EducationUK Guidance Counsellor Handbook_US version 2014-2015 Handbook: USA Version | Page 4
College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook
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College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook
US - UK comparison
Contents
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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
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• 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
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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
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