Study at McGill University

Situated in the very heart of the city of Montréal, McGill is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Canada and is considered to be among the best universities in Quebec.

Established in 1821 by a royal charter granted by King George V, McGill is one of the two member universities of the Association of American Universities situated outside of the United States and the only Canadian university which is a member of the Global University Leaders Forum.

In 2018, McGill University is ranked the 42nd best university in the world in the Times Higher Education rankings and holds 32nd place in the QS World University Rankings.

McGill University

Founded at the will of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the Imperial Institute was established in 1888 and joined the University of London in 1907 before leaving it 100 years later.

With 41,000 students from 150 countries, 1700 professors and 250,000 graduates across the world, McGill offers degree programs in more than 300 fields of study.

The University comprises five principal faculties: Arts, Science, Medicine, Engineering and Management.

Student Life

McGill has among its old students and faculty members 12 Nobel prizes, 5 astronauts, 3 prime ministers and 14 judges of the Supreme Court of Canada and furthermore 9 Oscar winners.

The admissions criteria of McGill are among the highest in Canada and are really only for students who can show an excellent academic application.

How do I apply?

The selection process at McGill University is divided into multiple steps that we will describe below:

procédure SAI

The application

You must submit your application on the McGill website which must comprise the following elements:

  • Your school reports from 11th and 12th grade
  • Your predicted results from the French Bac (or equivalent)
  • Your score on an English language test (IELTS, TOEFL)

When do you have to start preparing for McGill University?

The deadline for applying to McGill is fixed at January 15th of your final year.

All the documents must be sent to the University of McGill before March 15th.

What is the profile of the students of McGill?

The minimum required to be admitted to McGill is an ‘Assez Bien’ grade. In all cases, the most selective programs require at least a “Bien” grade on the Baccalaureate :

  • Management: Series S: average generally and in mathematics of 14.5/20 and 15.5/20 in ES Series.
  • Arts: 14.5/20 in series L, ES, or S
  • Arts and Sciences : 15/20 with 14 in math and in science in Series S

The minimum required for the majority of the engineering programs (Bioengineering, mechanical, chemical, civil engineering) is an average of 16/20 with 16 in mathematics and in science.

Are you ready to study at McGill?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at the University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a Russell Group university located in the North of England, in the riveting city of Manchester. It is a relatively new addition to the wealth of fantastic universities in Britain, having been formed by the merger of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and the Victoria University of Manchester in 2004. Despite that, its roots hark back to 1824, with the formation of the Mechanics’ Institute. What’s more, the University is a source of great pride for many Mancunians (as residents of Manchester are called), as Manchester is the world’s first industrial city, making the University one of the best in the UK for engineering and sciences. 

With over 40,000 students, of which 27,000 are undergraduates, it is the largest single site university in the UK, and the second-largest in the UK overall. In addition, in the 2018-2019 QS World University Rankings, the University of Manchester ranked 6th. 

The University boasts many famous alumni, such as Ernest Rutherford, who, whilst on the university’s academic staff 1909, first split the atom. In fact, amongst the University’s former staff and students, there are 25 Nobel Prize winners!

Although the University is widely referred to as a campus university, this is not strictly correct. With its red-brick academic buildings and facilities interspersed around the town of more than 500,000, the University of Manchester is a vital part of the city. It is worth noting that most of the university is spread across two parts, that are colloquially referred to as the ‘North Campus’ and the ‘South Campus’.

Academic matters

The University of Manchester is home to the largest number of full-time students in the UK. It is extremely international, with thousands of students hailing from 154 countries around the world.

It is a research-intensive university, with the 6th largest research income of any English university. A post-graduation employability ranking published by Emerging in 2015 put Manchester in the impressive place of 5th nationally. 

The University has an impressive scientific legacy, which is demonstrated by the fact that both the contraceptive pill and the first working computer were created by academics at the University. However, science is not its only forte. The Sunday Times stated, in 2006, “Manchester has a formidable reputation spanning most disciplines, but most notably in the life sciences, engineering, humanities, economics, sociology and the social sciences.” Teaching is primarily lecture-based, but students will also have smaller, more personalised seminars. The amount of contact hours a student will have is entirely dependent on the course, as some have far more than others. For instance, English Literature students will have far fewer contact hours than students of Medicine. 

Student life

The University of Manchester Students’ Union is the UK’s largest student union, and it provides students with the chance to get involved in whatever takes their fancy, offering over 400 extra-curricular societies including ‘Barbershop Singers’, ‘Creative Writing’, and ‘Dogs Unleashed’. The University also has an Athletics Union with over 40 sports clubs including ‘Trampolining’ and ‘Ultimate Frisbee’. Students can enjoy the city of Manchester itself, with its vibrant music and sporting scene, including the Manchester Arena and the Old Trafford. In 2018, it was voted the UK’s top city to live in by The Economist’s Global Liveability Index. The University proffers the best of both worlds: a social and convivial campus community, along with the opportunity to explore a city with a rich cultural scene. 

The accommodation is spread out between several different areas. Students live in ‘halls’, of which there are 19, and can tailor the halls to suit their needs, such as deciding between catered and self-catered housing. There are many different options, for instance, the halls ‘Owens Park’ and ‘Oak House’ are known to be two of the most socially vibrant halls, whereas ‘Denmark House’, and several others offer family and partner accommodation.

To sum up, if you’re looking for a renowned engineering & sciences university in a large city that isn’t London, Manchester might just be the place for you!

How do I apply?

Queen Mary University of London requires strong academic results and rigorous preparation is needed.

What are the different stages of the application?

There are several steps:

  1. Application
  2. Conditional offer
  3. Acceptance

The details of these steps are covered below.

How to begin an application:

Candidates apply via the British online platform UCAS, and upload a letter of motivation (Personal Statement), their predicted exam marks, and a letter of recommendation from one of their teachers. Students may only submit one Personal Statement for all the universities they apply for (maximum of 5 choices). The Personal Statement, no more than 4,000 characters, should explain why students want to study their chosen course, what aspects particularly interest them, what steps they have already taken to engage with the subject (reading, conferences, internships etc), and, if possible, what aspects they are looking forward to studying.

Further information specific to the University of Manchester can be found on Manchester’s website.

Conditional offer and acceptance:

If students succeed in all these stages, in January they will receive a ‘conditional offer’ of admission. This means that they will be accepted if they attain the required marks (most often a high grade in your end of high school studies, and in a standardized English exam: 7.5 in the IELTS for example).

What is the deadline for applying?

Deadlines:

The deadline for applications to the University of Manchester is 15th January of a students’ final year of secondary school or sixth-form college (Year 12).

What is the profile of the students at the University of Manchester?

Because of the high selectivity of the university, we recommend to apply to this university only if yo can show strong academic results and you are sure to obtain at least a Mention ‘Assez Bien’ grade in the Baccalaureate.

Moreover, you must also show an excellent command of the English language.

When do you have to start preparing for the University of Manchester?

It is strongly recommended that students begin preparing from the end of Year 11 or beginning of Year 12. If possible, start any reading and thinking about what to write about in a Personal Statement as early as possible. Some candidates, particularly those with a weaker level of English, need to consider preparing even earlier. See this link for useful information for international candidates.

It is recommended that students try to find aspects of their chosen course that genuinely interest them and to think deeply about why they wish to study this subject – after all, students are applying to study this subject full time for at least 3 years.

Is it possible to visit the campus?

To check the Open Days dates see this page.

Are you ready to study at Manchester?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at UCB (University of California, Berkeley)

Located 10 miles (about 16 km) across the bay from San Francisco in the Bay Area of Northern California, The University of California, also known as Berkeley or Cal, is America’s #1 public university (U.S. News & World Report) and #27 in the world overall (QS World University Rankings). The sprawling, 500 hectare (1200 acre) campus of Berkeley is home to over 30,500 undergraduate and more than 11,300 graduate students.

The history of UC Berkeley dates back to 1868 when it became the first of what would be a network of 10 University of California universities. Led by its first president Henry Durant, a minister who had initially come to California with his wife to open a school, the University quickly found itself the lucky recipient of benefactors such as American feminist, philanthropist, and suffragist, Phoebe Hearst.

Perhaps a relationship can be established between the tone that was set by Berkeley’s first president, the values of its early benefactor and the University’s continued social engagement and political activism. Indeed, students and faculty of UC Berkeley were particularly noted for the Free Speech Movement as well as the Anti-Vietnam War Movement both led by its students in the 1960s. And their engagement goes well beyond the borders of the United States. The University also holds the honor of being the #1 All-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

Berkeley University in a few words

In recent years, students have continued to find new ways to engage with the community. Since 2003, the Haas School of Business has recruited and trained students from all majors to work on pro-bono consulting engagements with real-life nonprofit clients. Indeed Berkeley has significant entrepreneurial tradition. Among its alumni are founders and co-founders of such global companies as Apple, Coursera, Gap Inc., Intel, Mozilla, Myspace, Rotten Tomatoes, SanDisk and Tesla.

Berkeley has a remarkable track record of scientific discoveries and inventions including the development of the flu vaccine by chemist Wendell M. Stanley in the 1940s, the creation of the atomic bomb by physicist J.R. Oppenheimer in 1943, the polio virus in 1954, the launch of an affordable treatment for malaria in 2006 and improvement on this treatment in 2013, and many more (https://www.berkeley.edu/about/history-discoveries). As a public research university, Berkeley depends on money from the State of California. However, private donors have made significant contributions to the important research efforts performed on campus. This includes the 2016 donation by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan for 0 million to establish the BioHub, which in its own words is “committed to solving the world’s biggest problems – together.” (https://www.czbiohub.org/)

The campus

Campus life

Although extremely vast, the “central campus” of Berkeley covers 72 hectares (178 acres). The beautiful buildings on campus reflect the French influence of their original design by Emile Bénard although the construction of Beaux-Arts Classical style campus was ultimately overseen and modified by the American John Galen Howard. One of Howard’s works the Sather Tower, also known as The Campanile, stands boldly in the the middle of campus. Its chimes can be heard for miles around. It has the particularity of resembling a similar clock tower in Venice and for being the 3rd highest in the world.

A major competitor in Division I sports among American universities, Berkeley students proudly support their teams with help from Oskie the Bear, their well known mascot, who wears the team logo “Cal”. Students have the option of living in one of 12 residence halls including the International House built with funds provided by John D. Rockefeller, Jr, the only son of the famous American philanthropist.

Further away from the center of campus, forests, streams and wildlife abound, including two branches of Strawberry Creek and Founder’s Rock, which connect this campus with the history of the California frontier.

Academics

At Berkeley students can pursue one of 106 Bachelor’s degrees, 88 Master’s degrees, 97 research-focused doctoral programs and 31 professionally focused graduate degrees. Moreover, with greater than 130 departments and programs are divided into 14 colleges and schools including the Haas Business School, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering and Berkeley School of Information where students study computer science among other subjects.

According to the QS World University Rankings by subject, Berkeley deserves a spot in the top 10 in every area included in the ranking: Environmental Sciences (1); Chemistry (2); Civil & Structural Engineering (2); Sociology (2); Material Sciences (3); Electronic & Electrical Engineering (3) and the list goes on!

The following phD programs are also top ranked: Agricultural and Resource Economics, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, English, Epidemiology, Geography, German, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, and Development, Physics, Plant Biology, and Political Science.

1525 full time faculty teach at Berkeley including 7 Nobel Prize winners, 4 Pulitzer Prize winners and 137 members of the National Academy of Sciences. The University also boasts an impressive system of 32 libraries on campus for a total of 11 million volumes. The Bancroft Library, one of the largest special collections libraries in the United States, stands nobly in the center of campus.

How do I apply?

To apply to Berkeley, you will first need to use UC Application portal. Once you have filled in some preliminary information, you will be able to log into the My Application Portion (MAP@Berkeley), a system unique to the University of California system, to complete your application.

Berkeley does not require you to submit letters of recommendation, but you may do so if you believe will have a positive effect on your application. One letter should be from a teacher. You must complete all tests: ACT/SAT/SAT Subject tests, on or before the December test date. Subject tests are not required for most areas but can be beneficial to your application. Subject tests are recommended for “the College of Engineering and College of Chemistry, including Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) closely related to the your intended major. Include the scores in your application. UC uses the highest scores from a single test administration”. (https://admissions.berkeley.edu/freshmen-requirements)

The University requires you to answer 4 out of a list of 8 “Personal Insight Questions” (350 words each). See http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/index.html for more information. You must submit all your materials between November 1st-30th.

When do you have to start preparing for Berkeley University ?

Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking exams; consistently participating in extra-curricular activities including clubs, music, sports, and side projects; and the numerous essays to write, we recommend that students begin start to think about their path to Stanford as soon as they begin high school. The application itself is typically completed during the fall semester of students’ last year in high school

What is the profile of the students at Berkeley University ?

“Since Berkeley is a competitive campus, satisfying the minimum requirements is often not enough to be competitive for selection… We review students using a Holistic Review process. This means that we not only look at academic factors, but also non-academic factors. Using a broad concept of merit, readers employ the following criteria which carry no pre-assigned weights”. (https://admissions.berkeley.edu/freshmen-requirements)

Out of 1,362 International applicants for 2017-218, 15,448 were accepted for an admit rate of 8.8% (*The overall rate of admission for Berkeley is 18%.). In 2018, that rate dropped to 8.7%. As may be evident, the profile of international students is slightly more competitive in terms of GPA as well as ACT and SAT scores. (https://admissions.berkeley.edu/student-profile)

Are you ready to study at Berkeley?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at the University of Bath

campi

The University of Bath is nestled in the region of Somerset, England, one hour by train from London on a hilltop overlooking the town of Bath.

Bath is one of the top universities in England and in 2018 it took the 6th spot in national rankings in The Guardian and the 160th place in the QS World University Ranking.

In 2014, it also achieved the title of ‘Best Campus University in England’ in the Times, a list that it continues to appear on. So what makes this place so special?

The city of Bath

With around 90,000 year-round residents, Bath just may be the most charming city in EnglandThe Telegraph agrees saying that the city, which is a World Heritage Site, “pretty much ticks all the boxes”.

Tourists come from far away to visit the famed Roman Baths as well as more modern spas – the city’s full name is Bath Spa after all. The Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent and Circus – both beautiful Georgian architectural feats inspired by the city’s Roman heritage – the Jane Austen Centre, beautiful green parks… these are just a few of the most popular landmarks!

Students will find that the city, located a short bus ride down the hill from the University of Bath’s campus, also offers plenty of eateries, bars, nature activities, cultural events and stunning scenery.

The campus

The main campus of the university, reminiscent of many American college campuses, is situated in the periphery of Bath, and was constructed in 1964 in the modernist style of the era. The University’s proximity to such a charming city and its academic excellence make it a great alternative to London’s universities (an hour away by train) if you’re hoping for a campus university experience. Regarding accommodation, first-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing in the first year while afterwards they tend to move off campus to live with friends.

Academic matters

Over 17,000 university students study in one of Bath’s four faculties (Engineering and Design, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, and Science). Since it opened in 1966, Bath has been particularly reputed for engineering (electronic, electric and mechanical in particular), physical sciences, mathematics and technology. Today, Bath is also well known for management, humanities, architecture and the social sciences – especially psychology. See the full list of course offerings here.

Bath aims to help students gain professional experience and in many of its courses offers the chance to take a year to work in industry in order to acquire professional experience before graduating.

Moreover, Bath’s campus is in a state of constant improvement and has benefited from an investment of £450 million over the past 10 years. A five-storey library has room for individual study, group work, and engineering and design space and more. Plus, it’s open 24 hours a day, even in exam term, which proves useful for night owls and early birds alike! Among other recent developments are a brand new Psychology building that houses one of the University’s most highly-ranked programs. Equally acclaimed is the School of Management whose new building will be opening in 2021. In addition, The Edge, a building for both management and arts, offers concerts as well as events, and the Sports Training Village, which includes a  range of sports facilities including indoor tennis courts and a swimming pool, weight rooms, and an indoor as well as an outdoor track. With such great facilities, it may not come as a surprise that Bath also enjoys a reputation as one of the leading UK universities for athletics, offering all kinds of sport activities from American football to Canoe Club, Dodgeball, Jiu Jitsu, Latin and Ballroom dancing and Windsurfing!

Outside of competitive programs, sports, arts activities and ample green spaces on campus and around the city, students at the university can also join a range of other student associations to make the most of their campus experience and contribute to continuing to make Bath one of the UK’s top campus universities!

How do I apply?

To apply to the University of Bath, as with other UK universities, you will need to submit a candidate file on UCAS, including a Personal Statement, teacher’s letter of recommendation, proof of English proficiency where necessary (by sitting a standardised test), predicted results for your current studies (or grades already achieved) as well as your contact information and details on any past work experience you have completed.

See Your Dream School’s tips for applying for more information.

Also refer to the pages Applying for an undergraduate course or Applying for an graduate course on the University of Bath’s website.

Are there any specific requirements?

Each subject will have its own specific entry requirements. This information will be detailed on the course page for your specific course.

When do you have to start preparing for the University of Bath?

The deadline for applying to Bath for the Bachelor’s is fixed at January 15th of your final year.

In all cases, take into account the preparation work necessary for admission to Bath, we strongly advise you to start preparing your application from your penultimate  year in order to maximize your chances of being accepted.

What is the profile of the students at the University of Bath?

Given the high selectivity of the university, we recommend that you only apply to this university if you can show excellent academic results and that you are sure of obtaining high grades in your end-of-year exams in the International Baccalaureate, A Levels or equivalent.

Moreover, you must also show an excellent command of the English language.

Certain programs at Bath like engineering and management receive a huge number of applications annually and generally require A grades at A Level, or in equivalent qualifications.

Are you ready to study at HEC Montréal?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at the
University of York

The University of York is a collegiate plate glass research university. After opening its doors in 1963 and now has over 17,900 students who study in thirty academic departments. It is a campus university, covering over 500 acres of land just south-east of the city of York in Northeast England. 

The University has two campuses called Heslington West and Heslington East, respectively. It has nine residential colleges that are spread out between the 2 campuses.

The latter campus only opened in 2009 and is home to 3 of the 9 colleges and a sports village, whilst the former campus houses 6, and also incorporates York Science Park and the National Science Learning Centre. This makes for a very green and open campus! 

York has produced many alumni who have been active in politics, including at least 15 Members of the United Kingdom Parliament, 5 members of the House of Lords, 2 Members of the Scottish Parliament, 1 Member of the European Parliament and a handful of ministers of other governments around the world.

Academic matters

The University of York is a highly selective institution, with the average student at the University achieving a UCAS Tariff of 430, the 19th highest in the UK.  Only 78.5% of applicants receive offers of admission, which is the joint 15th lowest amongst the Russell Group, a self-selected association of 24 public research universities in the United Kingdom.

The Times University Guide said of York that “The university is increasingly recognised as a permanent fixture in the top rank of British higher education” and that “No university had a better record for teaching quality.”

Incidentally, it was ranked 12th in the UK both for the quality of its research, and also in the general national rankings in 2019 by The Guardian.

Student Life

The collegiate system at York creates a lively social atmosphere. Each student is randomly assigned a college to which they belong for the rest of their degree. Most colleges have a Junior Common Room for undergraduate students, which is managed by the elected Junior Common Room Committee, and a Graduate Common Room for post-graduate students, as well as a Senior Common Room, which is managed by elected representatives of the college’s staff. The Sunday Times asserted, “The colleges are tight-knit communities within the university and enjoy a healthy rivalry.” 

The students’ union at the University of York plays an important role, with its membership consisting of the entire student population. There are over 200 societies on offer, from ‘Hummus Appreciation Society’ to ‘Opera Society’. What’s more, each College has its own JCRC or students’ association which provides many services, including organising college events and student welfare services. 

Interestingly, the University of York is home to both the oldest student television station, and the oldest independent radio station in the United Kingdom. In addition, York’s student newspaper, Nouse, also won many Guardian Student Newspaper awards, due to its website and its outstanding journalists. Moreover, the University of York Music Society and the University of York Drama Society are 2 of the University’s largest societies, and both put on performances and/or concerts every week during term time.  Naturally, due to all of these achievements and societies, there is a real culture of creativity, artistic enquiry, and journalism at the University. 

Combining the features of a collegiate university with a rich history of political and cultural engagement, and the features of a modern and trendy university, York is one of a kind! 

How do I apply?

For students wishing to apply to York, strong academic results and rigorous preparation are needed.

What are the different stages of the application?

There are several steps:

  1. Apply on UCAS
  2. Receive a conditional offer
  3. Meet requirements from your offer
  4. Confirm your acceptance

The details of these steps are covered below and on the University’s website.

How to begin an application:

Candidates apply via the British online platform UCAS, and upload a letter of motivation (Personal Statement), their predicted exam marks, and a letter of recommendation from one of their teachers. Students may only submit one Personal Statement for all the universities they apply for (maximum of 5 choices). The Personal Statement, no more than 4,000 characters, should explain why students want to study their chosen course, what aspects particularly interest them, what steps they have already taken to engage with the subject (reading, conferences, internships etc), and, if possible, what aspects they are looking forward to studying.

Conditional offer and acceptance:

If students succeed in all these stages, in January they will receive a ‘conditional offer’ of admission. This means that they will be accepted if they attain the required marks (most often a high grade in your end of high school studies, and in a standardized English exam: 7.5 in the IELTS for example).

What is the deadline for applying?

Deadlines:

The deadline for applications to the University of York is the 15th January of a students’ final year of secondary school or sixth-form college (Year 13).

When do you have to start preparing for the University of York?

It is strongly recommended that students begin preparing from the end of Year 11 or beginning of Year 12. If possible, start any reading and thinking about what to write about in a Personal Statement as early as possible. Some candidates, particularly those with a weaker level of English, need to consider preparing even earlier. See this link for useful information for international candidates.

It is recommended that students try to find aspects of their chosen course that genuinely interest them and to think deeply about why they wish to study this subject – after all, students are applying to study this subject full time for at least 3 years.

Is it possible to visit the campus?

To check the upcoming visit days at York see this page.

What is the profile of the students at the University of York

Before deciding to apply to York, we recommend you review the specific academic requirements of the academic course you are interested in. Occasionally, students may be required to attend an interview as part of the application process.

Fees

The UK government has confirmed that as of 2021/22 entry EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status and financial support from Student Finance England. You can see more here.

Tuition fees vary depending on whether your course is laboratory or classroom-based. If your course is both laboratory and classroom-based you will pay the higher fee.

When taking into account the cost of any university, you should also consider the cost of living.

York provides an estimate for the cost of living, which can be found on its website: they provide a detailed list of costs you can expect to incur including housing and social costs.

You might predict an annual average budget of around £10,000 per year, including accommodation, transport, personal expenses etc.

Are you ready to study at University of York?

We’re here to help!

How can we support you in your application?

Study at Harvard University

harvard

Both the oldest and most well known American university, the foundation of Harvard dates back to 1636 when it became the first institute of higher learning founded by colonists in Massachusetts. In many ways, Harvard has remained at the forefront of learning, innovation and especially reputation! Today Harvard’s nearly 210 acre undergraduate campus is relatively concentrated around the area called the “Harvard Yard” in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Harvard University in a few words

Campus life

As Harvard is immensely popular with visitors and the campus is open, Harvard Yard feels like a mixture between an open city campus and a closed campus. The undergraduate population of about 6,700 students and some of the more than 15,000 postgraduate students attend classes in buildings surrounding the Yard, while the rest of the student body is dispersed between the medical and business schools further a bit further away. To escape the busyness of this most famous part of campus, the main building of the Harvard Library, Widener Library – the oldest library system in the United States – provides a calm, scholarly space, which includes a significant amount of underground tunnels where some 9 million volumes are stored.

The architecture of the city of Cambridge itself resembles that of Harvard, where red brick is commonly seen, creating a typically American look and feel to the campus. Winters in Cambridge are very snowy, and students will likely be seen in snow boots during the coldest months as they move around campus.

After their freshman year, most students are assigned to houses located in the Radcliffe Quadrangle or “Quad”, which is distinct from the Harvard Yard. This area of campus is quieter than the Yard and in addition to student housing, has House masters, and resident tutors, as well as a dining hall and library. As can be expected on any campus, the housing assignment for students ultimately becomes an important part of their social experience at Harvard.

Famous heritage

If you think studying at Harvard means following in the footsteps of great men and women, you’re right. Among Harvard’s alumni are eight U.S. presidents, multiple foreign heads of state, 62 living billionairessome 157 Nobel laureates, and the list goes on. In addition, Harvard students and alumni have won 10 Academy Awards, 48 Pulitzer Prizes, and 108 Olympic medals. Suffice it to say that Harvard is a competitive university with an environment to match!

How do I apply?

To apply to Harvard College, you will need to use the Common Application, a centralized platform through which you can apply to most American colleges and universities. You will need to fill in information about your family – including the occupation of your parents -, provide your transcript or high school grades, submit two teacher reference letters and a guidance counselor letter of reference, draft a résumé or CV, send official test scores (SAT, SAT Subject Test scores, ACT and English language test scores), describe your extracurricular activities and as with most highly selective colleges complete the essay questions on the Common App as well as answer additional essay questions specific to Harvard. The application will be due on January 1st unless you are applying for Early Action in which case you must submit all materials by November 1st.

When do you have to start preparing for Harvard University

Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking exams; consistently participating in extra-curricular activities including clubs, music, sports, and side projects; and the numerous essays to write, we recommend that students begin start to think about their path to Stanford as soon as they begin high school. The application itself is typically completed during the fall semester of students’ last year in high school.

What is the profile of students at Harvard?

As a “highly selective” school according to official terminology, the current rate of acceptance for new freshman hovers around 5%. As do many selective schools, Harvard looks for students to have a niche: like “photography & music”. The area or areas that you choose to develop and invest in should be things that really grab your attention. Find your passion! You’ll want to concentrate on activities and academic pursuits that come naturally to you and that you’ll look forward to working hard for both before and during your time as a student. You’ll also want to stand out from the crowd via a “spike” such as an internship, scholarship, trip, project, etc. Ask yourself: What have I done with my time in high school? Finally, be careful of the idea of “well-roundedness”. Today this means that universities seek to recruit a diverse student body. It does not mean that you need to take part in an infinite number of unrelated activities.

Affording Harvard

Without financial aid, the tuition fees for Harvard College in 2018-2019 were $46,340 and $67,580 for tuition, room, board, and fees combined.

Are you ready to study at HEC Montréal?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at the University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 and is the 6th oldest university in the English speaking world.

Numerous buildings in the center of the sublime old city of Edinburgh are part of the university.

In 2018, Edinburgh was ranked 19th in the world in the QS World University Ranking.

The University of Edinburgh

Considered to be among the best universities in Europe (6th according to the U.S News’ Best Global Universities Ranking), the University has played a fundamental role in the reputation of Edinburgh as one of the great intellectual centers of Europe during the Enlightenment, which has even earned the city the nickname of ‘The Athens of the North’.

The University is also home to many famous former students like Charles Darwin, David Hume, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sir Walter Scott as well as 23 Nobel pries, 1 Fields medal and 3 U.K Prime Ministers.

The University of Edinburgh receives 60 000 applications per year, which makes it the second most popular university in the U.K by volume.

With the University of Saint Andrews, it is the most selective university in Scotland and it therefore requires A grades at A Level or at least a ‘mention bien’ in the baccalaureat in order to be considered for admission.

Edinburgh is particularly known for Architecture, Chemical Engineering, East and South Asian Studies, Linguistics, Middle-Eastern and African Studies, Social Politics and Veterinary Sciences. The Times World University Rankings has also ranked Edinburgh 30th in the world for Social Sciences.

How do I apply ?

The selection process at the University of Edinburgh is divided into multiple steps which we will describe to you below :

  • The Conditional Offer of Admission Finally, if you succeed in the selection process, you will receive a ‘conditional’ offer of admission. This means that you will not definitely be accepted unless you obtain the minimum grade in the Bac and in an English exam (generally the IELTS).
  • The application on UCAS You must first submit your application on the UCAS platform, the equivalent of Parcoursup in England. This file comprises a cover letter (Personal statement) as well as a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers.

When do you have to start preparing for the University of Edinburgh?

The deadline for applying to the University of Edinburgh is fixed at January 15th of your final year.

In all cases, take into account the preparation necessary for admission to Edinburgh, we strongly advise you to start preparing your application from your penultimate year to maximize your chances of getting accepted.

What is the profile of the students at Edinburgh University?

Given its high selectivity, we recommend that you only apply to this university if you can show very solid academic results and that you are sure to obtain a ‘Bien’ grade in the Bac.

Are you ready to study at Edimburgh University?

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How can we support you in your application?

Study at UCL (University College London)

University College London (UCL) is ‘London’s Global University.’ Located in the heart of London, but with over 18,000 students from outside of the UK (out of around 39,000 in total), the University is one of the most international in the UK. Founded in 1826, UCL  was the first university in the United Kingdom to be secular, accepting candidates regardless of religion, and awarded the first 4 bachelor’s degrees to British women in 1880.

Famous alumni include Mahatma Gandhi, Kwame Nkrumah (the founder of modern Ghana), and members of the band Coldplay. Today, it is one of the top universities in the UK, and hovers near the top 10 # worldwide (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019QS World University Rankings 2019). It is the third-largest university in the UK, part of the ‘Russell Group’ of elite British universities, and part of the Golden Triangle (including Oxford and Cambridge) of research-intensive universities.

Life at UCL

On campus, students can enjoy a brand new student center, the or find a quiet corner in the beautiful law library. There are several green areas in this bustling part of London including the charming Gordon Square and the larger Russell Square, both popular for picnicking. The much larger Regent’s Park is about 10 minutes away. To help create a community feel each department has its own common room, where students from the same course, or different ones, can meet, relax, or study together.

Accommodation

UCL guarantees housing in residential halls to all first year students. Accommodation can be catered and most halls are centrally located and within walking distance or a short bus or tube ride from the main campus.

UCL offers two catered halls: Ifor Evans and Ramsay Hall but students can also choose to stay in an Intercollegiate hal (International Hall, Garden Halls, Lilian Penson Hall) where they will be mixed with students from other London universities.

Academic Matters

Increasingly well known and consistently highly ranked internationally as noted above, UCL offers a constantly evolving range of courses. Recently added, the BASc Arts & Sciences course allows students to discover a broader range of subjects, while Law, Biomedical Science, Economics and Computer Science continue to be the most popular (and most selective!) courses. See the full of list of bachelor’s and master’s courses on UCL’s website.

Considered highly selective, UCL is one of a few universities in the UK not to offer courses in Clearing as reported by THE.

Master’s degrees can be either taught or research programs and include a wide range of programs including architecture, economics, education and philosophy. Find out more about all courses on offer here.

How to apply:

Bachelor Candidates

Undergraduate candidates apply via the British online platform UCAS, and upload a letter of motivation (Personal Statement), predicted grades for the Baccalaureate in each subject, and a letter of recommendation from one of their teachers. Note that students send only 1 Personal Statement for all the universities they apply for (maximum of 5 choices.

The Personal Statement, maximum 4,000 characters, should explain why students want to study a chosen course, what aspects particularly interest them, what steps they have already taken to engage with the subject (reading, conferences, internships etc), and, if possible, what aspects they are looking forward to studying. For advice on how to write a Personal Statement please see here.

Generally, UCL asks for a ‘bien’ grade in the Baccalaureate. However, the most popular courses require a minimum of 15.5/20 in the Baccalaureate as well as an assessment day, where students may have to sit exams and have an interview.

If you succeed in all these stages, you will receive a ‘conditional offer’ of admission. This means that you will be accepted if you attain the required marks (most often a bien in the Baccalaureate and in a standardized English test.

When should students start preparing?

It is strongly recommended that students begin preparing in from the end of Year 11 or beginning of Year 12. If possible, start any reading and thinking about what to write about in a Personal Statement as early as possible.

It is recommended that you try to find aspects of your chosen course that genuinely interest you and to think deeply about why you wish to study this subject – after all, you are applying to study this subject full time for at least 3 years.

The deadline for application to UCL is 15th January of Year 13.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all UCL open days will now take place online.  

UCL’s Undergraduate June Virtual Open Days are live. For more informations, please see this page.

Masters & PhD Candidates

Graduate candidates generally apply directly to the program that they are targeting. Admissions are rolling, which means there is no deadline, however, when a course is full, no further students can apply. Responses are generally given with 6 weeks of application submission.

The Application must include:

  • Academic transcript
  • Application Fee
  • English language requirement
  • Personal statement
  • 2 Letters of reference
  • Research Proposal (PhD candidates only)

Depending on the course, students may need to submit additional materials such as GRE scores or a portfolio. See this page for more information.

When do you have to start preparing for IE Madrid?

The deadline to apply for a Bachelor’s at IE University is at the end of your final year.

Always bear in mind the preparation work needed for admission to IE University, it is therefore strongly recommended that you start preparing your application at the start of your final year to maximize your chances of success.

A year of tuition at IE University ranges from just over €20,000 to €24,000 depending on the course. The University offers some Financial aid opportunities, which may cover up to 100% of enrollment fees. Students may apply for IE Loans, IE Scholarships or outside funding and should do so by completing their Financial Aid application.

Are you ready to study at UCL?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at IE Madrid

Established in 1973 as the private business school Instituto de Empresa, today IE University (IEU) offers programs entirely in English to its 3,000 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and executive education students, nearly 70% of whom are international. Its first undergraduate class graduating in 2013, IE University has experienced remarkable success as an institution as it is now a top 50 global university in business & management studies (QS World University Rankings 2016) and No. 1 School worldwide in the QS Distance Online MBA Ranking.

It’s core values of technological immersion, innovation, entrepreneurial mindset, humanities and diversities are truly setting IEU apart as it “Reinvents Higher Education”.

IE Madrid in a few words

IE University has two campuses: Segovia, located a few kilometers from the center of Madrid and the Madrid campus in the financial district (Barrio de Salamanca). Degree programs allow students to experience both campuses.

The IE University campus in the city of Segovia offers an authentic campus experience. It is housed in the Convent of Santa Cruz la Real, a historic building declared a national heritage site in 1931. Segovia is only 25 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, and welcomes students from over 80 countries in a global university setting, with an atmosphere that is both academic and lively.

The IE University campus is located in the Maria de Molina area or financial center of Madrid, a leading European capital. Our students benefit from a global learning environment, top-tier networking opportunities and buildings equipped with state-of-the-art facilities – all shared with the prestigious top-ranked IE Business School. IE is currently building a brand new campus also in the financial district of Madrid, exclusively for undergraduate students to be completed in 2020.

Starting in 2020, undergraduate students will have a brand new home called “Campus IE” to call their own. Campus IE will form part of the Caleido, an ambitious architectonic complex set to change Madrid’s skyline. The purposeful vertical design of the newest campus respects high standards of sustainability and leaves ample room for large open green spaces open to the city of Madrid and its residents. The future complex will also include an extensive shopping area, restaurants, leisure & sports facilities, art and culture structures.

IEU campus life provides clubs for every interest, whether it be professional, sports, social or geographic. Main events on campus include the IE Winter Ball, a fun event for a social cause; the annual, student-organized TEDxIE Madrid; Global Village celebrating the wealth of cultural diversity on the IE campus; IE LGBT@WORK promoting the free exchange of ideas and a networking platform; and the Social Responsibility Forum an interactive space for graduate students and professionals to share knowledge and generate ideas.

Academic life at IE University

IE University and IE Business School offer university courses that are based on the entrepreneurial character and the practical experience of its students, technological innovation and international mobility.

IE Business School was ranked #3 in Europe by the Financial Times, 2017. According to QS World University Rankings Masters In Business Analytics (#10) and Distance Online MBA Worldwide (#2), 2019.

Offering a full range of Bachelor degrees, at IE you may choose from:

Bachelor of:

  • Dual Degree in Law and International Relations (LLBBIR), *bilingual English/Spanish option
  • Architecture (BAR)
  • Design (BID)
  • Business Administration (BBA)
  • Communications and Digital Media (BCDM)
  • Information Systems Management (BIS)
  • Law (LLB)
  • Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
  • International Relations (BIR)
  • Politics, Law & Economics (PLE)
  • Dual Degree in Business Administration and Law (BBALLB), *bilingual English/Spanish option
  • Dual Degree in Business Administration and International Relations (BBABIR)

A bachelor at IE University is a 4-year degree and dual degree is a 5-year program as is a degree in architectural studies. The business school offers MBAExecutive MBAmaster’s degree programs in finance and management, executive education programs, PhD and DBA programs.

IE University offers student and / or faculty exchange programs with other international centers such as AA School of Architecture, Brown University, The University of Arizona, Universidad de los Andes, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, or Politecnico di Milano

How do I apply?

As part of our Admissions Process, IE University requires candidates to take their Admissions Test to measure their competencies, skills and personality characteristics. It also evaluates their English level. Students may also opt to take the ACT, SAT or LNAT in place of IE University’s entrance exam.

Although not mandatory, students may wish to add English scores to their application. Standards as are follows:

  • TOEFL: minimum 90, 100 points recommended
  • IELTS: minimum 7 points
  • Cambridge: CAE (with marks A, B and in some cases C with a strong oral conversation) or CPE

Students wanting more support in English may enroll in a Language Proficiency Track (LPT) their first year to reinforce their English skills.

When do you have to start preparing for IE Madrid?

The deadline to apply for a Bachelor’s at IE University is at the end of your final year.

Always bear in mind the preparation work needed for admission to IE University, it is therefore strongly recommended that you start preparing your application at the start of your final year to maximize your chances of success.

A year of tuition at IE University ranges from just over €20,000 to €24,000 depending on the course. The University offers some Financial aid opportunities, which may cover up to 100% of enrollment fees. Students may apply for IE Loans, IE Scholarships or outside funding and should do so by completing their Financial Aid application.

Are you ready to study at IE Madrid?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?

Study at HEC Montréal

Situated right in the center of the city of Montréal and established 1907, HEC Montréal is the oldest business school in Canada and a member of the ‘Conférence des Grandes Ecoles’.

The excellent quality of research and their teaching in management, allowed the school to obtain the three most prestigious accolades: AACSB, AMBA et EQUIS.

One of the big advantages of HEC Montréal is that teaching can either be in French, bilingual (English) or trilingual (English and Spanish).

HEC Montréal in a few words

With more than 13 000 students from 147 countries, HEC Montréal is truly an international school with 127 partner schools in 40 countries across the world.

HEC Montréal offers the choice of 3 possible courses at Bachelor’s level: regular, bilingual and trilingual.

  • The regular program is principally in French and offers optional English lessons.
  • The bilingual program has certain lessons in English and optional lessons in French or English.
  • The trilingual program offers lessons in French, English and Spanish and an exchange abroad.

The “Bachelor” or Baccalaureate in Administration of Affairs (B.A.A) is a general undergraduate degree which is accessible to French students at the start of a preparatory year at HEC Montréal, a year of of scientific or commercial preparatory class or a university year.

What is the selection process at HEC Montréal ?

The process of selection at HEC Montréal is divided into multiple steps that we will describe to you below :

The application on the HEC Montréal website

You must submit your application on the HEC Montréal website which must comprise the following elements :

  • Your score in an English test (IELTS, TOEFL) for the bilingual programs
  • Your official school report of the three semesters of your penultimate year and the first semester of your final year.
  • Your predicted results of the Bac.

When do you have to start preparing for HEC Montréal ?

When do you have to start preparing for HEC Montréal ?

The deadline for applying to HEC Montréal is fixed at February 15th of your final year for autumn enrollment and at October 1st in for winter enrollment.

What is the profile of the students at HEC Montréal ?

The required grades for joining the BBA with a preparatory year at HEC Montréal are the following :

  • Series ES specialty mathematics with an average of 13/20 and a grade of 14/20 or more in mathematics.
  • Series S or ES specialty mathematics with a ‘Bien’ grade (14/20) or more
  • Series S with a ‘Assez bien’ grade (12/20) or more in mathematics

What are the school fees at HEC Montréal ?

The school fees for French students for a year of the Bachelor’s are around 8900 Canadian dollars (around 5700 euros)

Are you ready to study at HEC Montréal?

We’re here to help you.

How can we support you in your application?