Applying to non-UCAS universities

Applying to Foreign Universities

Applying to Foreign Universities

Applying to Foreign Universities Why might you consider studying abroad?

• Broaden the mind – a different experience • Employability – proof of your independence and motivation • Courses or course style offered

• Facilities • Lower entry requirements • Finance – possible, but unlikely to be cheaper, and you can’t get a student loan

Applying to Foreign Universities Why might you NOT consider studying abroad?

• There is no UCAS • There is no student loan • There may be language issues • You will have to invest time and money in applying • Costs are subject to currency risk • There is less expertise to help you in school

Applying to Foreign Universities Country

Tuition Fees

Living Costs

Total

UK

£8k - £9k

£7k - £11k

£15k - £20k

US

$20k - $40k

$10k - $14k

$30k - $54k

Australia

$18k - $35k

$18k - $28k

$36k - $63k

Holland

Eu 1.5k – 3k

Eu 8k – 12k

Eu 9k- 15k

France

Eu 0 - 250

Eu 8k – 12k

Eu 13k -15k

Germany

Eu 0 – 1.7k

Eu 8k – 12k

Eu 8k – 14k

Scandinavia

Eu 0

Eu 10k – 15k

Eu 10k – 15k

Ireland

Eu 2,000

Eu 8k – 12k

Eu 10k – 14k

Notes Subtract accommodation costs (£2k - £5k) if living at home Undergraduate programmes are 4 years. Huge variability in costs.

Scholarships widely available, but NOT to Ivy League (although these offer bursaries.)

Scholarships are VERY rare.

Applying to Scandinavian universities is not straightforward.

Also living costs are high.

You need to be studying 4 A2 subjects to stand a realistic chance of entry to a top Irish university

Applying to Foreign Universities Europe • Proximity • 400 courses taught in English • Possibly cheaper • Easier entry requirements • More flexible entry process • Universities like Maastricht are recruiting heavily and will ease the process for you – look carefully through

Applying to Foreign Universities USA

• Global leader in higher education • Fantastic facilities • Ivy League very expensive except for the truly exceptional, and very hard to get into • Mid-tier universities do offer many scholarships and student support which would bring the cost down comparable to UK (no student loan though) • Complicated, non-centralised admissions usually including SATs • www.fulbright.co.uk/.

Applying to Foreign Universities USA – possible timetable for admission • Lower Sixth – research institutions and funding, aim to apply to 4 -6 institutions • Oct – sit ACT / SATs**

• Nov – submit applications • Nov/Dec – interviews (in London) • March / April - decision **Scholastic Assessment tests in critical reading, maths and writing. Set date in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan (you can re-sit). Some universities allow 2-3 subject based SATs in sciences, literature, modern languages or history, instead of the writing SAT. SATs are supposed to be ‘un-coachable’ but many people recommend help from a specialist training company – e.g. Kaplan offer an online course or classroom based in London.

Applying to Foreign Universities Oz / NZ • Expensive • Process reasonably straightforward and flexible • ‘Feel’ of courses and unis similar to UK • World leaders in many subjects • Lower entry requirements • Academic year start in Feb – mini gap year before starting • Can apply at any time

Applying to Foreign Universities To successfully apply to a foreign uni, you will need: • To think hard about why you wish to do so • To do a lot of your own research • To put in the time and effort

• To think about it early • ..and almost certainly apply through UCAS to UK unis too

Consider the many UK based degrees that give you a year abroad

Applying to Foreign Universities

Questions?