Study in the UK guide

1Education UK

Study in the UK guide

www.educationuk.org/hongkong

A guide to UK schools, colleges and universities for Hong Kong students

2 Education UK2 Education UK

3Education UK

Table of Contents 1. Why study in the UK?

2. UK education system at a glance

3. Secondary education

4. Further education

5. Higher education

6. Meet the students

7. Meet the staff

8. Learning English

9. What to study

10. The application journey

11. Student visas

12. Working in the UK

13. Scholarships and costs

14. Accommodation

15. Feel at home in the UK

16. Fun things to do

17. Travel and transport

18. Food and drinks

19. Clothing

20. Weather and seasons

21. Etiquette

22. UK key facts

23. Practical items before you go

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2014 British Council

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without prior permission by the British Council.

4 Education UK

Personalised study

Many UK courses have a modular structure.

This means you can build a personalised

course by choosing modules or units of study

from different subject areas.

For example, if you are studying for a

bachelors degree in English literature, you

could choose one module on science fiction,

another on childrens literature, and others on

short stories, Shakespeares plays and so on.

If you are interested in more than one subject,

you may be able to study a combination as

part of your course for example, English

literature with psychology, tourism with French,

international business with economics.

UK education closer to home

If you want to gain a UK qualification but

cant travel to the UK, you can choose from

over 700 UK courses that are offered in

Hong Kong. Full details of UK courses offered

locally can be found in the separate Guide to

UK Qualifications in Hong Kong publication

available at www.educationuk.org/hongkong.

You could even learn from the comfort of

your own home with online courses. Go to

www educationuk.org/hongkong for more

information.

Gain a world-class education

UK education is all about giving you inspiration

to develop your knowledge and skills, freedom

to be creative, and support to help you achieve

your best.

UK schools, colleges, universities and English

language centres offer you a world-class

education the chance to follow your passion

for learning and gain qualifications that are

respected by employers and academics

worldwide.

On a UK course youll benefit from excellent

teaching and facilities. In order to accept

students, accredited UK education centres

must meet strict quality standards set by the

UK government and education bodies.

This attention to quality is reflected in the

results:

Four of the top six universities in the world

are in the UK (World University Rankings

2013, QS)

93% of UK postgraduate students rate the

quality of teaching positively (Postgraduate

Taught Experience, HE Academy)

Over 88% of international higher education

graduates are satisfied with their UK

learning experience (Tracking International

Graduate Outcomes, BIS)

92% of students from UK independent

schools go on to higher education

(Independent Schools Council Census

2014)

The UK is a top destination for English

language courses, attracting 600,000

international students every year.

Why study in the UK?

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64(QS 2013)

93%(HE Academy)

88%(BIS)

92%(ISC 2014)

600,000

()

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www. educationuk.org/hongkong

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Open the doors to your dream career

UK courses give you the skills, qualifications

and connections you need for your chosen

career:

UK qualifications are respected and valued

by employers worldwide, giving you the

edge when you are applying for jobs.

UK-educated international graduates

achieve markedly higher average salaries

than if they had been educated at home.

UK qualifications focus on skills for the

workplace. Many UK courses are designed

in partnership with businesses and industry.

Some courses give you the chance to do a

work placement as part of your studies.

The teaching style in the UK helps you

to develop relevant attributes such

as creativity, innovation, teamwork and

leadership.

You will gain an international perspective,

essential for a career in an international

company.

English language skills are a real boost to your

career prospects too. On a UK course, you will

be immersed in the language and should find

that your skills improve rapidly. You can choose

courses specialising in business English, or

even courses for specific careers, such as

English for law, technology or engineering.

While a UK education will give you the best

prospects, finding a job can still be challenging.

At UK schools, colleges and universities, you

will find professional career advisers who can

help you plan your career, and give you advice

on how to look for work, prepare for interviews

and write your CV.

Choosing your UK educationChoosing what and where to study can be

confusing, but we are here to help!

What are your study goals?

The first step in planning your UK education

is to identify your goals. Are you studying to

gain skills and qualifications for a particular

career? To improve your English? To build your

knowledge of a subject youre interested in?

At www.educationuk.org/hongkong, the

Education UK website, you can find out all

about different UK courses and qualifications

and identify which ones are right for you.

Find out about UK towns and cities

Where you live can significantly impact on how

you enjoy your studies. Find out about the UKs

different regions on www.visitbritain.com and

www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Value for Money

While offering excellent academic quality, a UK education might also not be as expensive as you think. UK degree courses are short and intensive, meaning they are friendly on your bank balance. Students enjoy many discounts on a range of services; and free healthcare during their studies under the National Health Service. The current favourable exchange rate also means that it is cheaper now than ever to study in the UK. Simply put the UK offers the best value for money.

7Education UK


www.visitbritain.com www.discovernorthernireland.com

(NHS)

8 Education UK

Choosing a course and a place to study

To find out about UK courses and institutions,

head to the Education UK website. Use the

Find your UK education tool at the top of the

webpage to search through over 86,000 UK

courses at universities, colleges, schools and

language centres across the UK.

By using this tool you can download

prospectuses, shortlist and compare courses,

visit institution websites and much more.

Its important to find out as much as you can

about the courses, and the school, college or

university you are considering. For example,

what sort of facilities and equipment are

available for students? What is the teaching

like? How many students are there in a typical

class? And how many hours are taught in the

average week?

You should be able to find a lot of this

information on the institutions website, but if

you have any questions, ask the institution.

Contact institutions directly

Using the Education UK website Find your

UK education tool, you can contact schools,

colleges and universities directly.

Each year, Education UK organises exhibitions

in over 50 countries, where you can meet face

to face with representatives from hundreds of

UK schools, colleges and universities. In Hong

Kong, Education UK exhibitions are held each

year in January and August, and other smaller

events such as information seminars are held

during the year. Refer to the News and events

page at for the most up to date information,

and sign up to our newsletter to receive

updates.

Find your UK education 86,000

Find your UK education

5018www.educationuk.org/hongkongNews and events

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Notes:

1. The above annual tuition fees are for reference only. For the latest fee information, please contact individual institutions. Students should budget for living expenses which are currently estimated to be 1,020 per month in London or 820 per month elsewhere.

2. Tuition fees are made in reference to the ISC Census 2014 published by the Independent Schools Council. There is no tuition fee at state boarding schools. Boarding fee is around 12,000 per year.

3. Tuition fees are made in reference to the International student tuition fees: Survey results 2013-2014 conducted by Universities UK.

Year/Level Academic route Vocational route & other pathways

Year 6 9

Year 10 11

Year 12 13

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Primary and secondary education

Average annual tuition fee2: 20,985 (including tuition fee and boarding)

GCSE/Scottish National 3 5


GCE A-level or AS-level/IB Diploma Programme/Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher


3 years: BSc/BA/BEng/LLB

4 years: Scottish degrees/MEng/MPharm/Sandwich courses

5 6 years: Clinical Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Medicine

Annual tuition fee3: Classroom based courses: 9,200 15,500

Laboratory based courses: 9,800 18,700

Pre-clinical courses: 12,700 27,500

Clinical medicine: 23,500 36,200

1 year: MA/MSc/LLM/MEd/MBA

2 years: MPhil/MRes

3 years or above: PhD

Annual tuition fee3: Taught and research degree: 10,000 20,600

Clinical medicine: 18,500 31,900

MBA: 11,300 35,600

GCSE in applied subjects/BTEC Award/Certificate/Diploma

Annual tuition fee: 5,000 10,000

BTEC/OCR Nationals/GCE A-level in applied subjects/Scottish National Certificate/National Progression Awards


One-year international foundation programme/International diploma programme


One-year Higher National Certificate(HNC)or Two-year foundation degree(FdD)/Higher National Diploma(HND)

Annual tuition fee3: HNC: 4,700 12,300 HND: 8,300 11,600

UK education system at a glance

11Education UK

/ 6 9

10 11

12 13

2: 20,985 ()

(GCSE)/ 35

2: 28,506 ()

(GCE A-Level or AS-Level)/IB/

2: 30,123 ()

3: ///

4: // /

56: //

3: : 9,200 15,500

: 9,800 18,700

(): 12,700 27,500

: 23,500 36,200

1: ////

2: /

3:

3: /: 10,000 20,600

: 18,500 31,900

: 11,300 35,600

/(BTEC)//

: 5,000 10,000

BTEC/OCR///

: 5,000 10,000

1/

: 8,500 28,350

1(HNC)2 (FdD)/(HND)

3: : 4,700 12,300

: 8,300 11,600

:

1. 1,020820

2. (ISC)201412,000

3. Universities UK2013-2014

12 Education UK

Secondary education

Boarding schools

Children and teenagers up to the age of 18

thrive at UK boarding schools. There are

around 500 of these residential schools across

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Most of them are independent and often set in

beautiful countryside or surrounded by lovely

gardens.

Most UK boarding schools teach a mix of

international pupils and local UK pupils.

Boarders are pupils who live at the school -

school life mixes teaching and learning with

lots of opportunities to have fun and develop

skills outside the classroom. Day pupils live

with their families and return home at the end

of the school day. This mix helps to create a

good social atmosphere.

Pupils study a wide range of subjects, such as

Maths, English, History, Sciences, Languages,

Geography, Art, Sports and more, leading to

qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, the

International Baccalaureate, and Scottish

qualifications such as Nationals, Highers and

Advanced Highers.

In recent years, over 90% of school leavers

from UK independent schools go on to higher

education, and around 75% receive offers from

the most elite universities in the UK.

UK boarding schools must meet strict quality

standards (set by the UK government and

education bodies) that cover teaching,

accommodation, pupil welfare, facilities and

more.

In most schools you will find a wide range of

art and sport classes, optional after-school and

weekend activities. How about photography,

football, dance, chess, drama, song writing,

computer programming, painting, rowing,

orienteering, or horse-riding?

UK boarding schools welcome students of

all faiths, nationalities and cultures. Around

25,000 children and teenagers from around

the world come to the UK to live and study at

a boarding school, joining classmates from

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

By living and learning in this environment, you

will make friends with pupils from all around the

world and gain essential skills in understanding

other cultures.

You can find out more and search for boarding

schools at www.educationuk.org/hongkong.

Independent or state boarding schools

There are two types of boarding schools.

Most boarding schools are independent

schools (privately run, also known as public

schools) and welcome pupils of any nationality.

These schools charge fees for tuition and

boarding. Most schools are charities and invest

any profits they make back into the school.

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18500

(GCSEs)(A-levels)IB

90%75%

25,000


()

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There are also 37 state boarding schools.

These schools welcome UK pupils plus pupils

from the European Economic Area. Tuition is

free (this is funded by the state) but there is a

charge for boarding accommodation. Typically

independent boarding schools charge fees,

so they have more money to invest in facilities

than state boarding schools, and class sizes

are generally smaller. But standards at state

boarding schools can be high too. If you are

eligible to attend a state boarding school, it is

worth looking at what each school offers and

judging each on its merits. You can check your

eligibility at Home fees: who is eligible? in

page 86.

Many schools are co-educational (they teach

boys and girls together) while others are

single-sex (they teach either boys only or girls

only). Many schools hold entrance exams:

some hold exams as a way to select the

most academically gifted pupils. Others do

not select pupils based on exam results, but

use them as a way to identify what academic

support you will need. Dont be concerned

about the exams. There are many different

schools, catering to all abilities and talents.

Sixth form colleges

These colleges mainly cater to students aged

16 to 18 and specialise in academic courses

to prepare students for higher education.

Courses lead to major qualifications for

university entrance including one year or

retake A-levels. Sixth form colleges are usually

larger and may therefore offer a wider range

of subjects than schools, and be more flexible

in offering combinations of courses. Class sizes

may also be smaller, enabling teachers to give

more individual attention and encouragement.

Teachers may have more specialist expertise

as they concentrate on only teaching at the

sixth form level. Students may also have

greater independence in terms of managing

workload, study and meeting deadlines. This

prepares the study for university, where much

importance is placed on self-management.

There are independent colleges that cater

specifically to international students, offering

extra English language support.

Further education colleges

A further education college offers a more

adult learning environment. These colleges

offer courses and qualifications in a wide

range of vocational and academic subjects

at many levels, including A-levels, diplomas

and in some cases degree level programmes.

Some specialise in particular industry sectors

such as art and design, catering, engineering

or finance. Further and higher education

colleges often have links with companies, so

that students studying vocational courses can

combine classroom learning with valuable

work experience. Many colleges design

courses especially for students from other

countries.

Further Education Colleges are explained

in more detail in the subsequent section on

Further Education.

Hong Kong students joining the school system

In Hong Kong, children start primary school

at age six, whilst in the UK, they start at age

five. This means Hong Kong students are

normally the same age as UK students in the

year ahead. A student completing Secondary

1 is likely to be the same age as a UK student

finishing Form 2 (or Year 8). As a result, you

may move from Secondary 1 in your Hong

Kong school to Form 3 (or Year 9) in the UK, for

example.

Pupils aged between 16 and 18 can enter

the sixth-form and take A-levels, International

Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or Scottish

Highers and Advanced Highers to prepare for

university or college. They can also choose to

do vocational qualifications.

Whether you progress one year ahead or two

in the UK system will depend on your maturity,

English language and academic abilities, and

the admissions policy of the school.

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37 ()87

1618A-level

A-levels

17

65(8)(9)

1618 A-levels IB//

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Common progression routes from Hong

Kong to UK secondary schools and post-16

colleges

Hong Kong UK

From Primary 6 To Year 7 or 8

From Secondary 1 To Year 8 or 9

From Secondary 2 To Year 9 or 10 (GCSE

courses start in Year 10)

From Secondary 3 To Year 10 (for GCSE)

From Secondary 4 /^5 To Year 12 (start of 2-year GCE A-levels/IB Diploma or equivalent)

^A transitional programme may be necessary

for entry from Secondary 4.

Choosing and applying to a UK schoolWhen choosing a school, you may want to ask

yourself questions such as:

Is the school in a safe, pleasant area?

Are there any charges for tuition or

boarding/accommodation?

What do the fees cover and what additional

costs will I have to meet?

Has the school performed well in exam

results and government inspections?

Does the school have a welcoming, friendly

atmosphere?

Are the facilities good?

Does the school have strong pastoral care

procedures or student support services?

Does the school offer what I need in terms

of subjects and activities?

Finding a school

On the Education UK website www.

educationuk.org/hongkong, you can

search through hundreds of schools and

colleges. Simply choose Boarding schools,

Pre-university academic or Vocational or

technical from the Find your UK education

tool at the top of the page and start looking!

Use the filters to narrow your search

by residential type, age range, dietary

requirements or religious tradition.

The Education UK website lists most UK

schools and colleges, but not all. Other places

to look for schools are on the Boarding

Schools Association and State Boarding

Schools Association websites or the websites

listed in this section (page 28).

Applying to a school or college

Demand for school places varies from

school to school. For some schools it may

be necessary to apply one or more years

beforehand see the websites of the individual

schools. If you have left it later than that it is

still worth enquiring just email or call the

admissions offices at the schools you are

interested in.

It is best to start in September (the start of the

academic year in the UK), so that you begin

at the same time as the local students. This

way, you will all be new together and it will

be easier to settle in. However, dont worry if

you cant apply that far in advance or start in

September some schools are very flexible.

For independent boarding schools, you

need to apply directly to the school. Visit the

schools website or read their prospectus,

then get in touch with them to find out about

applying.

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89

910 (GCSE10)

10 (GCSE)

/^ 12 (2 GCE A-levels/IB)

^GCE A-levels

www.educationuk.org/hongkong Find your UK education Boarding schoolsPre-university academic Vocational or technical

(Boarding Schools Association)(State Boarding Schools Association) (29)

999

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Pathways to UK education from Hong Kongs education system

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For state boarding schools, applications

are usually handled by the schools local

government authority (or, in Northern Ireland,

by the schools local education and library

board). You can find out more at the State

Boarding Schools Association website www.

sbsa.org.uk.

Schools and colleges will offer places based

on a mix of entrance tests, school reports,

references and interviews. You do not need

to take parallel public examinations such

as GCSEs for entry to GCE A-level courses.

Schools prefer that you have had time to

pursue interests and activities that contribute

to your overall development.

Can I visit schools and colleges before I enrol?

Every UK school has its own unique

atmosphere and facilities. If you can, its a good

idea to visit the schools you are interested in

before you apply.

Nearly all schools and colleges hold open

days these are often held in autumn

(September, October and November) but

you might also find them at other times of

the year. During an open day, you can meet

the teachers and other staff, look around the

school premises, visit the local villages and

towns, and meet other pupils.

In some schools, you can even stay overnight

in a boarding house and take part in a taster

day of classes before you enrol.

Health, safety and support

UK schools take student safety and welfare

very seriously and aim to help you feel safe,

happy and at ease.

Every boarding school must undergo rigorous

inspection by government-appointed

bodies such ISI (the Independent Schools

Inspectorate) and Ofsted in order to be

able to receive pupils, and inspection reports

are published online. These bodies check

the quality of the teaching, accommodation,

facilities, student care and more.

During your time at school, your wellbeing

is the responsibility of your houseparents.

Houseparents are members of staff who live

in the same house as you, look after you and

make sure you are behaving yourself! You can

go to your houseparent for advice or support

whenever you need it.

Teachers are there to inspire you in classes

and offer you lots of academic support. If you

have any concerns about your schoolwork,

dont hesitate to talk to them. They will want to

make sure you are happy and getting the most

out of your lessons.

For medical care, most schools and colleges

have a medical centre and resident nurse.

They will arrange for you to be registered with

a doctor, dentist and any other healthcare

providers as required.

A guardian in the UK

All international students under the age of 16

at a boarding school should have a guardian.

This should be a responsible adult living in the

UK, who can care for you if you are suddenly

ill or during vacations, half-term and at closed

weekends if you cannot go home. Schools can

help you to find a guardian.

Common qualifications explained

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)

These qualifications are normally taken at the

age of 16 by students in England, Northern

Ireland and Wales. GCSE courses usually last

for two years and students are taught, on

average, eight subjects, comprising a mix

of compulsory subjects, plus other elective

subjects. GCSEs are available in more than 40

academic and ten applied subjects.

23Education UK

24 Education UK


()www.sbsa.org.uk

GCE A-levelGCSE

?

(911)

(ISI)Ofsted

16

(GCSE)

16GCSE240108

25Education UK

26 Education UK

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-level)

GCE A-levels are the UK qualifications most

widely used for entry to university. Current

A-levels and AS qualifications will be replaced

in phases beginning in September 2015. The

new AS qualifications will be separated from

A-levels, making them completely freestanding.

Students will take A-level exams at the end of a

typically two-year course for A-levels and one-

year course for AS qualifications. New A-levels

will be awarded on or after 1 April 2017, and

standalone AS qualifications awarded on or

after 1 April 2016.

International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes

International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes

include the Primary Years Programme

(PYP) for pupils aged 3 to 12, Middle Years

Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to

16 and the Diploma Programme for students

aged 16 to 19. The Diploma is a two-year pre-

university programme that is an alternative

to A-levels and is recognised for entry into

higher education institutions in most countries,

including the UK. Students are required to

study 3 subjects at higher level and 3 at

standard, complete the Theory of Knowledge

course and an extended essay, as well as

participate in Creativity, Action and Service

classes. English as a second language and

maths are compulsory at either higher or

standard levels. There are more than 200 IB

schools in the UK offering one or more of the

three IB programmes. For further information,

visit www.ibo.org.

Useful websites

Independent schools

www.boarding.org.uk (The Boarding

Schools Association)

www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk (The Good

Schools Guide)

www.guidetoindependentschools.com

(Guide to Independent Schools)

www.isbi.com (Independent School Search)

www.isc.co.uk (Independent Schools

Council)

www.scis.org.uk (Scottish Council of

Independent Schools)

www.ukboardingschools.com (UK Boarding

Schools)

State schools

www.sbsa.org.uk (State Boarding Schools

Association)

www.schoolsnet.com (Schoolsnet)

Post-16 colleges

www.aoc.co.uk (The Association of

Colleges)

www.the-bac.org (The British Accreditation

Council for Independent Further and

Higher Education)

www.cife.org. uk (The Council for

Independent Further Education)

www.collegesscotland.ac.uk (Colleges

Scotland)

27Education UK

28 Education UK

29Education UK

(GCE A-level)(A-levels)A-levels(GCE AS-levels)20159AS-levelsA-levels2A-levelsA-levels1AS-levelsA-levels201741AS-levels201641

International Baccalaureate (IB) IB3312111616192A-levels33()20013IBwww.ibo.org

www.boarding.org.uk (The Boarding

Schools Association)

www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk (The Good

Schools Guide)

www.guidetoindependentschools.com

(Guide to Independent Schools)

www.isbi.com (Independent School Search)

www.isc.co.uk (Independent Schools

Council)

www.scis.org.uk (Scottish Council of

Independent Schools)

www.ukboardingschools.com (UK Boarding

Schools)

www.sbsa.org.uk (State Boarding Schools

Association)

www.schoolsnet.com (Schoolsnet)

www.aoc.co.uk (The Association of

Colleges)



Higher Education)

www.cife.org.uk (The Council for


www.collegesscotland.ac.uk (Colleges

Scotland)

30 Education UK

UK school and college performance

www.best-schools.co.uk (Best Schools)

www.education.gov.uk/schools/

performance (Performance tables,

Department for Education)

www.guardian.co.uk/education/school-

tables (School tables, The Guardian)

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/

leaguetables (Education league tables, The

Telegraph)

www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/education

(Education, The Times)

Examination boards and qualifications

www.aqa.org.uk (Assessment and

Qualifications Alliance)

www.cie.org.uk (University of Cambridge

International Examinations)

www.ccea.org.uk (Council for the

Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment)

www.cityandguilds.com (City and Guilds)

www.edexcel.com (Pearson Edexcel)

www.ibo.org (International Baccalaureate)

www.ocr.org.uk (Oxford Cambridge and

RSA Examinations)

www.sqa.org.uk (Scottish Qualifications

Authority)

www.wjec.co.uk (Welsh Joint Education

Committee)

Quality assurance

www.estyn.gov.uk (Wales The office of

Her Majestys Inspectorate for Education

and Training)

www.etini.gov.uk (Northern Ireland The

Education and Training Inspectorate)

www.educationscotland.gov.uk (Education

Scotland)

www.isi.net (Independent Schools

Inspectorate)

www.ofsted.gov.uk (England Office for

Standards in Education)

30 Education UK

World Ranking

Four of the worlds top six universities are in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2013). There isnt a higher education ranking in the world that doesnt include the UK in its top ten.

31Education UK

www.best-schools.co.uk (Best Schools)

www.education.gov.uk/schools/

performance (Performance tables,

Department for Education)

www.guardian.co.uk/education/school-

tables (School tables, The Guardian)

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/

leaguetables (Education league tables, The

Telegraph)

www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/education

(Education, The Times)

www.aqa.org.uk (Assessment and

Qualifications Alliance)

www.cie.org.uk (University of Cambridge

International Examinations)

www.ccea.org.uk (Council for the

Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment)

www.cityandguilds.com (City and Guilds)


www.ibo.org (International Baccalaureate)

www.ocr.org.uk (Oxford Cambridge and

RSA Examinations)


Authority)

www.wjec.co.uk (Welsh Joint Education

Committee)

www.estyn.gov.uk (Wales The office of

Her Majestys Inspectorate for Education

and Training)




Scotland)

www.isi.net (Independent Schools

Inspectorate)



31Education UK

QS 201364

32 Education UK

Comparison of UK independent schools, further education colleges and sixth form colleges

Characteristics

More traditional concept of a school

Focus on whole-person development, academic achievement and university entry

More formal environment and discipline

Schools are free to set their own curricular

Develop their own style and character

Predominantly admit local students, providing authen-tic English-learning environ-ment. International students from different countries are well-represented and catered for

Over 1,257 schools with more than 400 offering boarding

Boarding or day, single-sex or co-educational

1,257400

Flexible entry and a range of academic or vocational qualifications offered

Less formal educational environment

Strong links with industry and industrial advisory groups

Predominantly cater for local students but interna-tional students on campus are considered important and are well-catered to, with special courses and pastoral support.

Students are assumed to be mature

Focus on gaining university places for their students

No uniforms required and few additional expenses beyond tuition fees

Many colleges cater specifically to international students

Flexible entry and range of academic qualifications offered.

Students are assumed to be mature

Opportunities to mix with students from many coun-tries

Intensive academic prepa-ration focused on gaining university places for their students

Uniforms are not worn

Independent schools


Private and state sixth form colleges

33Education UK

Target age group

Teaching and learning methods

Accommodation

518()718()

Ages 5 18 (Day) or 7 18 (Boarding)

Students are likely to be taught in small classes

Tend to encourage traditional values. Many schools have religious affiliations

Encourage independence, sociability and love of learning

Assessment and homework to support exam preparation

Relaxed, home-like atmosphere

Encourage teamwork, and co-operation

Usually dormitories or study bedrooms

Younger children are often accompanied by several other children

By sixth form, rooms are either single/double occupancy

16

16 and over

Involve high levels of personal contact and support from tutors for independent learning

Encourage students to develop a high degree of responsibility for their own study progress

Encourage students to question and analyse and to voice opinions

Some offer full-board or self-catering halls of residence or lodging accommodation with host families which may accelerate English learning

16

16 and over

Involve high levels of personal contact and support from tutors for plenty of independent learning

Encourage students to develop a high degree of responsibility for their own study progress

Some offer full-board or self-catering halls of residence or lodging accommodation with host families which may accelerate English learning

Independent schools



34 Education UK

Welfare and student support

Boarding houses are supervised by a resident housemaster or housemistress and matrons, ensuring friendly, individual attention and providing stability, security and a sense of family

Staff are usually available in the evening and at weekends

All facilities, including health care, will be accessible at the school

Students are responsible for their own housekeeping, such as bed-making, washing clothes and dishes regarded as basic life skills for independent living

Each student normally has a personal tutor who is responsible for monitoring academic progress and welfare, as well as ensuring that his/her life runs smoothly while attending the college

Colleges offer student service support and counselling to provide practical, academic and pastoral support, sometimes in students own languages

34 Education UK

Independent schools



35Education UK

Social activities and student life

Guardianship

A wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities, including sports, arts, music and community service

Extra-curricular activities considered an important part of school life. Most schools have extensive grounds and facilities for sports and arts activities.

Emphasis on education for life

All children under the age of 16 should have a guardian. A guardian should be a responsible person in the UK and arrangements should be made well beforehand. Most of the schools in the UK insist that a guardian is appointed

16

Students union or students association, along with international offices, arrange activities such as dances, debates, excursions, sports and theatre outings.

Activities provide an opportunity for students to meet in a social setting

N/A

Wide range of extra-curricular activities and social events, such as film nights, debating, sports, yoga, cycle clubs

N/A

Independent schools



36 Education UK36 Education UK

Further education

Want to train for a career or get set for

university? UK further education qualification

can help you achieve your goal:

Academic courses prepare you for higher

education at a university or college. You

develop analytical skills, critical thinking and

knowledge.

Career-based vocational and professional

courses give you the skills, training and

qualifications you need in your chosen career.

UK further education qualifications are

recognised and respected by employers and

academics worldwide. Youll find the emphasis

is on high-quality teaching and learning.

Many courses are designed in partnership

with, and taught by, industry professionals.

Some offer you the option of a year in industry

too, an excellent way to prepare you for the

world of work. (Check that your visa status

allows you to do so.)

As a student, you will receive lots of support.

Class sizes are restricted to ensure that you

have access to equipment and enough time to

talk to your tutors and lecturers.

The relatively low cost of further education in

the UK also provides an alternative for those

on a tight budget interested in either

vocational or academic qualifications.

UK further education providers invest heavily

in facilities too from libraries, computer

centres and science laboratories to sports

centres, theatres and arts studios. If you want

to find out more and search for courses, go to

www.educationuk.org/hongkong.


?


38 Education UK


BTEC, City & Guilds, OCR Nationals Certificate/Diploma

Nationals Certificates/Diplomas are one or

two-year courses in career-related subjects

such as art and design, business, health and

social care, information technology, media,

public services, science or sport that may be

taken instead of or alongside A-levels. They

may lead to a job or further study, including

Higher National Certificate and Diploma

courses, foundation or bachelors degrees.

Useful websites

Short courses

www.floodlight.co.uk (Floodlight)

www.hotcourses.com (Hotcourses)

School search and quality assurance

Independent colleges

www.aoc.co.uk (The Association of Colleges)

www.cife.org.uk (The Council for




Higher Education)

www.study-uk.org (Study UK)

State further education colleges

www.estyn.gov.uk (Wales The office of Her

Majestys Inspectorate for Education and

Training)




Scotland)

http://fechoices.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.

uk (FE Choices, Skills Funding Agency)



Qualifications


www.cityandguilds.com (City & Guilds)

www.ocr.org.uk (Oxford Cambridge and RSA

Examinations)


Authority)

38 Education UK

39Education UK

40 Education UK

41Education UK

BTEC City & Guilds OCR Nationals /

12/A-levels

www.floodlight.co.uk (Floodlight)

www.hotcourses.com (Hotcourses)

/

www.aoc.co.uk (The Association of Colleges)

www.cife.org.uk (The Council for Independent Further Education)

www.the-bac.org (The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education)

www.study-uk.org (Study UK)

www.estyn.gov.uk (Wales The office of Her Majestys Inspectorate for Education and Training)

www.etini.gov.uk (Northern Ireland The Education and Training Inspectorate)

www.educationscotland.gov.uk (Education Scotland)

http://fechoices.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk (FE Choices, Skills Funding Agency)

www.ofsted.gov.uk (England Office for Standards in Education)


www.cityandguilds.com (City & Guilds)

www.ocr.org.uk (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)

www.sqa.org.uk (Scottish Qualifications Authority)

41Education UK

42 Education UK

The UK is home to more than 360 universities

and colleges that offer higher education

qualifications.

Studying in the UK gives you the chance to

develop your skills, reach your full potential

and gain a qualification that is globally

respected. The teaching style in the UK

gives you great intellectual freedom, and the

chance to follow your passions. You will also

receive lots of guidance and support from top

academics, teachers and professors.

One of the things that may surprise you is just

how interactive your lectures and seminars

are. Youll find you are encouraged to discuss,

question and respond to what youre being

taught this is integral to the learning process.

With thousands of UK higher education

courses on offer, you can follow your

passions and choose a course that matches

your goals and interests. Whichever subject

you are studying, you will benefit from the

latest facilities and equipment in the UK

laboratories, computer labs, multimedia

centres, language suites, engineering centres,

medical training centres, textiles and design

facilities and more. This will help you to learn

the latest techniques and achieve great results.

All accredited UK colleges and universities

undergo regular inspections by the

government or government-approved bodies.

This focus on quality helps to ensure high

satisfaction rates among students.

Open the doors to your dream career

UK courses give you the skills, qualifications

and connections you need for your chosen

career. UK qualifications are respected and

valued by employers worldwide, giving you the

edge when applying for jobs.

According to Tracking International Graduate Outcomes (BIS, 2011), UK-

educated international graduates achieve

markedly higher average salaries than if

they had been educated at home.

The 2013/14 QS World University Rankings found that employers worldwide consider

UK graduates among the most employable

from a global survey of 27,000 graduate

employers, five UK universities were ranked

in the top 10.

One of the reasons why employers value

UK qualifications is because of the focus on

skills for the workplace. Many UK courses

are designed in partnership with businesses

and industry and are taught by industry

professionals, so you can gain real experience

for your future career.

Some courses give you the chance to do a

work placement as part of your studies too,

working for a business, charity or public sector

organisation. (Check that your visa status

allows you to do so.)

Higher education

43Education UK

360

(BIS, 2011)

2013/14QS27,00010

()

44 Education UK

The teaching style in the UK helps you to

develop attributes that are in high demand

from employers worldwide attributes such as

creativity, innovation, teamwork and leadership.

By studying in the UK youll also gain an

international perspective, learn about new

cultures and intergrate with students and

teachers from around the world valuable

experience for a career in an international

company.

Many careers require professional

qualifications. The UK offers thousands

of courses leading to internationally-

recognised qualifications in fields such as law,

accountancy, medicine, engineering, childcare,

teaching, marketing and more, to help you

get ahead. Many professions in Hong Kong

have similar professional registration systems

to the UK, meaning that UK qualifications are

recognised and useful in becoming registered

in Hong Kong. For architecture there is

no difference between having studied an

architecture degree locally or at a non-local

university, such as in the UK, as one of the

pre-requisites is to sit the Hong Kong Institute

of Architects professional examination. For

medicine, all medical graduates are required

to sit the Medical Councils licensing exam

regardless of where they have studied, except

for graduates of The University of Hong Kong

and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. For

Law, graduates need to study a postgraduate

diploma or pass a conversion examination

before being admitted to postgraduate

certificate in Law (PCLL). In each of these

cases a UK degree serves an excellent starting

point for establishing a career in the respective

profession.


Undergraduate

Bachelors degree (BA, BSc, BEd, BEng)

Bachelors degrees are the most popular

undergraduate qualification in the UK. They

consist of academic study designed to help

you gain a thorough understanding of a

subject, usually studied over three years in

England, Northern Ireland and Wales, or four

years in Scotland although some may be

longer. They are normally studied to honours

level. You will be taught through a mixture

of lectures, seminars, practical sessions and

tutorials (small group sessions with tutor).

Foundation degree (FdA, FdSc and FdEng)

Equivalent to the first two years of Bachelors

Degree, this is a standalone qualification that

can also gain you entry to the final year of an

honours degree.

Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND)

Higher National Certificates and Diplomas

are one and two-year career-related higher

education courses, which are equivalent to the

first stages of a degree. Students may top up

the qualification to a degree by transferring

into the second or third year of a degree

course.

45Education UK

46 Education UK


() (PCLL)

()

34() ()

21

(HNC)(HND)

12HNC/HND23

48 Education UK

Apply for undergraduate courses

Unlike many other countries, application to

UK undergraduate courses should be made

online through the Universities and Colleges

Admissions Service (UCAS). Students only need

to fill in one application form (except if they

are applying to the University of Cambridge,

which requires a separate application). While

university admissions tutors make the selection

decisions, UCAS manages applications for most

undergraduate study at UK universities and

colleges. On the UCAS website, students can:

search for courses

apply online

track the progress of their application

accept offers

and link to other related websites.

For undergraduate music courses at the nine

UK music conservatoires, admissions are

handled by the Conservatoires UK Admissions

Service, www.cukas.ac.uk. To apply to the Royal

Academy of Music or the Guildhall School of

Music & Drama, visit their websites for more

information.

HKDSE and UK universities and colleges

There are several pathways to UK higher

education. If you meet the academic

requirements in your HKDSE results, you can

move straight to Year 1 of a bachelors degree.

Alternatively, you can start with an international

foundation programme or a range of other

qualifications that can lead to a UK bachelors

degree or equip you with skills for various

careers.

Most UK universities and colleges have

confirmed their admissions requirements for

HKDSE students. The HKDSE is included in the

UCAS Tariff, which is benchmarked against GCE

A-levels, with HKDSE Levels 3 to 5** broadly

equivalent to GCE A-level Grades E to A*.

Information about the Tariff can be found at

www.ucas.com.

UK universities and colleges determine their

own admissions requirements based on the

course needs and competition for places. They

will use the UCAS Tariff as a reference. You can

also check details on the individual institutions

website or the HKEAA website

www.hkeaa.edu.hk.

The UK offers flexible pathways so if you

have not achieved the equivalent of three

GCE A-levels, dont worry! You can still

achieve your ambition of completing a

bachelors degree by first studying a one-year

international foundation programme, a one-

year international diploma, a two-year Higher

National Diploma, or a two-year foundation

degree.

UK universities value all elements of the

HKDSE so you do not need to take parallel

qualifications such as GCE A-levels. You do

need to meet English language requirements,

normally a minimum Level 4 of the HKDSE or

IELTS 6.0 or above are sufficient.

Universities make conditional offers based on

your application through the UCAS system.

You need to let them know the subjects in

which you will be examined. Conditional offers

are made before your results are known and

they will be confirmed as soon as universities

receive your results, if you have achieved the

required grades. Visit www.ucas.com to start

preparing your application, including your

personal statement.

49Education UK

(UCAS)()UCASUCAS

9(Conservatoire UK Admissions Service)www.cukas.ac.uk(Guildhall School of Music & Drama)

UCASGCE A-levels35**GCE A-levelEA*www.ucas.com

UCASwww.hkeaa.edu.hk

GCE A-levels 311 22

GCE A-levels4IELTS6.0

UCASwww.ucas.com(personal statement)

50 Education UK

General admissions requirements

Notes:

Bachelors degrees in the UK are normally

completed to Honours level.

Applied Learning subjects that are Attained

with Distinction may be accepted as

equivalent to Level 3 in HKDSE.

Pathways to higher education

International foundation programme

Some further education colleges and

universities offer one-year international

foundation programmes for international

students whose school-leaving qualifications

do not meet the requirements for direct entry

to an undergraduate degree. In addition

to core subjects, such as English language

and study skills, students can specialise in

a range of subjects such as art and design,

business, engineering, humanities, information

technology, law and science.

Successful completion of the course can lead

to the first year of a related undergraduate

course at either a specific university or a

number of universities.

International diploma

One-year international diplomas (also known

as international year one) are equivalent to

the first year of an undergraduate degree.

Successful completion guarantees entry

to the second year of a bachelors degree

course. They are designed for international

students who are over-qualified for a university

foundation programme, but do not have the

academic or English level for direct entry to an

undergraduate degree course.

Courses are often taught in small class size at

local partner colleges. You will normally gain

full university student status and have access

to university facilities as well as those at the

partner college.

Applying for pathway courses

Application for pathway courses should be

made directly to pathway providers normally

six months before the start of term.

Postgraduate

Taught postgraduate

There are two main types of taught

postgraduate courses: 12-month masters

degrees (MA, MSc), which normally consist of

lectures and seminars plus a dissertation; and

nine-month diploma or certificate courses,

which consist of lectures and seminars

(sometimes the same taught elements as a

masters course), but without the dissertation

element. Some diploma courses enable you to

transfer to a masters degree upon successful

completion.

HKDSE UK courses available

Levels 2,2,2 to 4,3,3 1-year international foundation programme leading to first year of abachelors degree

Levels 3,3,3 to 4,4,4 1-year international diploma leading to second year of a bachelors degree or 2-year Higher National Diploma (HND) or foundation degree leading to 1-year top-up for a bachelors degree

Levels 4,3,3 to 5**,5,5 Year 1 of a bachelors degree

51Education UK

52 Education UK


32,2,24,3,3

33,3,34,4,4

34,3,35**,5,5

1

12

2(HND)

3

1

1( )2

112() ()29 ()

54 Education UK

Research postgraduate

A research degree (Master of Philosophy

or Doctor of Philosophy within a specific

discipline) is the ultimate opportunity to

pursue your own specialist interests. You

will be expected to initiate and develop your

own topic and research proposal under the

supervision of one or possibly two academics.

Intellectual independence is an essential

quality for students who wish to pursue

their academic interests at this level. MPhils

normally take two years to complete, whilst

PhDs take at least three years.

MBA

The prestigious Master of Business

Administration (MBA) degree covers topics

such as business policy and strategy,

operational and strategic management and

international trade.

To find out about postgraduate and

professional qualifications, go to

www.educationuk.org/hongkong.

Applying for postgraduate courses

For most postgraduate courses you will need

to apply directly to the UK university or college

at which you want to study. Some universities

will also accept applications for postgraduate

study through UKPASS, www.ukpass.ac.uk.

Useful websites

Undergraduate

www.ucas.com (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

www.unistats.com (Unistats)

Postgraduate

www.mbaworld.com (Association of MBAs)

www.newroutephd.ac.uk (New Route PhD)

www.postgrad.com (Postgraduate course search)

www.prospects.ac.uk (The UKs official graduate careers website)

www.ukpass.ac.uk (UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service)


Admission tests

Undergraduate

www.admissionstestingservice.org (Admissions Testing Service)

www.lnat.ac.uk (National Admissions Test for Law)

www.ukcat.ac.uk (UK Clinical Aptitude Test)

Postgraduate

www.ets.org/gre (Graduate Record Examinations)

www.mba.com/gmat (Graduate Management Admission Test)

www.gamsatuk.org (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test)

UK courses in Hong Kong

www.edb.gov.hk/ncr (Non-local higher and professional education courses, The Education Bureau, HKSAR Government)

www.britishcouncil.hk/en/study-uk/qualification-hong-kong (Studying for a UK qualification in Hong Kong)


(/)12() 23

(MBA)


UKPASS(www.ukpass.ac.uk)

www.ucas.com (Universities and Colleges

Admissions Service)


www.mbaworld.com (Association of MBAs)

www.newroutephd.ac.uk (New Route PhD)

www.postgrad.com (Postgraduate course search)

www.prospects.ac.uk (The UKs official graduate careers website)

www.ukpass.ac.uk (UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service)


www.admissionstestingservice.org (Admissions Testing Service)

www.lnat.ac.uk (National Admissions Test for Law)

www.ukcat.ac.uk (UK Clinical Aptitude Test)

www.ets.org/gre (Graduate Record Examinations)

www.mba.com/gmat (Graduate Management Admission Test)

www.gamsatuk.org (Graduate Medical

School Admissions Test)

www.edb.gov.hk/ncr (Non-local higher

and professional education courses, The Education Bureau, HKSAR Government)

www.britishcouncil.hk/study-uk/qualification-hong-kong (Studying for a UK

qualification in Hong Kong)

56 Education UK

Research performance

www.ref.ac.uk (Research Excellence

Framework)

Quality assurance

www.gov.uk/check-a-university-is-officially-

recognised (Check if a university or college

is officially recognised)

www.qaa.ac.uk (The Quality Assurance

Agency for Higher Education)

University league tables (non-official)

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

(The Complete University Guide)

www.guardian.co.uk/education/

universityguide (Guardian University Guide)

http://extras.thetimes.co.uk/public/good_

university_guide_landing/institutions (The

Times Good University Guide)

http://rankings.ft.com/

businessschoolrankings/rankings (Financial

Times Business School Ranking)

Qualifications that take you places

Qualifications from UK universities, colleges and schools are internationally recognised for their high academic standards. UK higher education institutions are typically research intensive. In addition, the UK curriculum focuses on real world skills, such as how to think critically, study independently and excel as a team player and leader.


www.ref.ac.uk (Research Excellence

Framework)

www.gov.uk/check-a-university-is-officially-

recognised (Check if a university or college is officially recognised)

www.qaa.ac.uk (The Quality Assurance

Agency for Higher Education)

() www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

(The Complete University Guide)

www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide (Guardian University Guide)

http://extras.thetimes.co.uk/public/good_university_guide_landing/institutions (The Times Good University Guide)

http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/rankings

(Financial Times Business School Ranking)

58 Education UK

? TED *BITE

BITE ?BITEBITEBITE 2012BITE/

BITE?

BITE? BITE

BITE? BITE

* 300

: http://www.ted.com/profiles/299638/fellow http://www.ted.com/participate/ted-fellows-program

Alumnus Apurv Mishra

Institution BITE Sixth Form College(BITE)

What are you doing now? I am currently studying at Cambridge University as a TED fellow* and researching on a specialist topic I encountered while studying at BITE.

How did your study at BITE prepare you for your career? My studies at the British Institute of Technology & E-commerce (BITE) has given me the knowledge and research skills to look beyond the horizon and identify ways I can help disabled people. Finding ways to help fellow beings do what I am able to do is a career close to my heart. BITE expert staff exposed my understanding and guided me to one of the top institutions in the UK. My work at BITE was recognised by Microsoft as outstanding, and I received the 2012 BITE/Microsoft award for outstanding project.

What particular life skills did studying at BITE give you? At BITE I developed my presentation and leadership skills, with greater emphasis in the core specialisation areas of technology and e-commerce. I am currently using e-commerce as a vehicle to support my research for disabled people.

What involvement with BITE will you keep in the future? I hope to engage colleagues at BITE in the research I am currently undertaking and hope this will lead to many areas of discovery.

What makes you feel proud about having studied at BITE? I feel proud of BITE as it allowed me to freely engage with lecturers and industry experts, allowing me to understand the foundations of the field I am currently researching.

* With a global network of over 300 Fellows strong, the TED Fellows program is a hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration, connection and innovation.

Ref: http://www.ted.com/profiles/299638/fellow http://www.ted.com/participate/ted-fellows-program

Meet the students

58 Education UK

59Education UK

?1,000(2,000 - 5,000)

??

?

?

?

?

?!

Student Karen Kan

Institution Bangor University

Course Psychology

Why did you choose to study at Bangor University in North Wales?Being able to study near the countryside. Also, Bangor University awarded me with 1,000 scholarship (New UGs are now offered between 2,000 - 5,000 per year of study).

Why did you choose to do Psychology in general and why do it at Bangor in particular?I chose Psychology as it will allow me to look closely at peoples behaviour. Bangors Psychology is a top UK department in which the ratings of its student satisfaction and research quality are outstanding and it has recently been ranked in the top 100 in the world.

What support do you receive from your institution? Starting from welcome week, peer guides are allocated to small groups of students in order to provide them guidance and facilitate them to meet new people. I also received attention from a one-to-one international student learning advisor and a personal tutor.

What do you particularly like about studying in North Wales at Bangor University? Unlike other universities, Bangor is a small community with the university campus close to city centre, allowing students and local citizens to establish caring relationships and a warm atmosphere.

Besides studying, what other activities do you enjoy? In my spare time, I participate in two volunteering projects that help me to understand the psychology of humans, and fulfill my desire on helping others. I enjoy travelling to nearby attractions to indulge myself in the beauty of North Wales.

How do you think studying in the UK will benefit you in the future? A fundamental advantage of studying overseas is to provide me chances in practicing English. I have learnt to live independently and become a self-motivated learner. Besides this experience of studying in UK has widened my insights in learning the cultural differences and facilitated my critical thinking when encountering problems. The UK system of three-year undergraduate and one-year master courses is shorter than the courses in other countries such as the United State and Canada, saving me time and money and letting me start work earlier.

What advice would you give to someone in Hong Kong who is considering studying in the UK at Bangor?The purchase of warm winter coat is necessary! Actively joining society events and volunteering are good starting points for you to meet course mates. These interactions with people from different countries and cultures are a sort of knowledge that you will not learn from books.

59Education UK

60 Education UK

Student Christer Leung

Institution Falmouth University

Course Performance Sportswear Design

Why Falmouth?Not many places offer something as specific as Performance Sportswear Design. I spoke to two alumni who share the same passion as me in football kits. They have great things to say about the course. The international team were very helpful in answering all my questions and made it a much easier decision.

How have you found the course?I love it. The tutors and technical staff are very encouraging and helpful. They are doing a great job in convincing us to be brave and to try new things. I like that we are doing work with the Fashion Design students as we can learn a lot from each other.Everyone is so friendly here. Both campuses are great. Falmouth is very charming. Penryn has very modern facilities. The library and IT suite are pretty good too!

Are you involved with any clubs and societies?I play on two teams, badminton and tennis. I am also an avid participant at many of the International Society Events.

Whats the best thing about living in Falmouth?Falmouth is a great little town. Even though I dont do any water sports, I enjoy being close to the water. I think being far away from a big city allows students to really focus on learning.

What advice would you give to students planning on coming to Falmouth?Id tell them to come! But if they are in doubt, join one of the Facebook groups of the courses they want to get into and speak to students who are currently doing the course. Reach out to alumni on social media. And if its possible, come visit the campus.

The future?I want to design football kits and all types of sportswear. I would like to work in the UK or Europe. I am confident my Falmouth education and experience will take me places!

?

?

(Falmouth)(Penryn)

?

?

?

?

60 Education UK

61Education UK

Student Amy Chan

Institution University of Gloucestershire

Course LLB

Why did you choose to study in the UK? I travelled to the UK a few years ago and I love the environment here.Also I did some research on the course in the UK and it is less stressful to learn in the UK compared to Hong Kong.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Gloucestershire?I went to an open day and talked to the teachers. I was attracted by the friendly staff in the University and the course outline. Therefore, I chose to study at the University of Gloucestershire.

What do you particularly like about studying at the University of Gloucestershire?I particularly like the support from my tutor, and the lectures. We have small group sessions in which we can ask questions directly. Also, we have regular tutor meetings and my tutor is very kind and helpful. He gave me lots of advice related to my study and my future career.

Besides studying, what other activities do you enjoy?I joined the Chinese student fellowship in Cheltenham. This group organises various activities like meeting other students and trips around the UK. We share our views and experience related to our UK life and study. Also, I love travelling around with my friends. I have been to different EU countries and travelled within the UK.

How do you think studying in the UK will benefit you in the future?Firstly, I have learned how to deal with cultural differences. Also, the teaching method in the UK is more dynamic and allows more interaction with the lecturer. This way of learning trains me to think in a more flexible and logical way.

What advice would you give to someone in Hong Kong who is considering studying in the UK at the University of Gloucestershire?University of Gloucestershire can provide a supportive environment for studying. Also, University of Gloucestershire is located in Gloucester and Cheltenham which is a peaceful area. You can get everything you need in the town centre and enjoy beautiful Cotswold views at the same time.

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Student Wells Ng

Institution University of Hull

Course BA Marketing

Why did you choose to study at the University of Hull?From my point of view, the University of Hull is a good place to gain social experience. Many international students think that university rankings are the most important thing to consider when applying to study abroad. Remember that social skills are also considered when graduates apply for jobs.

What do you do at Hull besides studying?I am currently working for the Hong Kong Society. I have learnt how to build good relationships with the society members and various committees. Organising events is a challenge, but I have used the marketing knowledge I have gained from my degree and applied it to improving how the society operates and to increase student membership.

What support do you receive from the University?The University of Hull offers opportunities to students to gain more experience, which is quite useful in real life. You will find that the reason to study in this university is not only to increase academic knowledge, it is also about gaining essential life skills, which will help you when you graduate.

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Student Katie Chau

Institution University of Kent

Course Business Administration BBA (Hons)()

Why did you choose to study at the University of Kent?I chose to study at the University of Kent because of its rapidly improving ranking, professional teachers and the lovely green environment of the campus. Canterbury is a relaxing city and living and studying here allows me to perform better academically.

What do you particularly like about studying at Kent?I have been able to balance my university life with studying and socialising, and I enjoy the chance to share new ideas with my course mates during class.

What do you hope to do when you finish your current programme?I plan to work in the public relations sector and I am currently the events organiser of the Universitys Hong Kong Society. This experience at Kent has allowed me to get a better idea of public relations and will help me after I graduate.

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Student Ruby Ming Yan Lam

Institution Loughborough University

Course Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Why did you choose to study at Loughborough University?Loughborough University has an excellent reputation for its heartening academic atmosphere, superior teaching quality, and all-round campus facilities. In particular, it is renowned for providing excellent student experience, as the winner of 6 Best Student Experience awards. The Business School is triple accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB, making it one of the top business schools in the world! All of these enhanced my confidence so the decision was easy for me!

What support do you receive from your School, your tutors and classmates? Breeding Winners - the slogan of my competitive MBA programme, reveals the nature of the my course - challenging as it requires concerted effort and high concentration yet rewarding in a sense that it is very well structured taught in a small group, maximizing my opportunities to engage in class discussions and debates. These accelerated my academic learning to a great extent.

When daunted by my studies upon arrival, I received full support, words of encouragement and expert guidance from many motivating and awe-inspiring professors as well as my compassionate and intelligent classmates who are experienced and self-assured. We are all just like a big family with different nationalities!

What do you particularly like about studying the MBA course?The design of the Loughborough MBA programme focuses on enterprise and innovation. Businesses today require leaders with creativity and vision to lead organizations through challenging changes to adapt to the global business environment. I believe the skills I learnt will equip me with competitive advantages in my future career. The positive atmosphere during my one-year MBA studies helped me not only to achieve my best academic potentials but also to develop a more active attitude towards life.

Besides studying, what other activities do you enjoy? My eyes sparkled with enormous excitement when I first saw the comprehensive sport facilities on campus! I joined the Loughborough Polo and Equestrian Clubs since I love horses and it is a sport too expensive to play in Hong Kong!

What advice would you give to someone in Hong Kong who is considering studying in Loughborough University?My motto is Dont be afraid to fail, be afraid NOT TO TRY! My advice for you is just come and you will never regret!

(Loughborough)?AMBAEQUISAACSB

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Student Antoni Ip

Institution Merchiston Castle School

Why did you choose to study in the UK/Scotland? My parents attended university in the UK so they knew that the education system was better here, which is something they wanted me to benefit from.

Why did you choose to study at Merchiston? When researching schools in the UK, we based this mainly on rankings and academic results; Merchiston featured highly in these. Also, I liked the idea of studying in Scotland as it is a bit different from being in England.

Why did you choose your particular subject majors? I am taking Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Art at AS level. I chose these subjects because they are my favourites and I am good at them, I also want to study architecture at University of Cambridge and these subjects lead to this.

What support do you receive from your institution? I can take extension classes in my subjects; we learn extra things that arent on the syllabus just because we are interested in them. I am also part of Merchistons Cecil Stagg Society, which provides further opportunities for pupils to meet and be challenged academically. The great thing about Merchiston is that the teachers are willing to answer all of my questions, no matter how many I ask!

What facilities does Merchiston have that you think are particularly useful? Merchiston is set in expansive grounds but still close to Edinburgh city centre so I can go into town easily. The School is also close to an international airport which is useful for me when I am travelling home.

Besides studying, what other activities do you enjoy? I enjoy rowing at the local Union Canal. Last term, I took skiing lessons at the dry ski slope, which is less than 10 minutes away from School, and went on the School ski trip to Solden, Austria. I am also part of the Astronomy Club, which I really enjoy because it involves a lot of Physics! I have taken up self-study classes in Electronics and Music; I am a keen violinist, so being able to learn to compose music is something I have really enjoyed.

How do you think studying in the UK will benefit you in the future? I am glad I came to study in the UK because A levels are an internationally recognised and well known qualification. The syllabus here goes into greater depth and this, along with being in the UK, will improve my chances of getting into a British university.

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Student Jaycee Chau

Institution University of Nottingham

Course BSc Finance, Accounting and Management

Ever since a young age, I have been fascinated with foreign traveland have thought about studying

abroad. The main reason why I chose to study in the UK is the good reputation of British education system

as well as its worldwide recognition of qualifications, which is a guarantee of my value as a future employee.

Here in Nottingham, the university provides us a wide range of career and personal support, such as an

extensive collection of the up-to-date information on employers and job opportunities both in the UK and

internationally, or the social gatherings with business insiders and workshops co-hosted with renowned

firms.

But there is something more that makes studying here a once in a lifetime experience, as you can never

study in a different country without becoming a part of that country. I came to study in the England

is because of its already multi-cultural environment. European students choose it because of the

geographical convenience; American students choose it because of the common language. You can

experience British culture firsthand and make new friends from almost everywhere in the world, enhancing

your cross-cultural competency.

Studying abroad does not limit to learning from professors and textbooks, but also the culture and tradition

of the rest of the colleagues and that of the country of study. Nottingham students have this especially

positive attitude towards school life work hard play hard, therefore being the number one target for

graduate employers! Not to mention what a lively and vibrant city it is with the rich mix of contemporary

culture and ancient history, you will never get bored and absolutely enjoy studying here. For Hong Kongers

who are considering studying in the UK at Nottingham, here is my advice: take chances, and experience as

much as you can. You will gain much more than you can imagine.

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Student Zoey Tsui

Institution University of East Anglia

Course MPharm Pharmacy

Why did you choose to study abroad?To challenge myself by going to another country that I am not familiar with, so I would have to get along with new people and adapt to a completely new environment. In this way, I became more independent and mature, and the most important thing is I know myself better: e.g. what I want from the future.

Why did you choose to study at UEA?Pharmacy has a really good ranking in all the league tables and 100% success in gaining pre-registration placements for their students. It also is a really modern course and involves placements from the first year so I could get a good insight into the career.

Why did you choose your particular subject major? I like science and helping people, and it has good job prospects.

What support do you receive from your institution?Pharmacy is not an easy subject to do, so our school organised some tutorials and workshops to help us with the modules, and a personal advisor encourages and gives advice to me when I am frustrated.

What do you particularly like about studying at UEA?I particularly like the sportspark at the campus and the campus is beautiful.

Besides studying, what other activities do you enjoy?I enjoy being part of the UEA choir, exercising, and traveling to other places around UK and Europe.

What do you hope to do when you finish your current programme?As Chinese medicine/ herbal medicines are more popular now, I am hoping to study a short course about that. I will also take the conversion exam in HK and register as a pharmacist in HK as well as UK.

What advice would you give to someone in Hong Kong who is considering studying in the UK?Think about why you want to study aboard, what you want to achieve.

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Staff Joe Rossiter

BSc (Hons), PG Cert, PG Dip, Leeds Metropolitan University

International Development Officer, Leeds Metropolitan University

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Institution Leeds Metropolitan University

What support do you provide for international students? At Leeds Metropolitan we provide support and advice about many issues which may affect you as an international student, including immigration & visas, employment, financial difficulties, emotional support, CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) and any general matters. We will support you through your entire student journey from the moment you enquire to the day you graduate.

We also employ expert academics who maintain close links with industry to ensure that you leave us with the latest skills, knowledge and professional accreditation that your choice of career demands.

In what ways do you provide a good student experience for international students? We were ranked 1st in the UK for size of classes and assessment, and 1st in the UK and 4th in the world for personal tutors. 99.5% of our international students were satisfied with our expert lecturers.*

From modern facilities and great research and learning resources, to fantastic support services and guaranteed accommodation for international students there are lots of reasons to make Leeds Metropolitan your first choice.

One of the biggest cities in England, Leeds has a population of 751,500 and is conveniently located in the middle of the UK, just over two hours by train from London. Already one of the countrys top shopping destinations, Leeds retail sector was transformed in 2013 with the opening of the 350 million Trinity Leeds shopping and leisure centre, right in the heart of the city.

What advice would you give to international students who are considering which institution to attend? As a graduate from a UK university, I can honestly say that it is imperative to gather as much information as you can before making your final decision on which university to attend. Whilst your course of study is an important factor, it is not the only factor which you need to consider. Studying in the UK, will give you access to a huge range of opportunities to further enhance your knowledge and skills. You need to feel confident that you are choosing a university which can provide you personally, the perfect environment in which to succeed.

* International Student Barometer, Autumn Wave 2013. The survey consists of 53 UK universities and 170 globally.

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* 2013(International Student Barometer, Autumn Wave 2013)17053

Meet the staff


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Staff Professor David S. Jones

DSc., C. Eng., C. Chem Chair of Biomaterial Science and Director of Education School of Pharmacy, Queens University Belfast

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Institution Queens University Belfast

Why do you welcome international students at Queens University Belfast?Queens is a member of the Russell Group, one of the UKs leading research-intensive universities. We understand that international students make a difference. Approximately 1,300 international students from over 80 countries are currently studying at Queens. The rich mix of different cultures and outlooks throughout our student body and staff makes us the dynamic and innovative university we are today. In fact, Queens University Belfast was recently listed in the top 25 most international universities in the world by the Times Higher Education.

What support do you provide to International students?The International Student Support team is here to help international students make the most of their experience at Queens. This team will provide international students with the support, advice and guidance that they might need during their time at Queens. The teams services include organising a welcome and orientation programme and airport transfer service for new students, providing immigration and welfare advice and organising a social programme throughout the year. International students are also given priority for a place in University accommodation for at least their first year at Queens. Elms Student Village and other student houses are located within easy walking distance of the University in a pleasant residential area.

In what ways do you provide a good student experience?The University provides international students wi

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Study in the UK guide