The blog of A Star Future Ltd.Promotion of international higher education to students and teachers in the United Kingdom.Essential reading for any teacher looking for information on international higher education, as well as any international university that is interested in following developments in the United Kingdom.
One of the most frequently asked questions by British students is about the relative quality of international universities. League tables, whatever their strengths and failings, are a fact of life in the decision making process.
For this reason, we are always keen to work with higher education institutions that have a good, international standing. CERAM-ESC Lille offers British students the chance to gain a French Grande Ecole education, with all courses taught in the English language.
CERAM-ESC Lille offers courses in the following disciplines at undergraduate level:
Business
Communications
Engineering
Aerospace and Aeronautics
Environmental Science/Marine Biology
Most degrees are offered as dual degrees where students spend two years in the south of France before heading off to partner institutions in countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia. Alternatively students can study in the South of France for 7 out of 8 semesters.
We are learning more about CERAM-ESC Lille all the time. Further details are available on our website here.
According to an article in The Guardian yesterday, students applying to start university next autumn face a battle for places that will be even tougher than in 2009. Universities have been ordered to cap the number of extra places at just 10,000. These places will not be evenly spread between all institutions. In fact, the majority will be allocated to non-traditional higher education institutions rather than elite universities.
There was already extra pressure in the application procedure as a result of the approximately 50,000 students who failed to get a place at their chosen university this year. With so many students reapplying and already possessing the grades necessary for acceptance at good universities, those entering the Ucas process this year could find it even harder than usual to obtain a place. So far this autumn, there has already been a 15% increase in registrations with Ucas.
British universities will be unable to meet the demand for 2010 admissions, particularly as many expansion plans have been placed on hold as a result of the funding crisis in higher education. It is somewhat ironic that a government that campaigned on a mantra of “Education, Education, Education” will probably leave office unable to satisfy the demand that it created. The Conservatives main policy to address the funding crisis was announced this week at its party conference: discounts for the early repayment of student loans. This may very well increase funding for more than 10,000 places but it is unlikely to address the structural issues which restrict the expansion of higher education. As a result, there are likely to be admissions restrictions of one kind or another for much of the length of the next parliament.
So, what are the alternatives? We believe that young people should not be putting their lives on hold waiting for a place at a British university as a result of a financial situation that is beyond their control. We also believe that students should be looking at higher education with a harder focus. Whether it be a desire to advance in a particular profession, or a yearning to study a particular subject in depth, students need to be clear about why it is they wish to pursue higher education. Once this decision is made, however, we would suggest that students begin to look outside the United Kingdom for the solution.
Interest in the best US higher education has been growing in recent years. Awareness of universities in Europe is also increasing, particularly now that there is such a focus on the cost of tuition in this country. Countries such as the Netherlands (average fees c.€1,600) or Denmark (no fees) are starting to offer the kinds of courses that will attract international students. Other universities in Europe such as Universita Bocconi, CERAMBusinessSchool and PragueCollege offer education at a slightly lower or similar price to English universities. All of these institutions have their own areas of excellence and some of them measure up very favourably to the best British universities when comparing rankings.
Students wishing to pursue medicine and veterinary science have long been used to the extreme pressure for places at British universities. One Polish medical university indicated to me at the recent EAIE conference that applications from Britain have increased by 400% this year. As more subjects become restricted, we fully expect to see this trend expand to all areas of higher education.
We could very well be entering a period where not only is it sensible for students to know about international higher education opportunities, it is also essential.
We are just about to start out on the road with our 2009-2010 presentation. Here is a summary of what it contains:
A Star Future delivers approximately 100 presentations each year in schools up and down the country. Every year, we aim to ensure that tomorrow's students have the information they need to consider international opportunities as part of their future. We often find that we are the only source of information for many of the schools that we visit.
Our presentation addresses some of the key reasons why students should consider going abroad. We look at the career benefits of international experience as well as the personal benefits to the individual.
Increasingly we address the financial implications of higher education. As going to university becomes more expensive, more British students are willing to look at universities in other countries. From free education in some European countries to world leading education in the USA, Australia and New Zealand (for a little more than staying at home), the options have never been greater.
International higher education is a global phenomenon, one which British students are in danger of missing out on. As universities in the United Kingdom increasingly attract students from all around the world, tomorrow's students need to be aware that they will be entering a job market containing not only their peers but global citizens who have already amassed considerable international experience. Too often, international study opportunities are offered to British students when it is too late for them to participate. For this reason, we aim our presentations at Year 12 (Lower VI) students.
As a result of our presentation, students should be aware of some of the main opportunities available to them such as:
summer schools
semesters abroad/exchanges
undergraduate degrees abroad
joint degrees in two countries
internship opportunities
Most of the opportunities we present are available in the English language. However, we would always recommend that students should learn the local language of the country they live in and we also offer advice on the best ways to learn.
After every presentation we provide email support to all students who are interested in learning more. We also provide each school that we visit with an information pack containing brochures and prospectuses of our partner institutions.
Because of our limited resources, it is difficult for us to be in more than one place at a time. Our presentation is typically free of charge to schools if it is booked within one of our scheduled visits to the right part of the country. For more information about our 2009-2010 schedule click here.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
We have a regular audience of schools that we get to every year but we are always interested in adding more to our list.
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Think:Education Group, Australia's leading provider of specialist, vocational education.
Think:Education Group includes colleges which focus on marketing and communications, tourism and hospitality, design and health & wellbeing. In recent years they have achieved a 100% success rate in terms of their graduates finding a job in the industry they train for. So, if you are worried about investing in your future with no guarantee of a job at the end of your studies, you might want to take a look at Think:Education Group.
It is also possible to study for your degree in two years. This is hard work. You will complete three years' worth of courses in two years. It is not a short cut. But, if you are motivated to get in to the workplace as quickly as possible, this might be the way for you to go.
To learn more about other Australian universities please visit www.astarfuture.co.uk .
Founder and director A Star Future Ltd, the first organisation in the UK dedicated to the promotion of international education to British students and their advisors
