All about studying in the UK

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the undergraduate degree is studied over a three-year period leading to an honours degree.

In Scotland, students have to study three years for an ordinary degree and four years for an honours qualification.

The structure and content of courses may vary from institution to institution and these are continuously assessed for quality. Teaching is done through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Tutorials involve a small group of students, while lectures are usually held in large lecture halls.

At many universities and colleges, the first year exam results do not count towards the final degree classification. The second and third year exam results combined with the marks awarded for the student’s dissertation will make up the degree result.

Some universities use a modular system of assessment. Here courses are made up of units. Each module has a credit rating based on the number of hours of tuition and private study.

The grade awarded for a degree may be made up of the points collected under a modular or credit system or through the marks awarded for the final examinations.

The top grade is a first class (honours) degree. The upper second is more frequently awarded than a first, followed by a lower second (honours) or a two-two and a third.

Students who do not reach the standard required for the award of an honours degree will be given a pass or an ordinary degree.

Many universities offer students the chance to combine two or more subjects in a combined or a joint honours programme.

A combined degree involves different subjects not necessarily of the same weightage. A joint honours degree will have two subject areas with equal weightage.

Sandwich courses are those that have a combination of work and study options. As international students, it is important to get permission before going in for this option.

Masters-level postgraduate courses take a year to complete. There are generally three levels of postgraduate study in the UK. These are the postgraduate certificate or diploma, masters and doctorates.

Students can apply for admission to undergraduate programmes through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) at www.ucas.ac.uk between now and June 30, 2005.

The procedure for applying is the same for international and European Union students. Admission to courses such as medicine is very competitive and requires an interview. Students who come from schools that do not follow the British system may be required to take a foundation course before being accepted. 

Students who wish to pursue art need to submit a portfolio for consideration.

Once you have shortlisted some universities, contact the institutions for their prospectus. These are also available at www.educationuk.org

You can apply to six universities or colleges on one application form - four if you are applying for medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine/science. If you receive more than one offer (of acceptance), you can accept one as a firm choice and the other as an insurance option.

Paper applications can be obtained from a British Council near you while the electronic application can be accessed through Apply, a new online service designed by UCAS. Applications for postgraduate programmes should be made directly to the relevant institution.

Apart from your previous marks, most institutions would want your IELTS or TOEFL score to ascertain your competence in English. You have to make your acceptance through UCAS.

If you did not furnish your final exam result while applying, photo copies of the same must be sent to those institutions that have made you a conditional offer.

Some important websites

Information courtesy: UK Universities, Colleges and Schools Handbook, 2004 edition