one year are also offered for such students. Some universities, however, do not provide any courses for students who need to improve their command of English. (See also section 10 - 'Access/Bridging/Foundation courses'.) Useful information on opportunities for English language study is available from English UK an

7 7 organisation representing accredited English language schools and language centres. (English UK was established following the merger of ARELS (Association of Recognised English Language Services) and BASELT (British Association of State English Language Teaching) ( Details of accredited English language courses can also be searched on the ( site. 12. Can I get 'credit' for previous university studies? For entry to many courses it may be possible to obtain 'credit' for previous studies at post-secondary level institutions with high standards. However, there is no national system of 'credit transfer', nor the automatic granting of 'credit' or of exemption from some part of the normal first degree course. If you already have a degree, or one of certain other approved qualifications gained with an acceptable standard, some universities may allow you to complete a first degree in less than the normal period. Some universities may also consider granting limited 'credit' for undergraduate courses satisfactorily completed elsewhere. Others, however, require the full three or four years of the first degree course to be taken, irrespective of previous studies. You should therefore check with the university in which you are interested about this. 13. How do I apply for admission? You should check information issued by the university, and contact the Admissions/International Office of the university, if necessary, about whether your educational qualifications will satisfy entry requirements. However, your formal application for admission to an undergraduate degree course should not be sent direct to the university. You must apply through a central office - the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Information on choosing a course, an institution, and preparing to apply is available on the UCAS site; some is specifically directed at incoming international students. Copies of The Big Guide: The Official Universities and College Entrance Guide can also be obtained from UCAS. Details of the online application process are available on the UCAS website ( (under 'Students'). Some application information, and perhaps reference copies of material from the universities, may also be available through your local British Council office. It is advisable to apply for admission as early as possible, a year in advance for example, particularly given the popularity of certain courses and the time which needs to be allowed for practical issues such as immigration and accommodation arrangements. Certainly if you are considering an application to Oxford or Cambridge, or some popular courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science, your application must reach UCAS by a deadline of 15 October in the year preceding the proposed year of entry. For Oxford or Cambridge you must also apply to the university direct by 15 October. Full details are given on the UCAS site. Even if your choices do not include Oxford or Cambridge, it is very much in your own interest to apply well before the deadline if you can. Full information on the relevant application dates, for home and international students, is available on the UCAS site ( At whatever time you apply, you must consult the information which UCAS makes available before submitting an application. Graduates wishing to take another first (i.e. undergraduate) degree must still apply through UCAS. 14. Can I attend a university for a short period? Most universities can consider applications - even if, in some cases, only a limited number - from approved students in other countries who want to attend for just one academic year, or perhaps only one term or semester. Sometimes there are special programmes for students enrolling in this way, but usually such students attend appropriate parts of the courses that are being followed by students studying for a degree. This kind of enrolment will not enable you to qualify for a first degree of a UK university, but most universities will provide you with a certificate of (satisfactory) attendance, and/or transcripts, if you satisfy

8 8 whatever conditions may be set. To find out whether you might be able to enrol on this basis you must contact directly each university in which you are interested, providing details of your qualifications and explaining which subjects you want to study. There is no need to make a formal application through UCAS. The tuition fees charged to students from abroad who enrol for just one year, or for a shorter period, may vary from one university to another. At some universities students enrolling for one academic year's full-time study pay the normal tuition fee for that year (see section 7) and the fees for students enrolling for shorter periods are calculated pro rata. At other universities there are separate (somewhat lower) scales of fees for short-term students. Only the university at which you hope to enrol can tell you what fee you will have to pay if you are admitted for the particular courses and period that you have in mind. Summer vacation courses are held at many UK universities, sometimes organised by the university itself but frequently by other organisations. There is, however, no comprehensive listing of summer courses on offer at British universities currently available, though a few are included on the course database of the EducationUK site. In many cases current details of possible summer/short course opportunities are best checked direct with universities or, for specific subject areas, with relevant research/scholarly associations. 15. Where can I live? Most universities have an accommodation office which helps students to find somewhere to live. Some universities can accommodate all unaccompanied undergraduate students from abroad, at least for their first year (except perhaps those who have been late in applying for, or accepting, a place on a course of study). Many other universities aim to provide accommodation for such students, even if they cannot guarantee to do so. However there is considerable demand for university accommodation, and the offer of a place on a course of study does not guarantee that a university will automatically offer you accommodation as well. Many undergraduate students from abroad live in college, halls of residence or other accommodation provided by their university; others may live with relatives or rent a house or flat with a group of friends. You should be aware that the cost of private rented accommodation can vary widely from one place to another in the UK. It is very difficult to obtain adequate accommodation for a married couple especially if they are accompanied by children, and such accommodation can be very expensive. Where university accommodation for students and their spouses/families does exist (and at some universities there is none at all) the provision is extremely limited. Other types of accommodation suitable for couples or families are scarce, and often cost much more than students can afford. If students who have a firm offer of a university place do decide to bring their spouse or family with them to the UK, and are quite sure that they will be able to meet all the additional costs involved, they should travel ahead. In order to secure adequate accommodation it is essential that such students arrive well in advance of the date on which their studies are to begin. Students intending to bring their child/children to the UK should also try to give the university concerned as much warning as possible so that places at local schools can be arranged. Accommodation for International Students - a very useful information sheet with further advice and sources, is available on the UKCISA website ( 16. How can I find out about immigration requirements? Full information about the regulations governing entry to the UK can be obtained in the first instance from the British High Commission or Embassy in your own country. It will usually be located in the capital city. Students from other countries are not normally allowed to enter the UK in order to study part-time. Except for students from other member countries of the European Union, to whom special provisions apply, permission to enter the UK is normally given on the understanding that it is for full-time study and that the student will leave the country when the course of study has been completed.

9 9 In addition to the series of UKCISA information sheets on immigration ( useful sources relating to immigration/visas include: Advice on immigration and working in the UK (on the EducationUK website) ( the UK Home Office (Border Agency) ( ( and the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) ( Publications APPENDIX In addition to the websites recommended there are various publications, some of which may be available in academic and public libraries, as well as some British Council offices internationally. Almost all of these publications (listed below) are priced. Full information about the price of the most recent editions, and postage rates, are best obtained direct from the publisher/distributor via their sites. I. General British Council. Studying and Living in the United Kingdom (Available from British Council) Annual (?) (Full text available online ( Kogan Page. British Qualifications: A Complete Guide to Professional, Vocational and Academic Qualifications (Available from Kogan Page) Annual. (Priced) ( Pearson Education. Directory of Vocational and Further Education (Available from Pearson Education) Annual. (Priced) ( Skill National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. Into Higher Education: the Higher Education Guide for People with Disabilities (Available from Skill) ( Trotman. Choosing Your Degree Course & University (ed. Heap, B.) (Available from Trotman & Company) Annual (?). (Priced) ( Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) The Big Guide: The Official Universities and College Entrance Guide and related CD-ROM Entry Requirements (Available from UCAS, Publication Services, Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Glos., England GL52 3LZ) Annual. (Priced) ( Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Scottish Guide for Entry to University and College UCAS (Available from UCAS) Annual. (Priced) ( II. Scholarships British Council; Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); UKCISA. Sources of funding for international students. (Available on EducationUK website) ( Directory of Social Change. The Educational Grants Directory. The Directory of Social Change. (Available from Directory of Social Change, 24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP) (Priced) ( Palgrave. The Grants Register: The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide (Palgrave) Annual. (Priced) ( Trotman. University Scholarships Awards and Bursaries (Trotman) (Heap, B. ed) (Available from Trotman & Company Ltd) Annual (Priced) (

10 10 Unesco. Study Abroad. (Unesco). (Although now of print it may still be available in some academic and reference libraries ( and

11 11 III. Subject Guides British Medical Association. Becoming a Doctor BMA. (Department of Medical Education, BMA) Annual. ( Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC/Trotman) Degree Course Guides (series of subject-based booklets) CRAC (Available from Trotman & Company Ltd) Annual. (Priced either individually or as a set) ( English UK (organisation representing English language schools/centres in UK English in the UK Guide (Free brochure listing accredited English language centres in the UK) Annual. (Available for order through the English UK website) ( Universities Council for the Education of Teachers. University Courses in Education Open to Students from Overseas. UCET. Annual. (Free.) (

12 12 Addresses/Websites i) ACU Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9HF ii) BIS (Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills) iii) British Council Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB iv) DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) v) English UK vi) Graduate Prospects Ltd. (UK) Prospects House, Booth St East, Manchester, England M13 9EP vii) NARIC (National Academic Recognition and Information Centre) viii) SKILL: The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities Chapter House, Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW ix) UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Glos., GL52 3LZ x) UK Home Office (Border Agency) xi) UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) 9-17 St Alban s Place, London N1 0NX xii) Universities UK Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ Association of Commonwealth Universities, Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 0PF CWLTHUG June2009 Association of Commonwealth Universities, Woburn House, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9HF ( Association of Commonwealth Universities This Paper is published for information purposes only. It should not be regarded as definitive and the ACU accepts no responsibility or liability for its contents. Readers should check with the appropriate university or other institution regarding the current position on any question of fact. NM (6/2009)