University Counselling

Presentation of Higher Education opportunities outside France.

University Counselling 2007/8

This year out of a total cohort of 63 students the following have made application to universities outside France:

29 for Britain5 for Canada4 for USA3 for Ireland1 for Switzer land

All of the above will be making applications here in France and several of the above have made multiple international applications such as Britain/Canada/USA/ France.

Why?

2005 Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005_Top100.htm)

In the top 100 of an international ranking of universities there were:57 US11 British5 Japanese5German4 Swedish3 French

In the top 10 European universities there were:5 British1 Swiss1 Dutch1 Swedish1 Danish1 French

Te students 2007/8

Universities applied and offers made from :Cambridge Imperial College University College London School of Economics University of EdinburghUniversity of BirminghamUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of WarwickUniversity of BristolUniversity of the Arts

Subject Specialisation3 years of study to obtain a BSc or BA in a diverse range of subjects:Actuarial SciencesArabic and SpanishBiomedical EngineeringEnglish LiteratureEnvironmental ScienceEuropean LawFashion and DesignInternational Relations and SpanishInternational Business and Chinese

How to choose a university

Field of studyGeneral reputationLocationCosts (tuition and other)Quality of life (social, sportive, cultural, culinary)

Applying to a university in Great Britain

In Britain one applies to a specific programme.

Programmes of studyThree or four year (Honours)Joint or CombinedBA, Bsc, LLB

With a sandwich year (year out) or gap year (year off before starting)

UCAS application procedure

See(www.ucas.co.uk)Centralised web based application service

OCT. 15 deadline for Oxford/Cambridge and medical sciences

JAN.15 deadline for all apart from some art courses

Five applications possible to six different universities or courses.

Offers

Made through UCAS on-line application service (Apply) Most are conditional

Top schools and subjects in high demand will expect 15+ Difficult schools 14+ especially for Law, economics.Good schools 12+

Acceptances

Necessary to select one and keep one in reserve by May/June. The others are rejected.

It is strongly recommended that the students visit their universities before making their final choice.

COSTS

For EU citizens resident for past 3 years in EU, same as for a British citizen in Britain. The exception is Scotland where an EU citizens resident for past 3 years in EU is treated the same as a Scottish student resident in Britian for past 3 years.

Standard tuition charge is £3,000+ a year

This is to be paid within a 25 year period after completing the studies only if the student has reached a salary of £15,000. If a student were on the average British graduate starting salary of £18,000 they would pay back £5.19 a week.

Also accomodation and other costs will require up to an additional £5,000.

Note: A large part of students do work during their studies.

Applying to University in the U.S

In the U.S one applies to a university and often declares the major later.

Programs of study:● Two-year community colleges leading to an Associate's Degree.● Four year colleges or universities leading to a Bachelor's Degree.

Some schools will credit or give advanced placement to students with a French baccalaureate.

COSTS

Vary according to the university but allow $25,000+ for the private universities.

Financial aid although mainly restricted to US residents is available especially after the first year.

Application proceduresVary greatly from one university to another. Some allow a common application.

Contact the university directly to get the application form.

DEADLINES vary greatlyEarly decision – by OctoberRegular- December to March.

Application costs vary and can be up to $300.

Number of applications is unlimited.

SATs

Students are responsible for taking the SAT examinations as required by the schools they are applying to.

Log onto www.collegeboard.com for information about the tests, test centres and dates.

The CSI is an examination centre in October, December and January.

TOEFL

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Often required of non-American citizens.

It can only be taken on a computer at designated centres.

The CSI is not a centre.

See www.toefl.org

Acceptances

Often received in April and are usually independent of the bac results.

Applying to university in Canada

Very much like US but with some differences:

Some provinces (Ontario) may have common application procedure. Quebec has special arrangements for French citizens who may study in its universities for the same tuition as Quebeckers.

Mostly it is on-line application.

Applying to university in Ireland

A common application procedure similar to UCAS for Britain.

Tuition fees for EU students.

See www.cao.ie

Applying to Australia

Very much like the US for the application system and Britain for the academic system.

GAP Year

Take a year out ?

Advantages/Disadvantages?

What to do about the application?

Conclusion

Start your research early

Narrow down: where you want to study what you want to study

Work out the finances

Visit the universities

University Counselling programme 2007-2009

2e 2e Parent presentation.1ere Student presentation. Presentation by specialists and former students. Career Forum Dossier to be started. Universities visited.Te● University Forum Applications to made.