3 Ways You Can Customise Your UG Degree In The UK

Undergraduate education in the UK is becoming increasingly sought-after by Indian students. This can be attributed to the increasing visibility of universities in the UK in India and the enhancement of work opportunities in the country. This increased visibility is partly due to active efforts made by universities in the UK to attract talent and students from different countries. These efforts are accompanied by changes in policies and offerings that specifically make undergraduate education more accessible to students from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. In addition to this, universities have also introduced options to increase the employability of graduating undergraduate students- both within and outside the UK.

For students who are looking at studying in the UK after Class 12, it becomes important to understand the different types of modifications they can make to their UK undergraduate education to get the most out of their university degrees.

Also Read | Things To Know Before Choosing The UK As A Study Destination

Modifying Your UG Degree

Here are a few ways you can modify your undergraduate degree in the UK.

Foundation Year

Whilst universities in the UK assess students holistically (student profile is adequately reflected through the UCAS Statement of Purpose and Letter of Recommendation), the country continues to place a premium on academic scores; specifically, the scores attained by students in their Class 12 examinations. This presents a challenge to students with scores lower than admission requirements (which are very clearly disclosed by universities prior to the commencement of the admissions cycle) for their desired degrees. Foundation Years are an efficient solution to this predicament.

Helps Set Base | Foundation Year, as the name indicates, is a year of additional coursework that students are required to undertake before getting admitted to the undergraduate program. Foundation Year entry requirements are relatively relaxed, allowing students to study in aspirational universities and programs. Whilst progression from the Foundation Year to the Bachelor's Program is not guaranteed, a significant majority of students secures admissions post the Foundation Year. The Foundation Year coursework is fairly lenient, and it allows students with diverse backgrounds and academic proficiencies to ease into the fairly rigorous academic process characteristic of undergraduate programs.

Make Up For Gaps | Foundation Years also help students make up for deficiencies in the admissions requirements. For example, several management and finance programs in the UK require students to study Mathematics in Class 12. Students who are keen to take up this program but do not have the necessary subjects in Class 12 can take up a Foundation Year and develop the necessary skills in Mathematics to progress into the Bachelor’s program. Then, Foundation Year programs are also very accessible to students with low scores in English Proficiency Tests. Given their relatively relaxed requirements for entry, students with low IELTS/TOEFL scores have the option to opt for Foundation Programs instead of dropping a year to retake the test for the subsequent admissions cycle.

Foundation Year courses are offered directly by universities (University of Buckingham, University of Edinburgh, King’s College London etc.) or by other organisations in association with universities (INTO, Kaplan International Pathways etc.). Admission process for Foundation Year programs is the same as other undergraduate courses in the UK (there is a different unique UCAS code that students should be cognizant of). The annual fees for these courses is about 70-80% of the annual fees of the undergraduate degree.

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Foundation Years Also Helps Students Make Up For Deficiencies In The Admissions Requirements.

Industrial Placement

In comparison to the US and Canada, conventional undergraduate degrees in the UK are shorter (three years in comparison to four). This, combined with the sustained academic rigour, often leaves students with sparse time to undertake internships (which are instrumental in securing placements after the completion of undergraduate coursework). To enable professional experience for students, universities in the UK have introduced the option to take an Industrial Placement Year.

A student begins their Industrial Placement Year after completing their typical three years of undergraduate studies. Universities assist students in securing placements that are relevant to their coursework and aligned with their career plans. The fees for the placement year are typically very low, about 10-20% of the annual fees of the undergraduate degree. These internships are also often paid (even though the minimum wage guidelines and laws do not apply to these opportunities), which implies that the student might generate a net financial positive through this year. Employers actively use the Industrial Placement Year program to identify and train talent, and recruit students. Hence, if students are seriously considering working abroad after completing undergraduate studies, the Industrial Placement year is an ideal modality.

Admission Process | Given the unique and sought-after benefits of these programs, they typically tend to have more competitive admission requirements. The admission process is similar to that of a conventional degree, but students must identify the accurate UCAS codes for the Industrial Placement Year at the time of application. Industrial Placement and Foundation Year can be combined by students for a program that lasts for 5 years.

Also Read | Summer School Programmes In The UK: How They Help

4-Year Integrated Programs

Whilst most undergraduate degrees in the UK are 3-year programs (with primary exceptions being MBBS and LLB), certain universities allow students to complete 4-year programs and receive MSci or MA degrees. Not only does this let students dive deeper into their coursework, it provides a valuable year for exploration, internships, and campus experiences. Universities that offer integrated programs include the University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick, etc.

Vijeeth Srinivas is a development consultant with extensive experience in the foreign education industry. With the Centre for Career Development and Essai Education he has helped hundreds of students secure positions in leading universities abroad. He is keen to make novel developments in education and skill development more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.