Non-standard application process when applying to universities
Fundamental information regarding non-standard applications for university in the UK.
- An application must be done through the UCAS website, with exceptions being UPCSE and UPCH. The deadline is the 15th January, but some competitive courses such as Medicine will be earlier, such as around October time. If you are accepted, you have until the 8th June to respond with a decision.
- You will need to apply for a Visa, and do not apply for one more than three months before your course start date. As part of the visa application process, you will be required to supply biometric data including scans of your fingers and a full-face digital photograph. You will therefore need to visit a UK visa office or a visa application centre in person to provide this.
- Your English language ability will be assessed as part of the admissions process. It has to be at a minimum of Common European Framework of Reference level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You may be required to take one of the UK Border Agency’s approved SELTs (English language tests) as evidence for ability in English language. This will not be a requirement, however, if your country is mainly English-speaking.
- If you plan to study Science, Engineering or Technology, you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme. The application is free of charge but must be obtained after you have received an offer.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies is needed, a unique 14 digit reference number. UCL, however, will apply for this for you only if you have accepted their offer.
- Students from certain countries may need to obtain a certificate that shows they are free from TB.
English language requirements for courses in the UK
- If English is not your first language you should have at least one of the following qualifications (or equivalent) as a minimum:
- British Council International English Language Testing System(IELTS): You need an overall score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking
- Pearson Test of English Academic with a minimum score in each individual element of 54
- TOEFL score of 550 or above for Paper Based Tests or 87 Internet Based Tests
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) grade C or above
- Cambridge Certification in Advanced English (CAE) grade C or above
- O-Level English Language or GCSE English Language grades A,B or C (UK Exam board)
- Malaysian SPM 1119, grade 6 or above (only grades 1,2 or 3 are acceptable for Law)
- Degree in English
Bologna
WHAT IS BOLOGNA?
Bologna refers to the New European Higher Education System. On June 19, 1999, 30 European states signed the Bologna Declaration, promoting the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the formal name for a university system to which all officially accredited European universities belong.
WHAT IS BOLOGNA for?
The European Higher Education Area is a common framework for European countries to encourage convergence in education, employability and mobility within Europe and attract students, professors and researchers from around the world.
WHAT are BOLOGNA goals?
1. Mutual recognition of qualifications- A simple, transparent system to compare qualifications has been adopted. This involves, among other measures, introducing a Diploma Supplement or a European Degree Supplement.
2. Common degree structures- A system with two main cycles, Graduate and Postgraduate, has been adopted. This has been divided into 3 levels of study:
Bachelor – Basic higher education aimed at acquiring the essential skills for professional life.
Masters – Advanced postgraduate studies aimed at acquiring specific professional skills and/or research competencies.
Doctorate – Advanced postgraduate studies which focus specifically on research.
3. Transferable credit system- The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) provides for immediate, automatic acceptance by a European university of the credits obtained at any other European university. Such credits are generally called ‘ECTS’ or ‘ECTS credits’.
4. Mobility programs- Mobility programs have been accelerated, and the common standards now adopted by all EHEA countries enable immediate free movement of students, professors, researchers and other staff among all universities and other higher education and research institutions.
5. Quality Assurance- EHEA countries have committed to uniform quality standards. This is reflected in standardized criteria and methods. The following guidelines are particularly relevant to students:
Higher education institutions must define and publish their policy and procedures for the continuous improvement of their programs and qualifications. Procedures have been established for the approval, modification and monitoring of programs and qualifications.
Consistent student assessment criteria have been implanted. Procedures ensuring the assessment and continuous improvement of teaching staff have been established. Procedures have been established to ensure the availability of appropriate learning resources for all programs.
How is university adapted to it?
IE University was one of the first universities in Spain and in Europe to adapt its practice to the EHEA. IE University has been awarding EHEA accredited Bachelor degrees since 2008.
Thanks to its origins, which are an extension of the IE Business School model, IE University has always subscribed to many of Bologna’s principles and objectives in its educational philosophy and methods. Although this was not formally within the new structures, some of Bologna’s most important characteristics were already part and parcel of IE’s educational model:
Bologna refers to the New European Higher Education System. On June 19, 1999, 30 European states signed the Bologna Declaration, promoting the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the formal name for a university system to which all officially accredited European universities belong.
WHAT IS BOLOGNA for?
The European Higher Education Area is a common framework for European countries to encourage convergence in education, employability and mobility within Europe and attract students, professors and researchers from around the world.
WHAT are BOLOGNA goals?
1. Mutual recognition of qualifications- A simple, transparent system to compare qualifications has been adopted. This involves, among other measures, introducing a Diploma Supplement or a European Degree Supplement.
2. Common degree structures- A system with two main cycles, Graduate and Postgraduate, has been adopted. This has been divided into 3 levels of study:
Bachelor – Basic higher education aimed at acquiring the essential skills for professional life.
Masters – Advanced postgraduate studies aimed at acquiring specific professional skills and/or research competencies.
Doctorate – Advanced postgraduate studies which focus specifically on research.
3. Transferable credit system- The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) provides for immediate, automatic acceptance by a European university of the credits obtained at any other European university. Such credits are generally called ‘ECTS’ or ‘ECTS credits’.
4. Mobility programs- Mobility programs have been accelerated, and the common standards now adopted by all EHEA countries enable immediate free movement of students, professors, researchers and other staff among all universities and other higher education and research institutions.
5. Quality Assurance- EHEA countries have committed to uniform quality standards. This is reflected in standardized criteria and methods. The following guidelines are particularly relevant to students:
Higher education institutions must define and publish their policy and procedures for the continuous improvement of their programs and qualifications. Procedures have been established for the approval, modification and monitoring of programs and qualifications.
Consistent student assessment criteria have been implanted. Procedures ensuring the assessment and continuous improvement of teaching staff have been established. Procedures have been established to ensure the availability of appropriate learning resources for all programs.
How is university adapted to it?
IE University was one of the first universities in Spain and in Europe to adapt its practice to the EHEA. IE University has been awarding EHEA accredited Bachelor degrees since 2008.
Thanks to its origins, which are an extension of the IE Business School model, IE University has always subscribed to many of Bologna’s principles and objectives in its educational philosophy and methods. Although this was not formally within the new structures, some of Bologna’s most important characteristics were already part and parcel of IE’s educational model:
- Student-centered education, based on the student’s learning and development, through the acquisition of relevant competencies.
- International outlook and promotion of student mobility: Importance of continuous professional development and lifelong learning, from the initial stages of higher education (postgraduate in the case of IE Business School) through to executive education.
- Valuing and crediting learning acquired informally and/or in a professional context.
- Tailoring the teaching methodologies and materials to the subjects taught.
- Orientation toward employability.
- Strategies, policies and procedures to ensure continuous improvement of programs, teaching, and communication with students.