Undergraduate study in the UK
Britain has long been a popular destination for under-graduate study by students from all parts of the world. With more than 80 universities to choose from, all equipped with extensive libraries, research and computer facilities and over 2000 colleges and schools, it is able to offer a broad spectrum of subjects from the highly academic to the purely practical in anything, be it architecture or zoology.
British universities place great emphasis on their students' ability to
undertake independent study. For this reason, many final year courses
for first degrees include a research project or dissertation which forms
an important part of the degree.
Entry Routes:
Applicants must satisfy both general and course requirements.
General requirements usually consist of the following:
A specified number of subject passes at both (GCE ‘A’ Levels and
GCSE at grade C minimum)
Equivalent British qualifications (for example, BTEC/SCOTVEG, AS
levels, etc.)
Equivalent overseas qualifications
Course requirement details can be obtained from prospectuses of
institutions which are available at the Education Counselling Service
located in the British Council Division library.
Choosing a Course
The checklist of criteria given below can help you make a more informed
decision:
Appropriate subject
Type of degree
Subject options
Availability of post-graduate courses in the same field
Size of the institute, facilities offered and student support
Availability of co-curricular activities (for example, sports,
dramatics, etc.)
Location in Britain
Presence of relatives and friends in Britain
Accommodation
How and When to Apply
Applications are made through a computerised national system known as
the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS). Students must
complete a single UCAS form which allows them six choices of
universities and courses, so that they don't have to make costly and
time-consuming multiple applications. UCAS forms are available at all
British Council offices in India.
UCAS forms should ideally be submitted before December 15 of the
preceding year. Students can start applying even if they have not
received their secondary school results.
However, even after December 15, applications are still processed in the
normal way (until June 30). After that, applications will be handled
through the clearing process.
It is important to note that for Oxford and Cambridge, students must
apply before October 15 of the year preceding the year of proposed
entry.
Under-Graduate Courses
If you are applying for a first degree course or an HND at a British
university, a college of higher education or college of further education,
there is a centralised applications procedure. This is run by the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Instead of applying directly to each institution, you complete just one
UCAS application form on which you put down six choices of institutions.
(If you are applying to study medicine or dentistry, you have only five
choices.)
There is an application fee to pay for entering through the UCAS
system. It is £5.00 (sterling) for a single choice and £14.00
(sterling) for
up to six choices.
UCAS operates a timetable for entry in each academic year. The UCAS
timetable for entry 2000-2001 shows the timetable for entry in the
academic year 2000-2001.
Home students have to keep to this timetable, whereas applications
from international students can be made at any time. In practice,
however students intending to apply for popular subjects (which include
medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, physiotherapy and many arts
subjects) should apply as early as possible, and no later than December
15.
If you wish to include Oxford or Cambridge among your choices, several
differences apply. The completed form has to be with UCAS by October
15. You may not apply to both universities in the same year unless you
wish to apply for an Organ award.
For Oxford, you must send an Oxford application form to the Oxford
Colleges Admissions Office.
For Cambridge, the Preliminary Application Form must be sent to the
admissions tutor of your primary choice of college or, in the case of an
open application (that is, you are not specifying a particular college),
to
the Cambridge Intercollegiate Applications office.
Applications for undergraduate courses in social work may go through
the UCAS or through their own central admission system - The Social
Work Admissions Service (SWAS).
Applications for pre-registration courses at the diploma level in nursing
in England go through the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service
(NMAS) and in Scotland through the Centralised Applications to Nurse
Training Clearing House (CATCG). In Wales, applications for courses at
the diploma level are made directly to the individual school of nursing.
Applications for degree courses are made through the UCAS.
Benefits of UCAS
All courses in the UCAS handbook are recognised by the UK Government.
UCAS works with institutions to ensure applicants are treated fairly.
They provide detailed advice on the entire application process.
UCAS timetable for entry 2000-2001
International students will find that there is a good deal of flexibility
in
this timetable and should not feel constricted by the dates below.
Applications from international students can be made at any time.
1 September, 2000: UCAS starts accepting applications.
15 October, 2000: Deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge to
reach UCAS.
15 December, 2000: First deadline for all other applications to reach
UCAS.
Between December and April: Higher education institutions/colleges
make offers to applicants.
16 December, 2000-30 June, 2001: Late applications received during
this period will be forwarded to each of the six choices of higher
education institution/college for them to consider at their discretion.
24 March, 2001 to 12 June, 2001: Late applications for Art and Design
courses.
1 July, 2001 to 20 September, 2001: Late applications received
during this period will be put through the clearing system, applicants
who have not reached their required grades or who have not been
offered a place will automatically be sent clearing instructions.
UCAS provides detailed and clear instructions on how to complete its
form. Read these instructions carefully, so that you do not make any
mistakes. If there is anything you do not understand, your teachers will
be able to help as can the British
Council.
It is also possible to follow a different procedure through UCAS, known
as Route B. This is because some (but not all) courses in art and design
require portfolios to be inspected. The UCAS Handbook lists courses
which require this. For details of how Route B works, consult the UCAS
Handbook (you can get a copy from the British Council or by writing to
UCAS directly).
For more information, contact UCAS (www.ucas.ac.uk) or write to them
at:
Fulton House,
Jessop Avenue,
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire
GL 50 3SH
Phone: 01242 227788
Fax: 01242 544961
How much will it cost?
Given below are indicative costs of studying in Britain per academic
year:
Fees:
Arts subjects - £6,074
Science subjects - £7,422
Medicine - £15,073
Living costs - £6,000
In analysing the cost of under-graduate studies overseas, do note that
in the UK, students are entitled to comprehensive free health treatment
under the National Health Service as the course lasts longer than six
months. Many British under-graduate courses also give value for money
because they are shorter and more intensive than similar courses
offered elsewhere, thus reducing living expenses and time spent away
from home.
List of Universities / Colleges in the UK