Armando Said:

Help please! Can I take up an access to Higher education in the UK?

We Answered:

Hi =) Unfortunately, UK universities only accept a few qualifications, none of which include a high school credentials outside UK. If you truly want to apply to UK, you have to take certain qualification examinations, since you don't want to take the foundation route. Furthermore, if you want to apply to places in USA and Australia, you would require additional qualifications, on top of your high school diploma/graduation cert.

I'd best advise that you decide whether you would want a UK/Australia (British System) or USA degree.

UK degree would require you to take up the GCE Advanced Level examinations, which is basically a post-secondary course that examines you on pre-university courses. (i.e. think of it as deeper level courses than your secondary school ones) This route is one of the best as it is both recognized by UK and USA. It takes you an additional two years (at least) of education. Here is the downside: before you can take the Advanced levels, you need to take GCSE Ordinary Level examinations. It is similar to your secondary school courses.
BTEC, VCE etc are, to my knowledge, not offered anywhere outside of UK. They are national examinations for those studying in UK. As you are currently in the Philippines (i assume), your only option is that of the Advanced levels, as it is the most convenient and widely administered examination.

USA degree would require either the GCSE Ordinary Level or/and the GCE Advanced Level, depending on which university you are want to apply to (MIT, Harvard etc require Advanced level exminations). On top of that, you would need to take the SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Tests.

I have included these two websites:
1) http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-education-information-sheets-choosing-degree.pdf
2) www.ucas.com

They are highly useful in your research to attaining your UK degree. If you are still unsure or unclear in anyway, you might want to try contacting The British Council in your home country. They are very helpful and understanding.If you intend to take the examinations which I have written above, you will need to register with them.

All the best in your endeavours! =)

Carlos Said:

how to access to higher education in Uk?

We Answered:

I found some info in this link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAnd…

Carl Said:

How does UK higher education fees compare to other countries in the world?

We Answered:

The cost of tertiary education is not that different around the world. What is different is the degree of tax-payer support. Some countries like Finland and Denmark are 100% tax payer subsidised, others like the USA are mostly self sufficient.

The UK, like most of Europe, is a hybrid system and will continue to be so after the new changes.

Fair? How do you mean fair? I would say that forcing tax-payers to fund tertiary education is very unfair. Also I personally object to paying for vanity degrees. But others might be very happy to pay large taxes.

Personally I think parents should be allowed to keep more of their earnings and be therefore able to put aside money to pay for their children's education or take annual holidays as they wish.

Or students should be able to take out loans. If they don't want to borrow, they can go to a country where the taxpayer funds the cost of uni. just as so many EU students come now to the UK.

Emily Said:

Did higher education in UK used to be free/cheaper?

We Answered:

Yes. 40+ somethings had their fees paid for the most part and got grants, which did vary depending on your parents' incomes. Things changed in the very early 1990's.

Phyllis Said:

In general, is UK higher education really good or simply self-overrated?

We Answered:

It depends on what you call 'good'. Harder? At places like Oxford and Cambridge, yes. Better? It depends. What you get is what you put into it.

Grace Said:

What is the Union for non teaching staff in UK Higher Education?

We Answered:

Unison is the union for support staff.

Alicia Said:

What is the difference between universities in the UK and higher education in America?

We Answered:

This brief has more to do with what part of the world you come from and your secondary education orientation.
First American universities offer a four year undergraduate degree course broken into 8 semesters. The first semester for the fall (Autumn in UK) intake begins late August/early September. US has an 8-4-4 education system where as UK has the 7-6-3 system meaning if you join a US university after your advanced levels in UK or any other country using the UK secondary education sysstem, you will loose one year as you will have to do 4 years of undergraduate as compared to UKs 3. The scope of American undergraduate degree is not as intensive and comprehensive as what UK universities offer. There is a general perception that a degree obtained from UK is viewed by the rest of the world as more advanced than one from US. I also tend to think UK's university environment is more student friendly and academic than the American ones. Inadequate public transport, or the lack of it, makes dependence on a private car as a means of transport more expensive to study and live in US as compared to UK. Finally, if you are British, foreign students are not allowed to work in US where as you can work and partly support yourself while studying in UK.