+ Higher Education Options for Expatriate Children Frouke Gerbens - - PDF document

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+

Higher Education Options for Expatriate Children Frouke Gerbens Marilyn Stelzner

+Outline

 Introductions  Key characteristics and key differences in systems

• f higher education

 Expected challenges when changing educational

systems

 A gap year – a good idea or a bad idea?  Evaluating an institution’s quality and fit  Useful websites and resources

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+ Objectives of presentation

 Overview of a huge topic  Starting from the secondary school diploma  Provide objective, independent information  Raise issues so no big surprises  Alert you to areas that might be changing  Provide input to guide the process  Point to resources for more information

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+ Trends in higher education

 Bologna harmonization  Masters as the terminal university degree  Governments raising fees, reducing their share  Globalization – more students getting degrees

abroad

 Increasing number of English language Bachelor’s

programs in non-English speaking countries

 Need to train students for a succession of careers

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+Higher Education in Europe - The Bologna Accords

 Process started in 1999; currently 47 participating countries  Comparable and compatible academic degree standards

throughout Europe

 Free movement from one country to another (within the

European Higher Education Area) for further study or employment

 Promoting Europe as a destination for study and work  Greater convergence between the U.S. and Europe

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+ Major study destinations

for foreign students in higher education

(Source: OECD, Education at a Glance 2011)

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+ International students in higher education

(Source: OECD, Education at a Glance 2011)

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+Higher education in Switzerland

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1st cycle

Bachelor

3 – 4 years 180 ECTS 2nd cycle

Master

1 – 2 years 90 – 120 ECTS 3rd cycle

Doctorate - PhD

Professional activity Further education

CAS > 10 ECTS DAS > 30 ECTS MAS > 60 ECTS

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+Swiss terminology

English French German

Academic baccalaureate Maturité gymnasiale Gymnasiale Maturität Federal vocational baccalaureate Maturité professionnelle Berufsmaturität Specialised baccalaureate Maturité spécialisée Fachmaturität Federal VET diploma Certificat fédéral de capacité (CFC)

• Eidg. Fähigkeitszeugnis

Federal VET certificate Attestation fédérale de formation professionnelle

• Eidg. Berufsattest

University Haute école universitaire Universitäre hochschule Federal institute of technology Ecole polytechnique fédérale (EPF) Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) University of teacher education Haute école pédagogique (HEP) Pädagogische hochschule University of applied sciences (UAS) Haute école spécialisé (HES) Fachhochschule Professional education and training college (PET) Ecole supérieure (ES) Höhere fachschule

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+The Swiss education system

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+Swiss statistics

Vocational education 69% Maturité professionnel le 2% Maturité gymnasiale 21% General education 7%

Upper secondary education

Universities 51% Higher vocational education 21% Universities

• f applied

sciences 28%

Tertiary education

343,297 students enrolled in 2009/2010 250,073 students enrolled in 2009/2010 Source: Education Statistics 2010, Swiss Federal Statistical Office

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+ Entry rates into tertiary education

(Source: OECD, Education at a Glance 2011)

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+ Swiss universities

• 1. Universität Basel
• 2. Universität Bern
• 3. Universität Freiburg / Université de

Fribourg

• 4. Université de Genève
• 5. Université de Lausanne
• 6. Universität Luzern
• 7. Université de Neuchâtel
• 8. Universität Zürich
• 9. Universität St. Gallen
• 10. Università della Svizzera italiana
• 11. ETH Zürich
• 12. EPFL Lausanne

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+

Public:

• 1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
• 2. University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland
• 3. University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland
• 4. University of Applied Sciences of Central Switzerland
• 5. University of Applied Sciences of Zurich
• 6. University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland
• 7. University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland

Private:

• 1. Kalaidos University of

Applied Sciences

• 2. University of Applied

Sciences Les Roches- Gruyère

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Swiss universities

• f applied sciences

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+Fields of study at the universities

• f applied sciences

 Business, management and services  Engineering and information technology  Social work, psychology  Design, music, theatre and other arts  Health  Architecture, building engineering and planning  Chemistry and life sciences  Agriculture and Forestry

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+Study opportunities in English

 At traditional Swiss universities:

 many opportunities to study in English at Master level  no programmes in English at Bachelor level

 At Swiss universities of applied sciences:

• pportunities in English at Bachelor level in the areas of:

 Business, Business Administration, Management  Hospitality Management  Tourism

• BFH, FHNW

, HES-SO, HSLU, ZFH

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+Admission criteria Swiss universities

Secondary diploma Swiss universities EPFL + ETH

Swiss maturité gymnasiale Diploma Diploma Swiss maturité professionnelle Diploma + additional exam Diploma + additional exam International Baccalaureate 32/42 (without bonus points) maths or one science at HL 38/42 (without bonus points) maths + one science + one language at HL British A-levels 3 A-levels (incl. maths or one science) + 1 GCE AS + 2 GCSE no grade below C 3 A-levels (including maths + chemistry or physics + one language) + 4 GCSEs; no grade below B American High School Diploma High School Diploma + 5 AP exams (including calculus, 1 science, 2 languages, 1 social science); a min. grade of 3/5 for each AP exam High School Diploma + 3 AP exams, including calculus + 1 science + 1 language; min. grade of 3/5 for each AP; + entrance exam Remarks:

• National aptitude exam to apply to study medicine in a Swiss university
• IB diploma: please note that Swiss universities do not recognise math studies
• IB, AP, AL: Swiss universities do not recognise non-traditional subjects

(e.g. visual arts, theatre, environmental science, etc.)

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+

University of applied science

Maturité professionnelle (federal vocational baccalaureate) Maturité spécialisée (specialised baccalaureate) Maturité gymnasiale (academic baccalaureate)

Admission criteria Swiss universities of applied sciences

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Direct access (for some institutions provided that “maturité” is in same field as intended programme of study) One year of preliminary professional work experience required; work experience may be integrated in institution’s programme of study Please note, institutions whose programmes are in high demand may be selective

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+Hotel Management education in Switzerland

 More than 30 hotel schools in Switzerland  Many programmes in English  From certificate to diploma to Bachelor to Master to PhD  From public to private  From CHF 1,000 to CHF 50,000 annual tuition  From easy access to highly selective  From vocational to corporate finance

If you are considering a hotel school  visit each school and do your research!

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+ Expected challenges when changing

educational systems

e.g., from CH to UK or US

 If people don’t know about it, it cannot be as good  Cultural differences (e.g., ranking students)  Different timelines for applications  Applicant must provide documentation supporting worth of

foreign qualification

 Individual institutions have discretion

about how to evaluate a qualification

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+ Recognition of the Swiss Maturité

Outside of Switzerland

 Many universities are unfamiliar w/ Swiss secondary

education

 >1 “Matu”, and many differences between them

 Maturité federale (private) or Maturité gymnasiale (public)  Cantonal education systems with national standards, all give same

university access within CH

 Cantonal maturité exams use internal examiners  No official data on how students perform relative to each other

 10/11 subjects averaged into a single number  Timing of results

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+University in the UK

 The Russell Group

 20 (soon to be 24) universities – most prestigious, research-focused  Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, LSE, UC London,

Bristol, etc.

 Also the 1994 Group, Million+ Group, University Alliance Group  Or, the Ancient Universities, 19th Century Universities, Plate

Glass Universities, etc.

 Rankings called “League tables”: e.g., Times Higher Education  Length is typically 3 years for bachelors, 4-5 year combined

masters

 Few assessments, students must be self-directed  £9000/year for fees in 2012-13 (if “home” status)

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+UK Challenges

 University system in transition

 Government funding going down  Fees going up  25% of courses have been cut  Proposals to significantly change application process  Little motivation to recruit EU/Swiss residents who pay “home”

fees

 Perception issues for Swiss Matu in the UK

 A-Levels are 3 or 4 subjects where student excels => Matu seems

“thin on the ground”

 Most highly ranked unis see Matu more often, want very high

marks

 Fair number of UK universities want a federal maturité  Offers frequently very difficult to meet; e.g., average 5.5 with 6s in

relevant subjects

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+Admissions in the UK

 Student needs to choose a career direction and apply to a

specific course

 Law and medicine studied at undergraduate level

 Selective: apply through UCAS system, universities make offers

based on achieving specific marks

 Decisions made by specific academic department, not

centralized

 Minimum marks are explicitly stated  IB is widely recognized but high marks are required:  38 w/766 in HLs to 32 w/555 in HLs

 Foundation year option for students without maturité gymnasiale

• r IB diploma

 Optional testing may be helpful E.g., SAT subject tests

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+ Terminology in higher education

Europe US Gymnase, 6th Form, College High School University, UAS, Polytechnic, College University or College Fees Tuition Tuition Tutoring Course Major Notes/Marks Grades (GPA) Postgraduate Graduate Study Bursary Financial aid, scholarship

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+University in the US

 So many options – which ones to consider?

 The Ivy League possible for top 5% (Harvard, Yale, …)  Private research universities (Stanford, U of Chicago, …)  Many excellent liberal arts colleges (Williams, Amherst, …)  Public universities (Univ. of California, Virginia, Michigan, North

Carolina,…)

 Women’s colleges (Barnard, Wellesley, …)  Small liberal arts Colleges That Change Lives (Whitman, Clark, Juniata,

…)

 Community colleges (2 years), then transfer

 Major chosen by end of 2nd year – some constraints  Length: 4+ year Bachelors but advanced standing for Matu, IB  Possible to go directly from Bachelor’s into Doctorate program

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+Applying in the US

 Application due dates from October to January, decisions by April 1st,

student commits and pays a deposit by May 1st

 Generally higher acceptance rates for Early Decision

 Online application – frequently the CommonApp  One or more essays/personal statements  Transcript of grades for 3 or 4 years of high school

 School profile  Report from a secondary school official  Letters of recommendation from 1 or 2 teachers

 Standardized testing (SAT or ACT), taken locally, for most universities …

increasing # test optional

 Extra curricular activities can count

 What are student’s passions outside of school?  Leadership 26 March 2012 27 Leman Events

+Selective Admissions in the US

 Criteria are imprecise and unstated  Only admit students they think can succeed academically  Criteria vary significantly by university – schools select a class

 With a Swiss secondary qualification: Less selective will consider

students w/ “school leaving certificate”

 With an IB diploma  No score minimums stated  Some do not consider predicted scores

 Decisions are typically made by April, students deposit by May 1

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+University in…

 Canada

 McGill, U of Toronto, U of Waterloo,…  No common application process  Minimum qualifications are typically stated on websites  Cost is less than US, more than Europe  “Home” fees for French citizens in Quebec

 Scotland

 Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews are the most prestigious  Apply through UCAS  4 year bachelors  “No fees” for EU/Swiss nationals  IB offers in 35+ point range, U Edinburgh asks for Maturité federale

 Ireland

 Trinity College Dublin  None in top 100 ranking due to funding cuts

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+ English-Language Degrees in Non-

English Speaking Countries

 > 1,200 undergraduate degrees taught entirely in English in

Europe, outside the UK and Ireland

 Small, American-model colleges or branches of American

universities (Webster, Franklin, American University of Paris,…)

 Small liberal arts college within a larger European university

(University College Utrecht, UC Leiden,…)

 English language bachelors at larger public or private

universities ….website

 Other private institutions – for profit, not for profit

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+ Non-university options for expatriate

children

 Gap year  Foundation year in the UK  Post graduate year at a US boarding school  Bridge program “at” a US college  Art school/Conservatory  GED, and then Community College in the US for 1

• r 2 years, with transfer to a 4-year university

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+The GAP year – a good or bad idea?

 A scary thought for most parents  Students who take a gap year usually emerge more mature,

more self confident and more responsible

 A gap year helps students focus  Demonstrated positive correlation between a gap year,

academic performance, and lower drop-out rates

 In the US, 3 out of 5 students in public college do not get

degree within 5 years ; 30% of students who enter college do not return for sophomore year (source: College Board)

 Viewed positively by many selective institutions’ admissions

• ffices

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+The Gap Year - continued

 Important to have a structured plan in place:

 volunteer service (helping children, building programmes)  travel, language immersion programmes  outdoor/farming/conservation/sustainable programmes  internships  sailing, diving, skiing instructors  etc.

 Include some time working to off set the cost  Reflect on whether to apply to university before, during or after the gap

year

 Do your research and plan ahead:

 www.gapyear.com  www.planetgapyear.com  www. studyoverseas.com  www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/gapyear  www.google.com 26 March 2012 Leman Events 33

+Fit: Do I Belong Here?

 An institution of HE that is a good fit will

 Support your academic goals  In a compatible and stimulating physical and social environment

You have a good chance of thriving at such a college and are more likely to stay until you graduate.

 Factors to consider

 Student’s academic background  Student’s languages and fluency  Location, how far from home  Future career direction  Large/small, urban/rural  Teaching/learning style  Affordability  Special circumstances

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+How to Evaluate Quality

 Governance structure

 Public or private?  Foundation or for profit?

 Accreditations - are they meaningful?  Faculty credentials  Student application process - how serious is it?  Graduates - where do they go? Careers? Alumni network?  Rankings/league tables, online reviews - are they trustworthy?  Beware of agents and aggressive marketing tactics

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+Tuition fees in tertiary education

(2008/2009) for full-time national students in public institutions

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(Source: OECD, Education at a Glance 2011)

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+“Ball park” Cost Comparisons

Approximate costs for year 2011-2012 (except England), including room, meals, books, extras.

Countr y

HEI Fees Room & Meals Other Total CHF/10 months US Harvard $40000 $12800 $5000 $57800 52500 chf

SUNY Bing.

$17000 $11800 $5000 $33500 30500 chf

• Ave. paid

$21000

Canada McGill

$25700 $11250 $5000 $42000 38000 chf McGill (FR) $4000 $11250 $5000 $20000 18000 chf UK Imperial 9390£ 6825£ 3315£ 19530£ 28000 chf CH EPFL 2500 chf 14000 chf 5500 chf 22000 chf NL UCUtrecht 2900€ 8200€ 3100€ 14200€ 17000 chf

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+Thinking about Cost

 Can vary significantly by  country,  type of institution within the same country,  type of program within the same institution,  citizenship/residency and  …it’s complicated!!  To offset costs:  Loans, scholarships and financial aid  Don’t forget savings at home if student goes away  # of years to terminal degree: actual average time to complete

• vs. minimum time; advanced standing

 Options to work part-time during studies  Earning power following graduation

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+Where to Learn More?

 Many websites

 See www.GlobalUniversityChoices.com/Resources

 Books are sometimes better for professional reviews  Open days, college/student fairs 2012

 Salon des étudiants, Beaulieu Lausanne – March 28, 29  CIS College Nights (www.cois.org)  Zurich – October 2  Geneva – October 3

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+Conclusions

 Research can be overwhelming

 Identify schools/courses that already admit students with the

qualification your student will have

 Don’t narrow options too early – students change  Different timelines – need to make a deposit to US schools

before hearing from UK

 Provide documentation supporting worth of foreign

qualification

 Pay attention for changes  DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!

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