Undergraduate Studies in the UK:
The first step of a lifelong journey
Part 1: overview
There's never enough that can be said about this fateful first step into your future. Undergraduate studies are a cornerstone of modern society. For some people, it’s a means of launching their professional trajectory; for others, it's a way of pampering their curiosity or passion. But for everyone, studying in the right undergraduate programme can be a life-changing experience. In this first part of our series on UK undergraduate degrees, we'll give an overview regarding what exactly undergraduate studies are, how to choose a programme and how to be chosen by one. For an in-detail look at finding the right programme, preparing your documents, and obtaining scholarships, head over to the dedicated blog posts in this series.
What are Undergraduate Studies?
The undergraduate degree, also known as Bachelor's degree or first degree, is the first stage of higher education and is considered vital for most attractive careers. Undergraduate studies usually last three years and require a completion of 120 credits. However, a special category in UK higher education called Honours degree refers to undergraduate studies of higher quality that tend to last four years, requiring a completion of 160 credits. There are multiple sub-categories of undergraduate degrees, including Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education (Bed), and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).
While undergraduate degrees in the UK can be challenging, this is precisely why they are praised locally and internationally: they provide students with invaluable knowledge and tools for their later studies or careers, and are proof of students' discipline, motivation, and competence, offering an unparalleled advantage: 89.9% of UK graduates either go on to employment or further study. The quality and prestige of UK undergraduate studies has resulted in a high demand and fierce competition. With its world-recognized universities, culturally diverse environment, and highly skilled academic staff, the UK is truly the epitome of academic success.
Choosing your undergraduate course is no piece of cake. First, you need to ask yourself what your goals are. Some might study out of curiosity or in order to explore new avenues. For others it is the opening shot for their career, laying out a long-term trajectory. You might to barter between your brain and your heart: pursuing something you're passionate about and at the same time something of pragmatic value that can to earn you a living. Next you need to choose the programme and university. This requires an optimistic but cautious consideration for both the best programme and university, and realistically the ones you could be accepted to based on your grades and achievements.
What are the selection criteria?
The selection criteria are a three-headed hound guarding the door to academia. Central among them are your high school subjects and grades. This is the bulk of what universities have to work with as they assess your competencies, motivation, and skillset. Many of these, and especially Oxford and Cambridge, require what is called AAA grades or a minimum GPA of 3.7. Similar requirements are necessary for UK's world-renowned medical schools, in addition to top high school grades in English, Math, and hard science subjects such as biology, chemistry or physics.
Second, apart from your grades, universities would be interested in achievements and interests that are related to the study. For example, a BSc in chemistry might be interested in the fact that you like to read science books, or have participated in science fairs, or carried out your own DIY experiments (and lived to tell about it). A BA in literature and English might be interested in short stories you wrote, student newsletters you contributed to, or your enthusiasm for the unique phonetic qualities of Old English found in Beowulf.
Third and last, universities evaluate your qualities as an individual, such as your care for others or your self-discipline. Admission committees might therefore be curious about a passion you've excelled at, be it in sports, music, or otherwise, as well as any volunteering you've done.
What documents are asked for?
To test you against the selection criteria, the application process in the UK, though varying from programme to programme, will always ask for a core selection of documents. First and foremost, your university transcripts will show what kind of student you are, the subjects you learned at school and the grades you have received.
Second, your CV will give a fuller picture of what you have accomplished. Since most undergraduate applicants are barely fresh out of high school, this document, also called a resume, isn't expected to contain the material for a lifetime achievement award speech. It should mostly display your high school subjects and results, any jobs you worked in, achievements, honours and awards you may have won, and extracurricular activities worth mentioning.
Third, you will be asked for a Personal Statement. This peculiar but essential document is, as the name suggests, a statement about you, an opportunity to share your life journey and the programme's natural place in it. Ranging from several hundred words to over a thousand, the Personal Statement is a chance for the university to get a sense of the candidate's personality and voice – the story behind the CV, transcripts, and countless other dry data included in the application. Through it, you explain (a) what you wish to accomplish, (b) why you wish to accomplish it, (c) and how the programme you're applying for will help you accomplish it.
Finally, undergraduate applications will include reference letters. These are letters written by teachers and employers, past and present, sharing their impressions of you and, as the name suggests, explaining why they recommend you. Most often, reference letters are submitted directly by the referee to the university, without passing through the applicant's hands to ensure their integrity. It's important to ask for reference letters in advance, to give your referees time, and to make sure you pick referees who know you well and who you think have a good impression of you. Writing reference letters is no one's idea of a hobby, and you might need the same referees for future opportunities, so make sure to thank them heartily when all is said and done!
While these are documents are ubiquitous, specific programmes might ask for additional documents. Common among these are the work portfolio and sample essay.
When are the deadlines and timeline?
The timelines for each UK programme and each university vary greatly, but there are some patterns. To begin with, prospective students are usually asked to submit applications. Select programmes might also require an interview for short-listed candidates. The general rule is that the more prestigious the university or programme, the earlier the deadlines will be. When it comes to universities like Oxford and Cambridge, applications open nearly a year in advance and close as early as December of the year previous to the course start. Other universities might have deadlines in March, while some extend them well into the summer. This essentially gives dibs on students to universities in higher demand, so that if rejected, applicants can still consider their second and third choices. Application windows last about 2-3 months.
Given these requirements and timelines, it's advised to start looking for programmes about half a year before application deadlines. Since you will most likely be applying to several universities at the same time, make sure to start early. Start gathering your documents at least three months before deadlines, and work and rework on them until they are perfect. Make sure to contact your referees at least a month before each deadline.
How Chancellor Education can help you choose, plan, and secure the perfect start to the rest of your life
This road of trials can seem daunting, from choosing the UK university and programme that best suit your career or personal goals, to actually getting admitted in such a competitive environment. Education consultancies like Chancellor Education have developed the expertise to make this journey of self-fulfillment as pleasant and fruitful as possible. Chancellor's expert consultants offer a guiding hand to ambitious young individuals, helping them choose the best programme in the UK, secure an offer of study, and maximize the impact of the programme on their career aspirations. The consultancy's first-class service involves unique methods for championing this process: aptitude assessments, personalized strategies, and full, hands-on assistance with the range of application documents, interviews, scholarships, and student visa. With some applications occurring a year in advance, Chancellor Education starts the aptitude assessment and application process early on, accompanying its clients throughout the year as they engage with the UK education system and its many stages and opportunities. Their assistance is long-term and personal, with monthly calls to update progress and friendly and open counselling for the client's family.
Of the diverse life trajectories treaded by people, countless have passed under the towering marble gate of higher education. Undergraduate studies are riddled with exhilarating opportunities and existential questions. Stay tuned for the next parts in this series, where we will delve into the best way to identify the right undergraduate programme for you, how to prepare your Personal Statement, CV, and reference letters, and how to find funding.