Britain has long enjoyed a widely envied reputation for providing outstanding further and higher education opportunities not just for its own citizens but for the commonwealth and the world community. British educational qualifications are probably more universally trusted and respected than those of any other country.

Caring for the individual

Students who have experienced the most usual continental European teaching technique of mass lectures in amphitheatres - sometimes with standing room only - never cease to marvel at the level of individual attention they receive in Britain. Perhaps this is related to the honourable record Britain enjoys in respecting the rights of the individual in general and enjoying the cultural and religious diversity of those who stay with us. This level of care should be discernible even in the way enquiries and applications are dealt with. An overseas student’s prior learning, work experience (if any) and qualifications will be treated seriously and weighed on their merits, not simply sifted by a computer following predetermined criteria.

British Further and Higher Education

Choices in Higher and Further Education are difficult even for those who want to study in their own country. For those destined to travel thousands of miles, the choice can be even more difficult.

‘Higher Education’ in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which currently consists of some 96 universities and 70 or so Colleges of Higher Education, means the stage of education which follows on after you obtain qualifications equivalent to the Advanced Level of the General Certificate of Education. In Scotland the qualifying examinations are called ‘Highers’, and some students take a Certificate of Sixth Year Studies, which is similar to A-levels. These examinations are generally taken at the age of 17 or 18, in a narrow range of subjects, sometimes only three subjects, though new arrangements are extending this range.

‘Further Education’ is study at the level of GCE A-levels and similar examinations, but will also cover some lower level courses - equivalent to the O-level examinations for example, and technical and vocational qualifications at Technician Level in a range of subjects, varying from accountancy through computing, including perhaps the visual arts and usually languages as well. Further Education overlaps with the later stages of secondary or high school education, but is more varied in both content and level. Some Further Education Colleges offer qualifications at degree level as well.

Different Institutions

The higher education system consists of Universities, Colleges of Higher Education and a number of small specialised colleges in areas of study such as Fine Art, Music and Agriculture.

Colleges of Further Education exist in most medium and large towns, and may sometimes be called ‘Technical College’ or ‘College of Technology’. They can be very large institutions with upwards of 10,000 students, or much smaller and consequently more specialised.

Entrance requirements

Further Education Colleges will rarely have formal entrance requirements, usually providing open access, though there may be requirements, often at the level of the GCSE or GCE O-level, for certain courses, including sometimes A-level courses.

GCE Advanced Levels (or in Scotland passes in Scottish ‘Highers’) are the usual entry qualifications for entry to first (Bachelor’s) degrees, in Higher Education institutions.

For some Scottish universities, there will be different requirements. Scottish ‘Highers’ are rather lower in standard than the GCE Advanced Level, are taken in a larger number of subjects than has hitherto been the case with GCE, and are often taken at age 17 rather than age 18. If you are from a country where school leaving examinations fit this pattern, Scottish universities will be familiar with the system.

Graduate work

Universities, and to a limited extent Colleges of Higher Education, offer a wide range of one-year, or sometimes two-year taught graduate courses leading to the award of Master’s Degrees.

Universities also offer research degrees, which have a very limited taught element, and are an opportunity to undertake research over a period of, generally, at least three years. The period for the award of a research degree is not laid down: it depends on what progress you make.

Study Plans

The maximum length of your stay in Britain could be restricted to four years if you are following a series of short courses, which last for under two years each. But if you have a study plan, with a set educational goal that you are clearly following, you should be able to stay for longer if necessary.

The International Officer, or Welfare Officer at your university or college should also be able to help.

Choosing a University/College

The British system of Higher Education, and to a large extent of Further Education as well, is based on departments teaching a single subject. Unlike some other systems therefore, British Education demands that you have a clear idea of what you want to study, and at what level - secondary/further education, post-secondary level access or foundation studies, undergraduate for a Bachelor’s degree, taught Master’s, or postgraduate research.

Making choices between them is probably the most difficult thing you will have to do when contemplating entry to British education. Where you study is a matter for you, not for anyone else. The worst mistake you can make is to choose a university or college because your friends are going there, or your parents went there, or your schoolteacher went there.

What will it cost - the cost of tuition will vary from one place to another. So will the cost of your living expenses (usually called ‘maintenance’). You need to add these together to make a comparison: don’t just compare the cost of tuition, or the cost of housing, since they are only a part of your expenses. In 1994-5 a reasonable annual estimate for a nine-month academic year is £10,500 for normal courses, £12,000 for laboratory - or workshop-based courses, more still for medial and similar degrees. Apart from the actual cost estimate, which you should obtain from individual institutions, you need to consider:

• is there any guarantee offered against increases in tuition year by year?
• how long is the academic year from the first day of the autumn term to the last day of the summer term? The longer it is, the more expensive your maintenance will be.
• in addition to tuition fees are there extra compulsory fees? - social fees for residence halls, college fees, examinations fees, bench fees for laboratory work and on? Always ask, or check prospectuses carefully.
• If you have a grant or scholarship which pays compulsory fees plus a maintenance grant, the level of fees does not affect you, and does not matter, since you do not pay them!

What academic services are there to help you

-how much access you will have to computer training and facilities, if there is a language laboratory and if there are study skills courses. Does the institution have an International Office which can represent your interests as an overseas student, and meet your specific needs, which may well differ from those of home students? There is a lot to be said for ‘one-stop shopping’ - a place where your requirements will be taken seriously and given priority.

Where is the institution - city -

Good services but dirty; suburban - moderate services and anonymous; countryside - beautiful but isolated … and what kind of place do you prefer? Bear in mind that the South is warmer than the North, particularly in winter, and the West is wetter than the East. If you like skiing, don’t go to London, go North, as far as you can. Local and national communications may also be important, whether access to airports, main line railway stations, main bus routes (much cheaper than rail), good local transport within the town or city.

What are the arrangements for overseas students - does the institution have a lot of experience of overseas students? And what proportion of the students, both in the college and on the course you are interested in, are from abroad?

What accommodation is there - are overseas students given preference in housing allocations? Are they dispersed among several residences?

There are two main avenues to detailed information about a particular institution: exhibitions and prospectuses.

Exhibitions

From time to time, British Higher and Further Education institutions get together and hold exhibitions in various key places. These are often held under the auspices of the British Council’s Educational Counselling Service (ECS)

Prospectuses

The written material provided by a university or college is important. You should read it, and read it carefully. You may find prospectuses at your local office of the British Council, or you can obtain your own copy from the institutions that interest you.

Awards and Scholarships

A recent estimate showed that the British Government has given over £130 million to support overseas students. The bad news is that there are at least 60,000 overseas students in Britain. And 13,000 of the government supported students were on the Technical Co-operation Training Programme, for specific vocational training.

Your own country’s education office will be able to let you know of any schemes they sponsor. And the local British Council office, or if there isn’t one, the British Embassy or High Commission, will be able to give you information on British schemes you are eligible to apply for.

Sources of further information:

Educational Counselling Service
The British Council
Medlock Street
Manchester M15 4AA

Tel: (+44) 161 957 7000

(and other offices worldwide)

UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs (UKCOSA)
60 Westbourne Grove
London W2 5FG

Tel: 0171 229 9268/9

World University Service (WUS)
20 Compton Terrace
London N1 2UN

Tel: 0171 226 6747

This article first appeared in Studying Abroad