Tutorial colleges, sixth form colleges and international colleges are a special group of educational institutions that prepare local and international students for GCSE and a-level exams - based on the same curriculum as a normal British school.
Unlike regular public schools, these English colleges do not have choir and orchestra rehearsals, drama performances, sports competitions or even compulsory education courses as part of their curriculum.
At the IU they are not so much interested in instilling good manners in their pets and educating the elite of society. All efforts are geared towards one goal: to prepare one for exams and to enter a British university with the highest possible grades. Therefore, lectures, seminars and laboratory work are held here in small groups of no more than six people.
At the Tutorial College, students are taught not only in English but also in other subjects, if necessary.
Discipline, uniforms and undoubted obedience to the young against the old is a tradition in British private boarding schools. Children, including foreigners, are used to these narrownesses - the earlier they start school the easier it becomes.
High school students coming from abroad have a much more difficult time in public schools. International colleges are often a more acceptable option for them. The situation in British international colleges is usually much more democratic. This applies to the relationship between teachers and students, as well as to the relationship between students.
The rules of behaviour at international colleges are quite relaxed: you can be late for breakfast or not come to dinner - you won't be punished for it. But they struggle with sloppiness. Punishment, detention, is for absenteeism: during your free time, you need to come to class and 'sit down and study'. According to Philip, the "three" were called headmasters and two or three were even expelled (with money refunded - not at all typical for a British public school). For using alcohol and drugs, they were expelled without any dialogue. They were also punished for finding boys and girls together in one room (no matter what they were doing there). Male and female residences are separate.
The flexibility of the curriculum is another advantage of the International College.
At a normal school, there are two academic years for both GSCE and A-level. At university, children who are able and well-prepared are usually given the opportunity to complete the course more quickly: one year for GCSE and one and a half years for a-level. The International College also has a special, faster eight to nine month university preparation programme which offers a special, as well as a faster way to enrol at a university. This is a foundation programme. Applicants who need to 'pull up' one or two or three subjects in a short period of time (2-6 months) are recommended for one of the catch-up colleges.
Features of studying at a UK college
Each college in the UK has its own characteristics and internal traditions that need to be taken into account by those wishing to study there. Let's figure out what universities in the UK are generally like.
Day colleges. These are educational institutions that are part of the country's universities. In these courses, students have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge to the standard necessary for direct entry to university. In addition, at full-time universities in the UK, foreigners can improve their language skills and gain the international certificates required for university entry.
Private boarding schools. In the UK, this type of university is usually located outside of town. In a closed educational institution, students receive everything they need to succeed in their studies, including accommodation, a sports hall, self-development, recreation, interaction with peers, and broadening their horizons as part of electives and extra-curricular activities.
International College. A rather conditional category of British university, as almost all educational institutions in the country are willing to accept foreign students. However, it is in international higher education that the programme may not be established according to internal European standards, but includes specific areas such as undertaking the study of a language other than English.
Remedial colleges. These are not really universities, but courses for a group of applicants preparing to enter an educational institution in that country. The focus of the course is not so much on acquiring knowledge as on updating it among graduates who have received a basic secondary education outside the UK.
Advantages of studying at a UK college
A diploma from successful completion of university studies in the UK virtually guarantees graduates successful entry to university. In addition, a diploma from a UK university is not only cited at home, but also around the world.
In addition to the fact that UK colleges open the doors to 90% of the world's universities for their students, one of the advantages of studying at the second stage of secondary education
is the flexibility of the curriculum, which provides a transition between the independent construction of a student's course and the orientation of an educational institution through the transfer of subjects - without the need to take any special exams, tests or other such as.
Elective lectures from famous figures who have become famous in science, business, show business, are held weekly at top colleges, and students are allowed to attend such events usually for free.
It is important to be prepared for entry to universities, including the top Ivy League universities in the US, and studying at a UK university is often cheaper than special preparatory courses for foreigners and the entry requirements are almost identical.
The main aims and differences between schools, boarding schools and colleges
Colleges in the UK is a fairly broad concept that can be used under the name of a completely different secondary vocational education institution. In France, for example, the university is the second stage of secondary education, but in the UK the situation is somewhat different.
A British college can be part of a university. In a literal sense, it is a faculty where students study a certain direction, usually with an emphasis on applied activities. And here at university, it is customary to engage strictly in science.
At boarding schools, education is based on school principles. Over a period of one or two years, students study general subjects and are prepared for admission to further studies. By analogy with Moscow, boarding schools are equivalent to graduation classes. In most cases, foreigners who want to continue their studies at the local university and enrol there without the difficulty of translating examinations and foreign certificate results study at a boarding school.
A specialist college in the UK, such as finance or medicine, can give you the same degree as a university and is only practical, not academic. Therefore, everyone who wants to be practical rather than scientific goes to study at this type of British college.
Entry requirements and deadlines for applying to UK colleges
You can start studying at a UK colleges 3 times a year - in September/October, in January/February and in May/June. Each college has its own deadline for submitting documents, but the average deadline for submitting a package of documents is 3-6 months before the start of the academic year. Experts recommend preparing for entry well in advance so that there is no overlap with paperwork - it is best to start a year and a half or 8-9 months before the start of the university. All documents must be error-free, qualitatively translated into English and notarised.
How to choose the right college
When choosing a college in the UK, it is important to look not only at the position it occupies in national or world rankings, but also at other aspects. In particular, the country's culture is such that each local educational institution has its own, sometimes incomprehensible to foreigners, rules and traditions.
As important as traditions and customs are the pricing policies of the college and the services included in the payment of term fees. Thus, at a full board British university, the price includes accommodation, meals, leisure, participation in the sports section and other additional options. Whereas at a normal UK college application where boarding is not offered, all additional costs are borne by the student. If you do the maths, it turns out that with UK prices, boarding is often cheaper and more profitable.
To register for an English language college you will need to collect a package of documents:
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Passport
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Certificate of English language proficiency
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School transcripts with results for the last 2-4 years (grade transcripts)
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Completed forms
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Letters of recommendation and personal characteristics
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Personal interview, portfolio
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Motivation letter
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Photographs of documents
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Medical certificate of general health.
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Documentation for a UK university visa
To study at a UK college, you will need a long-term student visa. To successfully issue it, you will need the following documents:
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Consular fee (receipt of payment)
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Education insurance
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Passport
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Copy of your passport
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Temporary residence permit in the UK (issued with the assistance of the school/college/university)
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Invitation from a UK educational institution
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Certificate of proficiency in English TOEFL or IELTS
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Certificate with addendum of results
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Booking of a flat, house or home
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Proof from a bank regarding the availability of bank funds in the account
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How to send the child to a UK university? Admissions instructions
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Choose the university that best suits your needs based on price, location, accommodation options and courses
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Pay attention to teaching staff and grading
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Pay for the course in advance to obtain documentation confirming education
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Decide on the deadline for submission of documents
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Prepare your documents and obtain your visa in advance