Education in the United Kingdom
Each of the countries of the United Kingdom has separate systems under separate governments: the UK Government is responsible for England, and the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively. While the systems in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are more similar, the Scottish system is quite different.
Higher education:
Higher education is provided by three main types of institutions: universities, colleges and institutions of higher education and art and music colleges. All universities are autonomous institutions, particularly in matters relating to courses. Universities UK examine matters of concern to all universities. Many colleges and institutions of higher education are the result of mergers of teacher training colleges and other colleges. The Department for Education and Skills is responsible for all universities. Non-university higher education institutions also provide degree courses, various non-degree courses and postgraduate qualifications. Some may offer Higher Degrees and other qualifications offered by most non-university higher education institutions are validated by external bodies such as a local university or the Open University.
University level studies:
• University level first stage: Undergraduate stage:
This stage lasts for 3-4 years and leads to the award of a Bachelor's Degree in Arts, Science or other fields (Technology, Law, Engineering, etc.). In some Scottish universities the first degree is a Master's Degree. The Bachelor's Degree is conferred as a Pass Degree or an Honors Degree where studies are more specialized. The Bachelor's Honors Degree is classified as a First Class Honors, a Second Class Honors or a Third Class Honors. In some universities and colleges of higher education, a two-year course leads to a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE). This is a recognized qualification in its own right. Some universities have adopted the credit-unit or modular system of assessment. In some universities students must follow a foundation course before embarking on the course leading to the Bachelor's Degree. Students of foreign languages are sometimes required to study or work for an additional year in the country of the target language. Sandwich courses generally involve an additional year's work experience. Some institutions have introduced accelerated two-year degrees which require students to study during the normal vacation period. It is now rare for the class of degree to depend entirely on student performance in final examinations. Most institutions base a component of the degree class on examinations taken during the period of study, especially those taken at the end of the second year, and many also use some form of continuous assessment. The majority of degree courses also involve the research and writing of an extensive thesis or dissertation, normally making up around 50% of the final year assessment.
• University level second stage: Master's Degree, Master of Philosophy:
Study at master's level is at the forefront of an academic or professional discipline. Students must show originality in their application of knowledge and advancement of knowledge. The normal entry requirement for a Master's degree is a good Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree is normally studied over one year. Some Master's programmes, including the M.Eng, are integrated in undergraduate programmes and result in a postgraduate qualification, not an undergraduate one, after four years of study. At a university, after two years of additional study and the successful presentation of a thesis, students obtain the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) degree.
• University level third stage: Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Doctorate:
After usually three years' further study beyond the Master's Degree, the candidate may present a thesis for the Doctorate of Philosophy (D.Phil. or Ph.D.).A further stage leads to Higher Doctorates which may be awarded by a university in Law, Humanities, Science, Medical Sciences, Music and Theology after a candidate, usually a senior university teacher, has submitted a number of learned, usually published, works.
Foreign student admission
A foreign student is referred a person who is enrolled at an institution of higher education in Great Britain but is not a permanent resident.
Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold qualifications equivalent to the United Kingdom General Certificate of Education with five or six passes including two at Advanced level.
Entry regulations: Passport, a visa and evidence confirming their registration in full-time courses and evidence of funds.
Health requirements: Students who come from countries outside the European Union need a medical certificate
Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of English. English courses and English-as-a-Foreign-Language courses are available in the private/state sector.
Application procedures:
Apply to individual institution for entry to: For access to Post Graduates studies.
Apply to national body for entry to: For undergraduate studies.
Apply to: Universities and College Admission Service (UCAS)
Top 10 universities of UK
University Ranking:
1. University of Oxford
2. University of Cambridge
3. Imperial College London
4. University of St. Andrews
5. University College London
6. University of Warwick
7. London School of Economics
8. Durham University
9. University of Exeter
10. Bristol University