University Applications by Country

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally. Some programmes are highly selective, requiring over 40 points, but the majority will accept low-to-mid 30’s. There are also a number of schools where 24 points are sufficient. 

• Students must check the prerequisite subject and grade requirements for each course.

• High School Diploma also occasionally accepted with certificates, depending on the quality of the grades

• English competency – schools will require a certain number of points in IB English to prove competency. If not a native speaker and not doing the IB, you will most likely need to take a language exam.

• Medical programmes will require BMAT or UCAT exams in the summer before Grade 12

• Law programmes may require LNAT

Timeline:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS or the nearby university fairs when advertised  

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in the UK. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the entry expectations are for schools

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• Check for open days at the universities you’re interested in attending

• Visit schools you think you might be interested in. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the British University System 

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for courses and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and match that to your university choices

• Take any exams required by universities to be prepared

• *** IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO MEDICINE, LAW, CAMBRIDGE, or OXFORD: *** check to see if there are admissions tests. The deadline to sign up for these is often the middle of September. The application deadline for these programmes is also earlier – 15 October, but you should apply by 1 October, if at all possible.

During Grade 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Finalize your list to your final 5 courses of study 

• Contact the programmes or visit the websites and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• *** IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO MEDICINE, LAW, CAMBRIDGE, or OXFORD: *** check to see if there are admissions tests. The deadline to sign up for these is often the middle of September.  

  • The application deadline for these programmes is also earlier – 15 October, but you should apply by 1 October, if at all possible.

  • Submit UCAS application by 1 October for these deadlines as many of these programmes and schools have supplemental information that needs to be submitted after UCAS is submitted

  • Be aware of school Fall Break holidays, so that there is no conflict in submitting information and school being closed!

• Apply. Because most universities use rolling admissions, the earlier you apply, the better your chances. 

  • Schools start to fill seats as they receive applications

  • You should plan to apply no later than 1 December.

January – April

• You will receive offers from schools online through Track (on the UCAS website). 

  • 3 responses:

    • Unconditional Offer

    • Conditional Offer

    • Unsuccessful

  • Once you have heard back from all 5 course choices, you will have approx. 6 weeks to choose a firm offer and a “back up” offer, in case you do not meet the conditions of the firm offer.

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you have applied to, so that they can have IB send your Diploma results.

UCAS Extra

• UCAS Extra operates from the end of February and is open until early July for those that did not receive any acceptances

• Allows you to make a sixth choice of university.

• If you become eligible for UCAS Extra, UCAS will send you all the details you need, and courses at universities willing to consider UCAS Extra applications will be available on the UCAS website.

• You can then either use the UCAS website to make an application or contact a university directly.

• If you are made an offer, either unconditional or conditional, you can firmly accept or decline it just like any offer in the main UCAS scheme.

• If you don't get an offer (or decide to decline your offer), you can opt to make another UCAS Extra choice and so on, until either you get an offer or you run out of time (the scheme ends in early July).

UCAS Clearing

• If you find that you don't have a university place, then you will be eligible for UCAS Clearing, a way of matching universities without students to students without universities.

• Essentially, it is up to you to find a university that is prepared to accept you. The best way to do this is to check their website or ring a university and tell them what you want to do. Usually, if they have vacancies, they will take your details and either give you a decision straight away or very soon afterwards.

• Just keep going until somewhere offers you a place. Here are some points to remember if you end up in this position.

• Prepare in advance – unless you are very confident you will get the grades. Make a list of possible courses and universities where you might be prepared to go in priority order. This will be easy to check against the Clearing listings when they are published.

• Be there – don't go on holiday at this critical time.

• If you think you may not have a place, regularly check UCAS Track. If you become eligible to use Clearing an 'Add Clearing choice' button will become available on your Track Choices screen. Or, check directly with your firm and insurance choices as soon as possible.

• Check the official Clearing listings in the national press, the UCAS website, or the websites of individual universities to find where there are vacancies in your subject. We recommend always using the official listings as they are always the most comprehensive and up-to-date.

• Think about alternative courses (perhaps a joint course with another subject instead of a single subject course) to maximise the choice available. Start ringing possible universities straight away (places at good universities can be filled very quickly).

• Always telephone yourself – universities are less impressed by people ringing on your behalf and are likely to be unable to offer a place unless they are actually speaking to the candidate.

• If you can't get through, keep trying, but also send an email.

• There will be a few vacancies not listed in the official vacancy listings because the universities know they can fill them with speculative callers and do not need the extra calls generated by the vacancy lists.

• If there is somewhere you really want to go, it might just be worth ringing even if they are not on the list. However, such vacancies will be taken within hours, at most within a day of A-level results being published.

• Many universities will run clearing open days to enable applicants (and their parents) to visit, view the facilities (particularly accommodation) and talk to staff and students.

• Even if there is not an official opportunity to visit, the Clearing applicant is well advised to contact the university and try to see the place prior to making a firm commitment.

The Application Process:

• In June, you will register through BIS for a UCAS account. Keep this number handy. You will need it whenever you do any communication regarding your applications.

• In summer and early fall, spend time looking at courses and various universities, travelling there if possible. Make a list of five COURSE choices.

• Oxford or Cambridge

  • UCAS only allows you to apply to ONE of these two, cannot be both 

  • When you apply, you can choose to apply for a specific college (more selective) or general (less selective), and then you will be assigned one to process your application.

• In UCAS, you will fill in personal information, including the courses you are currently taking. 

  • Predicted grades entered by the Uni Advisor after you complete your part

• Write a personal statement (see appendix 1&2). Have two or three people edit this document, as it is crucial to your acceptance in the more selective courses. Copy and paste this into UCAS once you’re finished. 

• Letter of reference (teachers will provide Uni Advisor with their evaluation of you as a student)

  • These will be used by Uni Advisor in your reference letter

• Complete the Student Self Assessment form given to you, and e-mail it to the Uni Advisor.

  • Used for your recommendation

  • If you don’t complete your letter will not be strong

• Once you have entered all your personal information, education information, course choices and personal statement on the UCAS website:

  • Pay the fee (27 Pounds) with a credit card

  • Your application will then be forwarded to the Uni Advisor. 

  • Come by to speak to Uni Advisor to let them know that you completed your application

• The Uni Advisor will check the information you’ve provided, add the teacher recommendation and your predicted grades, and send the application on to UCAS. 

  • Application not sent until Uni Advisor has completed his/her part, so if the deadline is 15 October, make sure you have completed your part by 1 October!

• Depending on the university and programme, you may also be contacted for an interview. This happens for selective programmes and also for any courses leading to interaction with children.  If they contact you, be prepared to go visit that university for a day or two of interviews.

• Most offers you receive will be conditional based on IB points. In July, once your results come out, you will have a chance to apply for a better place if your scores far exceeded your predicted grades, and if you did not meet the criteria for either your firm or your backup offers, you will go into Clearing to find a place. If this happens, contact your uni advisor immediately.

Financial Info:

• Studying in the UK can be expensive. Due to Brexit, EU students now fall into the international student category. These fees vary significantly, depending on the university as well.

• Living expenses vary significantly, depending on the city and lifestyle chosen.

• International-status students will need to prove supportability in order to receive their student visa.

Special Note: take extra care when applying for your visa that all documents are in order. Be as thorough as possible. Visa handling has been outsourced to a private company and can be expensive and time-consuming to correct.

Where BIS students have recently gone or are going (a partial list):

• University of Bath http://www.bath.ac.uk 

• University of Sussex http://www.sussex.ac.uk 

• Bristol University http://www.bristol.ac.uk 

• University of Oxford http://www.ox.ac.uk 

• University of Warwick http://www2.warwick.ac.uk 

• Brunel University http://www.brunel.ac.uk 

• University of Leicester http://www.le.ac.uk 

• Northumbria University http://www.northumbria.ac.uk  

• University of Manchester http://www.manchester.ac.uk 

• University of Nottingham http://www.nottingham.ac.uk 

• University of Brighton http://www.brighton.ac.uk 

• Liverpool University http://www.liv.ac.uk  

• City University London http://www.city.ac.uk  

• University of East London http://www.uel.ac.uk 

• University of Kent http://www.kent.ac.uk

Appendix 1: BIS Guide to the Personal Statement

Your personal statement should accomplish three things:

1 – Introduce you as an interesting, well-rounded individual

2 – State your chosen subject – your interest, background, and goals

3 – Show that you would be a good student and a good “fit” for the university

Two suggestions to approaching your personal statement:

1 – Begin with an anecdote or event that demonstrates your interest in the subject. Once you’ve established that clearly, then explain who you are and what your background is.

2 – Begin with something you’re fascinated by in regard to your subject matter. Then back up, saying how you’ve gotten there and while discussing your education up to this point, add personal information and quality character traits.

Suggestions of what you can include in your personal statement:

• why you have chosen this course of study

• your areas of interest in regard to the subject (fascinating research, etc – be specific)

• future plans – where you see yourself headed

• any job or other experience in a related field NOT ALREADY ON YOUR UCAS APP and how it has developed your character

• if you’re taking a gap year – your reasons behind that

• social, sports or leisure interests AS THEY DEMONSTRATE YOUR CHARACTER, WELL-ROUNDEDNESS or WORK ETHIC

• sponsorships or special placements you’ve applied for

• skills or abilities that you have which are beneficial for the course

• try to have an interesting phrase to start and finish on

• only write about things that you’re prepared to talk about in an interview

• plan ahead of time so that your statement is well-organised

DO NOT: (exceptions will always be made, of course!)

* sound arrogant and pretentious.

* start too many sentences with I

* quote magazines and books just for the purpose of sounding intelligent

* lie or bend the truth to make yourself look better

* attempt humour or jokes

* make a list of hobbies

* include activities that are true for everyone

* use slang or idioms

* repeat items already on your UCAS form

* use vocabulary you don’t really understand

* take a political viewpoint

* describe the courses you’re taking now

* ramble or give irrelevant information

* refer to an interest in one specific university

4000 character limit (including spaces) | 47 line limit (93 characters/line)

NOTE – ABOUT FORMATTING! Slanted quotation marks “ “like these” and long dashes will be deleted. No bold, italics or underlining will be accepted. No tab-indented paragraphs.

Appendix 2: Sample Personal Statement

This was written by a student applying for courses in International Relations + a foreign language to UK universities

Paragraph 1 I cried and cried; we were leaving home and moving to Germany.

Paragraph 1 makes an impact, is a defining moment in the student’s life and introduces the main theme: changing country.

Paragraph 2 Reflecting on this event eleven years later, I can be only too grateful for the opportunities this change has provided. At the tender age of six I was thrown into the diplomatic circle in Bonn and, of course, the local German community. This upheaval in my life has enabled me to absorb so much, making me a truly international student with a wide-ranging understanding of the world.

Paragraph 2 develops the idea of paragraph 1 (the move to Germany), and states that the writer is “a truly international student”, an important point if you are studying international relations!

Paragraph 3 As a six-year-old I wasn’t able to appreciate the opportunities that the move would entail, however, even at the age of six, I knew joining the local football team was a watershed in my life. I have played football ever since, and it is the contact with the players, most of whom are friends I still play with today, which opened my eyes to Germany and enabled me to speak the language fluently. As a result of acquiring fluent German, I was selected to attend the top German grammar school in the area, where I spent three years.

Paragraph 3 introduces the writer’s personal interest (football) while simultaneously linking it to learning a foreign language and understanding a new culture. The writer has made acquiring a new language and learning about another country seem the most natural thing in the world.

Paragraph 4 I feel the broad background in the international community of Germany’s former capital has moulded me into a well-rounded international student and made the choice for me to study International Relations an easy one. My extracurricular activities such as Journalism and Model United Nations reflect my aspirations in life. With a degree in International Relations, I hope to enter the field of journalism, or perhaps join an international organisation.

Paragraph 4 states why the writer wants to study international relations ....a natural result of his upbringing and he states an interest in working in the field of journalism.

Paragraph 5 Journalism has enabled me to experience real-life beyond the confines of the school, as well as providing me with the strong sense of achievement that comes from hard work. Last year I founded a school newspaper where I have held the position of sports editor and news editor. As a result, I have attended a variety of functions ranging from a youth press day, where there were many leading members of the German government, to interviewing the Mayor of Bonn at the United Nations Salon International. Events such as these have increased my awareness of the importance of international relations.

Paragraph 5 gives the writer the opportunity to write about his achievements, all of which are relevant to the course for which he is applying.

Paragraph 6 The long hours to make deadlines, as well as chasing advertising revenue from local businesses, have made me a stronger and more confident person. Mainly, however, I feel I have acquired useful managerial skills. My co-editor and I run the journalism class, and it is this position of responsibility, acting as teachers who correct work and give grades, which has taught me so much.

Paragraph 6 develops paragraph 5 and focuses on achievements and responsibilities.

Paragraph 7 Sport is undoubtedly one of my passions: I was scouted to play football at the county level and have won many championships and tournaments over the years. Last summer in France I participated in a football camp, broadening my knowledge of French greatly and winning all three prizes. I recently achieved 2nd place in the finals of the North-West European Cross Country Tournament, which meant I qualified for the All-Europe team. Sport not only provides me with a balance between study and recreation, but it also provides me with the opportunity to work during the summer holidays. I work as a football coach and a sailing instructor.

Paragraph 7 moves away from the theme of international relations and gives a more personal picture of the writer. He is not just good linguistically and academically, but a well-rounded person with a variety of interests....and a talented sportsman.

Paragraph 8 Every day I work with people from over sixty different countries, and so I have first-hand experience of international relations. I am a student who has won several awards in the academic field eg. the prizes for Theory of Knowledge, German, and the prestige of being accepted to the ‘Quill and Scroll’ (honorary society for high school journalists), as well as winning numerous prizes in sport. In the course of winning these prizes I have worked with people from over sixty different countries; for me, international relations is a way of life.

Paragraph 8. The conclusion. Restates academic and international credentials. Just as the opening sentence has an impact, so does the concluding sentence...” for me international relations is a way of life.”

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally 

• High School Diploma also sometimes accepted with SAT or IB certificates, depending on the quality of the grades (not all institutions)

• Students studying the IB Diploma in English are usually exempt from providing further evidence of English proficiency.  Dutch Language competency may require an exam

TIMELINE:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS, nearby university fairs when advertised or virtually 

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in the Netherlands. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• Check for open days at the universities you’re interested in attending

• If possible, visit The Netherlands and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the Dutch University System 

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for courses and universities (maximum four courses, and two of the four courses can be Numerus Fixus - restricted)

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and find programs to match

• Start drafting your motivation letter and CV (see Appendix 1)

During Grade 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Make a list of your final choices for university and course

• Contact the programmes or visit the websites and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• Check the application requirements of the particular school. 

  • Most will require a CV, 

  • a teacher recommendation

  • a statement of your predicted grades (available from your university advisor) 

  • transcript of grades from 9-12 (many programs)

  • and a motivation letter (why you want to study your course and at that university)

• Create a Studielink account on 1st October. 

• Apply to the Numerus Fixus (restricted) courses before winter break

January – April

• Application deadline of 15. April for non-restricted courses. 

• Students will be notified by mid-June of offers. These will be contingent upon exam results.

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you have applied to so they can have IB send your diploma results.

Application Info:

• The Netherlands has a binary system of higher education, which means there are two types of programmes: research oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO), traditionally offered by research universities, and professional higher education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO), traditionally offered by hogescholen, or universities of professional education. In this description, the Dutch abbreviations WO and HBO will be used.

• Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) programmes are typically 3 years, though they vary from school to school and between various faculties.

• Applications must be completed through the application portal http://www.studielink.nl. The portal is complicated and at times hard to understand. You will have to also submit documents to the university where you apply.

• Most programmes ask for a motivation letter and a CV as part of the application process.  Some programmes also require interviews and other selection processes.

• Not all programmes are taught in English – many at the undergraduate level are still taught in Dutch. Verify with the course that it is specifically only English-taught before applying.

Financial Info:

• International Students will be required to show that they are able to pay for the entire year. This will be proving not only tuition but also living expenses for one year of study. Fees for one year of study for non-EEA students will typically be twice that of for EEA students – between 8.000-16.000 Euros per year. EEA students can expect tuition costs of approx. 2,043 Euros. 

• Living expenses vary significantly, depending on the city and lifestyle chosen.

• EU students are allowed to work. Students from non-EEA countries will need to seek special permission to work.

Where BIS students have recently gone (a partial list):

• Eindhoven University of Technology: https://www.tue.nl/en/  

• Erasmus University Rotterdam: https://www.eur.nl/en 

• Leiden University: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en 

• Tilburg University: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/ 

• University of Groningen: https://www.rug.nl/?lang=en 

• Maastricht University  http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl 

• University of Amsterdam  http://www.english.uva.nl 

NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences http://www.nhtv.nl

Appendix 1

WRITING A CV AND MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

A professional and well-written CV is often the first and therefore essential part of the application procedure. Your CV is the first piece of information that the University you’re applying to is receiving, so you need to make sure that you leave a good first impression. Keep in mind that an application officer will pay attention to a wide range of aspects and that she/he will be most capable of drawing conclusions whether you are fit for the program you’re applying for.

Your CV can stand out amongst all other applications not only through your past experiences and education but also through a clear structure and eye-catching layout. Your CV should reflect your positive qualities as much as possible and your accomplishments listed on your CV should speak for themselves; you do not need to draw conclusions about what they say about you.

Top Tips!

• Divide your CV into sections, such as education and qualifications, work experience, extra-curricular activities and interests, additional information, skills and referees.

• In each section put the most recent information first, and work backwards.

• Start with the most relevant section first. In the case of a Bachelor application, this will be your high school education. Briefly list the relevant Diploma courses you have taken and their grades (if they’re good!). Also list relevant projects, extended essays, or dissertations.

• Describe what you have done, not what you think it says about you. Provide the necessary information for the reader to draw his/her own conclusions.

• Be concise: limit your CV to 2 pages.

• Make sure the layout is very clear and easy to skim over. Make use of headings, bullet points and spacing.

• Universities have varying demands with regards to the content of your CV. Where American universities often find your extracurricular activities very important, British universities tend to focus on a sufficiently high GPA. Try to find information on the website of the University to which you’re applying to; see whether they have indications about what they would like to see on your CV. If you have made a CV, you can always have the Student Life Officer or Career Development Officer look over it for you.

MOTIVATION LETTER/COVER LETTER

Your CV is always accompanied by a motivation or cover letter. This letter should quite simply be the guide to your motivation and a description of the development of your interests and competencies that have encouraged you to choose this specific Bachelor’s. It should also include an overview of what you intend to learn and how this program fits into your broader future plans. A motivation letter is perhaps the most important part of the application; it provides you with an opportunity to stand out from all other applications. Do not be afraid to ask friends, teachers or tutors to proofread your motivation letter before you send it in.

Do’s

• Your statement of purpose should be a coherent essay, with a clear structure and beginning, middle and end.

• You should make it as short as possible while still hitting the important points. Remember, the committee has to read a lot of these: short and sweet is important!

• Change a vague and floppy sounding formulation like "I am not completely sure what I want to do after obtaining my graduate degree. However, I am very interested in doing research" to something like "After obtaining my graduate degree, I am interested in working in a research environment."

• Address the specific content of your academic interests. Adding meaningful discussion of content earlier would make a big difference in the impact of your statement.

• Your essay should be in formal academic English, even though it is a personal statement. Your writing ability will be judged on the quality of the essay. Be sure to use informal, colloquial language sparingly.

• Specify what you are applying for and say how you learned of the opportunity and why you are doing this one specifically.

• At the end suggest having an interview, these usually increase your chances since personal contact is just better.

Don’ts

• Avoid making the same point several times; comes across as shallow,

boring.

• Avoid expressions like 'I think', and in my opinion', 'I am convinced. These are wordy and make you sound less confident. Avoid intensifiers like "very" and vague words such as "interesting". The most deadly combination of all is “very interesting”. Show the depth of your academic interests by explaining them.

Common Questions to Answer

In terms of motivation, the selection will be based on how well the following points are developed in your letter:

• Why have you chosen to study this particular discipline?

• Why do you choose to study this discipline at this particular university, as opposed to other universities?

• Why does the teaching approach at the university appeal to you?

• Demonstrate international orientation and experiences through your CV/ life story/ interests and explain why you choose to study in English and in an international environment. (Note: please check the individual university for specific criteria).

The motivation letter must be 1 A4 page maximum, sometimes 2 pages are acceptable. You are expected to write your letter in English and address it to the Admissions Board. Do not forget to state your full name and date of birth at the top of your motivation letter.

Entry Requirements: (minimum – certain programmes are more selective)

• IB Diploma accepted if the student has:

  • 2 languages (either both Language A OR if an A/B Language then Language B must be HL

  • a natural science, 

  • EITHER math or science at a higher level, 

  • 1 social science subject (Geography, Economics or History), 

  • Mathematics, all courses recognised at SL and HL. Math needs to be at HL if no science at HL

  • and at least 4’s in each subject.

• German language competency required, either IB Language A (minimum of 4), or TestDaF or DSH language tests

• The BIS High School Diploma is not a recognizable qualification in Germany.

• If you do not meet the minimum qualifications then you must take a preparatory course at a Studienkolleg and then a compulsory assessment test known as a Feststellungsprufung covering areas relevant to the intended course of study.

• Students with German nationality who do not have a German Abitur need to obtain a “Statement of Comparability” (Bescheinigung).

Competitive courses are referred to as Numerus Clausus (NC), Latin meaning “limited” or “closed”. The actual minimum NC requirements change every semester based on supply and demand and are calculated based on the grades of the received applications.

TIMELINE:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS or the nearby university fairs when advertised  

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in Germany. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• Check for open days at the universities you’re interested in attending. 

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the German University System 

• Go to EinsteigAbi in Cologne (usually March each year---watch for announcements)

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for courses and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Research thoroughly the application procedure

During Grade 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Make a list of your top choices for university and course

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and grades

• Contact the programmes or visit the websites and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, speak to professors, attend lectures

• Check the application requirements of the particular course 

January – April

• Apply. Generally, the deadline of 15 July applies for October (winter semester), but it’s important to apply earlier. Having your diploma evaluated can take time. 

• In April, the application portals will generally open.

• In April, submit your application for Abitur equivalency if you are a German citizen to the Bezirksregierung.

• Notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you have applied to so that they can have IB send your diploma results.

• Once your diploma results are released, you must move quickly. If you need to find a different course, it must be done within the next week or two.

Students that are interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, they have the option of registering for the TMS test. Registration is between 1 December and 15 January (https://cip.dmed.uni-heidelberg.de/tms-info/tms-info/index.php?id=tms-infostartseite)

Application Info:

• Undergraduate admissions procedures and requirements in Germany are somewhat complex and can vary considerably depending on the field of study, state, institution, and even individual departments. Apply early and ask lots of questions. You need to consider well in advance what you want to study and where. Document whom you speak to, the date, and the information that is given to you.

• In some fields (medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine) have national-level admissions procedures. For most areas of study, the individual universities are responsible for the final admissions decision.

• Some universities offering medical programs have a preference for the TMS test (EU students) or the TestAS test (non-EU students).

• International students will need to schedule a language test and possibly German nationals that do not study the IB German A language course. The DSH is offered by the university once a year, is free, and focuses mostly on grammar and comprehension. The TestDaf and Goethe Certificate are offered multiple times in the year for a fee and include listening and speaking components.

• For students who wish to study in Germany but do not yet meet the requirements, the Studienkolleg (foundation year) is an option. Another option is to study for a year or two in another country and transfer the credits into the German system.

• Applications are either direct to the university, via Hochschulstart or Uni-Assist.

• If you are interested in an integrated training/study programme you can search the Ausbildung or Ausbildung Plus database for Ausbildung or Dual Studium opportunities.

• Application documents can include an official certified copy of the IB Diploma and Comparability Statement (HBZ), passport copy, proof of language proficiency, a motivation letter and CV. This should be written in German if you are applying to courses taught in German, or English for courses in English. (see Appendix 1)

Financial Info:

• International Students will be required to show that they can support themselves by giving proof of a bank account with at least 4.000 Euros in it at the beginning of every semester.

• Tuition fees are set by the Bundesland. Nordrhein-Westfalen has fees of approx. 500 Euros/semester, whereas Hessen has recently abolished tuition fees. 

• Living expenses vary significantly, depending on the city and lifestyle chosen.

• EU students are allowed to work. Students from non-EEA countries will need to seek special permission to work.

For students who wish to study in Germany but do not meet the requirements for public universities or wish for a smaller environment can look at private universities within Germany for opportunities as well (see separate document).

Appendix 1

WRITING A CV AND MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

A professional and well-written CV is often the first and therefore essential part of the application procedure. Your CV is the first piece of information that the University you’re applying to is receiving, so you need to make sure that you leave a good first impression. Keep in mind that an application officer will pay attention to a wide range of aspects and that she/he will be most capable of drawing conclusions whether you are fit for the program you’re applying for.

Your CV can stand out amongst all other applications not only through your past experiences and education but also through a clear structure and eye-catching layout. Your CV should reflect your positive qualities as much as possible and your accomplishments listed on your CV should speak for themselves; you do not need to draw conclusions about what they say about you.

Top Tips!

• Divide your CV into sections, such as education and qualifications, work experience, extra-curricular activities and interests, additional information, skills and referees.

• In each section put the most recent information first, and work backwards.

• Start with the most relevant section first. In the case of a Bachelor application, this will be your high school education. Briefly list the relevant Diploma courses you have taken and their grades (if they’re good!). Also list relevant projects, extended essays, or dissertations.

• Describe what you have done, not what you think it says about you. Provide the necessary information for the reader to draw his/her own conclusions.

• Be concise: limit your CV to 2 pages.

• Make sure the layout is very clear and easy to skim over. Make use of headings, bullet points and spacing.

• Universities have varying demands with regard to the content of your CV. Where American universities often find your extracurricular activities very important, British universities tend to focus on a sufficiently high GPA. Try to find information on the website of the University to which you’re applying to; see whether they have indications about what they would like to see on your CV. If you have made a CV, you can always have the Student Life Officer or Career Development Officer look over it for you.

MOTIVATION LETTER/COVER LETTER

Your CV is always accompanied by a motivation or cover letter. This letter should quite simply be the guide to your motivation and a description of the development of your interests and competencies that have encouraged you to choose this specific Bachelor’s. It should also include an overview of what you intend to learn and how this program fits into your broader future plans. A motivation letter is perhaps the most important part of the application; it provides you with an opportunity to stand out from all other applications. Do not be afraid to ask friends, teachers or tutors to proofread your motivation letter before you send it in.

Do’s

• Your statement of purpose should be a coherent essay, with a clear structure and beginning, middle and end.

• You should make it as short as possible while still hitting the important points. Remember, the committee has to read a lot of these: short and sweet is important!

• Change a vague and floppy sounding formulation like "I am not completely sure what I want to do after obtaining my graduate degree. However, I am very interested in doing research" to something like "After obtaining my graduate degree, I am interested in working in a research environment."

• Address the specific content of your academic interests. Adding meaningful discussion of content earlier would make a big difference in the impact of your statement.

• Your essay should be in formal academic English, even though it is a personal statement. Your writing ability will be judged on the quality of the essay. Be sure to use informal, colloquial language sparingly.

• Specify what you are applying for and say how you learned of the opportunity and why you are doing this one specifically.

• At the end suggest having an interview, these usually increase your chances since personal contact is just better.

Don’ts

• Avoid making the same point several times; comes across as shallow,

boring.

• Avoid expressions like 'I think', and in my opinion, 'I am convinced. These are wordy and make you sound less confident. Avoid intensifiers like "very" and vague words such as "interesting". The most deadly combination of all is “very interesting”. Show the depth of your academic interests by explaining them.

Common Questions to Answer

In terms of motivation, the selection will be based on how well the following points are developed in your letter:

• Why have you chosen to study this particular discipline?

• Why do you choose to study this discipline at this particular university, as opposed to other universities?

• Why does the teaching approach at the university appeal to you?

• Demonstrate international orientation and experiences through your CV/ life story/ interests and explain why you choose to study in English and in an international environment. (Note: please check the individual university for specific criteria).

The motivation letter must be 1 A4 page maximum, sometimes 2 pages are acceptable. You are expected to write your letter in German or English and address it to the Admissions Board. Do not forget to state your full name and date of birth at the top of your motivation letter.

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB accepted almost universally 

• Grades from 9-12 (GPA—Grade Point Average)

• Rigor - your choice of subjects 

• High School Diploma also accepted, depending on the quality of the grades

• SAT (or ACT) may be required

• Community Service/School Involvement will count heavily

• Teacher recommendation(s)

• English Language competency, must have studied in English for at least 3 years, pass IB English Language A, or take the TOEFL test.

• Admissions Essay(s)

• Occasional Interview

TIMELINE:

During Year 9-10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS or virtually when advertised  

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in the US. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools

• If you hope to compete in sports at the university level, begin contacting and speaking with coaches from universities in which you are interested

  • Begin keeping records/stats of your games

  • Video your games to be able to provide a profile to coaches later

During Year 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• In October, take the PSAT test

• If possible, visit the US and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the US University System 

• Pay attention to your grades. These universities will want to see a transcript of your grades for grades 9-11 as well as your predicted grade 12 or IB results.

• Take the SAT test in March or May

• Consider taking the SAT prep course offered online

• If you are hoping to play competitive sports in the US, you must register with the NCAA clearinghouse in year 11. Your advisor will have to send transcripts to verify that you are eligible to compete.

• If you attended other schools in 9-12, you must have sealed transcripts ready for submission to the university

  • If transcripts are not in English, they must be officially translated and attached to the original copy to have them ready for grade 12. 

Summer Before Year 12:

• Narrow down your choices for majors and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your grades and student profile to find schools that match your scores

During Year 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Come back from summer vacation with your final list of schools

• Contact the programmes and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• Check the application requirements of the particular school, especially if they require teacher recommendations or essays.

• Early Decision and Early Action options are available for some of the more competitive schools.  For these, you must apply before November. See Glossary for help with terms.

• The University of California has a special application process. Check that out by the beginning of September so that you don’t miss out.

• Apply. Application deadline is usually 1. or 15. January (some schools in December), but you should apply by the beginning of December, if at all possible.

  • Almost all applications are online now

  • Supporting documents will be sent via MaiaLearning or online

  • Speak to teachers for letters of recommendation in September: inform them of deadlines

    • Method of submission (mostly via MaiaLearning)

    • Provide your completed All About Me form

    • Let your teacher know of the deadline

    • Follow up with teachers to ensure all is completed

  • Common Application— www.commonapp.org is a site used by almost 400 universities for applications

    • Must create account

    • Get all your application done on time!

• Send all SAT/TOEFL/IELTS test scores several weeks before you intend to submit your applications

January - May

• University advisor will send your midyear grade 12 grades to all the schools to which you applied

• As soon as you have an offer, begin working on your visa (international students only)

• Apply for financial aid. The best place to look for scholarships is locally – within parents’ businesses, heritage groups, church organisations, town service organisations, etc.

  • US students— apply by completing FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1

  • Contact individual universities about scholarships offered

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you are applying to so that they can have your IB diploma results sent

• You must officially “deposit” with the university of your choice BY 1 MAY. 

  • Notify all other universities you decline their offers

  • Submit and complete all required forms and documents for the university you will attend

Application Info:

• You will need transcripts from all four years of your grade 9-12 education.

  • If you have moved from another school in that time, please contact that school to have the transcripts sent to BIS for us to include with your applications, or contact the school with a list of where the transcripts must be sent. There may be a fee for this service.

  • If transcripts are not in English, they must be translated. 

• When at all possible, apply online. There will be an application fee of between $50-100 for each application. 

• Most students apply to somewhere between 5-8 schools. Those applying to highly selective schools apply to approx. 10

• The CommonApp centralizes the application process, which makes it much easier for your university advisor to submit all the necessary documents. Use this whenever possible. Especially for schools that do not use the CommonApp, give your advisor plenty of notice (at least several weeks) of when things need to be sent.

Financial Info:

• International students will be required to show that they are able to pay for the entire year. This will not only be tuition, but also living expenses for one year of study. 

  • Costs can be up to 50.000 to 75.000 USD for some schools. 

• The FAFSA must be completed (and possibly the CSS) before 1. February in order to be considered for financial aid. If you think you should qualify for aid, seek advice on the allocation of funds and types of aid before applying. (US citizens)

• Some scholarships are available for international students, but they are competitive. Apply early.

Where BIS students have recently gone (a partial list):

• Georgia Institute of Technology https://www.gatech.edu/

• Santa Clara University https://www.scu.edu/ 

• University of California – San Diego https://ucsd.edu/ 

• University of Virginia https://www.virginia.edu/ 

• Colgate University https://www.colgate.edu/ 

• University of Florida - Gainesville https://www.ufl.edu/ 

• Bucknell University https://www.bucknell.edu/ 

Glossary of Terms

ACT (American College Test) - A standardized admission test for US colleges, preferred in the Mid-West (www.act.org)

Bachelor’s degree - Awarded on successful completion of an undergraduate program, usually 4 years. BA or BSc.

Campus - The physical location of a college. Normally all or most of the college buildings on one site.

Candidate’s Reply Date - May 1st in the USA. You must make your decision by this date and inform the college.

Class Rank - A student’s position in the class relative to the other students in that class. This is determined by GPA. BIS does not rank. 

Credit Hours - A unit of measurement usually awarded on the basis of one credit per hour of class per week.

Deferred Admission - Postpone admission to a future date. Usually one semester or one year later.

Early Action (EA) - Students apply to their first-choice college usually before November 15th. Students are normally informed by mid-December. This is non-binding and students have until May 1st to accept.

Early Decision (ED) - Students apply to their first-choice college usually before November 15th. Students are normally informed by mid-December. This is binding. Once accepted, the student MUST withdraw all other university applications. 

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - The amount your family is expected to contribute towards the cost of your college education. This is calculated by federal methodology formulas using the information you provide on your FAFSA form.

Extra-Curricular Activities - Activities outside the classroom. All the extra things you do in school and out (sports, community service, etc.)

Financial Aid - Any financial assistance given to a student. It can be a gift, a loan, a grant or scholarship, or a work-study program.

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a financial form filled out by US citizens and residents to determine eligibility for federal student aid.

GPA - Grade Point Average. A system of determining a student’s overall academic achievement from grade 9-12.

Institutional Aid form - The college’s own financial aid form.

Liberal Arts - A program that allows students to study a broad range of subjects as well as specialising in one or two in particular

Major - A student’s area of specialization. Main subject(s) in the degree program.

Mid-Year Report - Sent by the University Advisor in February to the colleges you have applied to. Includes first semester grades and comment on any changes since your original application.

National Merit Scholarship Program - A program that gives scholarships to students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Awards are mainly based on PSAT/NMSQT scores. For US citizens.

PROFILE - A financial aid form required by colleges to give private (non-federal) financial aid. Administered by CSS (the financial aid branch of The College Board).

Recommendation - A written assessment of the student. Written by teachers and/or the University Advisor and forms part of your college application.

Rolling Admission - Applications are reviewed as soon as they arrive at the college. Students normally receive a reply within one month of making their application. As a rule, students applying earlier have preference over those who apply later.

Room and Board - The cost of housing and food.

SAT Reasoning Test - A college admissions test for the US. It consists of writing, verbal and math. (see www.collegeboard.org )

SAT Subject Test - A college admissions test for the US. It consists of individual subject tests. This is required for some but not all schools. (see www.collegeboard.org )

Secondary School Report Form - This form is part of your college application. The University Advisor will send this to the colleges to which you apply.

Standardized Admission tests - This includes SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL. (see the website list)

SAR - Student Aid Report. Students receive this after completing FAFSA. It must be submitted to the financial aid office of the colleges to which you apply.

Student Visa - You will receive a Form I-20 from a college that has admitted you. You give this to a US consulate and they may give you an F1 Student Visa. If you are a non-US citizen you will need a visa to study in the USA.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language. This is often required by colleges as proof of your English proficiency if you are not a native speaker of English. 

Transcript - An official record of your courses and grades in grades 9-12.

Tuition - The fees that cover your academic costs

Undergraduate - A student studying for their first degree…bachelor’s degree.

Viewbook - A book that gives an overview of what the college has to offer.

Wait List - A list of students who have not been admitted to college but may be admitted at a later date.

Work-Study - A financial aid program funded by the federal government of the USA. It provides students with work (and pay) to help fund their college costs. This is also available for international students.

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally 

• Students with a High School Diploma are generally required to study a foundation programme

• English Language competency, may require an exam

TIMELINE:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS, nearby university fairs when advertised or virtually    

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in Ireland. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• Check for open days at the universities you’re interested in attending

• If possible, visit Ireland and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the Irish University System 

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for courses and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and grades

During Year 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Return from summer vacation with your final list of universities

• Contact the programmes or visit the websites and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• Check the application requirements of the particular school. 

• The CAO application generally opens on 5th November. Register your application

January – April

• Apply. Deadline of 20. January for registering for the medical entrance exam (HPAT), of 1. February for general admission.

• Cost of application: from 20-50 Euros.

• Only one application (with 10 choices) will be allowed per school year for level 8 (honours) and also for level 6/7 (foundation/standard). That means that you can list a total of 20 choices if you like.

• Different from the UK, in Ireland one must list courses in order of preference upon applying. 

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you have applied to so that they can have IB send your diploma results.

• Decisions of acceptance are typically not given until August, when the exam results come out. This differs from the UK.

Application Info:

• Applications are centrally managed through the CAO application (http://www.cao.ie) for EU students. For international students, the universities will still request that you apply directly. Check the website of the university for more details.

• The undergraduate study for which you are qualified is called a 3rd level course. This may be confusing, as when you apply, your options are then levels 6,7 and 8 for regular bachelor’s or honours bachelor’s degrees.

• EU, EEA, US, UK, and Canadian passport holders as well as students from a number of other countries (including Bolivia and Japan) will not require visas to study in the Republic of Ireland.

• Basic health insurance will be provided, but students are encouraged to purchase supplementary coverage.

Financial Info:

• Fee status is determined by residency, not citizenship. If a student is considered EU, tuition is approx. €2,700 plus student contribution €3,000 = €5,700 per annum.

• Fees for one year of study for non-EU students range from 13.000 to 35.000 Euros per year.

• International Students will be required to show that they are able to pay for the entire year. This will be proving not only tuition but also living expenses for one year of study. International Students are allowed to work during their studies, up to 20 hours a week and unlimited during holidays.

Help may be available for US citizens through the Fulbright Commission (http://www.fulbright.ie)

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB accepted universally – see the formula at the end of this document

• Spanish Language Competency – may require an exam for Spain taught courses

TIMELINE:

During Year 9-10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS or virtual fairs

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in Spain. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools

During Year 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• Check for open days at the universities you’re interested in attending

• If possible, visit Spain and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the Spanish University System 

Summer Before Year 12:

• Narrow down your choices for courses and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

During Year 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Make a final list of your top choices for university and course

• Contact the programmes or visit the websites and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

January – April

• Apply. Deadline of 1. July for October entrance to universities.

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you have applied to so that they can have IB send your diploma results.

Application Info:

• Your application is primarily based on your IB scores, using the conversion below. You must also demonstrate competency in Spanish through an entrance exam or IB Spanish.

IB Conversion Formula to Spanish Entrance Points:

(IB Points – 24) * (5)/21   + 5 = points in Spanish System (10 is highest)

Financial Info:

• Tuition fees at public (state) universities are typically 500-900 Euros/year

• Living expenses vary significantly, depending on the city and lifestyle chosen.

• EU students are allowed to work. Students from non-EEA countries will need to seek special permission to work.

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally. Some programmes are highly selective, requiring over 40 points, but the majority will accept low-to-mid 30’s. There are also a number of schools where 24 points are sufficient 

• High School Diploma also occasionally accepted with certificates, depending on the quality of the grades

• English competency – schools will require a certain number of points in IB English to prove competency. If not a native speaker and not doing the IB, you will need to take a language exam

TIMELINE:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS, nearby university fairs when advertised or virtually 

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in the UK. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools, both grade and prerequisite subjects

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• Check for open days at the universities you’re interested in attending

• Visit schools you think you might be interested in. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the Scottish University System 

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for courses and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and match that to your university choices

• Take any exams required by universities to be prepared

• *** IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO MEDICINE, LAW, CAMBRIDGE, or OXFORD: *** check to see if there are admissions tests. The deadline to sign up for these starts in April (UCAT) through to September (BMAT etc).  The application deadline for these programmes is also earlier – 15. October, but you should apply by 1. October, if at all possible.

During Grade 12:

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Finalise your list to your final 5 courses of study within the UK

• Contact the programmes or visit the websites and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• *** IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO MEDICINE or LAW: *** check to see if there are admissions tests. The deadline to sign up for these is often the middle of September.  

  • The application deadline for these programmes is also earlier – 15. October, but you should apply by 1. October, if at all possible.

  • Submit UCAS application by Oct 1 for these deadlines as many of these programs and schools have supplemental information that needs to be submitted after UCAS is submitted

  • Be aware of school Fall Break holidays so that there is no conflict in submitting information and school being closed!

• The general application deadline is 15 January, however, apply early. Most universities use rolling admission, the earlier you apply, the better your chances. 

  • Schools start to fill seats as they receive applications

  • You should plan to apply no later than mid-December.

January – April

• You will receive offers from schools online through Track (on the UCAS website). 

  • 3 responses:

    • Unconditional Offer

    • Conditional Offer

    • Unsuccessful

  • Once you have heard back from all 5 course choices, you will have approx. 6 weeks to choose a firm choice and a “back up” choice, in case you do not meet the conditions of the firm choice.

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator that you have applied via UCAS so that they can have IB send your diploma results.

UCAS Extra

• UCAS Extra operates from the end of February and is open until early July for those that did not receive any acceptances

• Allows you to make a sixth choice of university.

• If you become eligible for UCAS Extra, UCAS will send you all the details you need, and courses at universities willing to consider UCAS Extra applications will be available on the UCAS website.

• You can then either use the UCAS website to make an application or contact a university directly.

• If you are made an offer, either unconditional or conditional, you can firmly accept or decline it just like any offer in the main UCAS scheme.

• If you don't get an offer (or decide to decline your offer), you can opt to make another UCAS Extra choice and so on, until either you get an offer or you run out of time (the scheme ends in early July).

UCAS Clearing

• If you find that you don't have a university place, then you will be eligible for UCAS Clearing, a way of matching universities without students to students without universities.

• Essentially, it is up to you to find a university that is prepared to accept you. The best way to do this is to check their website or ring a university and tell them what you want to do. Usually, if they have vacancies, they will take your details and either give you a decision straight away or very soon afterwards.

• Just keep going until somewhere offers you a place. Here are some points to remember if you end up in this position.

• Prepare in advance – unless you are very confident you will get the grades. Make a list of possible courses and universities where you might be prepared to go in priority order. This will be easy to check against the Clearing listings when they are published.

• Be there – don't go on holiday at this critical time.

• If you think you may not have a place, regularly check UCAS Track. If you become eligible to use Clearing an 'Add Clearing choice' button will become available on your Track Choices screen. Or, check directly with your firm and insurance choices as soon as possible.

• Check the official Clearing listings in the national press, the UCAS website, or the websites of individual universities to find where there are vacancies in your subject. We recommend always using the official listings as they are always the most comprehensive and up-to-date.

• Think about alternative courses (perhaps a joint course with another subject instead of a single subject course) to maximise the choice available. Start ringing possible universities straight away (places at good universities can be filled very quickly).

• Always telephone yourself – universities are less impressed by people ringing on your behalf and are likely to be unable to offer a place unless they are actually speaking to the candidate.

• If you can't get through, keep trying, but also send an email.

• There will be a few vacancies not listed in the official vacancy listings because the universities know they can fill them with speculative callers and do not need the extra calls generated by the vacancy lists.

• If there is somewhere you really want to go, it might just be worth ringing even if they are not on the list. However, such vacancies will be taken within hours, at most within a day of A-level results being published.

• Many universities will run clearing open days to enable applicants (and their parents) to visit, view the facilities (particularly accommodation) and talk to staff and students.

• Even if there is not an official opportunity to visit, the Clearing applicant is well advised to contact the university and try to see the place prior to making a firm commitment.

The Application Process:

• In June, you will register through BIS for a UCAS account. Keep this number handy. You will need it whenever you do any communication regarding your applications.

• In summer and early fall, spend time looking at courses and various universities, travelling there if possible. Make a list of five COURSE choices.

• In UCAS, you will fill in personal information, including the courses you are currently taking. 

  • Predicted grades entered by the Uni Advisor after you complete your part

• Write a personal statement (see appendix 1&2). Have two or three people edit this document, as it is crucial to your acceptance in the more selective courses. Copy and paste this into UCAS once you’re finished. 

• Letter of reference (teachers will provide Uni Advisor with their evaluation of you as a student)

  • These will be used by Uni Advisor in your reference letter

• Complete the Student Self Assessment form given to you, and e-mail it to the Uni Advisor.

  • Used for your recommendation

  • If you don’t complete your letter will not be strong

• Once you have entered all your personal information, education information, course choices and personal statement on the UCAS website:

  • Pay the fee (27 Pounds) with a credit card

  • Your application will then be forwarded to the Uni Advisor. 

  • Come by to speak to Uni Advisor to let them know that you completed your application

• The Uni Advisor will check the information you’ve provided, add the teacher recommendation and your predicted grades, and send the application on to UCAS. 

  • Application not sent until Uni Advisor has completed his/her part, so if the deadline is the 15th of October, make sure you have completed your part by 1 October!

• Depending on the university and programme, you may also be contacted for an interview. This happens for selective programmes and also for any courses leading to interaction with children.  If they contact you, be prepared to go visit that university for a day or two of interviews.

• Most offers you receive will be conditional based on IB points. In July, once your results come out, you will have a chance to apply for a better place if your scores far exceeded your predicted grades, and if you did not meet the criteria for either your firm or your backup offers, you will go into Clearing to find a place. If this happens, contact your uni advisor immediately.

Financial Info:

• Studying in the UK can be expensive. There are two fee levels - domestic or international student fees. These fees vary significantly, depending on the university as well.

• Living expenses vary significantly, depending on the city and lifestyle chosen.

• International-status students will need to prove supportability in order to receive their student visa.

• There has been significant discussion as to whether free tuition in Scotland is really less expensive than studying in England. Many institutions have added a 2000-Pound fee in order to graduate, and the cost of living is spread over 4 years rather than 3.

Where BIS students have recently gone or are going (a partial list):

• University of St. Andrews http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk 

• University of Aberdeen http://www.abdn.ac.uk 

• University of Dundee http://www.dundee.ac.uk 

• University of Glasgow http://www.gla.ac.uk 

• University of Edinburgh http://www.ed.ac.uk 

• Heriot-Watt University http://www.hw.ac.uk 

Appendix 1: BIS Guide to the Personal Statement

Your personal statement should accomplish three things:

1 – Introduce you as an interesting, well-rounded individual

2 – State your chosen subject – your interest, background, and goals

3 – Show that you would be a good student and a good “fit” for the university

Two suggestions to approaching your personal statement:

1 – Begin with an anecdote or event that demonstrates your interest in the subject. Once you’ve established that clearly, then explain who you are and what your background is.

2 – Begin with something you’re fascinated by in regard to your subject matter. Then back up, saying how you’ve gotten there and while discussing your education up to this point, add personal information and quality character traits.

Suggestions of what you can include in your personal statement:

• why you have chosen this course of study

• your areas of interest in regard to the subject (fascinating research, etc – be specific)

• future plans – where you see yourself headed

• any job or other experience in a related field NOT ALREADY ON YOUR UCAS APP and how it has developed your character

• if you’re taking a gap year – your reasons behind that

• social, sports or leisure interests AS THEY DEMONSTRATE YOUR CHARACTER, WELL-ROUNDEDNESS or WORK ETHIC

• sponsorships or special placements you’ve applied for

• skills or abilities that you have which are beneficial for the course

• try to have an interesting phrase to start and finish on

• only write about things that you’re prepared to talk about in an interview

• plan ahead of time so that your statement is well-organised

DO NOT: (exceptions will always be made, of course!)

* sound arrogant and pretentious.

* start too many sentences with I

* quote magazines and books just for the purpose of sounding intelligent

* lie or bend the truth to make yourself look better

* attempt humour or jokes

* make a list of hobbies

* include activities that are true for everyone

* use slang or idioms

* repeat items already on your UCAS form

* use vocabulary you don’t really understand

* take a political viewpoint

* describe the courses you’re taking now

* ramble or give irrelevant information

* refer to an interest in one specific university

4000 character limit (including spaces) | 47 line limit (93 characters/line)

NOTE – ABOUT FORMATTING! Slanted quotation marks “ “like these” and long dashes will be deleted. No bold, italics or underlining will be accepted. No tab-indented paragraphs.

Appendix 2: Sample Personal Statement

This was written by a student applying for courses in International Relations + a foreign language to UK universities

Paragraph 1 I cried and cried; we were leaving home and moving to Germany.

Paragraph 1 makes an impact, is a defining moment in the student’s life and introduces the main theme: changing country.

Paragraph 2 Reflecting on this event eleven years later, I can be only too grateful for the opportunities this change has provided. At the tender age of six I was thrown into the diplomatic circle in Bonn and, of course, the local German community. This upheaval in my life has enabled me to absorb so much, making me a truly international student with a wide-ranging understanding of the world.

Paragraph 2 develops the idea of paragraph 1 (the move to Germany), and states that the writer is “a truly international student”, an important point if you are studying international relations!

Paragraph 3 As a six-year-old I wasn’t able to appreciate the opportunities that the move would entail, however, even at the age of six, I knew joining the local football team was a watershed in my life. I have played football ever since, and it is the contact with the players, most of whom are friends I still play with today, which opened my eyes to Germany and enabled me to speak the language fluently. As a result of acquiring fluent German, I was selected to attend the top German grammar school in the area, where I spent three years.

Paragraph 3 introduces the writer’s personal interest (football) while simultaneously linking it to learning a foreign language and understanding a new culture. The writer has made acquiring a new language and learning about another country seem the most natural thing in the world.

Paragraph 4 I feel the broad background in the international community of Germany’s former capital has moulded me into a well-rounded international student and made the choice for me to study International Relations an easy one. My extracurricular activities such as Journalism and Model United Nations reflect my aspirations in life. With a degree in International Relations, I hope to enter the field of journalism, or perhaps join an international organisation.

Paragraph 4 states why the writer wants to study international relations ....a natural result of his upbringing and he states an interest in working in the field of journalism.

Paragraph 5 Journalism has enabled me to experience real-life beyond the confines of the school, as well as providing me with the strong sense of achievement that comes from hard work. Last year I founded a school newspaper where I have held the position of sports editor and news editor. As a result, I have attended a variety of functions ranging from a youth press day, where there were many leading members of the German government, to interviewing the Mayor of Bonn at the United Nations Salon International. Events such as these have increased my awareness of the importance of international relations.

Paragraph 5 gives the writer the opportunity to write about his achievements, all of which are relevant to the course for which he is applying.

Paragraph 6 The long hours to make deadlines, as well as chasing advertising revenue from local businesses, have made me a stronger and more confident person. Mainly, however, I feel I have acquired useful managerial skills. My co-editor and I run the journalism class, and it is this position of responsibility, acting as teachers who correct work and give grades, which has taught me so much.

Paragraph 6 develops paragraph 5 and focuses on achievements and responsibilities.

Paragraph 7 Sport is undoubtedly one of my passions: I was scouted to play football at the county level and have won many championships and tournaments over the years. Last summer in France I participated in a football camp, broadening my knowledge of French greatly and winning all three prizes. I recently achieved 2nd place in the finals of the North-West European Cross Country Tournament, which meant I qualified for the All-Europe team. Sport not only provides me with a balance between study and recreation, but it also provides me with the opportunity to work during the summer holidays. I work as a football coach and a sailing instructor.

Paragraph 7 moves away from the theme of international relations and gives a more personal picture of the writer. He is not just good linguistically and academically, but a well-rounded person with a variety of interests....and a talented sportsman.

Paragraph 8 Every day I work with people from over sixty different countries, and so I have first-hand experience of international relations. I am a student who has won several awards in the academic field e.g. the prizes for Theory of Knowledge, German, and the prestige of being accepted to the ‘Quill and Scroll’ (honorary society for high school journalists), as well as winning numerous prizes in sport. In the course of winning these prizes I have worked with people from over sixty different countries; for me, international relations is a way of life.

Paragraph 8. The conclusion. Restates academic and international credentials. Just as the opening sentence has an impact, so does the concluding sentence...” for me international relations is a way of life.”

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally 

• High School Diploma also accepted, depending on the quality of the grades and SAT/ACT taken

• English Language competency, must have studied in English for at least 3 years, or complete an accepted language test

• Be aware of prerequisite course requirements for both general and specific programs of study (for example, studying Engineering will generally require IB Math, English, Physics and Chemistry)

• Prerequisite IB subjects can generally be presented as either HL or SL.

• Some universities will not calculate bonus points when meeting the admission requirements

TIMELINE:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS, nearby university fairs when advertised or virtually  

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in Canada. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for both general admission and the specific course of interest

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• If possible, visit Canada and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience, summer programs

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the Canadian University System

• Pay attention to your grades. These universities will want to see a transcript of your grades for grades 9-11 as well as your predicted grade 12 or IB results

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for majors and universities

• Check with each programme and university and make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and match that to your university choices

• Research scholarship options

During Grade 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Return from summer vacation with your final list of university choices

• Contact the programmes and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• Check the application requirements of the particular school, especially if they require teacher recommendations or personal statements.

• The application deadlines vary for each program of study starting from January, but especially if you are an international student, apply earlier---before January.

January - April

• As soon as you have an offer, begin working on your visa (international students only)

• Apply for financial aid. Canadians are automatically registered, US citizens can qualify for US student loans. Others should apply for scholarships, which are limited, so apply early.

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you are applying to so that they can have IB send your diploma results.

Application Info:

• Applications typically go directly to the university. There is a fee (50-100 Canadian Dollars) per application. When at all possible, apply online.  For universities in Ontario (Toronto region) applications are centralised. Go to http://www.ouac.on.ca to begin your application. Same for Alberta, go to https://applyalberta.ca/ 

• For applications to Canada, you will need to have documents electronically sent from BIS. Contact the university advisor at least one week ahead of time with your request so there is time to pull all the information together. Be as detailed as possible 

  • what needs to be sent

  • if anything should be written on it

  • to what address

  • by what date

  • once an application is submitted online, go by to see the university advisor in person and inform them that supporting documents need to be submitted to (________ university)

• All students are required to have health insurance. Since Canada has socialised medicine, international students will be required to undergo a physical examination as part of the visa application process.

Financial Info:

• International Students will be required to show that they are able to pay for the entire year. This will be proving not only tuition but also living expenses for one year of study. In order to receive a visa, you will have to submit a bank statement showing approx. 25.000-40.000 Canadian Dollars available to you for study.

• International Students are allowed to work during their studies, up to 20 hours a week and unlimited during holidays.

• Some scholarships are available for international students, but they are competitive. Apply early.

Where BIS students have recently gone (a partial list):

• University of Toronto http://www.utoronto.ca 

• McGill University http://www.mcgill.ca 

• York University http://www.yorku.ca 

• University of British Columbia http://www.ubc.ca

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally 

• High School Diploma with SAT also accepted, as long as the SAT score is high enough

• English Language competency, must have studied in English for at least 3 years, or complete an accepted language test

TIMELINE:

During Year 9 and 10:

• Attend university open days either virtually or schools that visit the BIS campus

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be in the Australia. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB Diploma entry expectations are for schools

During Year 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• If possible, visit Australia and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in the Australian University System 

During Year 12:

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• If you are not a full IB candidate, take the SAT test (offered in October, January, and May)

• Make a realistic evaluation of your student profile and match that to your university choices

• Make a list of your top choices for university and course

• Decide if you want to start immediately upon graduation (apply in May) or beginning of a new year in February (apply July/August)

• Contact the programmes and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• Check the application requirements of the particular school, especially if they require teacher recommendations or personal statements.

• Notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you are applying to so that they can have IBO send your diploma results.

Summer after Year 12:

• Apply as soon as your IB results have come out. The deadline is typically August for February/March start dates, but if you need a visa, apply early.

• If you have taken the SAT, contact www.collegeboard.org  to have their results sent as well.

• Applications typically go directly to the university. There is a fee (50-100 Australian Dollars) per application. When at all possible, apply online.

Application Info:

• You will need transcripts from all four years of your grade 9-12 education.

  • If you have moved from another school in that time, please contact that school to have the transcripts sent to BIS for us to include with your applications, or contact the school with a list of where the transcripts must be sent. There may be a fee for this service.

  • If transcripts are not in English, they must be translated. 

• When at all possible, apply online. There will be an application fee of between $50-100 for each application. 

• Most students apply to somewhere between 5-8 schools. Those applying to highly selective schools apply to approx. 10

• The CommonApp centralizes the application process, which makes it much easier for your university advisor to submit all the necessary documents. Use this whenever possible. Especially for schools that do not use the CommonApp, give your advisor plenty of notice (at least several weeks) of when things need to be sent.

Financial Info:

• International Students will be required to show that they are able to pay for the entire year. This will need to prove not only tuition but also living expenses for one year of study. In order to receive a visa, you will have to submit a bank statement showing approx. 25.000-30.000 Australian Dollars available to you for study.

• International Students are allowed to work during their studies, up to 20 hours a week. 

• Some scholarships are available for international students, but they are competitive. Apply early.

Documents Required:

• Application (online) and application fee

• Visa

• Passport copies

• Medical exams (possible)

• Police check (possible)

• Proof of finances (possible)

• Educational qualifications (IB results)

• Personal Statement and Resume (possible)

Where BIS students have recently gone (a partial list):

• The Australian National University https://www.anu.edu.au/

• RMIT University https://www.rmit.edu.au/

• University of Melbourne https://www.unimelb.edu.au/

• University of New South Wales https://www.unsw.edu.au/

• Curtin University https://www.curtin.edu.au/

Entry Requirements: (vary from university to university)

• IB Diploma accepted almost universally 

• Grades from 9-12 (GPA—Grade Point Average)

• Choice of courses 

• High School Diploma also accepted, depending on the quality of the grades

• SAT (or ACT) required

• Community Service/School Involvement will count heavily

• Teacher recommendation(s) (2)

• English Language competency, must have studied in English for at least 3 years, pass IB English Language A, or take the TOEFL test.

• Admissions Essay(s)

• Occasional Interview

TIMELINE:

During Grade 10:

• Attend the university visits that come to BIS or the nearby university fairs when advertised  

• Visit schools on advertised open days if you happen to be nearby. You get a great sense of campus at that time and become aware of expectations

• Learn what the IB entry expectations are for schools

During Grade 11: 

• Begin researching course options and universities

• In October, take the PSAT test

• If possible, visit and go on-campus. Meet with admissions representatives, attend lectures, talk with students about their experience

• Talk to family, friends, or teachers here at BIS who have recent experience in these types of universities

• Pay attention to your grades. These universities will want to see a transcript of your grades for grades 9-11 as well as your predicted grade 12 or IB results.

• Take the SAT test in May and possibly earlier

• Consider taking the SAT prep course offered at BIS

• If you attended other schools in 9-12, you must have sealed transcripts ready for submission to the university

  • If transcripts are not in English, they must be officially translated and attached to the original copy to have them ready for grade 12. 

Summer Before Grade 12:

• Narrow down your choices for majors and universities

• Check with each programme and university & make a list of requirements and deadlines

• Make a realistic evaluation of your grades and student profile to find schools that match your scores

During Grade 12:

August - December

• Focus on your studies as much as possible

• Make a list of your top choices for university and course

• Contact the programmes and ask any questions you may have when making those choices

• If at all possible, visit those campuses, stay overnight in student housing, attend lectures, meet with admissions representatives, and talk with students about their experience

• Check the application requirements of the particular school, especially if they require teacher recommendations or essays.

• Apply. Application deadline could be as early as December and as late as April

January - April

• As soon as you have an offer, begin working on your visa (international students only)

• In April, notify the IB Coordinator of the universities you are applying to so that they can have IB send your diploma results.

Application Info:

• You will need transcripts from grade 9-12 education. If you have moved from another school in that time, either contact that school to have a number of transcripts (approx. 10) sent to BIS for us to include with your applications, or contact the school with a list of where the transcripts must be sent. There may be a fee for this service.

• When at all possible, apply online. There will be an application fee of between $50-100 for each application.

Financial Info:

• The cost of tuition will vary from 4.000 Euros a year to about 20.000. 

• Most of these courses offer on-site student housing.