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UK Personal Statement: Student Guide | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

American students are used to writing personal statements (a.k.a. college essays) that are full of narrative and personal hardships. This is a common theme in US college essays due to the competitiveness of US university admissions, as it helps students stand out from the pool of applicants. Sometimes, students are even encouraged to write an essay that will make an admissions board get emotional or even cry. Oh, the drama of it all!

 

Well, the UK admissions system and their personal statements couldn’t be more different! The UK admissions system primarily focuses on your academics, and your knowledge in the subject you are applying to, rather than you being a well-rounded student flourishing in academics, clubs, extra-curriculars, etc. That’s why UK personal statements are centered around showing why you are a good fit for the program, much like a professional cover letter to a job opening. UK statements are to the point, clear, concise and focus on the subject and factual information, such as your accomplishments. You might find writing a UK personal statement to be a little dry – which surprisingly means you’re doing it right!

 

? Need help with your UCAS application? Get our UCAS Guide for $27

 

Outline for your Personal Statement (aka College Essay)

There is no ‘one way’ to write a personal statement, but to begin, you want the focus to be around the subject you are interested in pursuing to study and why. NOT the university or universities, specifically. It’s important to inform the reader of your ambition, interests, and intellect in the field. If you are applying to different subjects that aren’t related, you want to make sure that you incorporate the subjects into the essay cohesively.

 

Here is a general outline that might help:

 

  • Intro: Talk about what you are applying for, why you want to study that subject, and what inspires you about the subject.

  • 2nd Paragraph: Talk about your academic history and any classes/projects you undertook that are related to the subject you’re applying for. How are you as a student? What makes you ready to study the subject at university level?

  • 3rd Paragraph: Talk about any work experience, internships, or volunteering you’ve done that is related to the subject you’re applying for.

  • 4th paragraph: Explain why you want to study this subject in the UK. Why do you want to attend university in the UK?

  • Conclusion: Talk about your future educational and career goals.

 

It’s important to note that if you are applying to an English literature program, for example, you might bring up authors that inspire you. Or, if you are wanting to study mathematics, who are your favorite mathematicians?

Play around with the outline above, but remember to keep it centered on the subject you are applying for, while also showcasing your personal accomplishments.

 

 

How Many Personal Statements Do I Have to Write? 

Students can only apply to up to 5 UK universities but only one personal statement can be submitted. Your personal statement will be sent directly to each university you have applied to, via the UCAS application. Therefore, it’s best to apply to the same program at all universities (or, at least, similar programs).

 

 

How Long Does the Personal Statement Need to Be? 

You’ll be applying through UCAS, so there is a character limit you must abide by. Your statement cannot exceed 4,000 characters with spaces.

 

Further Information on Statements

Undergrad students can visit the UCAS website for more info on what’s needed in your statement, and even use some of the statement builder tools provided there.

 

Need help figuring out your UCAS application? Check out our step-by-step UCAS Guide! Get the UCAS Guide for $27

 

About the Author:

Ashley Jeanson is an international education expert with over 9 years of experience in the field. She’s worked for a mixture of study abroad providers, universities in the US and the UK, and third-party providers, mostly specializing in helping American students attend UK universities. In her spare time, she travels the globe and is eternally in search of the best cup of coffee. 

Studying Esports in the UK

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

The UK has had a long history of being a culturally important center for both sports and the games industry, and esports serves as a point in history where these two historical strengths are being brought into alignment. It is the home of both professional esports teams (Excel and Fnatic) and grassroot organizations such as the NUEL (National University Esports League) and NSE (National Student Esports) as well as events such as ESL UK, Gfinity, and Epic.LAN.

 

Many technology and service providers are contributing to a growing industry that UK esports courses are increasingly serving as routes to careers in the esports industry. The UK esports sector has grown at an annual average rate of 8.5% between 2016 and 2019, and the sector supported over 1,200 jobs in 2019 representing just under 8% of the global market. With major global esports event potentially generating 238 full-time equivalents (FTEs) of employment and £12 million pounds in GVA for the UK economy (UKIE, 2019), it is becoming an increasingly attractive context in which to study esports in the West.

 

While America is known for its strong and pervasive sporting culture, the UK has recently become a burgeoning point for the European esports scene and now acts as a global bridge to European scenes and events. Academically, the focus of courses in the UK is more varied and considers more of the general context than just the business and collegiate athleticism of esports. In terms of production, esports are still finding their feet in terms of the broadcasting frame they have adopted. Students would benefit from understanding the ways in which this might differ from the dominant American sports broadcast frame.

 

American students might consider the UK as an excellent chance to study abroad in the UK system which provide modules (or classes) that consider a granular but highly interdisciplinary context for esports. Falmouth University’s Games Academy is a world class school for learning about games and esports and is one of the few esports courses in Europe situated within a department dedicated to games and computing teaching and research. Our aim is to focus on how esports students can work with pre-existing grassroots organizations within and outside of the University. Beyond esports, the course focuses on the practical and technical production skills for live-streaming in other contexts such as data science, new media branding, as well as marketing and financial management. It is anticipated that the course will serve to be at the forefront of how live-streaming might inform the practice of game developers, entertainers, media producers and whatever else the future holds.

 

Rory Summerley is a games studies researcher at Falmouth University who has written and lectured on a diverse range of games-related topics. He has previously worked as a games critic, game design consultant and performance artist and his research interests include e-sports, game fiction and parody.

UK University Entry Requirements | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

If you’ve been confused by entry requirements listed on UK university websites, then you’ve come to the right place. We know the grading system, and all this talk of A-Levels, looks and sounds like a foreign language. Have no fear – the UK Study Expert is here to simplify UK entry requirements for you.

 

First, what you need to know is each university has a set of entry requirements based off of American exams and GPAs, therefore, you won’t be going off of UK requirements at all! These US requirements are usually buried somewhere deep on the university’s website. In this article, we are going to go over the general requirements you need to get into UK universities for both graduate and undergraduate programs.

 

Graduate Degree Program Requirements

Let’s begin with the easiest requirements to break down: Graduate (Master’s) Degree requirements. You’ll be happy to find out that Graduate degrees in the UK do not need the GRE (what a sigh of relief)! UK universities will be looking at your GPA as the main entry requirement for their programs.

 

Generally, if you have a 3.0 and above, you’re in a really good spot for most UK universities. Of course, the higher your GPA, the better, but generally UK universities are more lenient towards GPA than their US counterparts.

 

Students who have a 2.5 GPA and above still have a good list of universities to choose from.

 

Under 2.5 is definitely doable, but the lower you go, the more of a case-by-case situation it will be when admissions is deciding on your application (work experience also comes into play, of course).

 

Besides GPA, certain specialty programs may ask for portfolios or entrance exams, but this is not the norm for most graduate programs. If anything extra is needed beyond a student’s GPA, it will be clearly stated on the university’s program page.

 

You can take the quiz on our website to see a list of your best matches based off of your GPA.

 

Undergraduate Degree Program Requirements

Undergraduate Degree requirements are slightly more complex, and vary depending on the university you are applying to.

 

The best exam to boost your UK application is the AP exam. The more AP exams with high scores you have, the better. If you are looking to study at prestigious universities such as University of Oxford, Cambridge University, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Edinburgh, etc., it is a main component for admission in a student’s application. This is due to the UK education system and A-Level qualifications. The closest equivalent to this in the US is AP exams, which is why this is a hard requirement and universities will not provide any substitutions or flexibility. The IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum is also highly considered.

 

if you don’t have AP exams, there’s also plenty of other high-ranked, well-known universities that offer flexible requirements to choose from!

 

Since COVID and universities moving away from standardized testing, many UK universities have followed suit and have implemented a new test-flexible approach. The ‘main formula’ most universities are looking for is:

 

Ex. 3.0 GPA + (SAT or ACT or AP exams with a good score)

 

However, we have been finding that more universities are taking different combinations of exams and honours classes or dual enrollment classes in place of the ‘main formula.’

Some universities ask for less/more exams, and some universities will be fine with lower GPAs, while some will require higher GPAs. There are even a growing number of universities that have gone test optional!

 

Furthermore, if you have an associate’s degree, this will also be considered in place of exams at most universities, just note that your credits may not transfer.

 

As you can see, there are so many ways to fulfill requirements for UK universities! To make this much easier on you, we have provided this quiz on our website to compile a list of your best university matches based off of your GPA and test scores.

 

Foundation Programs and Extended Degrees

 

For undergraduate students who don’t quite meet the mark on GPA and test requirements, there is an option to do a foundation program before your undergraduate program. These are also sometimes called extended degrees. This will add an extra year prior to starting your undergraduate degree, and entry requirements are usually pretty minimal for most foundation programs – a lower GPA and test scores is more readily accepted.

 

To find out if a Foundation degree is the right option for you, you can read our article Should You Consider a Foundation Degree.

 

The UK Study Expert Search Tool and Quiz Can Help You

Lucky for you, the UK Study Expert has taken the guesswork out of figuring out what each university requires with our handy dandy search tool. Or you can find your best university by taking our free UK University Quiz Match.

 

 

Graduate Route Visa: Work in the UK | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Have you ever wondered about staying and working after studying your degree in the UK?

On 1 July 2021, the UK Government launched a graduate visa route to allow international students on a student visa to remain living and working in the UK after they graduate. Graduates do not need to work in the field related to their degree, allowing for great flexibility for graduates to gain work experience. Students can apply after completing their undergraduate or graduate (postgraduate) degree and can work in the UK for up to two years.

 

Therefore, if you’re an international student studying in the UK and are hoping to stay in the UK longer to gain employment, this is your chance!

 

Graduate Route Visa – Application Process

You can only apply for the Graduate visa from inside the UK while your Tier 4/Student visa is still valid. We recommend contacting your university’s immigration officer before you graduate to prepare you for the process.

 

Once you have successfully completed your degree and your university has informed the Home Office, you will need to have successfully completed your current course/degree (i.e. been notified of your official award) and your university will need to have reported your successful completion to the Home Office before you can apply. Once your status is processed by your university, your university will update your immigration record.

 

The current graduate visa application fee is £715 + the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £624 per year you will be in the UK.

 

Once you’ve applied and provided all necessary documents, it can take up to 8 weeks to get a decision on your visa. You will be able to continue living in the UK under the conditions of your Tier 4/Student visa until an outcome is received. You cannot travel outside of the UK while your Graduate visa application is pending.

 

Here is the link where you can apply for the Graduate visa: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply

Here is the link to the documents you will need to apply: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/documents-youll-need-to-apply

 

After Getting Your Graduate Visa 

After your Graduate visa is approved, you are free to search for work, work in most jobs, be self-employed, and travel in and out of the UK. As noted above, your Graduate visa will last for 2 years, but note that it cannot be extended. At this point, if you want to remain in the UK, you might be able to switch to another visa, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, or Tier 2 Visa (if a job will sponsor you).

 

Did you know that US visitors will need to apply for an ETA to visit the UK? Check out our article here. 

Need to speak to an advisor about studying in the UK? Check our Services webpage to see what the best available options are for your needs. 

 

About the Author:

Ashley Jeanson is an international education expert with over 9 years of experience in the field. She’s worked for a mixture of study abroad providers, universities in the US and the UK, and third-party providers, mostly specializing in helping American students attend UK universities. In her spare time, she travels the globe and is eternally in search of the best cup of coffee. 

Visiting Wales and Welsh Scholarships

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

This past month, I had the privilege and opportunity to attend the Welsh Counselor Tour hosted by Study in Wales. Roughly 30 US college counselors were invited to explore a variety of Welsh universities throughout Wales.

 

Study in Wales is the sector of Global Wales that champion’s the promotion of Welsh universities to international students and high school counselors. These organizations advocate the variety of Welsh universities and funding opportunities to students and counselors that may have never had the consideration or opportunity in the past.

 

During the Study in Wales tour, we were split into two groups to visit the following universities:

Aberystwyth University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff University, University of Wales Trinity St. David, Wrexham Glyndwr University, University of South Wales, Swansea University and Bangor University.

 

Not only did we tour the campuses, Study in Wales organized a special evening reception at the Royal Welsh College of Drama and Music and a Cultural Day to explore Wales and learn more about the Welsh language, culture and heritage. We stayed at the beautiful Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, and visited Harlech Castle, and Portmeirion where we had afternoon tea. Our guides, Robert Alexander and Emma Fuller, did a great job of organizing and answering our questions along the way.

Harlech Castle, May 2022

Wales may be small, but they have a variety of university options and degrees that are for every type of student. The cost of living is an attractive feature along with funding opportunities that are offered. Major funding opportunities that Americans should keep their eye on are The Global Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, Global Wales Fulbright Scholarship, Global Wales Gilman Scholarship, and the Aberystwyth University Accommodation Award. In addition, Taith is a Welsh funding opportunity that could be beneficial for a variety of programmes and exchanges. It is not a scholarship but it can support funding for students interested in studying abroad, counselors, teachers, researchers, community colleges and universities.

 

The Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship programme offers scholarships worth up to £10,000 – to study a full-time masters programme in Wales. The scholarships are available to students from Vietnam, India, USA, Canada and countries of the European Union. This prestigious scheme is the first scholarship of its kind in Wales and is funded by the Global Wales Programme. The deadline is usually the end of May and to be awarded in September.

 

The Global Wales Fulbright Scholarship covers the first year of any master’s programme offered by a participating Welsh University. The Welsh Government, Global Wales partners, and the Welsh universities have partnered with the Fulbright Commission to provide one master’s degree scholarship to study at one of the participating Welsh Universities, in any field.

 

The Global Wales Gilman Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship programme for high-achieving students in the United States who wish to study in Wales. Award holders receive a study grant of up to $5,000 USD, to be used toward tuition, housing, travel, and related costs for up to one academic year. This award enables outstanding American students of limited financial means to study overseas for up to one academic year as part of their undergraduate studies. Interested students are welcome to contact their campus study abroad office or visit the Gilman Scholarship website. Application opens in August. The deadline runs until early October.

 

One scholarship that is very unique in the sector is the Aberystwyth University Accommodation Award. Aberystwyth University is offering undergraduate and graduate international students free housing on the several accommodation options to choose from. Free accommodation spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  If there are no free spaces left, you will be sent an offer for a discounted rate in your other hall of choice.

 

Finally, I recommend counselors look into the Taith programme that Wales is running. Taith is an all-Wales international learning exchange programme with a £65 million investment by the Welsh Government. It is focused on promoting international exchanges to support Welsh learners broaden their horizons and instill confidence in their young learners.

 

Here are a few ideas on how US counselors or schools can take advantage of Taith’s funding:

  1. High school, community college and university students could attend an international exchange semester in Wales. There is reciprocal funding available too! Staff who are chaperoning high school students are also eligible for funding.

  2. Teachers and youth workers could teach or counsel Welsh students on academics or mental health support and vice versa.

  3. Research exchange and university collaborations

 

These opportunities are great for supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students can be funded for as little as two weeks! Funding levels depend on the level of the partnership. To learn more about Taith, you can reach out to one of the team members on their website or you can email Rob from Study in Wales.

 

If none of these scholarships apply to you, don’t forget that all of these Welsh universities accept FAFSA. Students can apply and use federal funding to study in Wales to fund their degree.

Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, May 2022

Having studied and completed my Bachelor’s degree at Aberystwyth, I am very familiar with Wales, but attending this tour reignited the love I have for Wales while giving me a deeper understanding of the academics, heritage, and offerings.

 

If you are a student or counselor and are looking for more information about studying in Wales, I recommend connecting to Study in Wales to learn more. You can also check out more information on the universities and blogs on Wales on our website.

Study: British Pound Drops vs US Dollar | UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Due to the recent changes from the British government on tax cuts and borrowing, the British Pound (GBP) has weakened to $0.92 per US Dollar (USD). Never has the US Dollar been so strong against the Pound.

 

Even before the Pound dropped, you might be surprised to know that the UK has always been a more affordable option to earn a degree compared to the US.

 

The average cost of tuition fees for students studying in the US on campus is $35,500 per year (Best Colleges, 2022). UK university tuition fees can range from £14,000-£26,000 per year. Not only are tuition fees far less in the UK, UK degrees in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland offer 3 year bachelor degrees (unless it’s an integrated or placement year degree). Therefore, students save an additional year of tuition and living expenses.

 

This also rings true to master’s degrees in the UK. A master’s degree in the UK is 12 months long. This allows the student to save another year of tuition and living expenses.

 

As for living expenses, if you are living in London and are on a 9 month course (degree), the UK Government recommends students applying for their UK Student Visa must have at least £12,006 to cover housing, food and transportation (not just room and board). For students living outside of London for a 9 month course, it is recommended having at least £9,207.

 

So if you’re looking at affordable UK degree options, you could earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 4 years and save 2 years worth of tuition and living expenses!

 

Currency Conversion – Total Cost to Earn Your UK Degree

 

Now let’s convert those currency figures (GBP) to dollars (USD) in today’s economy…

 

If we looked at the lowest amount for UK undergraduate tuition fees (£14,000) and living fees outside of London (£9,207), the student would be looking at total expenses of £23,207 per year.

 

UK tuition fees and living expenses per year for a student living outside of London could be as low as $25,000 per year (xe.com, Sept 28, 2022).

 

If we looked at the highest amount for UK undergraduate tuition fees (£26,000) and living inside of London (£12,006), the student would be looking at total expenses of £38,006 per year.

 

UK tuition fees and living expenses per year for a student living inside of London could be as high as $41,000 per year (xe.com, Sept 28, 2022).

 

Is this the time to be looking at earning your degree in the UK more than ever? Is the pound expected to jump back and rise?

 

We can’t predict the future but from what we’ve read, it looks positive for Americans. The US dollar has strengthened and played a contributing factor. Economics have also pointed out that they don’t see the pound jumping back up anytime soon. The Washington Post interviewed Barry Eichengreen, a professor of economics at the University of California at Berkeley, who said “Recovery is not on the horizon” for the foreseeable future.

 

How Can I Start My Search and Find the Right UK University Match for Me?

 

There’s two main resources students can look to find the right UK University fit…

Students can start by taking The UK Study Expert UK University Match Quiz which asks you questions about what degree you are interested in applying to (undergraduate or graduate), your interests, and academic profile. The quiz will then populate the top 5 UK universities that best match your profile.

The UK Study Expert also has an Undergraduate UK University Search Engine and Postgraduate UK University Search Engine. Students can input their GPA, SAT scores, ACT scores, how many AP exams they have taken/will take, subject interest, and more. They can input as much information or as little of their academic profile and interests. Once added, the search engine will populate UK university options that match their interests and entry requirements.

 

UK universities have clear, transparent information for students to be admitted into their universities. They favor academics rather than looking at a holistic review of a student’s profile. To find out their US entry requirements, students can click on any of The UK Study Expert UK university pages to find out their US entry requirements.

 

Joint, Single & Combined Degrees Guide | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

While searching international universities can be a bit overwhelming with the different application processes, it doesn’t help when bachelor’s degrees are written in ways that you may not be familiar with.

 

In the UK, as opposed to the USA, universities do not allow much flexibility to study outside of your chosen course (degree) as your modules (classes) are set. For instance, if you were to study History, you would find it hard to be able to take a Biology class. While this is great for those wanting to avoid pre-requisite classes that are typically found in the US university system, it can make students feel a bit trapped. Never fear, there are some courses that do allow students to study more than one subject. In this blog. Below, we list the different types of degrees you can choose to when searching and applying to UK universities. The following are various UK degree options a student can expect.

 

Please note, this is not representative of all universities – you should always contact a representative of the university you are interested in to discuss your degree options. This article mainly refers to universities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

 

Single Honours Degrees

A single honours degree is the traditional degree from a UK university. This will be specific in your course and will typically take three years. Most universities will have the class listings for the degree on the course page under a modules tab. This type of degree will be very focused on your chosen subject area and does not allow much opportunity for students to study outside of their subject area. Your classes each year will be from a select list of modules with some being compulsory modules and others being optional modules, which you must choose a number to take.

 

Joint Honours or Combined Degrees

A joint degree is a degree that is typically a combination of two degrees. These are also referred to as combined degrees. This would give you a diploma in both chosen subjects. The subjects must be closely related, for instance, History and International Politics may be together as a joint honours degree. While it allows you to achieve accreditation in both subject areas, you will not have the opportunity to study much outside of the two areas. Your classes each year will be from a select list of modules with some being compulsory and others being optional.  You must choose a number of modules to take for the semester.  Universities will have these joint degrees listed on their course pages and will typically not have any additional entry requirements for these degrees.

 

If you are interested in joint or combination courses, Aberystwyth University has a variety of different subjects you can choose from. You can visit our website to check out our list of degrees here.

 

Integrated Degrees

While each university may call this something different, this is a degree that may take longer than the traditional 3 years a student can expect to study at the undergraduate level in the UK. This may be a degree that is 4 years with the third year serving as an integrated year abroad or integrated year in industry. This means that for that third year you are either studying at another university, in another country, or you are obtaining work experience in the UK or abroad, depending on the options available at your chosen university.

 

For many students, this four-year course is the only option that allows students to study abroad for a full year. The three-year course would only allow for a semester or a summer program. If you are interested in any of your university’s 4-year integrated courses I would recommend applying for that course and then, if you change your mind later, you can move to the three-year course. Due to visa regulations, it is easier to change from a 4-year student visa to a 3 year than it is to change from a 3 year to a 4-year student visa.

 

You may also see degrees that are 4 years and are integrated Master’s degrees. This would give you your Bachelor’s accreditation after 3 years but you would automatically be enrolled for the Master’s level course in the subject and after 1 more year you would graduate with your Master’s as well.

 

No matter what subject you are interested in, you should see what different types of degrees your department or university offers. You never know, you may be able to gain practical work experience or enjoy a year abroad as part of your degree. As always, you should contact a representative of the university you are interested in to discuss your degree options as some may have differing entry requirements.

 

Jackie Jarocki is a Regional Officer at Aberystwyth University. Jackie is a former international student from the USA who came to study in the UK in 2018 and never left! She has been working in the UK Higher Education in international student recruitment since 2019.

 

 

What Is Clearing? A Complete Guide | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Clearing can be confusing and stressful, but it does not need to be. It is an opportunity for you to still get a place at the university of your choice during the Summer prior to September entry start!

 

 

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a system offered by UCAS, which is a UK based organization that helps you to apply for study in the UK. Clearing opens on 5 July 2022, after which point all applications made automatically go into Clearing. There is a myth that clearing only offers courses that no-one wants but that is not true. Lots of highly popular courses are still available. Each university will publish a list of courses available on the website, that will allow you to review each course and decide what you would like to study, then you can contact the university. If you have already made an application through UCAS, please keep your UCAS ID number handy with your academic results and your contact information when speaking to the universities.

 

The great benefit of this is you can receive guidance on how to apply, support with university information, qualification acceptance and equivalencies. UCAS is there to help you figure out what the next step in your education might be, and to support you when you take that step.

 

 

Why Apply through Clearing?

This process can support you if:

 

  • you already applied through UCAS and have not yet received an offer (or none you wanted to accept)

  • hold a conditional offer but have not met the required grades

  • declined their offers

  • you’re applying after June 30th

 

 

How to Apply

As an international applicant wanting to apply to a university in the UK, you will first need to contact the university directly to make sure that the degree is still available before submitting your choice on UCAS. Each university will have a dedicated clearing support team available from the 5th of July to answer all your questions. It’s easier to call them. If calling isn’t an option, you can email your US university manager or officer to assist you through the process. Don’t forget to ask if they have available housing for international students on campus too. After speaking with them, they will work to provide you with a decision on your clearing application as quickly as possible.

 

Once you have permission from the university, then they will give you instructions on adding the degree to your UCAS application. You will select ‘Add Clearing Choice’ with the course details by the date the university/college gave you on the phone. You can only choose one degree/university and this will count as you accepting their offer. It’s important to do a thorough research of degrees and universities prior to accepting.

 

So, consider joining a university with rich academic heritage, that is thought provoking and challenges thinking, whilst also been part of a close-knit community.

 

 

Below is a link to further information on Clearing for International applicants:

 

International students and Clearing | Goldsmiths, University of London

 

My name is Nicola and I’m an International Recruitment Manager for Goldsmiths, University of London. My job is to support students and agents with applying to the University as well as been a supportive member of the International recruitment team. My main area of responsibility is the Americas and I am keen to promote the fantastic reputation of Goldsmiths University of London to potential students.

 

 

UK Test-Optional and Test-Flexible

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Standardized testing has always been a substantial requirement for UK undergraduate university admissions. This is due to their UK education system and their entry requirements for UK students. In our article Deciphering the High School System – US vs. the UK, UK students do not study a broad curriculum during high school like the US. Students focus on specific subjects as early as Year 10 (14 years old) and have to take those specific exams at the end of their course. These final year exams determine whether they are admitted into university.

 

When the pandemic occurred, many universities had to reevaluate their admissions policies on testing due to student’s safety and accessibility. UK universities haven’t fully gone completely test-optional, but most have become test-flexible. What is test-flexible? Test-flexible allows students to choose a variety of tests or classes to support their academic profile to be admitted into university.

 

Here is an example of what test-flexible means in the UK:

 

Pre-COVID example: AP exams + (ACT or SAT) + GPA

Post-COVID entry requirements: (AP exams and/or college level classes or honours level classes) + GPA. SAT/ACT not required or optional.

 

It’s kind of like trying to figure out a puzzle, right? We recommend first laying out what exams/classes a student will take and then go from there.

 

Just remember:

 

  • AP exams are equivalent to UK high school exams (A Levels). Most universities will require these or will accept college level courses in lieu of AP exams. Some will accept honours level classes but not all.

  • ACT/SAT – optional to provide in most university cases as long as you have AP’s or college level classes.

 

TIP: When searching for a specific programme, make sure to check if they require a specific AP exam for that subject. Many universities will require AP exams for specific degrees to show you are proficient in the subject. STEM is always likely to require subject specific exams, even if the university does not require them.

 

Are you a student interested in knowing your top UK university matches based on what exams you will be taking? Try our free UK university quiz to learn more! Free UK University Quiz

 

You can also use our free UK search engine HERE to select which exams you will be taking to narrow your search. Or you can click on each university profile to learn more about their transparent entry admissions criteria.

 

If you want to ensure that you are making the right decision in the application process, our advisors can support you throughout the process and help you get into your dream UK university!

 

UK Universities & the NACAC Conference

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Have you attended the NACAC Conference in Houston, TX but didn’t get a chance to speak to our UK university reps? We have provided the list below:

 

The UK Study Expert NACAC Exhibitor Booth

 

University of Birmingham – Katy Friend – [email protected]

Loughborough University – Ben Daly & Simon Foster – [email protected]

University of Plymouth – Joshua Burt – [email protected]

The University of Manchester – Raluca Pasare – [email protected]

Middlesex University London – Gabriela Mendez Madera – [email protected]

London Metropolitan University – Meghan Godding & Keyan Zhu – [email protected]

 

The UK Study Expert NACAC Reception Additional Reps:

 

University of Roehampton – Haley Drogus – [email protected]

Imperial College– Catherine Eames – [email protected]

University of Bristol – Gary Coulter – [email protected]

King’s College London – Paulina Rozynska – [email protected]

 

 

Study Creative Writing in the UK | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Why study creative writing in the UK? (And why Falmouth University in particular?)

 

If you’re looking ahead to university and considering what you might want to study, and where, you might not have considered creative writing as a major yet. That’s not surprising: it’s not usually taught as a separate academic subject in secondary schools (high school). It’s usually taught as part of your language studies, which for many US students means it’s a (fun, one hopes) component of English class if that is the language of instruction. Let’s take a look at how it’s taught, how it’s taught in British universities, and what’s unique about our program(s) at Falmouth.

 

Maybe you’ve heard the myth that creative writing can’t be taught. Of course it can be, but how does it actually work? The workshop is the basic model of creative writing instruction at universities. The goal of the workshop is to recreate for the student writer how a reader will react to their work. In the real world the author isn’t there to explain their intentions. The written text has to stand on its own. Thus, in the workshop, the students will be guided through a peer-review process—sometimes a very intensive one—to offer feedback. Typically, only one or two students will have their work critiqued in a given session; the instructor will set up a rota or schedule for that. This is done in a focused way, often paired with readings in order to highlight specific skills and techniques, and to assess how well the student writer has utilized them. These may include story or poem structure, different literary forms, language mechanics (grammar, sentence structure, punctuation), description, character development, genre, dialogue, and much more. Does the story make sense, or does it contradict itself? Is it immersive, or is it just a casual, bare-bones telling of what happened? Are there gaps in the logic? Are the sentences clear and well constructed? Or is the writer trying too hard to write Really Beautiful Prose?

 

The biggest difference between UK and US programs, other than duration (3 years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland vs 4 years in the US), is the British focus on industry and outcomes. Although both countries are broadly similar in their methodologies, Britain’s universities have a legal mandate to look at employment applicability. (This is why every UK university program website you look at will have some text telling you how the course might be useful preparation for certain types of jobs.) With this in mind, the classes (modules) comprising the degree will focus on craft and on readings, but there will also be coverage of, for example, the publishing industry and how it works. Like the US, many UK writing programs host literary journals and events, but the UK arguably has a stronger reading culture. Literature is still more valued here, and there is more visible government support for the arts in general. Moreover, the UK’s relative compactness means that literary events, festivals, and so forth are unlikely to be too far away.

 

Why Falmouth University, then? Despite being an arts university, Falmouth also has a strong culture of entrepreneurship. Our creative writing programs feature two modules on the publishing industry during year one, and another module focuses on the practicalities of being a writer. This means you will finish the year knowing how to select appropriate markets for your work, how to submit it, and how the publishing industry actually works—from the manuscript stage through to the printed book or the online literary journal you might read. There is the expected focus on craft, but you’ll also graduate knowing what to do with it.

 

A secondary benefit is the size of the program: it’s just large enough to allow us to run choices of modules, and it’s large enough for students to find their own groups of friends, but it’s small enough that the lecturers are able to offer 1:1 support and guidance. Everyone on the faculty is also a working writer, and a few also run (or have run) presses. Also, the Woodlane campus (now known as the Falmouth campus where the program is housed) is ridiculously pretty and six blocks from the beach. There’s the Lighthouse, a comfortable lounge and events space where students can hang out and work between classes—and, crucially, form community. Falmouth is unique among UK universities in that it has its own personality and guiding philosophy, and it isn’t afraid to do its own thing. If you’d like to know more about the program, please get in touch. Someone from the department would be more than happy to have a chat with you.

 

Dr. Marshall Moore is Course Leader (BA Hons, English & Creative Writing) and Senior Lecturer in the School of Communication at Falmouth University. He holds an MA in applied linguistics from the University of New England (Australia) and a PhD in creative writing from Aberystwyth University. His research interests include the pedagogy of creative writing and the disconnects between the academy and the publishing trade. Recent and forthcoming books include two academic collections: The Place and the Writer: International Intersections of Teacher Lore and Creative Writing Pedagogy (Bloomsbury, 2021) and Creative Writing Scholars on the Publishing Trade: Practice, Praxis, Print (Routledge, 2022). His memoir I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing will be published by Rebel Satori Press in 2022.

Degrees in Scotland

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Have you ever wondered, what the differences are from Scottish degrees compared to English, Welsh and Northern Irish degrees? Ashley Warmington from University of Glasgow explains:

There are four nations within the UK;  England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The education system is mostly similar across the UK, but as students progress into high school, Scotland has a different degree structure than the rest of the UK.

Part of the appeal of earning a degree in the UK is the absence of general education or core curriculum requirements. Students apply directly to their major and study it from day one. This degree structure is fantastic for a student who knows what they want. But what about for those who don’t?

Scottish degrees are typically four years in length and are designed to offer breadth and depth in studies. In Scotland, students have a great deal of flexibility and choice in their first two years of study. While students will still study their chosen major right away, they will also study two or sometimes three subjects of their choosing from outside of their major. These are often referred to as Enhanced Study options.

Enhanced Study options are a great way for students to explore other interest areas or elevate their understanding of their major by engaging with other disciplines. Whether you want to heighten your employability by taking a language alongside your studies or maybe you want to take a subject you were torn between when you chose your major, you can use the subjects you study outside of your major to have a truly tailored degree experience. Another benefit of enhanced study options is that students can switch their major to any subject they have studied from year one. For instance, if you are an English Literature major you might like to study History and a Language alongside your major in first year. As you progress to second year maybe you’ve discovered you much prefer History – the Scottish degree structure allows you to change.

While this isn’t quite for the student who really has no idea what they want to specialize in, the Scottish degree does offer focused flexibility that allows for wiggle room as you grow and discover your academic interests during your studies. It is common for students in Scotland to drop or pick up a joint major, choose a minor in year 3 or change their degree altogether to a subject they have been studying since year one.

There are some restrictions when it comes to what you can study outside of your major. Firstly, you will need to meet the pre-requisites of any subject. Secondly, there can’t be any timetable clashes with your major. Lastly, some courses such as Medicine or other professional degrees might not have the same flexible options.

Overall, the Scottish degree structure is a fantastic springboard for students who want to have control over what they study and the flexibility to change specialisms.

Ashley Warmington is the Senior International Officer for western USA at the University of Glasgow. Ashley studied her undergraduate degree in Scotland and has worked in UK admissions since 2016. She is now based in Southern California, where she helps American students through the UK application process.