College Admission and Applyingto a University in the UKA University of Chichester Guide for Students - 2014

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Note for Guidance Counsellors

Last year over 25,000 Americanstudents studied in the UK, but theprocedure for applying and actuallygetting a student into a Britishuniversity isn’t always clear.

Fortunately it’s much easier than itappears. Based on feedback fromour meetings with High Schools inthe US, and our own Americanstudents here at Chichester, we haveput together this short guide whichwe hope will help you the next timeone of your students asks aboutstudying in the UK. (Hopefully youwill tell them about Chichester too!)

Images clockwise from top:Education and teaching lecture.ERASMUS exchange students,Music rehearsals, studentsoutside Chichester Cathedral. Opposite page: Psychologylecture, Sports in the new Sports Dome. Cover image: Our Bognor RegisLearning Resource Centre.

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It’s much easier tostudy in the UK thanit appears.

Some universities, likeChichester for example, are happy to take directapplications all year round on a rolling admissions system.

The alternative is the maincommon admissions portal,‘UCAS’ - www.ucas.com. Here you can create anaccount, search the 130+universities and then apply to a selection of up to 5institutions. There is a nominalone off charge levied by UCASbut that’s all you have to pay.

Typically students will apply viaUCAS by a January deadline.The university you choose willrespond promptly withconditional offers or rejections.You’ll then select two; a first choice and an insurancechoice, and then decide which one to go to when they get their final results in the summer.

Hopefully you’ll get the gradesfor your first choice, and if not,then enough to get into yoursecond. If you don’t meet thegrades for either choice thenyou can find another courseand either apply individuallydirectly with the university youwant to go through, or adesignated day run by UCAScalled ‘Clearing’.

The application is not toodifferent from a collegeapplication in the US; you’llneed to write a personalstatement and enter yourgrades and predicted grades. Most universities will list theirentrance requirements on their website. You’d needabout 1550 in your SATs tocome to Chichester, or about26 in the ACT.

Before making an applicationto any university, it’s a goodidea to make personal contactwith their International Office.They should be happy to guideyou personally and answer anyquestions you may have.

Studying in the United Kingdom

Key points

• Undergraduate degrees are 3years not 4

• Post graduate degrees are 1 year not 2

• A British university degreecan be a prestigious, resumeenhancing qualification

• Federal Aid applies toparticipating UK universities

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Images clockwise from top:Chichester town, SportsTherapy student, Businessstudents, 3Fall Dance students,English workshops. Opposite page: Psychologylecture. Cloisters, Bishop OtterCampus, Chichester.

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Most UK universitiesare very accustomedto servinginternational studentsand will have supportservices, admissionsoffices, andaccommodationofficers ready tocontact you as soonas you have receivedan offer.

At Chichester for example wewill contact you individuallyand explain how to apply for avisa, book accommodation,and apply for Federal Fundingif you need to.

You can usually work in the UK on a student visa, but youshouldn’t rely on this to fundyour studies. The cost of living varies depending onwhere you’ll be, so be sure to check with your university in advance.

At Chichester we recommenda minimum living budget of£800 a month, which is alsothe minimum amount the UKBorder Agency need to see toissue a visa.

Costs will generally be highestin London, and lowest outsideof London and the South East.

Costs, visas and living

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If you would like toexperience studyingin the UK but don’twant to leave homefor too long, thenmake sure you go toa US college with agood study abroadand exchangeprogram, who willhelp you travel toyour preferreddestination.

Chichester for example, hasexchange partners in the US,Europe and all over the world.

We also take direct enrolmentstudents.

Study Abroad from a US college

To contact the University of Chichesterplease get in touch with:Ian Jones, International and Exchange OfficerUniversity of Chichester, Oakland’s HouseCollege LaneWest SussexPO19 6PEUnited Kingdom

Email: I.Jones@chi.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1243 812061

More informationUK Council for International Student Affairswww.ukcisa.org.uk

Cost of living calculatorwww.international.studentcalculator.org

National Union of Students www.nus.org.uk

The British Councilwww.britishcouncil.org

Image: Students on our Bognor Campus.Opposite page: Bognor Regis beach.

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I really enjoy studying in Chichester. The seminarsare small and every lecturer knows you by yourname. The staff is absolutely dedicated to helpyou in every situation: If there is a problem thereis a department taking care of it! The IALS givesassistance when you struggle with essays, theaccommodation office helps you settle in and ifyou are looking for a job, there’s the job centre.Besides, it’s great that the International Officeorganizes regular trips to various English cities,international parties or meetings; it helps todiscover the country, adapt to university life andto find new friends from all over the world. Thesupport you receive in any aspect of yourstudent life is way above average and I wouldalways apply for Chichester University again.

Sarah BraunmillerHistory Exchange Student

For more information: Contact the International Office email: I.Jones@chi.ac.uk

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