Seminars and Interview Sessions

St Andrew’s Prep is the preparatory school of the prestigious boarding school, Eastbourne College. Students mainly come from local families. With its excellent academic and extra-curricular performance, approximately 75% students continue their studies in Eastbourne College after graduation. The other students mostly progress to other top boarding schools in the South of England, including Brighton College, Dauntsey’s, Dulwich and Harrow.

Rishworth School is a boarding school situated the Pennines in the North of England, which is famously known as the Backbone of England. The School occupies 130 acres of parkland (that’s about 3 times bigger than the HK Victoria Park) with stunning scenery. Of the 450 students currently in the School, about 15% are boarders who came from the UK, European and Asian countries. Boarding fees are comparatively economical, while facilities come in variety including an indoor swimming pool. About 48% of students achieved A*-B in GCE A-levels (2017) with some of them went on to study in universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, UCL and more.

Located in Isle of Wight, Ryde School is a boarding school that provides education from nursery to sixth form where GCE A-levels and IB are both available. There are over 700 students in the School and the majority of them are from local British families. International students will have tons of opportunities to practise their English and mingle with local students. Academically, Ryde School achieved A*-B rates of 58% to 76% in the past five years (2014-2018), which ranked the School as one of top 100-250 boarding schools in the UK.

Hethersett Old Hall School is a small boarding school in the East of England. Boys and girls are both accepted until year 6, after which only girls are accepted. Girls can start boarding from year 4. The majority of students came from local families in the area and there are only a few Chinese and Hong Kong students, providing a very good environment for learning the language and the British culture. Starting from year 11, students can choose to live in single bedrooms, where they can enjoy more personal and study space.

Queen Anne’s School is a girls boarding school in Reading, South of England, with over 300 years of history. Students from Queen Anne’s School are strong in academic results as well as music and the arts. In 2018, A*-B rate in GCE A-levels was impressively at 69% while A*/A (or 9-7 in reformed subjects) rate in GCSE was at 69%. GCE A-levels curriculum of Queen Anne’s School covers a wide range of subjects, which include music technology, Latin, Chinese, Physical Education, Art History and more! Queen Anne’s School is also home to an outstanding school choir and a school orchestra. They have toured European cities such as Paris, Venice and Berlin, and also a regular act in Westminster Abbey in London.

University of Swansea produced some very impressive results in the latest research assessment exercise (REF 2014), which puts the University at the 26^th among over 100 UK universities – an improvement of 26 places from previous report. The improvement happened alongside the 8^th highest student satisfaction rating in the UK, reflecting a good balance and synergy between good teaching and good researches! While Communication & Media, Medical Technology scored a 100% satisfaction rating, different engineering programmes also scored favourably from 87% to 94%.

The School of Engineering is the most celebrated school in Swansea University. In the latest research assessment exercise (REF 2014), 94% of researches in engineering were rated as “World Leading” and “Internationally Excellent” – a result comparable to that of traditional engineering schools such as UCL and Bristol.

Details of Event: College of Engineering

An admissions representative from the College of Engineering of Swansea University will attend the event. She will be happy to meet with students and parents individually to answer questions related to Swansea University and related academic disciplines such as course content, career prospects and more! The event is suitable for students interested in Engineering programmes in Swansea University.

Areas of Strength (Subject Ranking)

Criminology (3), Medicine (5), Chemical Engineering (6), Celtic Studies (7), Materials Technology (8), Social Work (8), Sports Science (9), American Studies (12), Computer Science (13), Medical Related (15), General Engineering (16), Archaeology (17), Mechanical Engineering (17), Aeronautical and Manufacturing (18), Accounting and Finance (19), Civil Engineering (20), Classics and Ancient History (20), Physics and Astronomy (20), Social Policy (21), Communication and Media Studies (22), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (22), Biological Sciences (23), Psychology (24), English (25), Nursing (27), Law (30), Mathematics (30), Business Studies (32), German (36), French (37), Geography and Environmental Sciences (40)

Located in the South-West of England, Wells Cathedral School is one of the four specialist music boarding schools in the UK and is one of the finest among! Over the years the School has educated generations of musicians of classical music. And the school choir performs around the world every year.

To support young musicians in Hong Kong, Wells Cathedral School established the Wells Music Society of Hong Kong to stimulate cultural exchanges through the art of music. Board members of the Music Society include highly respected conductor Yip Wing-sie, as well as other influential figures in Hong Kong’s classical music circle.

In addition to music, students of Wells Cathedral School are also outstanding academically. In 2018, 40% of students achieved A*-A in GCE A-levels.

Oswestry School is one of England’s oldest schools that stands on the edge of a safe, typically English, old-fashioned market town surrounded by beautiful countryside. The school has good academic records and high standard in music, drama and the arts. Notable alumni include some renowned poets, artists and Jo Walton – the Hugo award winner.

While admission is non-selective, exam results have remained excellent throughout the years. In the past five years (2014-2018), A*-B rates at A-levels ranges from 45% to 64%.

1-Year GCSE

The one-year GCSE programme is a popular bridging programme before overseas students joined mainstream classes, suitable for F.4 students in Hong Kong. Students who study the programme in Oswestry School will be able to join the mainstream school as part of the normal timetable, in order to ensure they experience a typical English boarding school environment.

Bethany School is situated in the county of Kent where scenery is so beautiful that it’s also known as “the Garden of England”! Bethany School is strong in art & design, photography, drama and textile. It’s a very good option for students pursuing to study for art & design. Its campus is a mixture of traditional and modern establishments, incorporating buildings from the Victoria period with hi-tech facilities. Individual support to students is very good. Not only does every student have a personal tutor, the School also provides extra support for students with learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Cobham Hall School is a small-scale international boarding school in Kent, which is sometimes known as the Garden of England. Occupying a 150-acre campus on picturesque parkland and housed in a grade I listed building built in the Elizabethan era, Cobham Hall School has been named one of the most beautiful boarding schools in the UK! In the past, Cobham Hall School has educated members of the Royal Family and other notable alumni include Francesca Amfitheatrof, jewellery designer and design director of Tiffany & Co.. Cobham Hall School re-introduced GCE A-levels in the 2018/19 academic year, replacing the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. It’s also CReSTeD-recognized and has capacity to provide adequate support to students with dyslexia. Currently about 20 students in Cobham Hall School receive extra learning support for dyslexia.

Located in the South of England, Bruton School for Girls is girl’s school with over 100 years of history. Students are all-rounded individuals who thrill in public examinations and sport fields and the School is very popular among local families in the area. In the past five years (2014-2018), A*-B rates in GCE A-levels are from 57% to 71%.

The College of Richard Collyer is one of the 26^th best state sixth form colleges in the UK. Its history can be traced back to 1540. The College now mainly offers GCE A-levels programmes with options of more than 40 subjects. In 2017, 57% of students were able to achieve A*-B in GCE A-levels. Teaching quality and learning support are also highly rated by the Ofsted, the government inspection body, granting it the highest “Outstanding” rating in these areas. In the past few years, the College has visited Hong Kong every year, during which they also meet with parents of existing students, helping parents keep track of the latest progress of their sons and daughters.

Details of Event

Truro School is a large-scale boarding school in Cornwall with good academic results, a well-equipped campus in a picturesque location and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Popular among local families, there are currently about 770 students in the senior school. When the prep school is included, Truro School is a large school with over 1000 students.

A*-B rates in GCE A-levels are consistently at 65% to 77% in the past five years (2014-2018). Outside the classroom, students in Truro School have the option of over 70 extracurricular activities. The School is also named one of the top 100 independent sports school by School Sport magazine, where it came as the 6^th best in 2016! Truro School is champion of fencing among independent schools. In the 2016/17 academic year, twelve fencers from Truro School have participated in international competitions. For wind surfing, Finn Hawkins won 1^st place in RYA National Championship U15 category and went on to compete in the World Youth Championships with a few of his schoolmates. In 2018/19, Truro School also introduced a certificate course of Leiths Cookery School – a good option for students who aspire to become a chef or a nutritionist, or who are simply curious about the basics of cookery!

Located in the famous historic city of Bath, Kingswood School has been highly rated by Ofsted Inspection Report. Among many things, teaching, sports facilities and boarding facilities are exceptionally outstanding. About 2/3 teaching staff live inside the campus. Relationship between teachers and students is close. Achievement in public exams is exceptional with 76% of students gaining A*-B in GCE A-levels 2017. Kingswood School only offers a limited number of places to Hong Kong and Chinese students. Early application is highly recommended.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit a school report to Kingswood School for preliminary assessment. Eligible students will be informed for further assessments and are required to submit their applications on or before the specified deadlines in accordance to their year groups.

• Year 12: Applications close on 19/10 (Friday)
• Year 9: Applications close on 11/1/2019 (Friday)
• Year 7: Applications close on 9/11 (Friday)

From our experience, since Kingswood School only offers a limited number of places to Hong Kong and Chinese students, school places can be fully filled very early. Parents are therefore recommended to submit school reports to Kingswood School for preliminary assessment early to avoid disappointment.

Undergraduate Year 1 in Top 30 UK universities normally require 544 to 555 in HKDSE, with subject-specific requirement depending on your choices of programmes. If students fall short of such requirement, they can progress through International Diploma and University Foundation Courses. These programmes accept entry at 433 to 322 in HKDSE and enable qualified students to progress onto Year 2 and Year 1 of an undergraduate programme in Top 30 UK universities respectively. Students aiming for top universities and highly-competitive subjects such as medicine and actuarial sciences, however, will benefit from the 1-Year A-levels which also allows them to apply to universities in Hong Kong through the Non-Jupas route.

In the seminar, our education consultants will introduce these four options for HKDSE students. Content includes university options, subject options, entry requirements, plus the procedures and important dates of UCAS.

Content Highlights

• How does UCAS work? What are the important dates?
• How to make best use of the five application quotas in your UCAS application?
• Is it possible to have the sixth and the seventh quota?
• Tips on writing a winning personal statement.
• Options of university and academic disciplines in pathway programmes.
• The option of One-Year A-levels and a brief analysis of Non-Jupas admission data.

Queen Margaret’s School is a girls’ boarding school in Yorkshire, North of England. Its 75-acre campus is 90 minutes away from Manchester Airport and 20 minutes away from the city of York. Boarding has its very own flavour in Queen Margaret’s School. Not only is it one of the few girls’ boarding schools that still has a high ratio of boarders, every Friday Queen Margaret’s School also provides stayover opportunities for day schools! In public exams, Queen Margaret’s School has in the past five years (2014-2018) achieved 69-85% A*-B rates in GCE A-levels and in 2018 a 68% A*-B rate. Many go on to higher education in the North, making Durham, Edinburgh and Manchester the most popular choices of universities, while some were admitted by University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

Burgess Hill Girls is a girls’ boarding school in the South of England, which is only 30 minutes away from London Gatwick airport. With a strong focus on academic, students from Burgess Hill Girls have achieved excellent public exam results! In the past ten years (2009-2018), A*-B rates in GCE A-levels were above 80% in eight years. These put Burgess Hill Girls at about the Top 150, among other independent schools in the UK (2014-2017). In sixth form, students in Burgess Hill Girls can opt for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in addition to their A-levels, where they will work on a research topic on their own. By conducting researches and analysis in a more university-like approach, students learn the analytical and writing skills highly sought-after by top universities!

The Leys School is the only co-educational boarding school in the university city of Cambridge, with good reputation in academic and music. The Leys School is the choice of education for children of many academics from University of Cambridge, which include world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking!

Performance in public exams is outstanding, especially in sciences. In the past ten years (2009-2018), A*-B rates in GCE A-levels in consistently within 73% to 83%. Students who applied to The Leys through us in the past have progressed to University of Cambridge and Oxford.

The Music School in The Leys School was opened in 2005 by world-famous British conductor and cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, who remains the Music patron of The Leys. Music learners are offered a wide range of options from classical and pop music and instruments, and the opportunities to join big and small orchestras and bands and performances in local and international stages!

The Leys School is very popular among top school students in Hong Kong and places usually are filled in October every year. Students are advised to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Leeds Beckett University is one of the polytechnics that were granted university status because of the 1992 Education Act. It’s strong for Physiotherapy (ranked the 12^th in the UK), and is one of the few universities that offer programmes in Landscape Architecture. Employability is a focus in a Leeds Beckett’s education, where work placement opportunities and work-related learning are gradually introduced into its undergraduate curriculum. In many faculties students will also have the option to take a 4-year degree which include a sandwich year of placement. Leeds Beckett University is home to as many as 80 sports teams. The University offers a range of sports scholarships to UK students, and encourages all students to lead an active lifestyle!

Subjects of Strength (Subject Ranking)

Physiotherapy (12), Town and Country Planning and Landscape (21), Food Science (24), Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism (26), Building (30), Nursing (31), Architecture (39), Communication and Media Studies (43), Sports Science (47), Music (50), Civil Engineering (54), Criminology (64)

Aberystwyth University is the oldest university in the Wales and a founding member of University of Wales. Aberystwyth University is strong for Geography, Computer Sciences as well as Politics – for which it was ranked top 10 in the UK by the latest research assessment exercise (REF 2014). New and exciting degree courses include Data Science, which takes an interdisciplinary approach between computing and mathematics, and Adventure Tourism Management, which takes advantage of its unique location in Wales.

Since its establishment in 1872, Aberystwyth University has educated a number of politicians and scholars in Wales. More well-known alumni to Hong Kong include movie director of Bridget Jones’s Diary. Prince Charles has also spent a term in Aberystwyth University to read Welsh and history while he was studying in University of Cambridge.

Details of Event: International Politics & Others

Dr. Anwen Elias, Reader from Department of International Politics, and an admissions representative from Aberystwyth University will attend the event. They will be happy to meet with students and parents individually to answer questions related to Aberystwyth University and related academic disciplines such as course content, career prospects and more! The event is suitable for students interested in International Politics, Global Development and other academic disciplines available in Aberystwyth University.

Subjects of strength (Subject Ranking)

Animal Science (3), Celtic Studies (3), Librarianship and Information Management (4), Agriculture and Forestry (9), Art and Design (9), Geology (15), Politics (17), Geography and Environmental Sciences (18), Creative Writing (19), Criminology (21), English (23), German (23), Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism (24), Iberian Languages (32), Drama, Dance and Cinematics (34), Mathematics (34), Computer Science (35), Education (36), French (36), Accounting and Finance (38), Biological Sciences (38), Psychology (39), Physics and Astronomy (44), Sports Science (46)

When should you start preparing, if you’re aiming to apply for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other medical-related programmes in the UK? If you’re applying for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine through UCAS, not only that you have to have the right grades in the right subjects, you will also have to meet the much earlier deadline in October. If you’re applying for other medical-related subjects such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, you’re highly recommended to make the first-round UCAS deadline in January.

In addition to good grades in public exams, some universities will also require one of the BMAT and UKCAT examinations as part of their entry requirement. And it’s almost essential that you have a certain amount of relevant job shadowing or voluntary work experience. If you include all of these and the others, it’d normally take a year or two ahead for preparation, if not longer!

Details of the Seminar

In the Seminar, the Principal of sixth-form college Bellerbys College Cambridge will explain how you can best prepare for your application, covering things like UCAS deadlines, BMAT and UKCAT examinations, the Personal Statement, the right combination of A-levels subjects as well as other job shadowing and voluntary work experience:

• BMAT & UKCAT: What are they testing you in these exams? When do they take place? Applicants should also be made aware that the majority of medical schools only accept one of these two exams as part of your qualifications. So you will have work out your university choices to find out whether it’s a better idea to sit both exams.
• Preparing the Personal Statement: In this part, the Principal will explain the basic requirement of a personal statement. He will also share a few tips to help students enrich their personal statement.
• Multi-Mini Interviews (MMI), the New Interview Format of Medical School

Apart from these, the Principal will also introduce the Medical School Preparation programmes tailor-made for aspiring medical school applicants. Alongside their GCE A-levels studies, eligible students will be allowed to take part in the following extra learning activities to enhance their chance of making a successful application:

• Attend medical school lectures
• A mentoring scheme with current medical students
• Job shadowing and volunteering opportunities
• A guaranteed interview opportunity: Bellerbys College Brighton students joining the Medical School Preparation programmes will be guaranteed an interview at the Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS) – a joint-venture between University of Sussex and University of Brighton
• Medical school interview training

School Profile: Bellerbys College

Bellerbys College is an independent college for international students with campuses in Brighton, Cambridge and London. Its expanding portfolio of programmes includes GCSE, GCE A-levels and university pathway programmes that are suitable for F.3 students to HKDSE graduates in Hong Kong.

Every year Bellerbys College successfully helps students from 60 different countries prepare for successful graduation into the British university system. In 2018, A*-B rates in GCE A-levels across three campuses are from 58% to 73%. About 91% of A-levels graduates gaining entry to top 50 universities in the UK (2017).

In addition to GCSE and GCE A-levels, Bellerbys College also provides University Foundation and International Diploma programmes that provide progression to over 50 universities, including Exeter, Lancaster, Bath, etc.

Success Stories of the Class of 2017

Located in countryside Suffolk and founded in 1878, Ipswich High School is currently undergoing a series of reforms, where it became co-educational under the diamond model starting from 2018/19 and in 2019/20 it will open its boarding house for international students. Under the diamond model, boys and girls in Ipswich High School will join separate classes at Year 4 and below. Integration will be phased in, starting from Year 5 where boys and girls will be taught in separate classes in core subjects (ie. Mathematics, English, Sciences and Physical Education), but participate in extracurricular activities together. It’s only in sixth form that Ipswich High School will become fully co-educational in the traditional sense, so that students enjoy the benefits of both single-sex and nixed-sex education.

What’s so good about studying in the UK? In addition to small class-size, excellent provision of facilities and more flexible teaching methods, what makes the As in UK student’s report cards? What options do students from the new 334 education system have, to continue their studies in the UK? What makes up the best preparation for progression to the finest universities? How does British boarding school experience benefit students when they apply to universities in Hong Kong? In the seminar, our education consultants will answer all these questions by sharing their own experience in the UK. The seminar is suitable for parents of primary and secondary school students and students themselves, who are interested in studying in the UK.

Content Highlights

• The Education Systems: In what circumstances can Hong Kong students progress to the next year group in the UK? In which year groups does it offer more school options?
• The Boarding School Life: What time is lights out time? What weekend activities are available for boarders? What are these unique school holidays in boarding schools?
• The Public Exams: How do GCSE and A-levels subject choices affect your options in university? What subject combination may bring extra advantages to Hong Kong students?
• GCSE & A-levels Reform: What were being reformed and when? Are the two exams more difficult now than before?
• A brief analysis of Non-Jupas admission data
• The Application Procedures: What should you consider when selecting a boarding school? What criteria are used when boarding schools select students?
• Is it necessary to sit boarding school entrance exams (such as BUSSATs & UKiSet) in advance?
  

Students attending the seminar can take home a free copy of The Metropolis UK Boarding School Guide by giving a Facebook Like to our Facebook page.

Building on the successful experience in providing university pathway programmes for top universities such as Exeter, Newcastle and UEA, INTO London is another teaching centre in London ran by INTO University Partnerships that provides university foundation and international diploma programmes. Upon successful completion of the foundation programmes, students will be eligible to apply to over 85 universities in the UK, with progression routes covering diverse subjects in arts, business, engineering, law, the humanities as well as sciences.

Progression Options (UK Rank)^abstract

Lancaster (6), Loughborough (7), East Anglia (13), Nottingham (18), Surrey (19), Dundee (23), Newcastle (26), Sussex (27), Royal Holloway (28), Southampton (30), Kent (31), Reading (32), Leicester (34), Cardiff (35), SOAS (36), Swansea (36), Queen’s, Belfast (38), Aberdeen (40), Strathclyde (41), Queen Mary (43), Stirling (45), Aston (46), Nottingham Trent (47), Keele (50), Arts University Bournemouth (51), Portsmouth (53), Lincoln (54), Bangor (55), West London (56), West of England (57), Chester (61), Staffordshire (63), Goldsmiths (63), Northumbria (66), Leeds Trinity (67), Falmouth (69), Sheffield Hallam (70), Chichester (72), Ulster (73), Roehampton (74), Bradford (75), Hull (75), Bournemouth (79), Manchester Metropolitan (80), Gloucestershire (83), Oxford Brookes (84), Winchester (85), Plymouth (86), Salford (88), Hertfordshire (89), Middlesex (91), Bath Spa (94), Sunderland (96), Abertay (98), Southampton Solent (100), Queen Margaret (102), Worcester (102), Birmingham City (105), Westminster (106), London South Bank (106), Glasgow Caledonian (109), Brighton (112), Anglia Ruskin (113), Kingston (117), South Wales (119), Leeds Beckett (123), Cumbria (125)

University Pathway Programmes (Foundation & International Diploma) are one-year programmes that allow students to progress onto year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate programme in the UK. Many of these programmes are taught in dedicated teaching centres within university campuses and provide “guaranteed progression” to an undergraduate degree upon achieving the required grades in internal exams and coursework assessment.

Durham University (5)

University of Durham is now ranked the 74^th globally (QS 2019), the 5^th in the UK and a member of the Russel Group, which symbolizes the highest standard of research and teaching in the UK. In REF 2014, 83% of its research was assessed as being of “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. 20 academic disciplines are within Top 5 in the UK. Like many traditional universities, Durham is strongest in Law, the humanities (such as Anthropology, Education, etc) and sciences (such as Physics and Chemistry) while Business Studies is ranked the 11^th. According to the National Student Survey 2017, 89% of their students are satisfied with their experience at Durham. And it is ranked the 6^th in the UK for universities most targeted by leading recruiters in 2014/15. Notable alumni included Steve Easterbrook (CEO of McDonald’s), Cecil Chao (Hong Kong Billionaire) and Richard Adams (Founder of fairtrade organization Thraidcraft).

Lancaster University (6)

Lancaster University is now the 131^st in World University Ranking (QS 2019) and has been a popular option among Hong Kong students in the past few years. Lancaster is ranked Top 5 in Communication & Media, Social Work, Accounting & Finance, Business Studies, Biological Science and more. As is located in the North West of England, Lancaster provides a very different experience from other city-based universities. Students would find the University a good destination of living and study with Lancaster’s award-wining accommodation, which has been named the Best University Halls for 5 consecutive years.

University of Surrey (19)

Ranked the 248^th globally (QS 2019), the University of Surrey is a leading educator in Hospitality & Tourism and Animal Science with a new veterinary school opened in the 2014/15 academic year. Most of its undergraduate programmes involve a year-long placement. With improving student satisfaction level, Surrey was named the 2016 University of the Year by the Times in praise of the good balance between research and teaching quality!

University of Sheffield (21)

Ranked the 75^th globally (QS 2019), the University of Sheffield excels in a wide range of academic disciplines. Architecture, Communication & Media, Politics, Town Planning & Landscape Architecture, Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are among Top 10 in the UK. Sheffield’s reputable engineering school now educates more than 4000 students and is a leading institution in systems engineering and smart materials globally. Notable alumni include 5 Nobel laureates, as well as Chung Sze-Yuen (Senior Unofficial Member of Legislative Council of Hong Kong) and Douglas Young (founder of lifestyle design and retail brand G.O.D.).

University of Sussex (27)

Ranked the 147^th globally (THE 17/18), the University of Sussex excels in social sciences and humanities. Anthropology, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology and Communication & Media are all within Top 15 in the UK. University of Sussex is special in terms of its diverse offerings of interdisciplinary programmes (such as Law & Politics, Psychology & Sociology), which is suitable for students with diverse interest. Notable alumni include former president of South Africa and a number of Nobel laureates. Progression rate is as high as 97% from pathway programmes (2016).

University of Leicester (34)

Ranked the 159^nd globally (THE 17/18), the University of Leicester provides the flexibility with Major/Minor degree options, which enables students to concentrate on a subject area as the major subject, while broadening knowledge with a Minor subject. Leicester has put great efforts into science and technology over time. It’s home to the largest space research centre among all European universities. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has participated in the PanCam research project under European Space Agency (ESA)’s ExoMars programme. DNA Fingerprinting technology was also discovered by one of the professors in Leicester!

University of Strathclyde (41)

University of Strathclyde is ranked the 268^th globally (QS 2019) and offers best Accounting and Finance programme in the UK. Its business school comes 34^th in the European Business School Ranking, and is one of the few business schools that is triple accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

Strathclyde follows the Scottish education system, in which undergraduate qualifications are obtained in 4 years. The Business School and the Law School do offer 3-year intensive options! Students from the 3-Year LLB English Law will have study exchange opportunities, through which they can study one semester at City University of Hong Kong, in order to enjoy two extra subject exemptions in the PCLL Conversion Exams.

In addition to Business, University of Strathclyde is also a good choice for Architecture, Hospitality & Tourism as well as Engineering. Strathclyde’s School of Architecture is named one of Europe’s Top 50 architecture schools for 3 consecutive years by Domus, an Italian architecture and design magazine. The School of Enginnering, on the other hand, educates 4000 students coming from all around the world with as many as 40 choices of programmes, which include niche areas such as Aerospace and Naval Engineering.

University Pathway Programmes (Foundation & International Diploma) are one-year programmes that allow students to progress onto year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate programme in the UK. Many of these programmes are taught in dedicated teaching centres within university campuses and provide “guaranteed progression” to an undergraduate degree upon achieving the required grades in internal exams and coursework assessment.

Swansea University (30)

University of Swansea produced some very impressive results in the latest research assessment exercise (REF 2014), which puts the University at the 26^th among over 100 UK universities – an improvement of 26 places from previous report. The improvement happened alongside the 8^th highest student satisfaction rating in the UK, reflecting a good balance and synergy between good teaching and good researches! While Communication & Media, Medical Technology scored a 100% satisfaction rating, different engineering programmes also scored favourably from 87% to 94%.

The School of Engineering is the most celebrated school in Swansea University. In the latest research assessment exercise (REF 2014), 94% of researches in engineering were rated as “World Leading” and “Internationally Excellent” – a result comparable to that of traditional engineering schools such as UCL and Bristol.

University of Portsmouth (53)

As its name suggests, University of Portsmouth is located in the port city of Portsmouth in the South of England. It’s one of the polytechnics that were granted university status because of the 1992 Education Act. As one of the best performing Post-1992 universities, University of Portsmouth is now ranked the 53^rd in the UK. The University has good reputation in medical-related subjects, educating over 600 medical professionals (including pharmacist, medical technologists and radiographers) every year. The £14-million brand new home of the Faculty of Creative & Cultural Industries provides state-of-the-art technology and teaching space for students interested in art, design and new media, which include new Motion Capture facilities as well as Virtual Reality devices such as the Oculus Rift.

University of Herfordshire (89)

Based in Hatfield, the historic centre of British aviation manufacturing, the Faculty of Engineering provides a wide range of options in the area which include aerospace engineering, aerospace technology, etc. Some of these incorporate Pilot studies programmes that offer as many as 400 hours of flying practices, enabling students to qualify for the National Private Pilot’s License when they graduate. Alumni of University of Hertfordshire are widely employed by leading manufacturers in the field such as BAE Systems (one of the world’s largest defense and aerospace manufacturer), Rolls-Royce (the world’s second largest airplance engine manufacturer) and include Frank Ogilvie the deputy chief designer of the Airbus A380.

In Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire was named the 12^th best in the world for VFX, Animation and Games by the Rookies (an international award for new creative talents). In the two years that follow (2016 & 2017), the Rookies awards also rated the University within Top 5 in a number of specialisms in new media arts including Game Design & Development, Photography, Film Making, VFX & Animation, and, in 2016, number 1 in the world for Next-Gen Gaming!

Students of the School of Creative Arts are offered a wide range of options that include Animation, Digital Media Arts, Special Effects, Music Technology, as well as other more common options such as Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Photography and more!

University of Northampton (97)

University of Northampton is a university in the Midlands, which was granted full university status in 2005 but with a history that can be traced back to the 13^th century. The University is well recognized for its efforts in supporting social enterprises and was one of Ashoka’s global network of “Changemaker Campus”. The number of social enterprises that the University works with is so large that it allows every of its 14,000 students an opportunity to work in a social enterprise during their courses. In terms of other academic areas, University of Northampton is strong in teacher training and health subjects, and is the region’s largest providers of teachers and healthcare professionals.

University of Northampton is home to the one and only Leather Technology programme in the UK, which teaches the technology behind the manufacturing and materials of high-end leather products. If you’re interested in a career working with high-end manufacturers and designers of luxurious shoes, handbags, clothes, furniture and sport scars, it’s likely to be the right course for you! In the past five years, the course has achieved a 100% graduate employment rate, reflecting the recognition by the industry.

University of Northampton also offers foundation programmes that can lead to a degree in Podiatry, which suits students who are interested in medical related disciplines!

Anglia Ruskin University (113)

As one of the largest universities in the east of England, University of Anglia Ruskin educates a student population of 30000, on-campus and with other regional and international partners. To ensure graduate employability, employers have been invited to play a part in course development and a series of work-based degree programmes have been created with partners such as Barclays Retail Banking and UPS Limited.

The BOptom is one of the recognized qualifications of the Optometrists Board of Hong Kong. Students therefore will be eligible in registering as an Optometrist in Hong Kong, after successful completion of the professional examination set by the College of Optometrists (UK) and a year of work placement.

University of Durham is now ranked the 74^th globally (QS 2019), the 5^th in the UK and a member of the Russel Group, which symbolizes the highest standard of research and teaching in the UK. In REF 2014, 83% of its research was assessed as being of “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. 20 academic disciplines are within Top 5 in the UK. Like many traditional universities, Durham is strongest in Law, the humanities (such as Anthropology, Education, etc) and sciences (such as Physics and Chemistry) while Business Studies is ranked the 11^th. According to the National Student Survey 2017, 89% of their students are satisfied with their experience at Durham. And it is ranked the 6^th in the UK for universities most targeted by leading recruiters in 2014/15. Notable alumni included Steve Easterbrook (CEO of McDonald’s), Cecil Chao (Hong Kong Billionaire) and Richard Adams (Founder of fairtrade organization Thraidcraft).

Subjects of Strength (Subject Ranking)

English (1), Music (1), Archaeology (2), East and South Asian Studies (2), Geography and Environmental Sciences (2), History (2), Iberian Languages (2), Italian (2), Russian (2), Theology and Religious Studies (2), Chemistry (3), Education (3), Classics and Ancient History (4), French (4), Geology (4), German (4), Middle Eastern and African Studies (4), Physics and Astronomy (4), Mathematics (5), Psychology (5), Biological Sciences (6), Computer Science (6), Philosophy (6), General Engineering (7), Law (7), Sports Science (8), Criminology (10), Business Studies (11), Accounting and Finance (12), Anthropology (12), Economics (12), Politics (16), Sociology (36)

University Pathway Programmes (Foundation & International Diploma) are one-year programmes that allow students to progress onto year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate programme in the UK. Many of these programmes are taught in dedicated teaching centres within university campuses and provide “guaranteed progression” to an undergraduate degree upon achieving the required grades in internal exams and coursework assessment.

University of East Anglia (13)

Globally ranked the 188^th (THE 17/18) in the UK, University of East Anglia (UEA) is a world-renowned university in scientific researches and for many years has been the 1^st choice of students pursuing a degree in Medicine and Pharmacy. The University is also famous for its researches in Art History, History, Communication & Media Studies as well as Geography & Environmental Sciences, and these were all highly rated in the latest REF done by the UK Government. Among many others, 82% of researches in Social Work, Social Policy and International Relations were rated “World Leading” and “Internationally Excellent”, which was top 5 in the UK. In Environmental Sciences, UEA has contributed more than any other university in the world to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and are among the leaders in the investigation of climate change.

University of Exeter (14)

Ranked the 130^th globally (THE 17/18), University of Exeter is top 10 in as many as 22 disciplines and reputable for Sociology, Geography and Business studies. The University’s Business School has been a popular option of Hong Kong students for Accounting & Finance (ranked the 11^th), Business Studies (15^th) and Economics (18^th) . Notable alumni include JK Rowling (author of Harry Potter), Thom Yorke (lead singer of Radiohead) and more!

University of Manchester (25)

The University of Manchester is the 6^th best performing UK university in the QS World University Ranking, which ranked it as the 29^th best in the world (QS 2019). There are as many as 25 Nobel laureates among its alumni and professors. A recent survey also shows that Manchester graduates are most targeted by employers in the UK. Students aiming to study at this prestigious university, but fall slightly short of its entry requirement for direct entry into a degree, now have the option of a designated University Foundation programme. The Foundation has considerably higher entry and progression requirement, but can lead to a wide range of academic disciplines including Psychology, Biological Science, Pharmacy, Engineering, as well as many Humanities and Social Sciences degrees.

Newcastle University (26)

Ranked the 141^st globally (QS 2019), Newcastle University is among top 10 in 15 academic disciplines. It is one of the few universities that provide both Foundation and International Diploma in Architecture (ranked the 7^th in the UK), making it a popular choice among aspiring architects. First established as a School of Medicine, the University had been part of Durham University before it became an university of its own. It was named the “University of the Year” by Times, for its highly recognized effort in delivering the best education.

Queen’s University Belfast (38)

As a member university of the Russell Group, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has over the years produced lots of quality research and is ranked the 180^nd (QS 2019) globally. Its excellence in research has been praised by the REF report, ranking 14 disciplines of QUB’s provision within top 20 in the UK. In the UK university ranking of 2018, it is ranked the 5^th in Pharmacy and the 7^th in Accounting and Finance. Accommodation in its huge student village is exceptional and was highly praised by our consultant who visited the University a few years ago!

University of Stirling (45)

Was named the Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence in 2008, the University of Stirling excels in Sports Science, Education, and Communication & Media. Its sports facilities are often used by the UK and Scotland national teams for training (swimming, tennis, gold and football). Under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), degrees in Stirling allow more flexibility in electives and changing courses. Students can ‘mix & match’ modules from different disciplines to engineer a degree that fulfills their interest and ambitions. Two third of students are from Scotland while the rest come from England and around the world.

City, University of London (75)

Located in the heart of London with easy access to destinations such as the British Museum and London financial district, City is a powerhouse for Business Studies as well as Communication & Media. The University is ranked the 38^th in Communication & Media globally (QS 16/17). The well-renowned Cass Business School is ranked 26^th in Europe and many see it as a stepping stone to get into investment banks and large-scale financial institutions. Students benefit from the School’s extensive network of alumni that includes the CEO of Coca Cola Company. Students can connect with these alumni via a private online platform with as many as 2000 active users of alumni.

Manchester Metropolitan University (80)

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is home to the second oldest art school in the UK, which has educated generations of artists and designers, including Thomas Heatherwick the designer of the UK pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010 and L. S. Lowry the legendary British painter. The Manchester School of Architecture (jointly administered by MMU and University of Manchester) is a world-famous architecture school with star alumni such as prolific architect Norman Foster. Other Art & Design options include Fashion Design (menswear, womenswear and sportswear), Creative Multimedia, Photography, Graphics and 3D design. 75% of teaching modules in the art foundation are art-related, giving students tons of opportunities to perfect their crafts and skills.

University of Gloucestershire (83)

University of Gloucestershire is a university that focuses on Business, Art & Design, Computer Sciences and Humanities. Its Landscape Architecture programmes are leading in the field, which are ranked the 3^rd among programmes accredited by the Landscape Institute (UK) and is the most historical one! Other than that, University of Gloucestershire also provides a wide range of art & design programmes related to popular culture and media, including Pop Music (production and promotion), TV & Film production, Photography (commercial, documentary, journalistic) and Multimedia design.

Glasgow Caledonian University (109)

Glasgow Caledonian University provides 4-year degree programmes. The University is good for Physiotherapy, Radiography, Hospitality & Tourism, Medical-Related subjects, as well as Building & Surveying. It is the largest provider of health-related graduates to NHS Scotland and is also the only one that offers Optometry degrees in Scotland, training 90% of eye care specialists in Scotland.

University Pathway Programmes (Foundation & International Diploma) are one-year programmes that allow students to progress onto year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate programme in the UK. Many of these programmes are taught in dedicated teaching centres within university campuses and provide “guaranteed progression” to an undergraduate degree upon achieving the required grades in internal exams and coursework assessment.

University of Birmingham (15)

University of Birmingham is a historical and research-intensive university, which is now ranked the 79^th globally (QS 2019) and the 15^th in the UK. Birmingham enjoys very good reputation in the academia globally and is a founding member of the Russell Group, which symbolizes the highest standard of research and teaching in the UK. 27 academic disciplines are within Top 10 in the UK, in which many are within top 5 (including Hospitality & Tourism, Sports Science, Physiotherapy, Town Planning, Education and more). Its alumni and staff include 11 Nobel laureates, as well as Geoffrey Ma, the Hong Kong Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal.

University of York (16)

University of York enjoys worldwide recognitions and is now ranked the 134^th globally (QS 2019) and the 16^th in the UK. With strong focus on the humanities and sciences, York is a research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, which symbolises the highest research and academic standard in the UK. Overall research quality was ranked within top 15 in the UK by the latest research assessment exercise (REF 2014). Its History of Art, Psychology, Social Policy, Law and Biological Science are ranked among UK’s top 10.

In slightly over 50 years’ time since its establishment, alumni of University of York has became active players in British politics and include many notable people in areas such as literature, history, music, etc. Notable alumni from Asia include Yeung Sum (former LegCo member of Hong Kong) as well as Han Seung Soo (former Prime Minister of South Korea).

University of Nottingham (18)

University of Nottingham is ranked the 82^nd globally (QS 2019) and a member of the Russel Group. It has been cited twice in the last three years as “The Best University for Finding Graduate Recruits” by UK’s top employers. 51 academic disciplines are offered. 24 of them are ranked among top 10 in the UK, while Pharmacy, Social Work and Physiotherapy are ranked among top 5. The university also offers a 5-year MPharm programme, so that students do not have to worry about visa issues during their Pre-Registration Training for Pharmacists.

University of Glasgow (20)

Ranked the 69^th globally (QS 2019), University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world with over 560 years of history. As a member of the Russell Group, the university offers a wide range of academic disciplines and research, in which as many as 26 are ranked with Top 10 in the UK. Civil Engineering, Social Policy, Education, Sociology, Art & Design, Electrical and Electronic Engineering are some of its strongest areas. Notable alumni include economist Adam Smith, two former British Prime Ministers, a number of Nobel laureates and Regina Ip (former Secretary for Security of Hong Kong).

University of Essex (22)

As one of the best in Social Sciences, University of Essex is ranked the 22^nd in the UK. Researches in economics, sociology and politics are all highly rated by REF (2014). Respectively 95%, 75% and 60% of researches in these disciplines were rated World Leading and Internationally Excellent – a very impressive achievement for a university with only 50 years of history. A number of professors in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Hong Kong are graduates of University of Essex. Other notable alumni include LegCo members LEUNG Yiu-chung and British film director Mike Leigh.

University of the West of England, Bristol (57)

Set in the creative city of Bristol, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) was formerly a polytechnic which was granted full university status in 1992. Employability remains as the heart of UWE Bristol’s education. The already tight relationships with employers continue to foster, which now include formal links with the BBC, Airbus, etc. Career support services of UWE Bristol were voted the best in the UK in 2014 while graduate employability comes as the 8^th in the UK with over 95% of graduates in employment within six months after graduation. UWE Bristol provides academic programmes in as many as 37 disciplines, among which Building & Surveying, Architecture and Art & Design are the strongest. UWE’s Bristol School of Animation enjoys worldwide reputation. Chris Ford, creative director of PIXAR, is also one of UWE Bristol’s graduates!

Bournemouth University (79)

Set in the coastal resort town of Bournemouth, on the south coast of England, Bournemouth University is one of the polytechnics that were granted university status in 1992. The University is most famous for Computer Animation and Tourism & Hospitality Management.

Bournemouth University is a successful advocate of work placement, who is able to offer placement opportunities all honour degree students, and nearly 90% of its students have taken up the offer of placement in the past – one of the highest participation rate among UK universities. These have resulted in much improved employability. The retail management degree, for example, has achieved an impressive 100% employment rate for eight consecutive years!

National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA), the animation school of Bournemouth University, is named the 13^th best animation school in the world by Animation Career Review. Aimed at training tomorrow’s technical directors in the animation field, the BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts involves a 50/50 mix of creative and technical training. Graduates of Bournemouth University have worked in films such as The Martian, Avator, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and more. More than 50 alumni have participated in the production of Oscar’s Best Visual Effect winner, Gravity.

University of Westminster (106)

University of Westminster is located in the heart of London and is formerly the Royal Polytechnic Institution, which was founded in 1838 and was Britain’s first polytechnic institution. The University was officially granted university status in 1992. Today it remains the choice of many in London for continuing education.

Journalism, Architecture and Art & Design are among its strongest subjects. It was ranked by the QS University Guide 2018 as the 6^th in the UK and the 40^th globally for Communication & Media Studies. The School of Architecture was also voted the 2^nd best by practising architects in Architects’ Journal. With its long history of teaching, alumni of University of Westminster is spread across different sectors, especially the architecture, art & design as well as the media – many of them are people awarded the Order of the British Empire for their contribution to their professions.

University of Brighton (112)

The seaside resort Brighton in the South of England is now more than a famous tourist destination, but also an important cluster of the creative industries near London. The University of Brighton has long enjoyed a reputation in Art and Design and is well-known for its Fashion Design, Architecture and Graphic Design. It has been constantly regarded as one of the top 50 fashion schools in the world by popular fashion website “Fashionista”. In recent years, other disciplines such as Sports Science and Hospitality & Tourism are enjoying a growing reputation. University of Brighton also offers foundation programmes that can lead to a degree in Podiatry, which suits students who are interested in medical related disciplines!

Pathway programmes provided by ONCampus can lead to undergraduate degrees in colleges of University of London as well as modern universities such as Coventry! University Pathway Programmes (Foundation & International Diploma) are one-year programmes that allow students to progress onto year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate programme in the UK. Many of these programmes are taught in dedicated teaching centres within university campuses and provide “guaranteed progression” to an undergraduate degree upon achieving the required grades in internal exams and coursework assessment.

These programmes are suitable for HKDSE graduates, while some of them also accept applications from F.5 students.

In the academic year of 2013/14, ONCampus London first introduced the University of London International Foundation Programme in their designated study centre in Birkbeck, University of London. The Programme provides a more challenging curriculum that comes with more diverse progression routes for students aspiring to top universities. With specially written study materials by University of London, students will study four academic subjects (normally students study three subjects in a foundation programme) alongside English language and personal development programmes – a total of 28 teaching hours per week. Upon completion, students will be eligible to apply to a range of UK universities, including top universities such as London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), Bristol, Durham, Manchester, Nottingham and more!

University of Reading (32)

University of Reading is ranked the 195^th globally (QS 2019) and the 32^nd in the UK. Its business school (Hanley Business School) comes 37^th in the European Business School Ranking. Building & Surveying, Film Studies, Design and Meteorology are among the university’s most reputable disciplines. Reading is the first university to offer Film Studies, as well as one of the few schools who combine film and theatre studies in one programme. There is a versatile balance between theoretical and practical studies. The flexible course structure also allows students to fine-tune direction of their studies as they gain deeper knowledge in the subject.

Coventry University (44)

Coventry University has been named “Modern University of the Year” by Times in three consecutive years (2014-2016). With high student satisfaction rating and employment rate, Coventry has become one of the most remarkable post-1992 universities, with significant improvements in major university league tables. Communication & Media, Art & Design and Physiotherapy are the most popular areas of study. With over 160 years of history, the Coventry School of Art & Design offers specialist programmes in diverse areas such as Automotive and Transport Design, Interior Design, Product Design.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) (93)

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is one of the largest universities in the UK that provides a wide range of subject options. In 2014/15, the University started its medicine programme (MBBS), after the success in establishing its dentistry programme. The MBBS programme is tailored for international students and provides placement opportunities in the NHS as well as private clinics. UCLan is known for its outstanding support to its students and a top player in nurturing graduate start-ups. With the good support from the University, over 70% of these graduate start-ups were able to survive the first two difficult years of operation.

Chigwell School is a school with excellent academic reputation that comes with a 100-acre campus within reach of the London tube network (Zone 4). To local British students Chigwell School is an all-through school, while to international students it means extremely fierce competition for places as boarding provision is only available in sixth form, which only offers about 30 boarding places.

Chigwell’s prep school and senior school educate about 900 students, with about 450 in the senior school. Its academic records are excellent. In the ten years (2009-2018), A*-B rates in GCE A-levels range from 75% to 86%. Chigwell School is frequently ranked within Top 100 among other independent schools.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the deadline (6/11, Tuesday). Eligible applicants will be invited to an admission interview after passing the entrance exams.

Located in the famous historic city of Bath, Kingswood School has been highly rated by Ofsted Inspection Report. Among many things, teaching, sports facilities and boarding facilities are exceptionally outstanding. About 2/3 teaching staff live inside the campus. Relationship between teachers and students is close. Achievement in public exams is exceptional with 76% of students gaining A*-B in GCE A-levels 2017. Kingswood School only offers a limited number of places to Hong Kong and Chinese students. Early application is highly recommended.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit a school report to Kingswood School for preliminary assessment. Eligible students will be informed for further assessments and are required to submit their applications on or before the specified deadlines in accordance to their year groups.

• Year 12: Applications close on 19/10 (Friday)
• Year 9: Applications close on 11/1/2019 (Friday)
• Year 7: Applications close on 9/11 (Friday)

From our experience, since Kingswood School only offers a limited number of places to Hong Kong and Chinese students, school places can be fully filled very early. Parents are therefore recommended to submit school reports to Kingswood School for preliminary assessment early to avoid disappointment.

What’s so good about studying in the UK? In addition to small class-size, excellent provision of facilities and more flexible teaching methods, what makes the As in UK student’s report cards? What options do students from the new 334 education system have, to continue their studies in the UK? What makes up the best preparation for progression to the finest universities? How does British boarding school experience benefit students when they apply to universities in Hong Kong? In the seminar, our education consultants will answer all these questions by sharing their own experience in the UK. The seminar is suitable for parents of primary and secondary school students and students themselves, who are interested in studying in the UK.

Content Highlights

• The Education Systems: In what circumstances can Hong Kong students progress to the next year group in the UK? In which year groups does it offer more school options?
• The Boarding School Life: What time is lights out time? What weekend activities are available for boarders? What are these unique school holidays in boarding schools?
• The Public Exams: How do GCSE and A-levels subject choices affect your options in university? What subject combination may bring extra advantages to Hong Kong students?
• GCSE & A-levels Reform: What were being reformed and when? Are the two exams more difficult now than before?
• A brief analysis of Non-Jupas admission data
• The Application Procedures: What should you consider when selecting a boarding school? What criteria are used when boarding schools select students?
• Is it necessary to sit boarding school entrance exams (such as BUSSATs & UKiSet) in advance?
  

Students attending the seminar can take home a free copy of The Metropolis UK Boarding School Guide by giving a Facebook Like to our Facebook page.

Set in the creative city of Bristol, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) was formerly a polytechnic which was granted full university status in 1992. Employability remains as the heart of UWE Bristol’s education. The already tight relationships with employers continue to foster, which now include formal links with the BBC, Airbus, etc. Career support services of UWE Bristol were voted the best in the UK in 2014 while graduate employability comes as the 8^th in the UK with over 95% of graduates in employment within six months after graduation. UWE Bristol provides academic programmes in as many as 37 disciplines, among which Building & Surveying, Architecture and Art & Design are the strongest. UWE’s Bristol School of Animation enjoys worldwide reputation. Chris Ford, creative director of PIXAR, is also one of UWE Bristol’s graduates!

Details of Event: Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education, and Portfolio Assessment & Advices

Ms. Mian Ng, Associate Head of Department from the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education, will attend the event. She will be happy to meet with students and parents individually to answer questions related to UWE Bristol and related academic disciplines in terms of course content, career prospects and more! The event is suitable for students interested in Art & Design and other academic disciplines available in UWE Bristol.

Students with their portfolio are welcome to meet with the academic for portfolio assessment, or obtain advices on their portfolio development. Students will be admitted on the spot if their portfolio is able to fulfill entry requirement.

The Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education provides undergraduate programmes in the following areas:

Subjects of Strength (Subject Ranking)

Radiography (6), Building (8), Architecture (13), Physiotherapy (16), Creative Writing (17), Social Work (17), Art and Design (18), Town and Country Planning and Landscape (18), Education (20), General Engineering (20), Aeronautical and Manufacturing (21), Linguistics (24), Anatomy and Physiology (25), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (32), Philosophy (34), Criminology (38), Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism (38), Politics (38), Archaeology (39), Nursing (39), Civil Engineering (41), Medical Related (43), Geography and Environmental Sciences (45), Economics (46), English (46), Mechanical Engineering (50)

Dulwich College is a top boys’ boarding school in London. With its excellent academic standard, many graduates have progressed onto medicine, engineering, law and other professional disciplines. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) gave the College a perfect score in every single category and awarded the College a rare ‘Exceptional’ accolade for Achievements and Learning. More than 90% of A-levels students have scored A*-B since 2007, which marks the school standing within top 50-100 UK independent schools.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the deadline (16/11, Friday). Eligible applicants will be invited to an admission interview after passing the entrance exams.

Undergraduate Year 1 in Top 30 UK universities normally require 544 to 555 in HKDSE, with subject-specific requirement depending on your choices of programmes. If students fall short of such requirement, they can progress through International Diploma and University Foundation Courses. These programmes accept entry at 433 to 322 in HKDSE and enable qualified students to progress onto Year 2 and Year 1 of an undergraduate programme in Top 30 UK universities respectively. Students aiming for top universities and highly-competitive subjects such as medicine and actuarial sciences, however, will benefit from the 1-Year A-levels which also allows them to apply to universities in Hong Kong through the Non-Jupas route.

In the seminar, our education consultants will introduce these four options for HKDSE students. Content includes university options, subject options, entry requirements, plus the procedures and important dates of UCAS.

Content Highlights

• How does UCAS work? What are the important dates?
• How to make best use of the five application quotas in your UCAS application?
• Is it possible to have the sixth and the seventh quota?
• Tips on writing a winning personal statement.
• Options of university and academic disciplines in pathway programmes.
• The option of One-Year A-levels and a brief analysis of Non-Jupas admission data.

Harrogate Ladies’ College is a girls’ boarding school in Yorkshire, where admissions is largely non-selective. But with a more personal approach in teaching and smaller class size, students show significant improvement. The majority of graduates continue their education in the North and Scotland. Durham, Edinburgh and York are all popular university choices, reflecting a good academic standard. A*-B rates in GCE A-levels over the past six years (2014-2018) range from 58% to 71%.

Whitgift School is a top all boys boarding school with a very advantageous location in London (Zone 5). With the options of GCE A-levels and International Baccalaureate (IB) in sixth form, Whitgift School enjoys a very good reputation in academic work and music and has in the past (2008-2011) been listed as one of the best 50 schools in the UK, out of 3000 schools. In recent years, however, Whitgift School has refused to be included in league tables published by newspapers in the UK – a move employed by many top independent schools to avoid parents paying too much attention on public exam results and overlooking other important aspects of education. That doesn’t mean that Whitgift School has lowered its standard on academic work though. In 2017, the A*-B rate in GCE A-levels remains an impressive 88%. In International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, the average score is 39.7, out of the 45 full marks – results that would have put the School in top positions in any league tables.

In Music, Whitgift School is famous for the orchestra, which collaborated with the The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London in 2011 and has performed in many other countries including Japan, Spain, German and more.

Since 2013, Whitgift School has expanded its boarding provision and can now provide more than 100 boarding places – which still does not satisfy the demand, making competition for places extremely fierce. Students are advised to apply two to three years in advance.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the closing dates in accordance to their year groups. Eligible applicants will be invited to an admission interview after passing Whitgift School’s entrance exams.

• Year 12: Applications close on 19/10 (Friday)
• Year 9: Applications close on 23/11 (Friday)

Founded in 1907, Westbourne House School is a preparatory school with boarding provision from Year 4 to Year 8. Its 100-acre campus is set in rural area near the city of Chichester, south of England, which is about 90 minutes away from London Heathrow airport. It’s rated ‘Outstanding’ – the highest standard grade – in all nine sections in the latest government-approved inspection report (ISI, 2015). The majority of students went on to study in top schools, including boarding schools such as Brighton College, Lancing College, Eton College, Wellington College and more! Currently boarders in Westbourne House School are predominately weekly boarders who won’t be staying in the boarding house during weekends and holidays. Students therefore will enjoy the benefits of an environment with few international students and likely have less vibrant weekends compared to large-scale boarding schools.

Merchiston Castle School is traditional boys’ school in Scotland, with a 100-acre campus in suburban area near Edinburgh. Although a Scottish boarding school, Merchiston Castle School follows the English education system, with the vast majority of its students studying GCSE and GCE A-levels qualifications. Over the years students from Merchiston Castle School has produced exceptional track records in public exams, and the School is regarded as one of the best boarding schools in Scotland. Over the past ten years (2009-2018), A*-B rates in GCE A-levels were consistently at 74% to 84%. Many graduates chose to continue their education in the North. The class of 2017, for example, saw about 26% progressed onto Scottish universities (such as University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, etc). Other popular university destinations included Newcastle University, Durham University and University of Exeter, with a total of four students admitted by Oxbridge. Rugby and Golf are two of the many sports activities where Merchiston Castle School has achieved exceptional results. In its long history, Merchiston Castle School has educated over 60 international rugby players – many of them started competing at international level while at school. Other notable alumni include John James Cowperthwaite (Financial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1961 to 1971, who introduced the free market economic policies), Gordon Roddick (founder of The Body Shop), James Craig (the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland) and more!

Abingdon School is a top UK boys’ boarding school in Oxfordshire where students are not only good in academic, but also in sports and the arts. With its strict admission criteria, the school usually only considers applications of Hong Kong elite school students.

Like many top independent schools, Abingdon School has refused to be included in school league tables, to avoid parents paying too much attention on public exam results and overlooking other important aspects of education. The school continues to perform exceptionally well in GCE A-levels that in the past ten years (2009-2018) A*-B rates were over 83%. In 2016, Abingdon School saw twelve of its graduates continue their education in Oxbridge, while the majority went to top universities such as Durham, Exeter, Bristol, Imperial College, UCL, etc.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Abingdon School recommends students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake to submit their applications before the deadlines listed below, in accordance to their year groups. Eligible applicants will be invited to sit an entrance exam and an admission interview.

• Year 12: Applications close on 30/11 (Friday)
• Year 9-10: Applications close on 28/12 (Friday)

Bedford School is one of the few large-scale all-through boarding schools in the UK. Its preparatory school and senior school now educate over a thousand students. The School is also one of the few schools that offer both GCE A-levels and IB in sixth form, with outstanding results. Every year the School sees a number of students making it to University of Oxford and Cambridge. Such reputation has made Bedford School the first choice of many from Hong Kong’s top schools. In the past seven years (2011-2017), A*-B rates in GCE A-levels are from 77% to 83% and in the past four years the School is ranked one of the top 100 to 150 independent schools in the UK. Average score of the IB class of 2017 is 37.4.

Bedford School is the only school that has its own observatory and planetarium – a unique option for students with an interest in physics and astronomy.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the deadline (30/11, Friday). Eligible applicants will be invited to an admission interview after passing the entrance exams.

Royal Masonic School for Girls is a top boarding school that occupies a picturesque campus of 150 acres (that’s 3 times bigger than HK Victoria Park), where a few featured movies were filmed. Located in suburban area North West of London, within the London tube system, it only takes about an hour by train to get from Heathrow Airport to Royal Masonic School for Girls. In the past eight years (2011-2018), percentages of students achieving A*-B in GCE A-levels were steady at 72% to 86%.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the deadline (3/12, Monday). Eligible applicants will be invited to an entrance test and an admission interview after passing the UKISET exams.

Badminton School is one of the top 50 independent schools as well as a top 10 girls boarding school in the UK. The school is highly competitive and has been the first choice of many students from Hong Kong elite schools. Students are very disciplined in Badminton School and have achieved outstanding exam results, with 84% to 95% of A-levels students getting A*-B since 2007. More than 10% of graduates get into Oxbridge each year. Notable alumni include former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, award-winning British writer Dame Iris Murdoch and so on.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the closing dates in accordance to their year groups. Eligible applicants will be invited to an admission interview after passing Badminton School’s entrance exams or the UKISET exams.

• Year 12: Applications close on 28/9 (Friday)
• Year 9-10: Applications close on 5/10 (Friday)
• Year 7-8: Applications close on 7/12 (Friday)

Abingdon School is a top UK boys’ boarding school in Oxfordshire where students are not only good in academic, but also in sports and the arts. With its strict admission criteria, the school usually only considers applications of Hong Kong elite school students.

Like many top independent schools, Abingdon School has refused to be included in school league tables, to avoid parents paying too much attention on public exam results and overlooking other important aspects of education. The school continues to perform exceptionally well in GCE A-levels that in the past ten years (2009-2018) A*-B rates were over 83%. In 2016, Abingdon School saw twelve of its graduates continue their education in Oxbridge, while the majority went to top universities such as Durham, Exeter, Bristol, Imperial College, UCL, etc.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Abingdon School recommends students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake to submit their applications before the deadlines listed below, in accordance to their year groups. Eligible applicants will be invited to sit an entrance exam and an admission interview.

• Year 12: Applications close on 30/11 (Friday)
• Year 9-10: Applications close on 28/12 (Friday)

St Peter’s School is a top boarding school in Yorkshire, with a long history that can be traced back to 627. In terms of public exam results, St Peter’s School is usually ranked among the Top 100-150 of independent schools in the UK. In the past ten years (2009-2018), A*-B rates are over 80% in eight years! Every year St Peter’s School has students gaining entry into Oxbridge. Entry standards are high and students are expected to have excellent fluency in English.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit their applications before the deadline (31/12, Monday). Eligible applicants will be invited to an admission interview after passing the entrance exams.

From our experience, places in the senior school can be fully filled very early. Parents are therefore recommended to submit school reports to St Peter’s School for preliminary assessment early to avoid disappointment.

Located in the famous historic city of Bath, Kingswood School has been highly rated by Ofsted Inspection Report. Among many things, teaching, sports facilities and boarding facilities are exceptionally outstanding. About 2/3 teaching staff live inside the campus. Relationship between teachers and students is close. Achievement in public exams is exceptional with 76% of students gaining A*-B in GCE A-levels 2017. Kingswood School only offers a limited number of places to Hong Kong and Chinese students. Early application is highly recommended.

Application & Exam Arrangement

Students who are interested in enrolling in the September 2019 intake must submit a school report to Kingswood School for preliminary assessment. Eligible students will be informed for further assessments and are required to submit their applications on or before the specified deadlines in accordance to their year groups.

• Year 12: Applications close on 19/10 (Friday)
• Year 9: Applications close on 11/1/2019 (Friday)
• Year 7: Applications close on 9/11 (Friday)

From our experience, since Kingswood School only offers a limited number of places to Hong Kong and Chinese students, school places can be fully filled very early. Parents are therefore recommended to submit school reports to Kingswood School for preliminary assessment early to avoid disappointment.