I wasn’t initially interested in applying to UK schools next year, but many people in my grade are planning on doing so and encouraging others to do the same, so I figure I’d ask around about them. Though I’ll probably end up not applying to them, it would be great if people experienced in this area could give me a vague idea of UK schools that fit my interests, or just how UK schools work in general, so I can be sure.
I’m interested in art history, english & comparative lit, visual arts, theater, french (though i don’t speak it), and a few other tangential fields.
Given that you’re all over the place, a UK university may not be for you.
When applying to a university in England, you pick a particular subject (biology, philosophy, medicine, etc.), and that’s what you study for 3-4 years. There is very little room for electives, and aside from specific joint degree programs (e.g. History & Arabic or Biology & Neuroscience) that the university may have, options for exploring multiple areas of interest are limited.
The American system, where you have a couple of years to settle on a major and often have the option of picking up a minor and/or second major, is very different. The Scottish system offers somewhat similar flexibility and allows for students to study at least two or three different subjects in their first year or two before settling on a degree subject – one reason Scottish schools like St Andrews have gotten popular with the prep school crowd in the American northeast.
@warblersrule Man, you’re right, that really doesn’t sound like me. I guess I now know why UK students like to apply to American schools: more time to pick a path!