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For US Universities

As part of the EducationUSA network, we are keen to support US universities as they recruit and advise prospective UK students. Read on for information about:

 

Resources for Prospective UK Applicants and Schools:

The application process to US universities can seem challenging for UK students, parents and advisors alike. Our advising team is here to help! Do not hesitate to refer prospective applications to our comprehensive online information on study in the US, which contains detailed information on the US higher education system, admissions exams, completing an application and funding opportunities, including the Fulbright Awards for postgraduate study and research.

The Commission also hosts two annual study in the US events, our USA College Day undergraduate fair and USA Grad School Day workshop. Prospective students may also wish to take advantage of our seminars on undergraduate and postgraduate study, pre-departure information, Resource Library and outreach events.

We also maintain a webpage for UK advisors and teachers with resources to help them prepare elements of US applications, such as transcripts and reference letters.

Students and advisors with enquiries beyond the website are also welcome to contact our advisors for further assistance.

 

Recruitment Trends and Tips for the UK:

Trends: For many years, the UK has been in the top 15 countries of origin for international students in America. This year's Open Doors report reveals a record 8,701 UK students pursuing university study in the US in 2008-09, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. Included in this figure are a 3% rise for participation in undergraduate study and 21% rise for non-degree programmes (short-term or visiting student schemes). Data also reveal the top five US Universities receiving UK students include: Harvard University, University of Central Florida, New York University, Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania. The five most popular states include: California, New York, Massachusetts, Florida and Texas.

For more information on trends in US-UK exchange, please see our press release on Open Doors 2009 or view the full report, as well as the IIE Atlas data on destinations of UK students.

Opportunities: This year is a unique time to recruit UK students to the US. Interest in higher education has grown dramatically in the UK, with 20% increases in UCAS applications each year over the last five years. However, due to the economic downturn, the number of places at UK universities has increased by only 4-5%. It is anticipated that there will be 100,000+ students who do not receive places at UK universities this year. Many wil seek opportunities to complete their undergraduate studies overseas at our USA College Day event or seek short-term study or internship opportunities abroad as they re-apply to UK universities.

Marketing Tips:

  1. Be aware of the terminology differences between American and British English, as well as the application process for undergraduates via the UCAS common application system.
  2. Be able to explain the US application process in simple terms, knowing that it is longer and more complex than the UCAS undergraduate common application system to UK universities. Graduate applications follow a more similar process to the US, but without admissions tests.
  3. Many prospective undergraduate students are interested in the liberal arts curriculum, interactive teaching style and flexibility of the US higher education system, relative to the UK system in which students choose a major at the point of application to the university. However, be prepared to explain the value of a well-rounded degree to students, and especially parents, accustomed to the depth of the A-levels and UK degrees. For students who know what they want to study, explain opportunities to specialise through minors or to complete an interdisciplinary experience through a double major.
  4. Prospective undergraduates are also aware of and excited by US university campus life, which they will have seen portrayed in the media. Highlight travel, voluntary work, university athletics, clubs and other extracurricular opportunities.
  5. At the graduate level, funding and research/teaching opportunities in the US are particularly attractive for UK students.
  6. Highlight funding opportunities at your institution.
  7. Rankings are particularly important in choosing a UK university. Know your university's ranking and be able to put it into the context of the scale of US higher education (4,000+ institutions vs. approximately 100 in the UK).
  8. If your institution is not a household name, demonstrate the quality of your programmes through the success of your graduates. What is your job placement rate? What is the average salary of graduates? Have graduates been able to secure quality internships or OPT placements, or even stayed on in the US beyond OPT? Do you have famous alumni or any UK alumni who have successfully entered the job market back home?
  9. Parents are involved in their student's decisions about higher education, especially if they are providing financial support. Focus on the points from #7, as well as the support you can provide their child through your student services and international student offices. Distance can also be an issue. Know the time and costs required to travel to the UK, as well as good times in the year for family visits.
  10. Do not underestimate the value of active recruitment through events such as USA College Day!

For more information on reasons UK students are interested in US study, please read the why study in the US page for prospective undergraduate students and the why study in the US page for prospective graduate students.

 

Ways We Can Help You Connect with UK Students:

USA College Day: USA College Day is an excellent way to promote your US University or organisation to prospective students in the UK. The number of UK students choosing to study in the US continues to grow each year with an increase of 4% in 2008-09 alone (IIE, Open Doors, 2009). Over 4,000 UK students are currently studying at the undergraduate level in the United States. Coming to USA College Day will help to ensure that these students are aware of your undergraduate programmes! For more information, please see the USA College Day page or e-mail collegeday@fulbright.co.uk

E-alerts: Each month our advising team sends email alerts to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as teachers and careers advisors. E-alerts include information on upcoming Fulbright events, as well as helpful advising tips and resources. They offer an excellent opportunity to publicise recruitment trips to the UK or scholarships specific to the UK. To send content request for our e-alerts, please email: education@fulbright.co.uk

If your scholarship or programme is relevant to students from other countries, see below for how to submit updates to the EducationUSA Weekly Update e-newsletter for advisors.

Resource Library: Include one copy of your university’s prospectus/viewbook in our Resource Library. Materials may be mailed to: US-UK Fulbright Commission, AMEMBASSY London, Pass to Fulbright, FPO AE 09498-4062.

 

Resources on the UK Education System:

Our staff are also glad to serve as a resource for information on the UK educational system and qualifications for US universities. You may wish to begin by reading the information in the study in the UK section of this website or on our country profile.

Additionally, our Director of Advising, Lauren Welch, recently teamed up with IERF's Traci Wells and Ujjaini Sahasrabudhe to present a session at the NAFSA 2010 conference entitled: Demystifying Higher Education in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This presentation was informed by a culmination of expertise from two credential evaluators from IERF and a survey Fulbright conducted of US admissions staff and UK school career advisors and teachers.

You may download the PDF version of the presentation and handouts from IERF and the survey results from Fulbright. Additionally, IERF has posted an article on UK secondary qualifications on their website.

Please check back this summer as we create several one-pagers and new resources for US admissions staff and schools.

For further enquiries, do not hesitate to contact the advising team by emailing education@fulbright.co.uk

 

Additional Resources from EducationUSA:

In addition to the resources provided by the Fulbright Advisory Service in the UK, globally EducationUSA is committed to offering services to US universities interested in recruiting international students.

Full information is provided on the EducationUSA website. Highlights include: