Steps for Undergrad Education in UK - II

Step 4

Research your Universities. This is something that takes a lot of time, honestly! The UK allows you to choose 5 universities to apply for. So , you need to take this decision carefully. Optimal way of choosing your five universities would be to choose 2 top class universities you have always dreamed of getting into, 2 medium rank universities and finally a back option of a much easier university to get into.

Attention !! Remember that when choosing 5 options on the UCAS form, you are Choosing 5 courses ! It might be 2 courses from the same university .  Example : You can take up two places on the UCAS by selecting Bsc Eco & Finance and Bsc Accounting And Finance in the same University. Attention !! 

Firstly, check out rankings of various universities and make sure that you are checking the course specific ranking and not the overall ranking.
For instance, ( fictional example. ) if you are planning to do a medicine course, while Imperial college of London might rank 3rd best university overall, they might be raking 57th in medicine.( fictional example. )

Secondly, you might want to choose your university depending on its location, size, acceptance rate and various other characteristics you might be looking for. For example, if you are looking for those type of universities with huge campuses stretching acres over lush green fields, City university might not be the right option; Though city is an excellent choice for people who enjoy the city life. Moreover, Living expenses in universities based in middle of London maybe much higher than those outside of London. So there are many factors you really need to consider.

Finally, When you choose your universities, remember to make a word document with your five universities and all the essential information associated with it. Primarily , the UCAS code, location, fees and a contact email address. Be organized , Trust me .

NOTE: Email all your final selected universities, questioning them on the entry requirements. There might be some universities that do not accept certain curriculum ( such as the CBSE, ICSE , etc ) so, do your research thoroughly.  

This is an excellent website to check out rankings and has a mini fact file too, but do check out other websites and get the general idea, before making the final decision. And Remember, Ranking is not the Final tiebreaker, research about all the other factors you should consider.

The complete University Guide UK - Website

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Step 5

Take your IELTS. It is very important you try finishing of the IELTS as soon as possible. It has a 2 year validity, so, the best time would be during end of year 11 or year 12 summer vacation. The IELTS is honestly a very easy test. It just checks whether you can read, write and converse in English. If you have been able to read my posts and understand what I am saying, you already can achieve a 6 or 7 out of 9.

Confusion Between IELTS and TOEFL
Both are credited and acknowledged testing systems for English, but again it would be more preferable if you gave the country's preferred testing system.

UK and Australia Prefer the IELTS
US and Canada Prefer the TOEFL
Again these preferences may or may not be true,(i.e) why email your universities asking them all the entry requirements you need to fulfill, but mostly almost every university in the UK accepts both the IELTS and TOEFL.

The IELTS has two categories - GT and AC 
General Training is for emigration purposes while colleges will be requiring the AC- Academic Module.( But still confirm this with your selected university)
The IELTS is a Four part Test

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• SPEAKING

ALERT !

The reason I capitalized speaking, is because not only is the test nerve racking for the most of us, but there is a huge mistake most of the people giving the IELTS make. The speaking test is held mostly on a different date, which can be anytime within a week Before or After the Actual written exam date. SO, do call up the British council well in advance like a week before and confirm the date and time of your written and speaking test.

Don't worry too much about it. With Some basic test format familiarity and a few practice tests, you will easily ace this test.

Go to their website and read thoroughly - IELTS Website
Register for the Next immediate test at your nearest British council . (The test costs 875DHS in the UAE)

For Tips, help and Ways to Ace the Test - Go to ( How to ace the IELTS with literally no practice -Under Construction )

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