After all, how much could the UK system differ from the others?
Every year, thousands of international students leave their countries for the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom. This is because of their world-renowned education system, the big opportunities in the British work market, and the possibility of learning the English language in the best, most immersive way possible. However, most of these international students arrive in the UK with great drive but need all the information. This incomplete knowledge of the university system can cause many struggles for those already struggling seventeen/eighteen-year-old international students. In fact, these young people, who barely know the system of their own countries are faced with the dynamics of a foreign system, in a country they don’t even know is quite problematic. This is why it is important to find someone who can put themselves in those students’ shoes and explain easily their experiences with the British Uni system and how it works.
I moved to the UK in November 2022 to take a “gap year” to figure out my way into the university world and how I’d get into it. After two years, I have just finished my first undergraduate year at the University of Reading and I can say that I have truly enjoyed my time here so far. So, I decided to dissect my own experience to explain how the British system works.
Foundation Year
First of all, when I first arrived in the UK I was not exactly meant to take a gap year, but a foundation year. Foundation years can be considered pre-university courses that students do to have specific marks, to get into the university they would like. In other words, people who do not have all the requirements to be accepted into their dream university can take this additional year.
For instance, I took this year because I wanted to study in England, so I needed to get a specific English language certificate. The course lasts eight months and has both English and specific subject classes depending on what kind of foundation you choose. It helps build competencies not just in English but also in our chosen subjects. These eight months are divided into three terms in which you have specific assignments to submit during the first two and the exam session in the third.
UCAS
The organizations behind these courses are fully linked with the universities and they help students with their applications during the year. In the United Kingdom, students have to apply for university through the UCAS website, where they can choose only five universities, apply, and send their request with all their dates and a personal statement in which they tell their own story and experiences to “convince” the universities to accept them. After this, whichever universities accept your request will get you back a list of all the requirements you must complete with your exams at the end of the year. For example, when I applied to UCAS, out of my five choices, only three universities sent me back their requests, and after achieving them, I could finally apply for their undergraduate courses.
The year after, I started my first year as an undergraduate student at the University of Reading and realized that it was really different from the university system of my own country. First of all, when they start, students are meant to have diversified modules in their course to pass to get through to the next academic year: some of them are compulsory and others can be chosen from. To pass each module, you’ll be requested at least 40% in assignments and exams.
Terms
The year is divided into three terms as the foundation. It starts at the end of September and ends around the beginning of June. These terms can be identified as:
- Autumn term, which goes from September to December
- Spring term, from January until April
- Summer term from the end of April to June.
Furthermore, the first two terms are a bit different from the third one because they focus on lessons, give assignments, and include most of the modules. In the end, the summer term is when almost all modules’ lessons stop and exam sessions start. When this last term ends and all students have finished their exams, the year is over. However, if someone does not pass any module within their courses, they have to retake them during the summer to get through.
The trick here is to pay attention to the following takeaways that will allow you to understand and adapt to the reality of British universities:
- Foundation years are pre-university courses for students to meet specific entry requirements for their desired university. I needed this year to obtain an English language certificate to study in England. The course lasts eight months, with English and subject-specific classes, divided into three terms: assignments in the first two and exams in the third.
- In the UK, students apply through UCAS, selecting up to five universities and submitting a personal statement. Accepted universities provide a list of requirements to be met by year-end exams.
- Students must pass various modules, some compulsory and others elective, to advance to the next academic year. Each module requires at least 40% in assignments and exams to pass.
- The academic year is divided into three terms: Autumn (September-December), Spring (January-April), and Summer (April-June). The first two terms focus on lessons and assignments, while the Summer term is mainly for exams. The year ends after exams in June, but students who fail any modules must retake them during the summer.
In conclusion, I want to advise every student who is considering studying in the United Kingdom to not be scared. The main aim of the university is to make all students as comfortable as possible so that they can be the best version of themselves. Moreover, if you first find this system really different compared to the one you know, don’t worry, you’ll get it over time. To be fair, even my father still does not get all of it.
