Preparing for university in the UK involves looking at the current system of assessing knowledge. First year students may not fully understand the assessments they receive.
Some universities have abandoned the generally accepted system altogether and have introduced their own regulations. However, these are isolated cases rather than common practice.
As a rule, grades are not advertised, which helps self-improvement and does not distract from competition within the group. It is almost impossible to get the highest score, and this should be treated rather dispassionately. The UK knowledge assessment system is more detailed than the five-point system, allowing for an objective and individual approach to each task, and does not allow for a conditional formal approach to the marking process.
Characteristics of International Colleges in the UK
The International College is, in effect, an alternative to the traditional English language school, where children are prepared according to a programme of school lessons and further education. As such, such institutions have small groups of 6-7 students each, with a mix of children aged 14 to 18 studying in them.
The British education system is based on the ground rules .
-
Discipline is strict.
-
Compulsory education uniforms.
-
About unquestionably meeting the requirements of teachers.
But unlike traditional schools, international colleges treat their pupils more faithfully: there is a more benevolent relationship between the pupils themselves and between pupils and teachers. But that does not mean that rashness is welcome here. Of course, no one is punished for being late for dinner or lunch, but skipping class is a serious offence.
Furthermore, if a student systematically fails to attend class, sanctions will follow immediately - he will be called to the director and if he repeats his absences, he can be expelled from the university very quickly. They are also expelled from educational institutions for drunkenness, drug use and for boys and girls living in the same bedroom.
Advantages of a college 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.
-
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.
-
The opportunity to study English prior to the start of your academic course.
-
Guaranteed admission to the university of your choice - transfer to a higher education institution is based on the results of academic results.
-
The probability of choosing the necessary program for your preferred major.
-
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.
-
Group education .
As for accommodation, some institutions at this level offer full board, while others place students with English-speaking families.
Study programmes at UK colleges
Before joining college students, students need to pass two specialist courses - GCSE and A-level - and then pass the appropriate exams. Usually these courses last two years, but some universities in England offer an accelerated format - a year-long GCSE and a-level course that lasts a year and a half.
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
The GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) course is equivalent to domestic secondary education and corresponds to Year 10 and Year 11 education. It is designed for students at the age of 14. Normally, this course is accepted after Year 8 in the foreign schools, but if you have graduated from Year 9 then you can register for a shortened IGCSE course that lasts 1 year.
In the classical curriculum, students study two years of compulsory and optional subjects, totalling around eight subjects. A compulsory stage in preparing for the final exam is the mock exam, which allows you to objectively assess the student's level of knowledge and effectively address weaknesses.
As a rule, a specialist adviser provides assistance in the selection of basic and additional subjects. The specialist analyses the student's academic potential, his personal preferences, provides advice on the subject and helps to draw up a timetable.
The areas offered by UK post-9th form universities under the GCSE framework include.
-
English Language and Literature.
-
Precise Science (Mathematics, Physics).
-
Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Biology).
-
Information Technology .
-
Entrepreneurship, Economics, Accounting .
-
Social Sciences, Humanities (Ancient and Modern Languages, History, Geography, Philosophy, Psychology).
-
Arts (acting, playing an instrument, dance, design).
The grades for each subject are given in numerical form from 9 to 1. Marks from 7 to 9 are considered the highest and correspond to letter grades A and a* until used in 2018.
After completing the GCSE, students continue to prepare for entry to senior school by studying A-level or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
IGCSE
The IGCSE is an intensive accelerated version of the classic GCSE course. Some universities in the UK offer a year-long course for students aged 15+, which includes the study of 14 subjects from five main blocks.
-
English Language Subjects .
-
Science .
-
Foreign Language Teaching.
-
Art.
-
Mathematics.
A-levels
Further education in the UK includes the completion of an a-level course. It has been developed for 16-18 year olds and represents the final two years of study at boarding school or university. Successful completion of the course ensures a full secondary education certificate and admission to university.
The main objective of the course is to prepare students for entry to UK universities. Based on the a-level assessment, representatives of the admissions committee draw conclusions about the knowledge and skills of the applicant. This is why students need to pay particular attention to the study of foundation and additional subjects.
Universities in the UK offer study in up to 45 subjects, and you should choose from three to six subjects depending on your future profession and academic interests. One of the most popular areas.
-
Sciences (mathematics, advanced mathematics, physics).
-
Natural sciences (biology, chemistry).
-
Entrepreneurship, Economics, Accounting .
-
Politics, History, Geography, Philosophy, Psychology.
-
English, Literature, Ancient and Modern Languages.
Colleges in the UK offer an A-level programme consisting of two parts.
-
First Year, Advanced Subsidiary. Students, as a rule, study three or four subjects, less - five. There are approximately 20-25 hours of lessons per week.
-
In the second year, A2. If required, students remove one or two subjects that are no longer required. In these subjects they will be able to gain an AS qualification and the rest they need to pass a final exam.
Whilst studying, students take part in sports education , engage in creativity and can undertake independent EPQ research work.
The assessment system in UK colleges.
In most UK higher education institutions the following assessment scales apply.
A score of >70%. This assessment is known as the 'first year distinction' and is given to students who have an in-depth knowledge of the subject, demonstrate skills beyond those required and are able to work analytically on the material. It is an interesting fact that in the UK, a good student is different from an excellent student because getting 75% and 95% are two fundamentally different things. A system like this allows you to quickly identify students who are truly gifted and talented.
Scoring 60-69%. Confident knowledge with some lapses, assessing the "second category, upper tier distinction". This is also a very good result for students who need a master's degree in English or further job search.
Scores 50-59%. "Second class score, lower class." This is usually the minimum level required by employers or for further education. It implies a general knowledge of the subject and acknowledges that there are some errors.
Scores 40-49%. "Level 3 distinction." This is a pass mark, which means you have basic skills.
All scores below 40% classify knowledge and skills that do not meet the academic requirements of the educational institution.
How can foreigners get into a UK college?
For foreign students who want to gain additional knowledge, there are two options for gaining a college education in the UK.
Prospective students study at an English-speaking state or public school, successfully pass a qualification exam, complete A-Level education and have good school results. In this case, admission is automatic without passing an entrance exam, based on the applicant's school results and other documentation. The process is carried out using the UCAS electronic system. In most cases, successful registration for a course does not even require the personal presence of the prospective student.
Graduates of UK public and public schools who wish to study at a UK university have the opportunity to apply to one or several UK colleges for 5 different subjects at the same time in order to then select the course they are prepared to take.
A potential student has graduated from their home school (or other educational institution) and plans to continue their studies in the UK. In most cases, such applicants will be required to take a pre-university course. Upon successful completion of the course, the educational institution will automatically register the student for the chosen course. Normally, this education takes 1 year. During the course of your studies in the UK, you will gain knowledge of the core subjects of your specialism, while improving your English language skills.
All applicants, without exception, who want to be educated at a university in the UK should write a motivational letter - a personal statement, a CV and an essay . In your letter, be sure to write about why you want to enrol in your chosen subject, tell us about yourself, your hobbies, educational and sporting achievements and social work. Foreign applicants must also pass a qualifying test to confirm a good level of English.
Visa support for colleges
A UK college can only accept students from abroad for study if they have an official sponsorship permit from the Immigration Department. The permit is required to issue foreign students with a certificate of sponsorship, on the basis of which they are granted a long-term student visa for the entire duration of their studies in the UK.
Costs of studying at a UK college
As previously mentioned, the cost of studying at a UK college cannot be described as cheap. As an example, they can cite several prices from the last academic year. One of the record holders is the Royal, with a minimum amount of €15,000. At the same time, prices depend on the course chosen and the student's degree: a master's degree is correspondingly cheaper than a bachelor's degree. In contrast, the Oxford institutions differ in their "very low cost", where you will have to pay everything from €5,500 - €7,700 per year for the student.
The minimum cost of studying at University College London will cost from €15,000 to €31,000. Such rates are even higher than the tuition fees of some British universities. The whole point is the high rating of the institution and the advantage of gaining a Bachelor's degree before moving on to the next stage - a bachelor's degree.