Why should I study in the UK?
Indian students have long favoured the UK for overseas education, since as early as pre-Independence! This tradition is still going strong – more and more students are travelling to the UK every year, to study programs in areas such as Media and Communication to the MBA. The Hurray Overseas Education team recommends the UK as one of the best study abroad destinations. The reasons for the UK’s popularity are several – the following are merely the Top 4!
1. Cutting- edge academics
The UK is home to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Do the names Oxford and Cambridge ring a bell? Several of its universities are listed in the best university and/or best program category across the world.
With some of the world’s most forward-thinking academics as your teachers, close ties with global industries in other major countries, cutting-edge infrastructure, and research, among several other such advancements, higher education in the UK is equipped to give you the best possible start to your career.
2. Life beyond academics
Its benefits are not limited to academics. The UK’s cities and towns have rich histories and cultural traditions of their own, making for interesting places to explore; with several museums, galleries, plenty of activity in theatre and the arts, culture buffs may find heaven in this country; and if outdoorsy exploration is more your style, you have varied landscapes to check out, from the coast to the moors to the Scottish highlands! With a Study Abroad stint in the UK, you will come away enriched with experiences for life.
3. Global environment
The UK is also undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular and in-demand study abroad destination. This means you are bound to meet your fellow countrymen, while also – perhaps even more importantly – meeting people from as many as 200 countries around the world. The exposure to different cultures and ways of thinking, as well as the chance to build vast and widely-ranged networks, will boost your career development.
4. Work opportunities
In the UK you have opportunities to work right from the get-go, helping you to develop a work ethic and gain some valuable work experience-international students on a Tier 4 Student Visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week during the term, and full-time during the holidays.
Better yet, last year, the UK government announced a new Graduate Route-following successful completion of an undergraduate/postgraduate course, international students will be permitted to stay back in the UK to work or look for work in the skilled work sector, for a period of 2 years, from 2021 onwards. Working in the UK, following a successful program of study can help open doors to you anywhere in the world.
How do I Study in the UK without IELTS?
All aspiring students aiming to study in the UK in 2020 or 2021, have almost certainly had their plans derailed by the coronavirus pandemic – a global phenomenon that has affected every aspect of life on a global scale!
You may now be facing issues related to the cancelation and suspension of testing for major English proficiency tests, including IELTS and several other – without which, your application cannot be processed.
However, you’ll be happy to hear – with the Duolingo English Test, you can stay on track toward your overseas education goals!
Duolingo, best known for its app that teaches a range of foreign languages, recently launched an English proficiency test – like all other major language tests, it tests your major language skills or LSRW i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
How does this help me?
While at the start, universities were accepting the Duolingo test only as a supplement to the major tests – several universities are now accepting the Duolingo English Test as fulfilling English language requirements for international applicants.
Take the English Test at Home during Lockdown
The biggest advantage of the Duolingo English Test is that it can be taken at home.
Testing centers for IELTS and other exams are now closed – but with the Duolingo English Test, you do not need to attend a testing center.
How do I take the test at home?
The process is as easy as it can get!
Step One: Register
Make a free account on the Duolingo Site. You will have access to a 15-minute practice test, which you can take as many times as you like. When you’re ready, pay the fee and unlock the test.
Step Two: Make sure you have all the requirements. You will need:
- Identity documentation, such as your passport, driver's license or government ID
- A quiet, well-lit room
- A computer with a reliable internet connection, a supported browser, a front-facing camera, speakers and a microphone
- To be seated alone – there can be no other person in the room. Your test will be recorded and checked by proctors to ensure that there is no malpractice.
Step Three: Take the test, anytime!
Once you pay the fee, you can then take the test any time that you want – no fixed appointment required!
How do I prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
If you have decided that the Duolingo test works for you, you’ll now be wondering how to prep for it. It’s true – the strategies you require would differ slightly from other more traditional tests.
The good news is that prepping for the test is completely doable while under lockdown.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Practice!
You can take the official practice test an unlimited number of times. Each time you do the test you’ll have a different set of questions – which means you will be able to get plenty of useful practice in.
Practicing this way is highly recommended. It is the best way to help you get used to the structure of the exam, including the nature of the question types, the time limit is given for each question, the shifts between different skill categories (e.g. a listening task may be followed by a reading task), and so on.
2. Hone your vocabulary and grammar skills
Vocabulary and grammar skills are the building blocks of effective communication. Vocabulary involves knowing a large repertoire of words, their meaning, and appropriate usage. Grammar skills involve the correct usage of the various functional elements of language, including punctuation, sentence construction rules, tense formation, and so on. You will require these skills for tasks across the major skill sets you will be tested on.
- Read: We recommend selecting good publications, well-known for their quality, and with a wide variety of content – Time, The New Yorker, and National Geographic are a few examples.
- Listen: You can listen to audio-based programs, including television programs, radio programs, recorded lectures, and podcasts. Ensure that you select good quality programs – preferably of American/British origin so that you can get used to the accents and pronunciation as well. BBC news and programs, the National Geographic and Discovery channels, as well as a few movies, would be excellent starting points.
3. Get Feedback
For the speaking and writing tests, getting feedback is an extremely valuable tool – something that, unfortunately, you will not get from the practice test. Here’s what you can do: take note of some of the topics given for both speaking and writing, and practice on your own. Submit your work to someone you trust, preferably a teacher or a trainer, for feedback regarding the quality of your language use as well as areas where you require improvement. The more feedback you get, the better – it helps you to remember your problem areas and to watch out for them during the test.
Where will my Duolingo scores be accepted?
Several of the UK’s premier institutions are now accepting Duolingo - the following constitute a very small sample:
1. University College London
The scores required at this top London university will vary as per the program applied for - a quick reference, a score of 115+ is considered Standard Level, 125+ is Good, and 135+ is Advanced.
2. University of Edinburgh
When proven that you are unable to attend a test center owing to Covid-19 closures, as is currently the case in India, your Duolingo scores will be considered at the University of Edinburg – subject to certain other conditions. The university-wide cut-off is 115 and may go up to 145 depending on the specific program requirements.
3. University of Birmingham
This elite university is also accepting Duolingo for 2020 admissions – the required scores will be updated according to the specific program.
4. Anglia Ruskin University
ARU will also be accepting Duolingo scores in 2020 – the minimum required score will correspond to the proficiency levels designated by Duolingo. You can check with your program to know more.
P.S. Duolingo permits you to send your scores to an unlimited number of universities – at no added cost!
Find your University in the UK with Hurray
Our Overseas Education counselling team has all the experience and expertise required to help you find the right university in the UK – based on your interests and strengths, your background, and your goals. Our services cover everything from the English proficiency test, to your application and SOP, and finally to settle you into your new home abroad. With Hurray, your dream of studying in the UK can come true!
Reach out to us to book your FREE one-on-one session, at info@hurrayedutech.com or 8971357938 / 9900426501.
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