Applying to University Booklet 2019 wcis_ATU_2019 | Page 12

UK AND EUROPE
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC
INFORMATION
The following information is intended to provide
a general guide to the application processes of
the major university destinations of our pupils.
Increasingly, universities are adopting their own
individual approaches to admissions procedures and,
therefore, more extensive research is strongly advised.
However, the following should serve as a good
overview of the general demands of each different
country’s approach.
UCAS EUROPE
All UK applications go through the Universities
and Colleges Application System (UCAS)
which is an online application site for the UK as
a whole. Applicants are limited to five options
only and will need to write a personal statement
of not more than 4000 characters to explain
their suitability for their chosen programme.
This statement is almost entirely academic in
nature, and the school provides a confidential
reference to support the application. Offers can
be made by universities as soon as applications
are received, so applying early is always an
advantage. In Europe, the university application process
can vary considerably from country to country
and may require a motivation letter (similar to
a personal statement) and even SAT scores.
However, applications to most European
universities are very straightforward and can
be made online to the individual institution. The
EUNICAS site now offers a convenient platform
to research and apply to university options in
Europe.
RANGE OF UK
UNIVERSITIES
The best-known UK universities belong to an
association called the Russell Group. They are
large, comprehensive universities that offer the
widest range of degree programmes. Scottish
universities offer degree options that are
significantly different from English universities.
Scottish undergraduate degrees last four years
(not three years, as is generally the case in
England) and the first year can include more
general courses. UK universities range from
the ancient (Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews)
to the very modern (Surrey and Heriot Watt),
from city centre locations in the heart of former
industrial cities (Manchester, Liverpool) to green
field sites on the fringes of a small town (Bath,
Warwick).
An increasing number of European universities
now offer degrees taught in English offering
prospective pupils an attractive and realistic
alternative to studying in the US or the UK.
A lot of English language courses will focus on
areas such as business, international relations or
hospitality, but the number of other options is
increasing each year. The widest range of English
language degree programmes in Europe can
be found in the Netherlands. Options can be
explored through one central website at ‘Study
in Holland’ and there is a centralised application
system administered through Studielink. Dutch
university tuition fees for international pupils
are some of the lowest on the continent
while in some cases universities in Germany
and Scandinavia still offer free tuition for
international pupils.
ACHIEVING LOCAL
STATUS
Pupils with a UK passport can gain entry to UK
universities as local pupils even though they
are studying in China and have been doing so
for some time. The pupil’s family will need to
persuade the university in question that their
residence in China is temporary and only for
the purposes of work. They will also need to
prove that they have strong links back to the
UK. Links of this nature might include regular
visits, the maintenance of property, or payment
of past taxes. Unfortunately, this process must
be conducted on an individual basis with each
university; there is no general rule that covers
all cases. Currently, the option to achieve
local status is also still open to EU passport
holders who are able to demonstrate strong
links to a country within the EU. With Britain
preparing to leave the EU, at the time of writing,
there is some uncertainty about whether this
arrangement will be maintained, so careful
research on the UCAS and UK Department for
Education website is advised.
13