Lively eyes

What is IELTS?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most widely
recognised examination system in English language taken by international students
wishing to come and study in UK further or higher education. Students applying for
courses in FE colleges need to show evidence of competence in English language
and as IELTS is the most commonly used system for doing this, although others suchTOEFL or some Cambridge exams may also be accepted.
What is a foundation year programme?
Many FE colleges offer one-year international foundation year or 'access'
programmes. These programmes have different discipline-specific modules and
prepare students to enter an honours degree programme at undergraduate level.
They also include modules that can help international students reach the required
level in English language and develop the study skills needed for degree level study.
What are the benefits of doing a foundation year programme in FE?
If your aim is to study on an undergraduate degree programme at university, a
foundation year programme may help provide you with access to this. Many
universities prefer students who have completed foundation year programmes first,
and may even accredit or have official agreements with colleges offering them. This
means that you may be guaranteed a place on a course at a particular university,
provided that you pass the foundation year.
What is a foundation degree course?
A foundation degree programme is a vocational degree course which combines
academic study and work-based learning. FE colleges offering these universityaccredited
courses collaborate with local employers so that students can develop
their skills in the real workplace as part of their course. They may be full-time or parttime,
and involve modular elements, distance learning or online learning. Two-year
foundation degree programmes can often be topped up with a further year of study if
students wish to receive an honours degree, often at a university with which your FE
college is in partnership.
Will there be an orientation or induction programme to help me settle in when I
arrive?
All FE colleges are likely to provide an induction programme for home and/or
international students at the start of the academic year. This may be a one-day
induction or last for several days. It is likely to include an orientation to the college
and some of the study skills you will need on your course. It will allow you to meet
key people from the college and make friends with other students.
Will someone from college be there to help me when I arrive in the UK?
Many FE colleges operate a 'Meet and Greet' service at major airports in the UK.
This means that they will meet you on arrival and take you to the college by coach or
minibus. You should be able to find information about this service on your college
website or by emailing your college directly.
Where will I live when I arrive at college?
Accommodation options will vary depending on the location of your FE college.
Common options include staying in a college hall of residence, sharing a house or
flat with other students, finding a private bedsit, or living with a homestay family. Not
all of these options are available through every college. You should contact your
college accommodation office to find out what options are available for you in the
location where you will be studying.
How much support can my FE college give me if I want to find a job?
Many colleges put an emphasis on providing courses that increase their students'
opportunities
What about my personal safety while studying at college in the UK?
FE colleges are particularly concerned about the welfare of their international
students and want them to feel safe and secure while studying in the UK.
What is a Sixth Form college and why is it relevant to FE?
Sixth Form relates to the final 2 years of secondary education in the UK. Sixth Form
colleges focus on preparing students for pre-university exams.
What links do FE colleges have with their local community?
What is a college summer school?
Many FE colleges run summer schools between July and September.
What is an English Language Plus programme?
Some FE colleges offer English Language Plus programmes.
What size classes will there be on my course?
FE colleges prefer to teach students in smaller groups where possible. This means
that you are likely to experience an average class size of 15 for teaching.
Will I be able to choose several courses or units rather than just one?
FE colleges offer quite a lot of flexibility in terms of the courses that you can 'mix and
match' in your programme of study. For example it may be possible to follow
vocational and academic courses together. English Language Plus is often available
combined with an International Foundation Year programme.
What is the difference between an FE college and a private college?
There is a difference between FE colleges and private colleges. Only FE colleges
are subject to regular government inspection to ensure that their courses meet
national standards for quality. Private colleges are not subject to such regulation and
may reflect variable quality as a result. In contrast, some universities retain the word
'college' as part of their titles. These HE institutions are not the same as private
colleges but have full university status.

The ECTS grading scale is based on the class percentile (similar, but not identical to the class rank) of a student in a given assessment, that is how he/she performed relative to other students in the same class (or in a significant group of students). The ECTS system classifies students into broad groups and thus makes interpretation of ranking simpler. This grouping is the core of the ECTS grading system.
The ECTS system initially divides students between pass and fail groups, and then assesses the performance of these two groups separately. Those obtaining passing grades are divided into five subgroups: the best 10% are awarded an A-grade, the next 25% a B-grade, the following 30% a C-grade, the following 25% a D-grade and the final 10% an E-grade.
Those who have not achieved a performance sufficient to allow a passing grade are divided into two subgroups: FX (Fail – some more work required before credit can be awarded) and F (Fail – considerable further work is required). This distinction allows differentiation between those students who have been assessed as almost passing and those who have clearly lacked the required knowledge and skills.
This system can be represented in a table, as follows:


Grade
 best/next
 Definition

A
 10 %
 
B
 25 %
 
C
 30 %
 
D
 25 %
 
E
 10 %
 
FX
  Fail - some more work required before the credit can be awarded

F
  Fail - considerable further work is required

If you are an EU student who doesn't usually live in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you should complete one of the forms on this page to apply for student finance in England, Northern Ireland or Wales.
You'll need to:
-fill in the relevant application form for your type of course and year of study (there are guidance notes to help you complete the forms)
-send the completed form to the Student Finance Services European Team
-make sure you apply by the relevant deadline
Do you qualify for extra support on top of help with tuition fees?
You may be able to get additional support if:
-you're an EU national who will have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for three years or more by the time you start your course
-you're a migrant worker from an EEA country or Switzerland living in the UK
-you're the child of a Turkish worker living in the UK

The standard first degree in England, Northern Ireland and Wales is the bachelors degree conferred with honours. It usually takes three years.
The honours are usually categorised into four classes:
First class honours (1st)
Second class honours, divided into:
Upper division, or upper second (2:1)
Lower division, or lower second (2:2)
Third class honours (3rd)
Graduands who have not achieved the standard for the award of honours may be admitted without honours to the degree of bachelor; this is popularly referred to as an 'ordinary degree' or 'pass degree'.
The Graduateship (post-nominal GCGI) of the City & Guilds of London Institute is mapped to the standard required to be admitted to a British honours degree.
The 'Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Engineering' awarded by the Engineering Council via the City & Guilds of London Institute is mapped at the same level as that required to become a Bachelor of Engineering at a British university.
Some universities admit graduands to Master's degrees as a first degree following an integrated programme of study. These degrees are usually designated by the subject, such as Master o Engineering for engineering, Master of Physics for physics, Master of Mathematics for mathematics, and so on; it usually takes four years to read for them. Graduation to these degrees is always with honours, see above for the classes of honours. Master of Engineering in particular has now become the standard first degree in engineering at the top UK universities, replacing the older Bachelor of Engineering.
The 'Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering' awarded by the Engineering Council via the City & Guilds of London Institute, is mapped at the same level as that required to become a Bachelor of Engineering at a British university.
Unlike the case in the United States, due to earlier specialisation, to read for a master's degrees may take only one year of full-time study, and the usual amount of time spent working towards a Ph.D. is three years full-time.

A foundation degree can be awarded for having completed two years of study in what is usually a vocational discipline. The foundation degree is comparable to an associate's degree in the United States, and can be awarded by a university, or college of higher education.