Sixth Form Colleges (Sixth-form Colleges, Tutorial Colleges) specialise in preparing local and international students for GCSE and A-level/IB exams.
You can attend university in the UK from the age of 15-16. Able and well-prepared students can complete their GSCEs and A-levels in one year (in ordinary schools, these are allocated two years). There is also the opportunity to re-sit poor GCSE, A-level exam results.
Differences with schools
Unlike public schools, there are no uniforms, compulsory sports, choir rehearsals or visits to the school chapel in England's Sixth Form Colleges. Students are treated as adults and given more personal freedom.
The main task of the college is to prepare students for successful examinations and entry to university. Therefore, all efforts of the teachers are aimed at the academic success of the students. Lectures, seminars and laboratory work are held here in small groups, usually no more than six students. If necessary, students can study English and other subjects individually. Some colleges have good statistics on student admissions to top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and the London School of Economics. Many of the teachers at these institutions are former Oxbridge graduates themselves and help students with interview skills in addition to strong academic education .
The educational programmes
The ducation is based on the British secondary school curriculum: GCSE, a-level or IB. The following subjects are taught: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, sociology, political science, law, psychology, classical civilisation, statistics, history, music, art, information technology, English, English literature, foundations of religion, one or more foreign languages (French, German, Spanish, etc.). . In addition to the main subjects, each school has additional subjects: Latin, Accounting, Business Foundations, Psychology, Sociology, Photography, Economics and some others. At GCSE, students choose between 5-7 subjects in the case of 1-year courses and between 8-12 subjects in the case of 2-year courses (the number of subjects depends on the student's academic level). At Alevel, students choose 3-5 specialist subjects relevant to their future work at university.
Many international colleges also offer a one-year/two-year foundation programme (foundation course) for university applicants. Upon successful completion, graduates are admitted to universities that have recognition agreements with the programme. This is a very convenient opportunity for foreigners who want to pursue higher education in the UK.
Discipline
The rules of conduct are more democratic than at school: you can be late for breakfast, no-show for dinner and do your homework whenever you want - you won't be punished for it. But truancy and laziness are not tolerated, and parents are informed of the slightest problems with attendance and homework. Students face expulsion for drug and alcohol use.
The main requirements for successful study at English College are self-discipline and motivation to learn. If you do not have these qualities then it is best to choose a boarding school where your life will be drawn by the hour
The advantages of a university education
Secondary education in the UK is a preparatory stage and an easier way to get into one of the leading universities.
In addition, there are many positive aspects to a university education.
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There are no exams and no need to study in a British secondary school. To enter university, you must provide a school leaving certificate, a copy of your current grades and the results of your IELTS exams.
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The opportunity to study English prior to the start of your academic course.
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Guaranteed admission to the university of your choice - transfer to a higher education institution is based on the results of academic results.
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The probability of choosing the necessary program for your preferred major.
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The opportunity to start your studies at any time of the year - in the university system, education starts from September to October, January to February and May to June.
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Group education .
As for accommodation, some institutions at this level offer full board, while others place students in English-speaking homes.
Criteria for choosing a university in the UK
Criterion 1: UK college rankings
The ratings of English language colleges are a good starting point when deciding on your college.
Note the national rankings of UK colleges, in which only the country is represented, and the position of UK universities in the international rankings, in which all the best colleges in the world are represented.
When choosing a university based on its rating, consider the following.
1. the higher the rating position of the college, the higher the cost of studying at it.
2. a college that does not have the highest position in the overall rankings may occupy the highest line in the subject area you are interested in.
3. Not all UK colleges are involved in the rankings.
Criterion 2: Location of the college and type of organisation
When it comes to which college you want to study at, you also need to decide for yourself whether you want to study in London and which type of university organisation is closer to you.
London vs. not London
London is the capital of the world, the centre of business, culture and the arts, the most beautiful city on the planet, to name but a few. At the same time, as many students wish to study in London.
London collegs are often more competitive than other colleges in the country.
The cost of studying and living in London is higher than outside the capital.
Studying at a nearby college can be a great alternative to studying at a London university, allowing you to combine campus life with proximity to a global metropolis.
Types of UK colleges
Campus College: A college whose territory is a campus in which the college's students, teachers and other staff live, study and work.
City College: A college whose territory and buildings are inscribed in an urban setting.
Criterion 3: Cost of study
You can start studying at a British college from the age of 13. The earlier your child starts studying, the quicker he will adapt to the unusual environment. Studying in the UK, whose prices range from £2,000 to £12,000 per semester, will give young people a good start to their further education.
The most expensive collegs in the UK are Eton College (specialising in general studies) and Hurtwood College (focusing on the arts). The cost of a year's study is £38,581. The minimum amount to study at King Edward's School (mixed school) is only £9,875 per year.
Boarding schools are available for foreign nationals to receive their education. The children live in rooms of between 1 and 5 persons. In this case, the school assumes control of learning and leisure activities.
In addition, children can live with host families who have been carefully selected to meet the appropriate conditions. A good option is to join an exchange programme, which you can enter for free if you have sufficient knowledge of English and excellent academic results.
Criterion 4: Scholarships
Many colleges in the UK offer scholarships for international students. You should not expect a full scholarship, but discounts of 10-40% in the first and second year can be offered to deserving applicants.
If you are applying for a scholarship, your entry application should be very well done, even if you are entering a college where there is a little competition.
Criterion 5: Level of entry requirements
The higher the entry requirements for a UK college course, the more difficult it will be not only to get in, but.
It is more difficult to study .
the higher the level of ambition and academic achievement of the student (most often).
Often, for foreign applicants, the complexity is caused by the IELTS requirements.
It is useful to know that you can apply to an English-speaking university without the necessary IELTS test, and that you can send all your documents in advance and send the IELTS test after you have passed it.
Research the entry requirements on the UK college course pages and clarify details with staff by sending questions directly to the college from the course page you are interested in.
Criterion 6: National composition of students
There are British colleges, 50 countries and more represented that will study with you. At the same time, there are programmes dominated by one or more nationalities.
If the national composition of students is an important indicator for you, get statistics from a representative of the university on the national composition of students in the programme you are interested in.
Deadline for submission of documents
Each college in the UK has its own deadline for submission of documents. The deadline for submission depends on the institution and the particular programme chosen, with earlier deadlines for prestigious (and highly competitive) programmes (to Oxford and Cambridge - around the start of the course).
List of documents required for admission.
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Copy of English proficiency certificate or recent IELTS certificate.
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Extracts of school results and subsequent translations into English
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Summary.