Tag Archive for: universities

Thinking of applying to Oxford or Cambridge?

Students wishing to study at a university in the UK apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), which allows students to apply to 5 courses at 5 universities. However, anyone interested in making an Oxford or Cambridge application will have to apply early (by 15th October) and choose which one of these prestigious institutions they wish to put down on their UCAS form (students are not allowed to apply to both).

Oxbridge is the term used to refer to two of the oldest universities in the UK – Oxford and Cambridge. Both offer traditional academic courses where formal assessment is often 100% based on examinations. Both stress the importance of their highly personalised teaching time led by subject experts, with Oxford calling these sessions tutorials and Cambridge referring to them as supervisions.

Colleges and ‘pool’ applications

In contrast to most UK universities Oxford and Cambridge are made up of colleges and applications are made to individual colleges (unless a student makes an open or ‘pool’ application where the student is allocated a college place).  Once a student is accepted at a college then that remains their home and central focus of teaching for much of their time at university.  Each college decides which applicants will be offered places, co-ordinates the tutorial system, provides accommodation and other facilities and takes overall responsibility for the students’ academic and pastoral care.  The university and its departments and faculties set and mark examinations, decide on course content and organise lectures, seminars and practicals. Both universities boast historic architecture and excellent facilities and are situated in attractive places to live, where students enjoy cycling and punting on the rivers.

Specialist subjects

Whilst Oxford and Cambridge share a reputation for world-renowned teaching and research in both arts and science subjects there are differences between them, particularly when it comes to course choice and course structure.  Many courses offered by both Institutions have a lot in common but there are particular subjects or combinations of subject that are only offered at one of the Universities.  For example, PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) is offered at Oxford and HSP (Human, Social and Political Science) at Cambridge.  If you want to study Veterinary Science at Oxbridge then you must apply to Cambridge; those interested in Fine Art must head for Oxford.  Cambridge courses (or Triposes) cover subject areas very broadly in the initial years and then offer a wide range of options in which to specialize in the later years.  Most science subjects at Cambridge are taught within the Natural Sciences framework, which gives students a broad first year before allowing specialization in the following years.  This is in contrast to Oxford where science specialisms are studied from day one.

Supra-curricular requirements

It is important that both students and schools are aware of the knowledge, preparation and research necessary to make a successful application to either of these very competitive universities. Students need to be aware that there are likely to be additional requirements and different deadlines involved. All UCAS applications require evidence of academic achievement (results of examinations that have already been taken) alongside predicted results for forthcoming exams and the personal statement.  Oxford and Cambridge may also require students to provide written work and/or sit an admissions test and no student is offered a place without a formal, academic interview.  Schools are required to provide predicted grades for any forthcoming examinations and a reference that reflects the academic potential of the student for the relevant course.

Admissions Tests and/or extra work required

In most subjects, at both Oxford and Cambridge, students are now asked to sit admissions tests either prior to being invited to interview or (for some subjects at Cambridge) on the day of the interview. The tests are about applying the knowledge that students might reasonably have been expected to have gained from their school curriculum to new problems. Potential applicants will need to check the registration deadlines and familiarise themselves with the format of the relevant test by looking on the websites.

Anyone applying for a humanities subject may also be asked to submit 1 or 2 essays that they have written at school. These should showcase not only their ability to express academic ideas in writing but also their ability to work through complex ideas in a systematic way.

Supplementary Application Questionnaire

Any student applying to Cambridge University is also asked to complete a SAQ (Supplementary Application Questionnaire), which is submitted online shortly after the UCAS application.  The SAQ collects additional information such as which topics have been studied at school and allows students to submit an alternative personal statement, which should focus on the Cambridge course rather than the more general subject area covered by all the UCAS choices.

Interviews
Having looked at the all the information at their disposal Oxbridge admissions tutors decide who should be called for interview.  These interviews are different at Oxford and Cambridge from most other universities. Students are interviewed on their own with 2 or 3 academics asking questions and posing problem-solving scenarios that are always relevant to the course applied to.  The purpose of the interview is to assess how students think and how they use their current knowledge alongside any additional information given during the interview to solve new problems.

Students living outside the UK/EU – even temporarily

Students attending an international school need to be aware that they may also need to complete some extra elements. Anyone applying to Cambridge who is living outside of the EU at the time of application must complete a COPA (Cambridge Online Preliminary Application) prior to submitting the UCAS form. Students who are not taking UK school qualifications (which include the IB) will need to check the entry requirements very carefully and are likely to be asked to submit a transcript of their high school academic results.  Evidence of English language skills will be required and any student receiving an offer must apply for a student visa if from outside the UK.

Overseas v UK fee status
The cost of studying at Oxford or Cambridge is dependent upon whether the student is assessed as an ‘overseas’ or UK home student. At Oxford and Cambridge overseas fee payers are required to pay ‘College fees’ (which cover academic facilities and other services provided by Colleges) in addition to the usual undergraduate tuition fees.  This is on top of accommodation and living costs.

UK Study Options specializes in helping students apply to Oxford or Cambridge. See what university application support we can offer you to help you secure a place at one of these excellent institutions.

Personal Statement for UK university applicants

Schools have broken up for the summer holidays, students are told to work on their Personal Statements ready to be handed in during the first week of term. Students may be planning to get it wrapped up in a day or so, after all what can be so hard about writing a Personal Statement, 47 lines long, about one side of A4 – 4000 characters (including spaces)? Well, plenty if you haven’t prepared enough in advance!

It’s particularly hard if you are planning to apply to a competitive subject or a high ranking university as you need a show-stopping Personal Statement that is clear, informed about your subject choices, articulate about your passion to study the subject and send the right signals that you are ready, academically able and willing to take a step into the next stage of your life as a university student.

Avoid the common pitfalls

You may think you are the only person who is applying for the course but the reality is that if it is a popular subject like Law or Economics or vocationally specific like Medicine or Veterinary Science there are likely to be at least 15 or more students each applying for one space on the course. They will all have the required predicted grades, so your Personal Statement is your opportunity to shine. Remember that the university admissions person who is choosing their students has studied the subject for many years so they will spot waffle and shallow interest a mile off. They are looking for keen students who are genuinely interested in the course, have done their best to inform themselves by reading widely ‘beyond the school curriculum’ (this means books outside those that you are told to read at school) and are offering something unique to bring to the course and their fellow students.

So, let’s get started

Before you get writing, make notes of books you have read, related resources, lectures you have been to, workshops attended, competitions entered etc. Did you agree with the writer/speaker? Why/why not? How did these resources make an impact upon your decision to study this subject?

  1. What prompted you to study the subjects you are taking at school? What do you enjoy about them and why? Have you become aware of specific skills a subject can give you? For instance, Maths develops strong problem-solving techniques.
  2. What about work-experience, work shadowing, part time jobs, school events that you have organised? What did you learn, did you acquire new skills, what existing skills did you utilise?
  3. Sports and social activities: Tutors want you to get the most out of your studies and will expect you to participate in some sporting and social activities. These may also help you to destress at exam time and get to meet a wide range of people from all cultures – part of the university experience.
  4. Finally, it’s good to reiterate your reasons for wanting to attend a UK university; to learn from your fellow students as well as the academic staff. To be at a culturally diverse and vibrant institution, to be stretched and challenged and to enhance your career prospects. All good reasons to go to university in the UK.

A word of warning! UCAS puts all the UCAS forms and Personal Statements through plagiarism software to avoid temptation to copy and paste the odd sentence that sounds good on the web! Make it yours, make it genuine, make it successful and good luck!

Some resources to help you get started:
Durham University
www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/ucas/personalstatement/

University of Warwick https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/tips/uow_personal_statement_guide_online.pdf

UK Study Options provide tailored student guidance on writing a personal statement for competitive university applications. Have a look at what our Personal Statement Package includes.

We also write a number of blogs on Personal Statement writing and the university application process in general, visit our blog page to find more useful tips and information.

Visiting your shortlisted universities this summer

Browse a university’s marketing materials and they will all say the same “world-leading research”, “cutting-edge facilities”, “outstanding teaching”, “vibrant and diverse community” etc. And it’s all true – universities in the UK do offer all of this and more but beyond the marketing speak, how do you know which one is right for you?

The answer is simple. Go there. At UK Study Options we always recommend that people visit their shortlisted universities before making their final decisions. No website or prospectus can tell you how a place is going to make you feel, if you’re going to connect with it and enjoy your time there. For somewhere where you are going to spend 3-4 years of your life, possibly longer, it needs to be right – your studies will prosper all the more for it.

When to visit

The logical time to visit is the summer holidays before you apply (the year before you start uni). Universities are more likely to have planned tours and open day activities for school years 12 and 13 which means you will have more access to facilities, academics and students to get a real insight into what it’s like studying there.

Earlier than this and universities may only give you basic access to their campus facilities. Later than this, you will have already had to make your Firm and Insurance offer decisions in UCAS (May deadline) – decisions that will be made much easier by visiting the universities.

Check what events the universities have on and when, and create a plan for the day so you know you’re not missing out on anything. Make sure you book on to all the tours and talks that you want to go to, as they may fill up and this way you’ll receive all the pre-arrival information. If none of the dates they have are convenient, you can get in touch directly and they may arrange something personally for you. If you’re unable to arrange anything specific, it’s still worth going to have a look around, you can wander around most university campuses even if you can’t access all the facilities.

What to ask/find out/see

If it’s one of your shortlisted universities then you’ll probably know a lot about them already and the courses they offer. When you visit, go armed with a list of what you want to find out when you are there – preferably things that you couldn’t find out from the website. Here are some suggestions:

  • What facilities would I use on the course and can I see them?
  • How many students are in a lecture/class/seminar?
  • What’s a typical week on the course like?
  • How do you score on the Student Satisfaction Survey?
  • How far is the accommodation from the classroom?
  • What transport is available to help me get around? (If relevant)

You may also want to see the accommodation you’ll be staying in, the student union or other social areas, food outlets and supermarkets, the sporting and fitness facilities.

You will come into contact with students, alumni, academic and admissions staff at open days, so direct your questions to the right person and take advantage of them being available to speak with as you might not get another chance to talk to them. Students and alumni are arguably the best people to ask questions as they will give you real insight into what life is like to study there and can be franker and more open than staff members.

Don’t forget to plan a walk around the nearby city/town which might be away from the university itself, to make sure you also get a feel for the place where you might spend some of your time socialising or working.

At UK Study options we spend time getting to know our students to help them find the right course and university for them. See our University Application Support page for more information on how we can help you.

 

Use your summer wisely – get work experience!

The summer holidays are here, you’ve worked really hard at school and you’re looking forward to a break – perhaps you have some travel booked. But if you are thinking about applying to university in the UK, the holidays are an important time to get work experience, internships or volunteering that will contribute to a more competitive UCAS application, not to mention enhance your career opportunities.

Assume that admissions receive more applications than there are places on the course and that everyone who applies has met the academic entry criteria – what is going to make your application more compelling than the next? What you have done outside your studies that will win you a place on an oversubscribed course?

Universities favour work experience as it shows that you are serious about your future and are able to pursue multiple interests. It doesn’t necessarily need to be directly related to your studies (unless you are applying to Medicine, Veterinary or Law).

Why is this important?

  1. Work experience, internships and volunteering will give you a whole range of skills that are desirable to universities, such as commitment, self-motivation, time management, team working, negotiation and organisational skills, not to mention role-specific skills. These skills can all be applied to enrich your studies.
  2. The experience you gain will prove invaluable in the classroom, helping you to connect academia with the ‘real’ world. It can add context and insight to your studies and a different perspective.
  3. Work experience helps you to form realistic career expectations and goals which universities like to see in their prospective students. It also allows you to try out certain sectors and roles to see if you like them before making big decisions about your career.
  4. Having some professional experience before you graduate will help make the transition from studying to working easier and will increase you chances of getting the job you apply for. Universities love employable alumni – it reflects well on the university and improves their employability stats. The Careers Centre at your destination university will offer a great deal of support including: compiling your CV, application letter writing, gaining the competitive edge when it comes to beating the opposition!
  5. You can get ahead in building a professional network that you can call on for career support and job opportunities after you graduate.

How do you get work experience?

There are many ways you can secure work experience and volunteering work. It depends on what you are interested in and where you live but an obvious place to start is in your local area. Reach out to local businesses, organisations, public services etc to see if they have opportunities. You may be able to use family connections or friends to help you secure informal experience. It’s great if you can get practical experience but even the chance to shadow a member of staff will give you some insight into your chosen role/sector – it’s better than nothing.

UCAS recommend several resources to get you started – so get exploring and get ahead of your peer group!

www.ucas.com/alternatives/internships/internships-and-volunteering

UK Study Options supports students with enrichment activities that boost their profiles and enhance their applications to university. We also offer services such as CV and cover letter guidance and proofing, as well as, conduct mock interviews and more to prepare students for internships, university and beyond! Read about our services on our University Application Support webpage.

What Makes an Effective Personal Statement?

Personal statements are an essential part of your UCAS application as they set you apart from all the other equally capable candidates applying for one of the limited places on a course. Your personal statement should give the Admissions Tutor a strong understanding of who you are and why you want to study the course that you are applying to. You only have 4,000 characters, so you have to be concise but compelling. It is also likely to be the only communication that you as an individual have with an Admissions Tutor so you need to make it count.

It is also very important to understand that the most selective UK universities wish to see a personal statement that is at least 70 – 80% academic. Your extra-curricular activities, hobbies and interests should form only a small part. Remember – the person reading your statement is likely to be an academic who has spent their life studying the subject you claim to have an interest in. Therefore, the main focus of the statement should be your interest in the course and the evidence you have to prove it.

The best personal statements provide evidence of:

  • enthusiasm and motivation for study of the subject
  • understanding and/or experience of the subject
  • academic engagement with the subject
  • relevant knowledge and skills for the subject
  • originality and independence of thought

The Russell Group of research-intensive universities which includes institutions such as, Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Warwick, Edinburgh and Exeter, recommends the following 4-part structure:

  • Introduction
  • Course
  • Extra- curricular activities
  • Conclusion

We’ll have a look at each of these in turn.

Introduction – why do you want to study this course?

This should be a snappy opener to grab the reader’s attention – no longer than 4 sentences. It should be interesting, original and give an indication of your personality. Keep in mind that a personal statement should be personal and the introduction is your chance to make a connection with the Admissions Tutor.

Admissions Tutors like to know why an applicant is applying for the chosen course, particularly if they are applying for a subject that they have not studied before at school, such as Engineering or Earth Sciences. You could include a personal trigger that explains why the course interests you or an example of how it relates to modern affairs. You could mention one of the ‘big issues’ in the subject you have applied for or talk about what you find most interesting about the course. Sometimes students start with a relevant quote (if you use a quotation you must ensure that it is accurate and that you explain how it has inspired you) or some questions to show that you know what the course entails and that you are enthusiastic about studying it in more depth. Be warned – if you are expressing interest in a particular aspect or module of the course, be sure to check that all your course choices offer this as part of the degree. Sometimes students talk about their current studies at school and how these have inspired them to pursue the subject at a higher level. Career interests can be a starting point for course choice but be aware that Admissions Tutors will still want to see academic interest in the subject.

The course – what evidence do you have to prove your academic engagement with the subject?

This is the main body of the statement where you can demonstrate both your enthusiasm for and commitment to the course.

Tutors are looking for a personal statement that demonstrates your academic engagement with the subject. They are looking for evidence to show why a course genuinely interests you together with proof that you understand what is required to study the course. In other words, they need to be reassured that you have done your research and have looked beyond course titles to investigate what the course is actually about.

Because this section should be 70-80% of the statement it can be helpful to break it down into ‘inside school’ and ‘outside school’. ‘Inside school’ could include current studies and what you have found particularly interesting and would like to take further. ‘Outside school’ will be anything that you have done that is relevant to your course, which is outside of your school curriculum. Admissions tutors are looking for these ‘super-curricular’ activities as evidence that you are engaging independently with your subject and that you have the capacity and self-motivation for independent study – key to a successful undergraduate experience. The focus here is not to list loads of activities but to give fewer examples with evidence and to show that you have thought about/reflected on/learnt from these experiences.

Extra-curricular activities – what have you done that shows you have the skills needed to be a successful student on the course?

Although competitive universities are primarily interested in seeing evidence of academic interest in the personal statement they also want well rounded students. They are looking for proof that you have the skills necessary to succeed on your course and that you will be able to cope with university life. Non-academic interests and achievements can also help you to stand out from the crowd and give personality to a ‘personal’ statement.

As with the academic interests it is important not to list a whole stream of interests and activities – no matter how impressive you think they are. It is far better to choose fewer, more interesting examples, draw out the transferable skills that you have gained from them and show why these demonstrate your potential to succeed on the course.

Conclusion

It is sensible to finish the statement in a professional manner by rounding it off with one or two concluding sentences. Without repeating what you have already said, link back to the course you are applying for, remind the Admissions Tutor how committed you are, and how you are looking forward to participating in university life as a whole. Make this a really positive finish showing why you think that you deserve to be offered a place.

Top tips

  • Ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors. When you are satisfied with the content, proof read it – no one is immune from the odd typo or mistake. Do not just rely on spell-check. The easiest way to spot mistakes is to read the statement out loud to yourself and let others read it too
  • Make full use of the space available, but with correct punctuation. Get rid of words/phrases that do not add anything to your statement
  • Start writing your statement well in advance of the deadline so you have time to re-draft it a number of times
  • Follow a clear, logical structure
  • Avoid jargon, abbreviations or non-standard English
  • Try to include some subject specific vocabulary
  • Avoid repetition of information contained in the UCAS form
  • Write using active verbs, not passive verbs

Things to avoid

  • Jokes (these can come across as unprofessional and your sense of humour may not appeal to the Admissions Tutor)
  • Every sentence beginning with ‘I’. Try using gerunds (a verb plus ‘ing’ at the start of sentences)
  • Lots of pompous language that you would not ordinarily use in an attempt to impress
  • Lists – an admissions tutor does not want a long list of every book that you have read or every sport that you play. Fewer examples of current or recent activities in more detail is the key
  • Naming a particular university unless you are only applying to that one university
  • Lying or exaggerating claims (remember that if you have an interview you may well be asked questions based on your statement)
  • Saying that you have “always loved” a subject. Talking about how you first developed an interest in something is more believable and interesting.

And finally:

Always remember that every part of the statement should answer the question “why should we give you a place on the course?”

Take advice from parents, teachers, and advisers but at the end of the day it is YOUR statement and it should reflect and sound like you – it is called a personal statement for a reason.

UK Study Options provide tailored student guidance on writing a personal statement for competitive university applications. Have a look at what our Personal Statement Package includes.

Replying to UCAS offers

Once you have sent off your UCAS application you will start to hear back from your choices. You will either be made an offer (conditional or unconditional), be rejected outright or be offered an interview or audition. Once you have received decisions from all the universities that you have applied to then you can start to think about which ones to accept and which to reject.

If you receive all your decisions by the end of March then you have until May to reply to the universities through the UCAS Track system. If you have an unconditional offer then you can select it to confirm your place and if you have conditional offers you can select two – a firm choice and an insurance choice. At this time you must reject any other offers that you are holding.

An unconditional offer is usually made when a student already has the results of all his/her examinations before applying. However, universities will sometimes offer unconditional places to students who still have to take their exams. This means that the place is yours regardless of your results but be warned – it is still important to get the best grades you can for future employment prospects.

A conditional offer will depend on the results of any examinations that you are yet to take. Conditional offers can specify particular overall grades, particular grades or scores in certain subjects or overall UCAS tariff scores. If you achieve these results then the university is required to give you a place. If you are not clear what the exact conditions of an offer are then it is really important that you contact the university concerned and ask for clarification.

 Assuming that you are holding conditional offers you will need to decide which to accept as your CF (conditional firm) choice and which to accept as your CI (conditional insurance) choice.

The CF choice should be your first choice – the course you really want to study at the university that you really want to go to. It needs to be the right fit for you as an individual and it is worth spending time checking that the course description and modules on offer are what you are looking for.

The Insurance Choice should be your backup and should be a lower offer than your Firm Choice. Then, if you fail to meet the requirements of your firm offer and are subsequently rejected by that university you will hopefully have still met the conditions for your second choice. Be honest with yourself over offers – if getting the required exam results for your Firm Choice is going to be difficult then it is doubly important that you choose a realistic Insurance Choice.

If you are finding it difficult to choose try to visit each university, even if you have already been to an open day. You may be offered a ‘post-offer’ visit but if not arrange a tour independently. Take the opportunity to talk to current students and academics within the department. Ask about the support offered, both academic and pastoral and try to get a feel for whether you would be happy to study there.

What is a ‘sandwich’ course and why take one?

A so-called ‘sandwich’ course is a degree course that includes time spent on a placement, often in industry or business, away from the university.   ‘Sandwich’ courses can be ‘thick’ with one long placement or ‘thin’ with two or more shorter periods on a placement and are favoured by a number of high ranking universities.

A number of UK universities including Bath, Lancaster, Surrey, Loughborough and Aston are particularly keen for students to take advantage of this type of course. At the University of Bath, for example, most of the undergraduate degree courses have the option for students to take a ‘sandwich year’. Placements usually take place after the second year of the degree course, so students will spend the first two years of their degree studying at Bath, followed by a ‘sandwich’ year on placement before returning for their final year(s) of studies.

Modern Language courses typically follow this pattern with Year 3 being spent abroad either teaching in a school, studying at a university or working in an industrial placement. A large number of other subjects offer placements and include Business, Engineering, Finance, Psychology and Sport Studies.

Although ‘sandwich’ courses are usually one year longer as a result of the placement there can be significant advantages:

  • An edge when applying for graduate careers. In a competitive graduate job market, employers are increasingly looking for applications that stand out, and a good work placement helps students to do just that.
  • The development of skills and understanding that will help during the remaining year(s) of study.
  • Insight into potential areas of employment.
  • The possibility of full-time employment with the placement company after graduation.
  • Insight into how the principles, skills and knowledge developed during the course are applied in a work environment.
  • If the placement is in a relevant field, the student may be able to attract a higher starting salary or a more senior position upon graduation.

‘Sandwich’ courses do not appeal to all students, with some seeing a placement as an unwelcome interruption to full time study. However, if the university subject being studied is vocational, it is certainly worth considering and it is important to check the following:

  • The amount of assistance the university gives in finding a placement.
  • The variety of placements available and the selection criteria.
  • The amount of support given by the university whilst on placement.
  • Whether/how the student’s performance on placement is assessed as part of the ultimate degree result.
  • Whether the student will be paid whilst on placement.
  • The fees due to the university whilst the student is on placement

Do you have a question about the different types of courses on offer at UK universities? Need some help with a UCAS application? Contact the UKSO team on hello@ukstudyoptions.com.

University Open Days

Planning on applying to university this autumn? Have you looked around the institutions on your shortlist? It doesn’t matter whether you are interested in Oxford, Edinburgh, Exeter, Imperial, Warwick or any of the other UK universities – it is really important that you try to visit and get a feel for whether you would be happy there for three or more years of study.

UK universities hold Open Days, usually in June or July and September or October in order to showcase their courses and facilities to prospective students.

They offer an opportunity:

  • To find out what university life is like
  • To find out about the challenges, opportunities and rewards of academic and social life
  • To meet with the academics, as well as current students
  • To gain advice before finally deciding on which degree course you should take
  • To view the accommodation, the library, access to computers, the careers office, cafés and restaurants and much more
  • To check out the Students’ Union and find out about the social and sports clubs that they offer and how you can get involved

This is your chance to ask questions such as:

  • What ‘A’ level grades do I need? Are there any specific subject requirements?
  • Which qualifications are acceptable?
  • Are there any alternative courses to consider?
  • How does the selection process work?
  • What do you look for in the application and Personal Statement?
  • Can you recommend any reading or activities to inform my Personal Statement?
  • Do you hold interviews or is selection based only on the UCAS application?
  • Are gap years and deferred entry applications acceptable?
  • Is it an advantage to get my application in early?

Check out the university websites and book a place – beware of any deadlines!

Can’t make an Open Day? Then check online to see if they offer ‘special visiting days’. Universities are aware that not everyone can visit at specific times so they may offer additional dates for you to visit. You might be able to arrange for a student-led tour or take your own. Don’t forget that many of the universities also offer virtual tours.

If you want to get a ‘feel’ for the place you will need to visit the university during term-time. This will give you a better idea of what university life is like. Not only will you ‘feel the buzz’ but you will also be able to meet students who are already studying there.

If you require any assistance in arranging a university visit or would like more information about Open Days contact us at hello@ukstudyoptions.com

What You Could Be Paying In Overseas Fees Compared To Home Fees

Overseas fees can range from around £12,000 a year to up to £27,000 for a lab based degree (including Maths) at Imperial and £35,000 plus for medicine or veterinary.

Many expats are still eligible for Home Fees: being settled in the UK and meet the main residence requirements – having a British or EU passport is just one aspect of eligibility, there are many others. The universities will also look at where the student has been residing in the three years prior to the first day of their university degree, if this is overseas, they will ask for details of your ‘ordinary residence’ in the UK and want to know why the student and family are based overseas, which may include information about the parent’s work contract, as well as seeking general background information. They may also ask for evidence to support a case for Home Fees and can go back to the students birth date if necessary.

Most people don’t realise until after the university applications are submitted to UCAS that they are going to have to make a case for Home Fees and send in evidence to show that they have active connections to the UK. The rules and regulations governing Home and EU fee status are vague, based on case law dating to the early 1980s and are open to interpretation by the university admissions staff.

This year (2016 entry) many students have been given a deadline of three weeks by their university choices to provide relevant evidence to support their case – not meeting the deadline may mean the universities will cancel their application. To complicate matters the UK has four governments, four countries that approach establishing a student’s fee status in a different manner and if a student is successful in obtaining Home/EU fee status at the university they have to go through a second process when they apply for student tuition fee loans.

With the real cost of an undergraduate degree estimated to be around £16,000 per head per annum, the universities are looking for students who have cut ties to their UK or EU base and have lost the right to being subsidised by the UK taxpayers. Recruiting overseas fee payers is an important income stream for universities. The Scottish Referendum in 2014 and the General Election in 2015 highlighted the issue of student fees and funding which is politically and economically driven.

Don’t be one of the families that have let their eligibility slide – make sure you know what to do to maintain your eligibility and what evidence you need to have to support your case.

I advise over a hundred families each year on their eligibility for UK/EU Fee Status – many of them are confused as to what constitutes eligibility and what evidence they need to send in to support their case. Don’t be caught out – contact www.ukstudyoptions.com for a Fee Status appraisal now.

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