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SCMP Reporter

In Britain, applications for first degree courses are processed under the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). It is similar to Hong Kong's Joint University Programmes Admissions System.

  British institutions now have a more flexible attitude towards entrance requirements and most are willing to consider non-standard and overseas qualifications from students applying for degree courses.

  Generally, students should have five subject passes (two GCE A-levels and three GCSEs at grade C minimum) or four subject passes (three GCE A-levels and one GCSE at grade C minimum) or equivalent overseas qualifications.

  GCE A-levels and the GCSE are similar to Hong Kong's A-levels and HKCEE.

  International students have to meet the language requirements and score either 6 in the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) or 550 in the Test of English as A Foreign Language (TOEFL).

UCAS procedures   UCAS accepted applications for the 2000/2001 academic year from September 1 to December 15 last year. Students had to fill in up to six choices of programmes and universities. Institutions make offers via UCAS - either an unconditional offer or a conditional offer based on upcoming examination results.

  Late applications received between December 16, 1999 and June 30, 2000 are considered at the discretion of the institutions.

  Applications received after June 30 and those who fail to meet their conditional offers are put through the clearing system to find a place.

  Sylvia Sam, the British Council's education promotion manager, said students considering pursuing a degree in Britain should plan at least a year in advance to select their desired courses and universities.

  'Early birds who meet the academic requirements have a higher chance than those who come late in the clearing stage to enter their desired course,' she said.

  However, she said most SAR students regarded overseas education as a last resort after they failed to get on to a degree programme in Hong Kong.

  A joint admissions exercise is held in Hong Kong every year by about 80 universities and is organised by the British Council.



Students advised to plan well ahead when choosing courses