Higher Education in the UK in the 21st Century

Content Universities and higher education. Tuition fees. Application. Scholarships. Prospects. University of Nottingham

160 ‘Recognised bodies’ Universities and colleges which can award degrees. >700 ‘Listed bodies’ colleges/institutions provide courses validated by Recognised bodies. Most universities are funded by the government. With a few private universities. Many universities have a strong research initiative. Russell Group: represent 24 leading research universities in the UK. World leading research and education. Collaboration with businesses. International funding for students and staff. Regulation and management. University of Edinburgh

Higher education institutes award; Foundation degrees (vocational qualification). Taught degrees. Research degrees. Three cycles of higher education qualifications: 1st cycle: Bachelor’s degree. 3 years of study. 2nd cycle: Master’s degree. 1 year of study. 3rd cycle: Doctoral degree. 3-4 years. (Bachelor with honours (e.g. BSc hons) may skip 2nd cycle) University of Liverpool courses

The Queens University of Belfast Standards Privy Council grants degree awarding powers to institutes. Universities set their own standards for awarded degrees. (Websites: Unistats, QAA, Research Excellence Framework) External examiner system: Ensure standards are equivalent across universities. Check exam questions, mark or review a sample of exams. Interview borderline students. External review: Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), 19 expectations of universities, colleges and private colleges, including; course planning, design and admissions effective teaching and learning support effective and timely assessment and feedback robust and reliable use of external examining Research

UK students Tuition fees (undergraduate) England: £9,000 /year cap (78% charged full 2015-16, current average of £26,000 for three years). expected ~£9,250 2017-18 Student Loan: Full time up to £9,000. paid to university. Repaid based on income. Maintenance loan: Means tested. £8,202 maximum. Repaid based on income. Maintenance grants: Means tested. £3,387 maximum. not repaid. Loan capped at £6,000 if attending a private institution. Wales: £9,000 cap. Fee loan: £3,810. plus government grant up to £5,190. Private institution fee loan £6,000 (no grant). This applies to Welsh students studying anywhere the UK. Scotland: £1,820 cap. Non-Scottish students may pay up to the £9,000 cap. Northern Island: £3,805 cap. Loaned and repaid based on income. Swansea University

International Students Tuition Fee (undergraduate) Leeds Beckett University £9,700 University of Nottingham £13,000 Imperial College London £35,000 (medicine) Cost of living in the UK: £12,000 per year. (Will depend on the area) University of Bath University of Warwick

Postgraduate tuition fees Examples Engineering (Taught)Sustainable Energy Systems (MSc) UK/EU:£10,200 Int:£22,500 Engineering (Research)Engineering (Bioengineering) (PHD) £4,121 £18,100 PhD students are usually funded by a research grant. This includes tuition fees and a stipend £13,00-14,000 /year. Few PhD’s self funded. Research councils: funding PhD research in UK. Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Medical Research Council (MRC) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) UCL Research university- professors application for funding teaching?

International Students 1st Degree (2014-15) Bishop Grosseteste 0.10% Newman 0.30% Leeds Trinity 0.80% Edge Hill 1.50% St Mark and St John 1.60% University College London 34.80% St Andrews 36.80% University of the Arts, London 39.30% Imperial College London 41.00% London School of Economics 44.30% Buckingham 58.10% Most well regarded institutes will have about 20% or more international undergraduates. University of Worcester University of Strathclyde UK students

International students Application online via UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). www.ucas.com University Websites display guidelines of requirements. Further information can be obtained through email. A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Overall grade point average (GPA) and O-NET/A-NET results. English (requirement for course and student visa) IELTS 5.5–6.5 for foundation courses IELTS 6.0–7.0 for bachelor’s courses IELTS 6.5–7.5 for postgraduate programmes Foundation courses provide access to undergraduate course. University of Leicester 2016/17 £16,130 (three terms) Engineering and Technology. May accept transfer after first year at Thai university directly to undergraduate course depending on subject/grades. Bachelor degree holders of GPA ~3.0 can be accepted for direct admission to masters course. Masters degree from Thailand can be accepted for direct admission to PhD.

Scholarships Resources http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarship-advice/scholarships-study-uk http://www.scholarship-search.org.uk/ Government: British Chevening Scholarships: Usually for one year Masters degree course. Requirement of 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent(GPA ~3.0). Non-government: Euraxess UK: database of funding opportunities for researchers and research job positions. Newton International Fellowships: Post-doctoral research, requirement of PhD, <7 years teaching/research. CastleSmart Scholarship: Youtube video application. £6,000 per year. Undergraduate. University Specific scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate positions, check with university. Help for low income families in UK.

Imperial College London 91.1% University of Nottingham 81.3% Career prospects Top 25 universities: ~80 – 90% graduates find professional employment or stay in higher education within 6 months. Imperial College London 91.1% University of Nottingham 81.3% University of Warwick 79.8% Salary Subject Professional Job Non-Professional Job Accounting & Finance £22,348 £17,419 Chemical Engineering £28,641 £16,111 Chemistry £22,232 £15,705 Civil Engineering £24,764 £18,303 Computer Science £23,628 £15,485 Electrical & Electronic Engineering £25,191 £16,331 49% 25-34 age group have higher education (2014: data.oecd.org) Postdoc.

Lifestyle Workload will depend on level of study/course etc. undergraduates maybe around 45 hours per week (lectures/lab/meetings). Lecturers may have research constraints, reducing availability for personal interactions. Their time is divided among grant applications, research, teaching, supervision of students which can be through their postdoctoral staff among others. University provides many areas of support and activities for students- Library and IT services, Careers help and advice. Graduate centre- learning new skills such as a foreign language. Students union- providing voice for student concerns including well being and satisfaction. Sports clubs. Culture.

Email: Darren.a@rmutp.ac.th University and course rankings, Fee’s, Scholarships. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ http://www.topuniversities.com/ http://www.scholars4dev.com/tag/scholarships-for-thais/ Applications, Information, Scholarships. www.ucas.com Other https://www.timeshighereducation.com http://www.educationuk.org/