Edukex to study options in UK

Dubai: The British Council's flagship event Edukex 2010 is just around the corner. Students interested in a British education can visit the fair to be held in Abu Dhabi on January 16 and in Dubai on January 17-18.

The main objective of Edukex is to raise awareness about the quality of British education and the extensive array of courses and institutions on offer at every level.

Visitors can find out about English language courses and vocational programmes besides higher education options.

Presentations with a focus on art and design, engineering and medicine will also be held.

Edukex comes to Abu Dhabi on January 16 between 5 and 9pm at Abu Dhabi Men's College. It goes on for two days in Dubai from 5 to 9pm on January 17 and 10am to 12pm on January 18 at the Radisson BLU Deira Creek.

Process

Representatives of UCAS (Universities and Colleges Application Service) — the central organisation through which applications for entry to British higher education institutions are processed — will be present to clarify doubts.

Students can apply to a maximum of five universities through the UCAS website. A step-by-step guide on the application process, how to prepare a personal statement and track your progress is also available online for applicants.

Students who do not have the grades to be accepted directly into a university can opt for a pathway option. Those who need English enhancement can enquire this if the institution offers pre-sessional English.

Additionally, many institutions offer international foundation and vocational programmes to suit individual needs. Some institutions even offer the opportunity to directly apply to them or seek assistance from one of their UAE-based representatives.

Recommendation letters

For admission to institutions in the UK, you must demonstrate English proficiency through an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score and submit your marks for courses completed through school, university or as a private candidate.

Recommendation letters from teachers/professors and personal statements are prerequisites that will play a significant role in the application process. Should you have done an internship or have work experience, mention the same.

Additionally, highlight your extracurricular pursuits, community service efforts and awards and distinctions, if any. According to the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency, the 2007-08 academic year saw nearly 12,000 students from the Middle East opting for higher education courses in the UK.

The writer is director of Counselling Point with more than 22 years of experience in the fields of education and child welfare