<p>Does anyone here know a lot about Universities in Europe - particularly the UK and even Ireland? I've always wanted to study there, but it's now occurring to me that most require AP classes, which I haven't taken!
I'm looking to study Early or Primary Education and/or Psychology/Sociology, but I'm not 100% sure, I might end up choosing English or Human Services, etc.
It'd also be important that this school accepts US Federal Loans, as that's going to play a big part in my ability to afford to go to University.
My GPA is about 3.3-3.4 I've taken about 40-50% honors classes, but no AP. My SAT is just above an 1800. Are there any schools you could suggest to me?
Through some more research, t's come to my attention that maybe Scottish Universities are the best bet - is this true?</p>
<p>in that situation, you would have to do an “international foundation year”. Those cost $14-17,500 for tuition alone and there’s no financial aid.
Somes random examples:
[CIFP</a> foundation programmes | English Language Teaching | University of St Andrews](<a href=“http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/elt/foundation/]CIFP”>http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/elt/foundation/)
[International</a> College | Sussex Downs College](<a href=“http://www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/colleges/international-college/]International”>http://www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/colleges/international-college/)
After one year, you’d be allowed to enter some British universities.
I don’t think you can use Federal Loans for UK schools, but if you post on the UK forum on the International forum, you may get better, surer answers.</p>
<p>Can someone direct me to the international forum? I’m having trouble navigating through this site ): Thanks</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Federal loans become cash, everyone accepts cash; the question is whether the US Federal Loan system will agree to loan you money to attend this university. The good news is that, yes they will for most UK public (accredited) universities.</p>
<p>I know a lot about UK universities (and nothing about RoI unis) but your question is fairly broad.</p>
<p>You need to do some research on what courses you actually want to do. Human services doesn’t exist in the UK (I have no idea what it is TBH). If you do primary education with QTS it will qualify you to teach in the UK, but would it qualify you to teach in other countries inc. the US? Make sure any psychology degree is accredited by the BPS. </p>
<p>However, yes they will want to see APs. That’s because they’re the closest approximation to what UK students take. Given that you don’t have them, I would suggest that bearing in mind it’s effectively too late to apply for 2014 entry (deadline is on the 15th - there’s no way you’d meet that if you start now) you either
a) do a foundation year - depending on the subject, various unis them for different subjects e.g. UCL has one for humanities; Manchester has some for STEM subjects
b) do some AP courses next academic year, either at your HS, or self taught and take the tests at your HS / somewhere else that invigilates exams. </p>
<p>You’ll then need to send in an application between 1st September 2014 and 15th January 2015 to start uni in 2015. All applications must go through UCAS, which is like Common App only different. There are effectively no alternatives to UCAS, but it’s quite a system because it’s only one form for all five choices. </p>
<p>What makes you think that Scotland would be better?</p>
<p>…also, the UK & Irish systems are not for those who aren’t pretty sure what they want to study. Although there are a few dual courses (Business and French, say, or Philosophy and Computer Science), and there is a little bit more wiggle room in the Scottish universities (because they are 4 years instead of 3), as a rule of thumb you <strong>only</strong> take courses in your “major” for your entire time at university. </p>
<p>…also also, think carefully about studying early/primary education in a country that you don’t plan on working in- children are the same, but school systems, styles, cultures, etc. are not. </p>
<p>…also also also, if you have SAT IIs in relevant subjects you may be good to go- many UK unis will accept them- BUT that 15 Jan deadline for fall 2014 entry is absolute (though I am guessing that you are applying for 2015 entry, or you would be farther along in the US process as well).</p>
<p>Forgot to say that the Irish universities run in a similar way to the UK ones, but as an international student you apply directly to each one, not through a single site such as Common App or UCAS. There is a (state run) website with more info though: </p>
<p>[Study</a> in Ireland - Education in Ireland](<a href=“http://www.educationinireland.com/en/]Study”>Study in Ireland - Education in Ireland)</p>
<p>Your scores should qualify you for NUI Galway, which is a great college town! (though you would have a better chance with 2 subject tests or APs). They have developed more general courses specially for international students that are broader than are typical in the UK or Ireland. For example, you might like this course:</p>
<p>[Arts</a>, Undergraduate courses: Courses, NUI Galway](<a href=“Arts - University of Galway”>Arts - University of Galway)</p>
<p>Note that to study primary education in Ireland you must be pretty fluent in Irish.</p>
<p>Remember that they don’t care at all about what AP CLASSES you have or haven’t taken, they only care about the AP TESTS and the scores you earned.</p>
<p>You can usually substitute SAT II subject tests for AP tests.</p>
<p>If you interview for a UK college/university, they will be looking for people who are “100% sure” of their choice of subject (what we Yanks call a “major”). It’s not like the USA where many students just say “Oh, I’m just going to hang out at the college for a year or two, and THEN pick my major.” That absolutely NOT what they are looking for, and will not get you admitted.</p>