Introduction In order to assist our students and their families in the process of applying to University we have developed a comprehensive program that guides students from selecting their choice of University to the ultimate goal of being accepted to an appropriate university. BSB teachers and University advisors assist in this process. However, the student must take the lead in the research, planning and decision-making. Parents, teachers and advisors will be involved in the process but the student must take ownership of the process. Please see below for more specific information on applying to University. If your country of choice is not shown here then please ask. Students requiring to sit the SAT's for American University can do so with BSB. |
Applications for most full-time university or college places are made through UCAS. Make sure you know the relevant deadline - for some courses and colleges, it's earlier than others. Applications to UCAS can only be made online. To register an application through school, you will need the 'buzzword'. After registering you will be given a username and asked to enter your own password. You can register in the summer before you plan to make your online application. The earliest you can submit a finished application is the September before you want to start your course, unless you are applying for deferred entry (for example, applying in the 2010 cycle for 2011 entry). If you choose to defer your place until 2011, you will still need to meet any conditions (for example, qualification grades) by the end of August 2010. There are seven sections on the application: personal details, additional information (for UK applicants only), choices, education, employment, personal statement and reference. In the choices section, you can list up to five courses. The application has an A to Z list of universities and higher education colleges, and also course codes, so you just have to click and select. |
Your personal statement should cover why you are interested in the courses you’ve applied for, and what you hope to do after your studies. In the employment section, you can list your part-time or summer jobs.
|
Make sure you're aware of the application deadlines. For most courses, you’ll need to get your application to UCAS by 15 January in order to be considered ‘on time’ (so about nine months prior to courses starting in September). However, you must apply by 15 October if you're studying medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science, or if you're applying to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge. The deadline for some art and design courses is 24 March. Whichever course you're applying for, UCAS advises students to apply well before the deadline. However, you can still apply through UCAS up to the end of June. Universities and colleges may still consider your application, but the most popular courses may already be full. If you apply after the end of June, you’ll automatically go into Clearing.
|
If you submit your UCAS application by the 15 January deadline, you will usually receive offers from your universities by the end of March, although for popular courses you may not hear until May. You can track the progress of your application through the Track service on the UCAS website. For this you need your Personal ID, username and password. You can also use this service to check for any offers and reply to them.
|
Conditional offers are tied to you achieving certain grades in your exams, or a certain number of points in the UCAS Tariff. If you don't secure high enough grades or don't score enough Tariff points, you may not be accepted.
|
If you a British student but you live outside the UK or you are an EU citizen, you may be eligible for financial help to cover the cost of tuition fees for studying in England, Northern Ireland or Wales. The www.direct.gov.ukwebsite has further information. You may be eligible to apply for financial help to cover the cost of your tuition fees if:
In some circumstances, students from EEA countries or Switzerland may also be able to apply for help with living costs. If you or your parent, guardian or partner were temporarily employed outside the EEA and Switzerland for all or part of the three-year period, you may still qualify for finance. Check with individual universities for information about their requirements http://www.salford.ac.uk/international/scholarships/ http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/international/howtoapply/scholarships/scholars.cfm http://www.scholarships.ed.ac.uk/awards/ http://www.studentcalculator.org.uk/wiki/ (is an interactive university guide which allows students to view and edit articles about their town, University, living costs, and much more.)
|
When looking at Universities in the US you need to make sure you are fully informed. Have a look at www.petersons.com as well as www.internationalstudent.com and www.collegeboard.com For American universities you apply directly to the admissions section. Normally students will make 6-8 applications. You can apply directly through the University’s website. An essay is also required. Many but not all Universities in the US typically require SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Testing) examination scores in order to apply. Therefore, it is important for you to take one (or both). There are testing dates throughout the year, with registration deadlines generally a month prior. It is recommended that you take them for the first time in Spring of Y12 and then again in the autumn. Deadlines for applications tend to be around January each year. However it is advisable to make your application during the autumn term. Some Universities have earlier deadlines. Make sure you find out when the deadline is for your choices.
|
In order to be accepted on to a degree programme, Australian universities ask international students to have qualifications that are equivalent to their Year 12 studies. Australian universities have two semesters a year – the first one usually starting in February, and the second one starting in July. Applying to Australian universities will take longer than if you are applying as an undergraduate in the UK. You will find tuition fees and the cost of living in Australia much lower than in the UK and USA. This makes it more affordable for undergraduates to attend a university in Australia and sill have a very good standard of living. Scholarships are available check out: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/CourseSearch/ScholarshipSearch.htm
|
Universities in Canada each set their own admission requirements. Once you have decided where to apply, contact the registrar or admissions office at each institution to find out exactly what's required in their application package. Most Canadian universities provide this information online, and usually have a special website section for international student admission requirements. SATs are not required in Canadian Universities. They look at specific subject grades. International students must also show that the quality of the education they received is comparable to that of Canadian institutions. Universities in Canada each have their own criteria for recognizing international student qualifications. Therefore, applicants should contact the university's admissions office to ask about assessing international qualifications. Examples of some international student scholarships available at Canadian universities: · Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program is available to citizens of Commonwealth Countries for study and research in Canada. · International Student Humanitarian Award awarded to a student from impoverished or war-torn areas. · International Leader of Tomorrow Award · National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada · Ambassadorial Scholarships are awarded through the Rotary Foundation
|