The International Student′s Survival Guide

How to Get the Most from Studying at a UK University

Gareth Davey

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Year: 2008
• ISBN:
  9781446245651
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Research in Education

The International Student?s Survival Guide is a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide to studying and living in the UK. It will be invaluable in preparing international students for the inevitable differences in culture, customs, and academic life, and helps to ensure they get the most out of their time at University. Gareth Davey provides students with all the information needed to make the right choice about where to study and provides valuable advice on how to settle into your new surroundings, including guidance on:

• Choosing and applying for a course Leaving home and arriving in the UK
• Managing finances and living costs
• Academic culture
• Teaching and assessment methods
• Health and welfare
• Life after graduation

Throughout the guide there are checklists and self-evaluation forms to help the reader chart their progress. A glossary is included to aid understanding of the topics covered, and directories of additional sources of information make it easy to find out more where necessary. This guide will be a useful resource for students coming to the UK to embark on either undergraduate or graduate study in any subject.

SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips, resources and videos on study success!

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1 Choosing and applying for your course

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INTRODUCTION

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

Recognise the benefits of studying in the UK

Identify different types of courses

Judge the suitability of courses

Understand the application process

Apply for a course

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There are over 300 universities and colleges in the UK, offering thousands of higher education courses. Which one should you choose? To make your decision easier, this chapter provides information about the types of qualifications available, the factors to consider when choosing a course and university, and how to apply.

Why should I study in the UK?

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There are many benefits of studying and living in the UK. The education system has an excellent reputation, and it is internationally recognised. The quality of teaching and learning is high. Further, courses focus on the development of skills, as well as subject knowledge, which will enable you to learn valuable attributes such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, independence, and group work. These skills will aid your personal development and success after graduation. Studying in the UK will also allow you to experience its rich culture, improve your English skills, and access other European countries during your vacations.

Types of courses

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A wide range of undergraduate (first degree) and postgraduate courses are available. Most undergraduate programmes lead to a Bachelor’s degree. Students who do not have appropriate entry requirements for a degree might be able to start with a lower level qualification such as a Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree. The majority of university programmes fall under the following classifications.

Certificate in Higher Education This programme is one year (full-time) in duration. It covers the underlying concepts of a subject and develops skills such as problem solving. It is generally equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree.

Higher National Diploma and Foundation Degree These courses are work-related and involve more detailed study and application of topics. Foundation degrees are designed and taught in partnership with employers to provide job-related knowledge and skills. They are equivalent to the first two years of an undergraduate degree. If completed successfully, they can lead to entry on to the third year of a Bachelor degree.

Bachelor degree This is an undergraduate degree that covers advanced knowledge and application of study skills and takes three or four years to complete (subjects such as medicine and dentistry require longer). Traditionally, degrees are awarded with or without Honours (Honours is regarded as a higher level); if a student does not achieve the Honours standard, they may be awarded an Ordinary degree (see Chapter 8).

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Benefits of studying in the UK?

Studying in the UK has many benefits:

• Internationally recognized and respected qualifications. The UK higher education system is world-renowned. A degree or other qualification will demonstrate your knowledge and skills, and will enhance your career prospects.
• Quality. Universities have excellent teaching and learning standards. Academic quality is checked regularly to ensure good quality teaching and learning experiences.
• Accessibility and variety. There is a range of access routes to higher education, and attendance on many courses is flexible. There is also a wide variety of programmes.
• Shorter and intensive degrees save time and money. Some courses, particularly three-year undergraduate degrees and one-year Master degrees, are shorter in duration compared to equivalent courses in other countries.
• Research excellence. UK universities have excellent research profiles and facilities.
• British culture and easy access to Europe. The UK has a rich culture and history that can be explored during your leisure time. It is also easy and inexpensive to travel to other European countries during your vacations.
• Immersion in an English language environment. Studying in an English-speaking country, surrounded by native speakers, will help you to improve your English language and communication skills.
• Personal development. Courses will develop your skills and personal qualities. Experience in another country and culture will also widen your perspective on life.
• Emigration. It may be possible to stay in the UK after graduation, for further study or for other reasons.
• Fun! Life is all about having fun, and enjoying yourself. There are many opportunities to enjoy an active social life.

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Some universities offer courses that lead only to ordinary degrees with the option, possibly, to achieve the ‘Honours’ level as an add-on. However, nowadays most degrees are Honours degrees. Courses either cover a single subject (called ‘single Honours’), equal coverage of two subjects (joint Honours), or an unequal combination of two (combined Honours).

Graduate Certificate and Diploma These are postgraduate courses (a higher level than a bachelor degree). They involve advanced knowledge and development of study skills. A postgraduate course can also serve as a conversion course to introduce a new subject. A popular course is the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which is a teaching qualification that prepares graduates for teaching in schools, as well as in colleges and universities.

Master degree A Master degree is a postgraduate programme that teaches advanced knowledge and analysis of complex issues. It enables a high development of study skills, particularly research skills. Master degrees can be either taught courses, research-based, or a combination of both. They are one or two years in duration. A popular Master degree is the MBA (Master of Business Administration), which covers management and business skills. Some Master degrees, such as arts degrees in Scotland, and Integrated Master programmes in engineering, science, and mathematics, are actually four-year undergraduate programmes that include postgraduate study.

Doctorate A range of doctorate degrees are available. A PhD is a doctoral research degree that involves a detailed investigation and evaluation of a topic and leads to the creation of new knowledge. It involves advanced research techniques and academic enquiry. Other courses, particularly professional doctorates, have a substantial taught part and emphasise professional practice more than academic scholarship. A new type of PhD is the ‘New Route PhD’, whic...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1 Choosing and applying for your course
• 2 Leaving home and arriving in the UK
• 3 English language requirements for your course
• 4 Tuition fees and living costs
• 5 Daily life and culture in the UK
• 6 Health, welfare, and safety
• 7 Academic culture in the UK
• 8 Teaching and assessment methods
• 9 Study skills you need for academic success
• 10 Life after graduation
• Glossary
• Directory
• Index