FIELDS OF STUDY

An interesting point to consider is that some fields of study, which are often undermined in Greece, such as Physiotherapy, Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy, Diagnostic Radiography and Social Work are highly competitive and entry requirements are exceptionally demanding. Students who wish to join a Physiotherapy course, for example, must have good grades in Chemistry and Biology, an Academic IELTS with 7.0.

Most universities require an internship or placement to a Physiotherapy Center so as to familiarize with the practical aspects of the profession and an interview via Skype or in person so as to determine the candidate’s suitability for the course. As soon as the candidate is offered a place, a health check is required and a criminal record by the police authorities. The same applies to all Health-Related Sciences.

Studying Law in the UK

Applications are made via UCAS and candidates can select up to 5 universities. The deadline is 15 January.

Qualifications:

You will need the following qualifications:

Apolytirion of Lyceum minimum overall 18/20 with Pan-Hellenic exams

IBDP (3 Standard and 3 Higher Level subjects)

GCE A-Level exams: 3 A-Levels are usually required with AAB

Some universities such as Oxford or Cambridge ask candidates to attend an interview. Additional admissions tests for Oxbridge are required. Deadline is 15 October.

Academic IELTS minimum 7.0/9.0 with 7.0 in the Writing section

LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) There are several institutions which require the LNAT test to make fairer choices in the selection process among highly qualified applicants who wish to join an LLB degree. The test is NOT designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of Law but assesses the candidate’s aptitude for the skills and required to study Law. It is a two-section test based on passages followed by multiple choice questions and an essay. Candidates’ scores from the multiple-choice section of the test are checked by a computer and a mark out of 42 is created. This is known as the LNAT score which is sent directly to the participating universities. Some of the Universities which require the LNAT are: University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, Durham University, University of Glasgow, Kings College, UCL, The University of Nottingham, Oxford University etc.
Candidates should aim to take the LNAT Test as early as possible in the academic cycle so as to meet the admissions deadlines. Candidates may only take the test once in the cycle and results cannot be carried over from one year to the next. There are no general exemptions from the LNAT.

Degrees:

The following Degrees will be awarded upon successful completion of the course:

LLB Bachelor of Laws (Single Hons) Law 3 years fulltime

A Personal Tutor is offering academic guidance to all students throughout their LLB studies attendance is compulsory and regular tutorials and seminars help students to conduct academic research for their written assessments and prepare for the exams.

-LLB with incorporated Foundation Year 4 years fulltime

This Zero year is suitable for students who need to improve their level of English and familiarize with the British Education system. This foundation year helps them make a smoother adjustment to academic life. Students who decide to attend a Foundation programme and do not meet the entry criteria to join an LLB degree. An Academic IELTS is required with an overall band score 5.0-5.5/9.0 Students study Academic English, learn how to write essays, and attend modules in legal studies thus familiarize with legal terminology. This foundation year has proved a valuable tool for law students as they do not experience difficulties in their law degree afterwards.

Therefore, the Foundation year is not considered a waste of time but a useful year for those who need some time to improve their English competencies both in writing and oral. Upon successful completion of the Foundation year, they can continue at the same university with an LLB degree.

Applications are made either through UCAS or directly to universities using the online application system.

International Foundation Programme in Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This 1-year Foundation programme addresses to students who do not wish to start directly with a degree course but wish to experiment with related fields prior to reaching a decision regarding their career pathway.

Some of the fields are Law, Politics, European Studies, History, Philosophy.

ANGLOSAXON LEGAL SYSTEM (Compatibility with the Greek system)

Students normally have to complete 360 credits in order to acquire an LLB Honours degree.

Studying Architecture in the UK

A very popular field of study is Architecture. Students need to complete the RIBA I (Royal Institute of British Architects) 3 years Fulltime in order to proceed to RIBA II which is a 2-year postgraduate qualification in order to become a licensed Architect. Some students continue with RIBA III (Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture) to acquire specialist knowledge in Architecture and Design. The latter part is concerned with assessing applied knowledge and skills in relation to professional conduct and competence to practice as an Architect. This course lasts 9 months.

Students can study the RIBA I and RIBA II at different academic institutions. The total duration of the 2 courses is 5 years. They need to build up a successful portfolio and are invited to attend an interview to present and comment on their work prior to being offered a place on the course.

Studying Engineering in the UK

There are four paths to studying Engineering in the UK:

  • Electrical Electronic Engineering pathway
  • Mechanical Engineering pathway
  • Software Engineering pathway
  • Computer Engineering pathway

Students share their experiences

What do the students say? Students’ perceptions of the “With Industrial Experience” (WIE) degree pathways in Engineering

The WIE programme for students is a yearlong industrial placement after completion of their second or third year in the 3-4 year engineering degrees respectively. In particular undergraduate courses of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Computer Engineering can be combined with a year’s industrial placement to make a 4 or 5year WIE course. The aim of the programme is to give students a valuable insight into the world of work vastly increasing the chances of employability and generally give them a much more mature approach to their studies upon return to university. All universities are now happy to encourage these programmes because they provide students with a number of benefits such as experience of applying the knowledge gained in two or more years at university to real world situations.

It is usual that students obtain many transferable skills that cannot be taught as part of the degree curriculum. Students who have spent time in industry often return with a much clearer idea of the way they see their career progressing and are highly motivated during the remaining years of study. Even more working placement for professional experience develops the capabilities and skills of students and enables them to become aware of the culture and structure of a working environment. In the past, despite all the reported benefits for students, there had been noticeably poor take-up of the programmes and further efforts were in place by the universities to reverse the trend. Regarding the decision when to join a degree course with Industrial Experience, for some students this came at the beginning of the degree whereas others made up their mind later on their course. When asked in several surveys about the actual reasoning behind their choice most felt that integration of theory with practice and narrowing down student’s options and careers within their rather broad degrees. Many students during the industrial placement year improve their technical knowledge; learn commercial skills to prepare them for the outside world. A combination of skills and practice gives them an all-round experience.

Another benefit is the acquisition of soft skills working with people in many different departments, managing time, exposure to a real job and the experience of communicating with different people from different disciplines. Some other report the major benefit is maturity and responsibility. They supported that it is very different from doing projects at the university because the motivation differs. In industry someone gives you work to do and if you don’t do it then someone is losing money and from that point of view you actually learn to take real responsibility. Employability and how the corporate world works as well as the relevance of the knowledge acquired at the university to real life are another advantage. When you see something in practice you have a better understanding for it. When they return to university after their placement students seem to be more reflective about what they learn and the relevance of their courses with real jobs. In terms of the effect of the WIE programme on students career prospects and choices, most students got offers from the industries they had the experience with. They certainly have a better idea of where they want to be in the future because of their exposure to industry.

Overall students would recommend such a programme to others: One student from the University of Manchester mentioned: “I could definitely advise the students to do it. It is something that is really job security. It develops in so many other ways as well. Personal and professional development: when you are at university you are only dealing with other students, when you are at work you are dealing with more experienced and mature people and so it’s different. Going from an educational environment to a real work environment and when you bring this back to the educational environment you feel the difference.”

Another student from the University of Bath stated: “ Completing a year in industry has improved my technical knowledge for university in preparation for my 3rd and 4th years. It has also helped me with my personal skills for career going forward. This is how you can become a well rounded person. I was also a lot more confident in the exams and my way of thinking has changed. You become a lot more open minded because that year in industry broadens your horizons. It shows you the avenue of work that you like and the avenues that you don’t like. I also learnt to write reports at work because it is a different style of writing. At university you write to prove that you know something to get a mark; at work you just want to explain to someone as quickly as possible how it works and how to carry on with it. That was probably the most useful experience. In university we are required to write academic reports and there is a relatively big difference between an academic report and an industrial one and it would have been nice to have learnt a bit more on how I should write a report for industry”

Another student from the University of Birmingham stated: “One of the reasons I was happy to go into industry by the end of the 3rd year is that I had completely lost my motivation. It was just all theory and boring. I didn’t see how it applied. Coming back after a year in industry I realize now where it is all going… and for my 4th year project I have clear goals on what I want to achieve and I have a bit more experience than those around me so I am now Project Manager and I can see things better. My 4th year project is benefiting; my motivation is benefiting and I have a clearer view of what is happening this year”

Another student from the University of Southampton declared: “I believe I was a lot more confident in the exams and my thinking has completely changed… from group reports for our modules I have had useful feedback and also for our individual project. I am expecting better grades as well. It has given me a genuine enthusiasm for the subject. It is really unbelievable how much I have learnt during that year.”

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