EducationUK Guidance Counsellor Handbook_US version 2014-2015 Handbook: USA Version | Page 4

College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook 4 College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook US - UK comparison Contents 1 This quick comparison chart shows some of the key differences of a UK undergraduate education. USA UK Award title Bachelors (e.g. BA, BS) 4 years 3 years (England, Northern Ireland and Wales), 4 years (Scotland) General education Common No general education requirements Major Declared during study Declared at admissions Honors Track Restricted All students Admissions philosophy Fit for institution Fit for course of study Application Direct to institution Via UCAS Changing major Common Rare. Typically must happen early within the first semester Transferring institution Common Rare. Typically only happens for students studying externally accredited professional programs such as Law 6 • Education system chart 9 • Organizations 11 • Undergraduate program structure 12 and learning environment 2 The admissions cycle 16 • Admissions cycle 18 • A good fit student 20 • University search 21 • Choosing a major 23 • Admissions requirements 24 • UCAS deadlines 25 • UCAS application 27 • Making an application 28 3 Accommodation 32 • University accommodation 34 • Private accommodation 35 • Home stay 35 4 Finance and funding 36 • Financial aid, tuition and living costs 38 • Working while you study 40 5 Visas, immigration and pre-departure 42 • Visas 43 • Pre-departure 47 Guidance for students with specific needs and interests 49 • Sports and student athletes • Religious observances • Students with disabilities • LGBT culture Bachelors (e.g. BA, BSc, BEng) Duration Higher education landscape 6 7 50 50 51 51 Important tools and resources 52 • Important tools 54 • League tables 55 8 University listings • Universities in England • Universities in Scotland • Universities in Wales • Universities in Northern Ireland 9 University profiles 57 58 64 65 65 66 • A-Z profiles of selected universities 68 5