British diploma within Slovaks’ reach

To invest in study means, in the case of the Slovaks, to travel abroad. That is not only the case because none of the Slovak universities has so far succeeded in ranking among the world’s top 500 universities. The Slovaks search for a connection between theory and practice, as well as for a prospective job after the completion of education. It may be the reason why the number of applicants admitted to universities all around the world increases every year. The United Kingdom with its quality education system and a system of student loans for all is increasingly becoming a study destination. To hold a British diploma means not fearing a lack of job offers in Slovakia, but especially in other countries.

The British dream in practice
To get to a British university is not impossible, but applicants require patience, language skills, good study results, and perhaps a bit of luck. The Slovak, Andrea, an economics student, speaks about her decision to travel to London: „Study in the United Kingdom has always been my great dream, so I collected all the required information many years in advance. It is not necessary, but I recommend for you to start one year before the planned start of study.“ An early preparation for study in the UK is really important. The first and decisive step is to examine the university rankings published every year by statistical agencies and British media. The system of education in the United Kingdom is different from education in Slovakia. The British put stress on creative thinking and the connection between theory and practice. It is common for the most excellent students to find a job during their study, because firms and companies working with schools will „catch“ them.

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The state English examination is not enough
By the accession of Slovakia to the European Union, Slovak students are entitled to the same conditions of access to education, financial support, social security, and amount of school fees as British students. Unlike Slovak schools, education attained in the UK is recognised in all EU member countries. A degree from the most prestigious universities is accepted all around the world. Like in Slovakia, university study in the UK is divided into bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees. A degree can also be obtained online in the framework of the external study offered by the Open University. An important condition for admission is the submission of the certificate of English language proficiency obtained through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or other similar certificate. The state English examination can be an advantage, but it will not help an applicant during the academic programme.

Online admission process
Applicants for the bachelor’s degree enrol between 1 September and 15 January through the online agency UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service). Once enrolled, the student can choose up to five specialisations. To be complete, the application has to be accompanied by a motivation letter and references. Subsequently, it is then sent to all the selected schools for assessment, while the applicant can monitor the decision-making process via the online system. When the application is submitted, the selected universities will issue a conditional acceptance letter that guarantees admission in case the student fulfils conditions by the fixed date, mostly school-leaving examination results. A different procedure is applied for postgraduate courses at the master’s and PhD degree levels, where applicants enrol directly with university institutions. Applications for correspondence and other courses should also be addressed directly to the individual institutions.

School fees may deter applicants
Students have to pay school fees in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the only exception being Scotland. The financing of a daily form of the bachelor’s degree amounts up to GBP 3,290 per year. The master’s programme is usually more expensive, the amount of the fee is fixed individually by each university. The PhD degree is supported by many organisations and research institutions that educate professionals in a given area. PhD students receive scholarships that cover their living costs. Due to the attractiveness and high competition, it is not easy to be admitted to the postgraduate studies – only the most brilliant students will be successful. A part-time study   is advantageous for those who want to earn money on a current basis. The graduates enter their first job with a debt of GBP 15,000 on average, so many of them opt for the external form of study. Furthermore, the British government recently announced an increase of the school fees, which should triple in the years to come. The proposal was criticised severely by the public fearing that education would only be accessible to the rich. Therefore, its approbation is questionable so far.

System of loans for all
The payment of school fees and high living costs from own resources would certainly be an insurmountable problem for many. Therefore, a system of loans (granted by the Student Loans Company) has been functioning for years, thanks to which students repay their debt after the completion of their study. The point is that a student starts to repay it as soon as their annual wage exceeds GBP 15,000. This means that he or she will repay 9 per cent of the amount earned by him in excess of this sum. The average annual wage of a graduate is GBP 18,000. If the graduate does not reach the determined limit of GBP 15,000 or drops below this limit in the future, repayment will be suspended or the debt will be fully remitted to him or her. Another bit of help is provided by universities in the form of merit scholarships that are granted to the most brilliant students based on the universities’ own criteria. Money can also be obtained from banks that offer a low-rate student loan. Underprivileged families receive a grant for school fees, similar to the Slovak social scholarship.  In addition, a student can also apply to the Slovak Republic government for a student loan up to approx. €665,– per year.

For more information about study in the United Kingdom, see www.slovenskecentrum.sk

Author: Nina Klusová
Photo: sxc.hu

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