June 4, 2023

Insights from a Durham University student: studying and applying to the UK

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Dominique from Philippines 🇵🇭

Campus Image of Durham University
Insights from a Durham University student: studying and applying to the UK

I'm Dominique Trinidad, originally from the Philippines. Interestingly, I had the opportunity to attend two different high schools. The first one was the Philippine Science High School, which is a selective public school in the country. However, I later made a transition to the Chinese International School Manila for my final two years of high school, where I pursued the IB Program.

The International Baccalaureate Program is widely recognized for its ability to provide students with diverse opportunities to study abroad. It allowed me to explore various countries such as Hong Kong, the UK, the US, and Europe. This is primarily why I decided to switch schools, as I believed that the IB curriculum would give me an edge over applicants from local schools. I knew early on, around ninth grade, that I wanted to pursue my studies abroad and expand my educational horizons.

Why I chose to study in the UK over the US

During my university application process, I narrowed down my choices to two countries: the United States and the United Kingdom. These two destinations are among the most popular choices for studying abroad, mainly because of the convenience of communication. There's no need to learn a completely new language or adapt to significantly different customs. That aspect was particularly important to me when envisioning my university experience.

When the university results were released, I made the decision that the UK was the better fit for me. There were a few factors that influenced my choice. Firstly, the cost of studying in the UK is significantly lower compared to the US. Additionally, the UK offers a more streamlined degree structure, allowing students to focus solely on their chosen field of study and omitting general education requirements. This leads to a shorter duration of the degree program. Furthermore, after completing my degree, the UK provides better opportunities for securing a graduate role and obtaining a sponsored visa, compared to the US, where it's often a lottery system for those wishing to stay long-term.

Another noteworthy advantage of studying in the UK is its close proximity to continental Europe. This makes it incredibly convenient and affordable to travel to countries like Spain, France, or Greece, as flights can be found for less than £100 for a round trip.

Why Durham University

When deciding on universities, I had a few options including London, Manchester, York, and Durham. In England, the standard course duration is three years, while it's typically four years for international students in Scotland. That's why I didn't choose Scotland, and instead, I specifically picked Durham.

One of the main reasons I chose Durham is because of its unique collegiate system, which is similar to colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. This system creates a close-knit community and makes it easier to connect with fellow students through college events. I also like that within your college, you can explore different societies and sports, regardless of your skill level. It's a great way to try out new activities.

Another factor that influenced my decision is Durham's reputation. Durham is regarded as one of the top universities in the UK, which will be advantageous when it comes to future employment opportunities.

Lastly, I considered the practical side of living in Durham. Compared to cities like London, Durham offers a more affordable cost of living, which is important for students like me who need to budget carefully.

How to apply to UK Universities

In the UK, we have a central application portal called UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). It's similar to the Common App used in the US. You have the option to apply to one or up to five universities. If you choose to apply to five, it's slightly more expensive compared to applying to just one. The cost is around £26 for five universities and approximately £20 for one university. Overall, the application process in the UK is more affordable and straightforward compared to the US.

The application requires you to provide your personal details and school information. Your guidance counselor will likely assist with submitting your transcript and recommendation letters. Alongside these documents, you'll include your personal statement and apply to your preferred universities. With UCAS, you only need to submit one personal statement explaining your intentions, why you want to study a specific course, and your relevant experiences.

Keep in mind that you can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, not both.

For certain courses like medicine or law, additional requirements may apply. For example, you may need to take the LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) or a specific test for medicine. It's important to note that the deadline for medicine applications is much earlier, around mid-October, while for other courses, the deadline is typically in January. Make sure to keep these deadlines in mind.

As I pursued the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, I didn't need to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. However, if your high school curriculum isn't IB or A-Levels, you may be required to take the IELTS and submit the results as part of your application.

Advice on your UK college application

The personal statement is one of the primary ways admissions officers can get to know who you are and what you can bring to the table, so I highly recommend focusing on it. It's around 4,000 characters, which is roughly 600 words. Although it may not seem like a lot of words, compared to personal statements in the US, the UK personal statement is more direct and less focused on storytelling. It's important to emphasize your interest in the subject you're applying for. Highlight books related to the course that have influenced you or experiences that have sparked your passion for the subject. Additionally, express your aspirations and what you hope to achieve with your chosen course.

Grades are also crucial. Universities typically offer conditional offers based on your predicted grades for IB or A-Levels. This means you must attain specific grades to secure your spot at the university. The specific grade requirements vary, university websites often provide information on that. For example, some universities may require a minimum of 36/45 IB points with at least two sixes in higher-level subjects for the IB, or three A* grades for A-Levels. It's essential to check the requirements of all the universities you are targeting.

Tuition and Living costs

Tuition fees for an entire year, which includes three terms in the UK, typically range from £23,000 to around £30,000 for international students. The exact amount may vary depending on the subject, so it's important to check the specific fees for your chosen course. As for living expenses, it can vary based on individual lifestyles. Generally, I would estimate an average of £5,000 to £7,000 per year. This includes costs such as rent, food, and other necessary expenses. However, it's difficult to provide an exact figure as everyone's spending habits differ.

When it comes to funding for international students, financial aid is uncommon or limited since priority is often given to UK students for loans and other financial support. However, some universities offer external scholarships that can partially cover tuition fees. While these scholarships may not cover the entire cost, they can still provide significant assistance, considering the amount of money involved. You can find information about these scholarships on the university's website, here is the website for Durham University: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/international/

Studying Economics at Durham

In the UK education system, you are applying for a certain course and commit to studying it from the beginning. It's not as straightforward to transfer between courses in the UK compared to some other countries.

In the first year, it's commonly said that grades don't count because they don't contribute to your final degree classification or grade. At Durham University, for example, which follows a three-year program, the second year typically accounts for 40% of your overall grade, while the final year contributes 60%. However, this may vary among universities.

In the first year of studying economics, you usually have six classes. Three of them are required core modules, such as Principles of Economics, Economic Methods (which includes mathematics), and International Economics. The other three modules are optional, allowing you to choose from either economics or other departments. Some students may even opt to study a language or take a course from a different department.

Moving on to the second year, there are three required modules: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Economic Data Analysis (also known as Econometrics). As before, you have the freedom to select three optional modules from various departments.

In the final year, also known as the third year, there is a dissertation component that carries significant weight, accounting for about two modules. This requires focused attention and effort. The remaining four modules in the final year are typically optional.

In terms of assessment, most economics courses place a strong emphasis on end-of-year exams. This means that your exam season will be quite intense. During my first year, most of my modules were entirely exam-based. But this year, a significant portion of my grade comes from coursework and other assessments.

Life in Durham

Durham is locted a considerable distance from London, requiring a three-hour train ride. In contrast, Edinburgh is much closer, with just a two-hour train journey. The city itself has a strong university presence, making it a vibrant student town. If you enjoy being part of a student community, this is an ideal setting. There are various activities and events organized by colleges and different societies. Additionally, we have frequent formal events called balls, which provide enjoyable experiences. The city, although not as large as others, offers its charm. For more extensive city experiences, many students opt for day trips to nearby Newcastle. At the same time, within Durham, each college has its own bars that offer affordable drinks, making it convenient to socialize and have everything you need right at your fingertips.

Durham University
Durham University

Being a L'Oreal Brand Ambassador

I discovered the opportunity to become a L'Oreal brand ambassador through the university's careers website, which is quite helpful. My main responsibility was to promote L'Oreal careers on campus, engaging with students in front of the library, and encouraging them to apply to L'Oreal. Additionally, I worked with social media and collaborated with different societies to raise awareness about L'Oreal's career opportunities.

It was an amazing job to have during university because of its flexible schedule. There were times when I needed to focus more on my studies, resulting in less time for this role. On the other hand, during periods when I had fewer academic commitments, I could dedicate more time to it.

A note on Student Visa

With my student visa, I was allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time. However, during breaks or outside of term time, I had the flexibility to work a regular full-time job. After completing university, the student visa allows a two-year stay in the UK before needing to secure a sponsored job.

It's important to note that while many employers support visa sponsorship, there are still some who do not. Overall, there are several options available for staying in the UK after graduation, and the government encourages this through favorable visa policies.

🐼

Dominique
from Philippines 🇵🇭

Duration of Study

Sep 2021 — Jun 2024

Bachelor

Economics

Durham University

Durham University

Durham, UK🇬🇧

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  1. User Image

    Zoba

    10 months ago

    Thank you for this information it is really encouraging

    1. User Image

      Zhey N. D. Bintoen

      10 months ago

      Speaking about A-Level or IB program, is it still possible for me to apply to the universities in the UK if I don't have A-level/IB certificate? I have already taken the IELTS test for my English proficiency. However, I am concerned that the admission will doubt my grade and or they might not accept my school certification because it's not an international level. Do you have any advice about that?

      1. 🐼

        Dominique

        10 months ago

        Hi! There are a lot of people who study in the UK who do a foundation year, which aims to bridge the gap for people who didn't do A-Levels or the IB. There are many different universities that offer this programme, so it would be worth a shot!

      2. User Image

        Macquin

        8 months ago

        Hi po! What are the requirements po for applying student visa and Durham University?

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