Student to Student

Going to University in the U.K.

A Former Student Describes the Rewards, Barriers, and Hurdles

By Kat Patrick

The rewards of signing up for a British degree are many. All it takes is a little know-how and a lot of perseverance.

You may want to take a British degree to get a prestigious foreign university on your resume. Or you may simply want more immersion in British culture than a study abroad program permits. Or, because most British undergraduate degrees focus on a single discipline for three years, you may want to engage in an indepth study of your favorite subject.

Because I was a scholarship athlete as an undergraduate, I couldn' t participate in study abroad programs. So I waited until I'd finished my BA and applied to a one-year MA course in England. Almost as soon as I began applying, however, I discovered a number of barriers resulting from the clash between the American and British educational systems.

Barriers

The first barrier results from differences in U.S. and British secondary schools. In Britain, students finish their 10th-grade year by taking exams in as many as 11 subjects. These are called General Certificates in Secondary Education (GCSEs). High school technically finishes here, but most students opt to continue their studies to "A-Level," advanced level. For the next two years, students study only a few subjects. By the time they come to choose their university course they're ready to specialize in only one subject.

Generally, U.S. high school students haven't specialized enough to be able to compete with their British counterparts. Some British universities have a special program for Americans who have completed a BA in the U.S. They can sign up for an affiliated degree and, in two years, receive a British BA with its more narrow program of study.

Another barrier could be money. In the British system there's no concept of credit hours--it' s an "all or nothing" system, where tuition is a flat rate. While you won't be expected to pay all three years' tuition up front, you'll have to prove that you have the means to do so.

It's still not practical to work and study while at a traditional university, and British universities don't have the funds for scholarships. In other words, don't expect any financial support. This isn't as bad as it may sound. My one-year master's course at Durham cost the same as a year at my undergraduate college in the U.S.--a private university, true, but not an expensive one by national standards.

Hurdles

Once you've decided on your course and institution and have arranged funding, it's time to start applying. British students apply for university a whole year before they intend to go. Those accepted are given "offers" (grades they're expected to make on their exams). Then everyone waits until the summer when exam grades are released.

As an American, you can play the system a bit differently. Try applying in the summer before your senior year, thus getting your application in before the British onslaught. Or apply very late--in early September for an October start--because some universities will have saved places for students who failed their exams and so will be eager to fill the spot.

The second hurdle is filling in the application properly. When you get to the sections that ask for GCSE and A-level grades, just write "See enclosed" and send along your transcripts. Spell words in the British way--"colour," "programme," "theatre," etc. If you're not sure, look it up. I promise you, it matters.

The next hurdle is the interview. Most British universities prefer to see their students in person, and you'll stand a lot better chance if you can arrange a few interviews during a trip.

Finally, you need proof that your tuition and living expenses will be covered--usually an advance letter from your banker (on company letterhead, dated and signed). I thought I could bring my financial statement with me when I came. I turned up with my suitcases and found myself homeless. Everything eventually worked out, although I lost my place at the college of my choice. The lesson of the story is to doublecheck that your application is complete.

As for actually getting the money into the country, you have four options: bring cash (unsafe, bad exchange rate); bring traveler's checks (expensive); use a cash card (limit on withdrawals); or open a British bank account as soon as you arrive and have your American funds sent by wire transfer (may take up to two weeks).

Don't let these barriers and hurdles put you off the rewards of studying in Britain. I came over in 1987 for a one-year course. That was 12 years and five universities ago.

DR. KAT PATRICK is presently a full-time freelance writer based in the Cotswolds in England.