The British education system
Everything you need to know about studying in the United Kingdom
The British education system is different in many ways, but it also has numerous advantages. It's essential to understand it thoroughly before embarking on a study project in the UK. When you subscribe to Study Experience's support program, your advisor is there to guide you and help you make informed choices.
For a detailed overview of the British education system, you can purchase the guide "Studying in the UK" published by Studyrama, written by our founder Marc McHugo. In the meantime, here are some key differences you should understand before you begin.
A British degree recognized internationally
Bachelor's Degree
The first university degree is the Bachelor's degree , which you can complete in three or four years. When this program takes four years, it includes a year abroad or an internship. Be careful not to confuse the British Bachelor's degree with the Bachelor's degree awarded by some French schools. The British Bachelor's degree is a university qualification (like the Licence), whereas French "Bachelor's" degrees most often refer to vocational training programs.
Bachelor's Degree (Top-Up)
It's worth noting that it's sometimes possible to join a Bachelor's program mid-course. If you've completed a two-year post-secondary diploma (such asa BTS or DUTis an option Top-Up . This means you enter the third year of the Bachelor's program and complete your degree in just one year. While many options exist, "Top-Up" programs aren't available in all fields. Most often, these programs are reserved for business or engineering students.
Foundation Year
To gain admission to a British Bachelor's degree, you must have completed the French Baccalaureate (or equivalent), and grades play a significant role in the admissions process. For example, if you wish to study Physics/Chemistry at university, the institution will almost certainly require a good grade in Physics/Chemistry for admission to their program. If you do not have the Baccalaureate, or if your grades are insufficient for your chosen program, you can complete a Foundation Year. This one-year, pre-university program allows you to acquire the necessary skills to continue your studies in your chosen field. Therefore, if you have a Literature Baccalaureate but ultimately intend to pursue scientific studies, a Foundation Year would allow you to "catch up," so to speak.
Master's Degree
A Master's degree in the UK is almost always completed in one year and is equivalent to a Master 2 in France. There are two types of Master's programs : you can choose to further develop the specialization you studied during your Bachelor's degree ; or you can acquire new skills. For example, it is very common to pursue a Master's degree in Law after a Bachelor's degree in Economics or History.
Applying to British universities
Student selection is based on application. This application will include several documents, such as your academic transcripts, an English proficiency test (IELTS), a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation from a professor. Applications are prepared well in advance (approximately one year before the intended start date), and a strong application is obviously crucial to increasing your chances of admission. The application evaluation is comprehensive and takes into account each applicant's individual circumstances – universities recruit individuals, not just numbers, so grades are not always the sole criterion. For this reason, the personal statement is an essential component of the application and must be carefully prepared.
Study Experience advisors intervene at different levels to optimize your chances:
- Strategic targeting of universities to allow you to join the best possible program based on your abilities
- Coaching to help you create a cover letter that meets expectations
- Impeccable handling of administrative procedures, with the option of providing certified translations
- We also offer IELTS (English test)
The start dates
The academic year begins every September. Generally, it's wise to start the application process very early (about a year in advance), but there are specific deadlines. For example, any post-baccalaureate applicant wishing to attend Oxford, Cambridge , or medical school must apply before October 15th of the year preceding the academic year. Other post-baccalaureate students should ideally apply before January 15th, but it's still possible to submit an application after this date at most universities.
For postgraduate students, there is generally no firm deadline; programs close as they fill up. It's therefore still best to start the application process early. We recommend completing your applications by mid-April at the latest.
More and more universities are now offering January and even April intakes. So it's not a problem if you contact us too late for the September intake and/or if you want to change your course of study after starting a September program that isn't right for you.
