Higher Education
WHAT IS HIGHER EDUCATION?
The purpose of higher education is the attainment of an academic degree. It takes place after a student has finished secondary education which consists of GCSEs, A Levels, BTEC courses and international baccalaureate. There are 8 levels of education framework of qualifications. Higher education is at 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 levels.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR QUALIFICATIONS, EXAMS AND REMARKING IN UK EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS
High education consists of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree BA, BSc & MB
- Postgraduate Masters degree
- Doctorate (PhD)
- Foundation degree
- Diplomas
WHAT ARE OTHER NAMES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION?
Higher education is also known as post secondary education, third level education or tertiary education.
WHERE DOES HIGHER EDUCATION TAKE PLACE?
Higher education usually takes place at universities and further education colleges around the UK.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO START HIGHER EDUCATION?
You have to be 18 years of age.
HOW CAN YOU APPLY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES?
Full time higher education courses
There are 2 ways you can apply for full time higher education courses. They are;
1. UCAS – UCAS is short for the universities and colleges admissions service. It is a charity based organisation for students of 18 years and older to make applications to UK universities and colleges for higher education. UCAS is used by UK and International students. UCAS is discussed further below on this webpage.
2. National Careers Service – The national careers service is operated by the department of education. It is funded by the education and skills agency. It guides individuals about career choice, higher education courses, training and jobs that are available.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE – FIND A COURSE
Part time higher education courses
You can apply for part time higher education courses through:
1. National Careers Service – The national careers service is operated by the department of education. It is funded by the education and skills agency. It guides individuals about career choice, higher education courses, training and jobs that are available.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE – FIND A COURSE
Open university courses
You can apply for an open university higher education course through
1. The Open University – The open university is the term used to describe flexible full or part time high education learning from home or where else you choose and online. You don’t have to attend a campus university, classes or lectures.
WHAT IS UNISTATS?
Unistats is a website where you can compare different universities and their courses. It helps students make decisions regarding their higher education.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR DISCOVER UNI – SEARCH AND COMPARE COURSES IN THE UK
WHAT IS UCAS?
As stated above UCAS is short for the universities and colleges admissions service. It is a charity based organisation for students of 18 years and older to make applications to UK universities and colleges for higher education. UCAS is used by UK and International students.
There are many aspects of UCAS which we need to explain to you. Here we will give you a very basic understanding using our usual question and answer format so when you go onto the UCAS website you are aware.
What does UCAS deal with and how can it help you?
- Applying to Universities for higher education study.
- Helping you choose what and where to study
- Giving you dates for university open days so you can visit them
- They have a clearing system which allows you to obtain a university place on a course if you have not achieved the grades required for the original course you applied for.
- Provide student support services
- Help with student accommodation
- Helps with funding your higher education.
- Information on any aptitude or admissions tests as a prerequisite for applying for certain courses.
- UCAS organised events and exhibitions
- Details on apprenticeships
- Information on employers
What are UCAS points?
UCAS and universities have entry requirements for most of their courses. They require students to have a certain amount of UCAS points to be eligible to apply for certain courses. The number of UCAS points is determined by a student’s pre-higher education results. UCAS points are calculated by converting these results (such as A levels, BTEC, EPQ, diploma) into UCAS points. This allows university course providers to compare all the applicants that apply for their courses.
For example:
A Level qualification at A* = 48 UCAS points.
An EPQ qualification has 28 UCAS points.
LINK TO UCAS WEBSITE TO CALCULATE YOUR UCAS TARIFF POINTS
What are admissions tests?
These are tests a student must do as part of their application for enrolling into certain courses at certain universities. Good scores in these tests are a prerequisite for getting onto the course.
ELAT – English literature admissions test
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD ELAT.
LNAT – National admissions test of Law
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD LNAT
CAT – Classics admissions test
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD CAT
HAT – History aptitude test
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD HAT
MAT – Mathematics admissions tests
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD MAT
MLAT – Modern languages admissions tests
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD MLAT
AMELAT (formerly known as the OLAT) – Asian and middle eastern languages aptitude test
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD AMELAT – formerly known as the OLAT
PAT – Physics aptitude test
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD PAT
PHILOSOPHY TEST – Philosophy test for applying for philosophy and theology course
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD PHILOSOPHY TEST
BMAT – Biomedical admissions tests
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD BMAT
TSA – Thinking skills assessment
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR OXFORD TSA
What is clearing?
Clearing is a system organised by UCAS by which universities and colleges fill their courses where seats are still available.
It is also a way for students who have not achieved the required grades to be admitted onto the course they initially applied for to get onto another course at the same university or another university.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR UNIVERSITY CLEARING THROUGH UCAS
UCAS Exam results helpline – 0808 100 8000
Funding your higher education?
All undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees have tuition fees that must be paid to the university before you start your course. You may also need funds for maintenance and living expenses, books and materials (university costs) if you move away from home to attend your course Tuition fees and maintenance expenses can be applied for together. You will be applying for a student loan.
LINK TO UCAS WEBSITE FOR STUDENT FINANCE
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR STUDENT FINANCE
What is your personal statement?
As part of your application through UCAS for a place on a university course you must submit a personal statement.
LINK TO UCAS WEBSITE – WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT
What are super-curricular activities?
Super-curricular activities are activities that a student has done that is related to their chosen field and subject of study and they have chosen to study more or go into more depth than that that has been taught by the school or college.
What are extracurricular activities?
Extra-curricular activities are activities that a student does which are not related to their field of study and are outside their chosen subject of study.
School references and grade predictions
As part of the UCAS application process to get a place on a course at a university your school will need to provide a reference in which they will give an idea of your predicted A level grades.
WHAT IS AN UK ANCIENT UNIVERSITY?
An ancient university in the UK is one of 7 universities established centuries ago. They are the original UK universities founded between the 12th and 16th centuries.
Oxford University was the first university in the UK. It was founded between 1096 and 1167.
Cambridge University founded in 1209.
St Andrews University founded in 1413
Glasgow University founded in 1451
Aberdeen University founded 1495
Edinburgh University founded in 1582
Dublin University founded in 1592
WHAT IS A RUSSELL GROUP UNIVERSITY?
A Russell Group was formed in 1994 and comprised 17 universities. Today in 2022 there are 24 elite internationally recognised members, the majority of which are at the top of the UK university league tables. The focus on research and academic achievement of these universities is high.
The Russell Group since 2007 is an official organisation.
Universities in the Russell Group have the highest rates of students completing their degrees. Many employers regard a degree from a Russell Group university more prestigious because they have high entrance requirements and lower student acceptance rates.
The institute of fiscal studies has shown that graduates from Russell Group universities earn approximately 10% more than graduates from non Russell Group universities.
LINK TO INSTITUTE OF FISCAL STUDIES
The Russell Group universities are:
- Oxford University
- Cambridge University
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Birmingham University
- Bristol University
- Cardiff University
- Durham University
- York University
- Warwick University
- University College London
- Southampton University
- Sheffield University
- Queens University – Belfast
- Queen Mary University London
- Nottingham University
- Newcastle University
- Manchester University
- Liverpool University
- Leeds University
- Kings College London
- Imperial College London
- Glasgow University
- Exeter University
- Edinburgh University
WHAT IS A RED BRICK UNIVERSITY?
Red Brick is a group of 6 universities, all of whom are in the Russell Group. These 6 red brick universities focus more on technical subjects and are located in the major 19th century industrial cities of England.
Red Brick universities are:
- Birmingham University
- Bristol University
- Leeds University
- Liverpool University
- Manchester University
- Sheffield University
WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE UNIVERSITY?
The University Alliance was formed in 2006 and is a group of technical, design and science focused universities that partner with industry and teach skills and provide practical learning. There are 12 members of the University Alliance.
LINK TO UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE WEBSITE
WHAT IS A MILLIONPLUS UNIVERSITY?
Million Plus is a group of modern UK universities founded in 1997. Members of this group were founded after 1992 or given university status after 1992.
HOW TO APPLY TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY?
The UCAS application for both these universities has to be submitted much earlier than UCAS applications for other universities. The application opens in May and has to be submitted from early September to mid October a whole year before the course at these universities starts.
Please keep an eye out for these deadlines to submit your UCAS application.
You cannot apply to both Oxford University and Cambridge University at the same time.There are usually many steps, tests, interviews , submission of written work, and other requirements to get a place or an offer from these two universities.
The interviews are usually conducted in December and if successful you will receive an offer in January.
LINK TO UCAS WEBSITE – MAKING AN APPLICATION TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS
A university open day is free. It is when students who are thinking about applying to the university can look around and take in the colleges, facilities, accommodation and social scene. They can meet lecturers, existing students, and learn about what student life is like on campus (if it is a campus university).
You can take your parents with you on these open days. The university may give away free goody bags with a notepad, pen and other memorabilia.
LINK TO UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS WEBSITE
LINK TO UCAS – UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS
WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY FAIR?
Another name for a university fair is a university exhibition or convention. Many universities will have a stand at a fair and have a few representatives to talk to and answer the questions of prospective students. You can pick up a prospectus which is a brochure detailing information about the university and its courses.
UCAS (please see the write up above) also holds university fairs.
Take a strong bag with you so you can carry the prospectuses you are given.
LINK TO UK UNIVERSITY SEARCH FAIRS
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND BRITISH UNIVERSITIES
Like all universities across the world, British universities have a high intake of international students that reside abroad and come to the UK to study. According to the higher education stats agency (HESA) in 2020-2021 approximately 605,000.00 international students enrolled in British universities.
International students make up approximately 20% of the British university population.
The fees charged to international students are much higher than those charged to domestic students.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR UCAS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR UCAS FOR TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR UCAS – INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE GUIDE
WHAT IS OPEN UNIVERSITY (ALSO KNOWN AS DISTANCE LEARNING)?
The open university is a process where an individual can study for a degree which is different from a regular university. The differences are:
- Unlike a regular university student where they attend lectures and classes in person, the open university student studies using online classes and/or printed materials.
- Tutorials can be available online
- The student can be anywhere in the world, even at home.
- It is cheaper.
- It is flexible.
The open university is also known as distance learning. You can study full-time or part-time.