Upon graduation, Grammar girls have the world at their feet, and choosing where to continue their studies can be a big decision. One destination that regularly captures the attention of students is England.
Director of Tertiary Pathways, Ms Louise Walls, recently paid a visit to England to visit several universities in which students often show a keen interest: Oxford University; University College London (UCL); The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); and King’s College London.
Stepping foot in each campus, Ms Walls was able to meet with staff to deepen her knowledge and understanding of what these high-ranking universities can offer our students—whether that be as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, or as part of a global exchange experience.
The first of her visits, Oxford University, is a world-renowned institution located in the town of Oxford, an hour north of London, that Ms Walls believes offers a ‘unique and second-to-none’ experience for high achieving students who travel from all around the world to study in one of its 43 colleges.
‘Oxford is a stunning place; it’s steeped in a rich literary history and the landmarks that appear in so many novels make it a special place for me,’ Ms Walls said. ‘The fact that the colleges are dotted around the town, all located quite close together, creates a unique and wonderful environment, marked by wonderful, bright young people who are going to be our future leaders.’
Situated in the heart of London, University College London (UCL) is a leading multidisciplinary university with a student population drawn from more than 150 countries.
‘Named 2024 The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year, its history of inclusivity and diversity add to its appeal to students across the world,’ Ms Walls said. ‘With most of its program offerings available to international students (except Medicine), it is a sought-after destination and hence highly competitive.’
Down the road from UCL, in central London, is The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), consistently rated as one of the top public universities in the UK. ‘It is at the forefront of developments in the social sciences and its academic profile spans a wide range of disciplines from Law and Accounting to Management and Social Policy.’
King’s College London is another London-based public university that is both highly reputable and in-demand, with an acceptance rate of only 13 per cent. The student population represents 150 countries and offers a range of programs including Humanities, Law and a wide range of health programs such as Psychiatry, Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry.
After taking in each of these universities and their unique drawcards, Ms Walls believes the benefits of studying in England are vast and extend beyond the classroom.
‘Classics and Literature, International Law, Business, and Economics are areas of study that English universities do very well,’ she said. ‘The reputational value and the prestige of studying at these universities provides graduates with an edge in the labour market, and the value of having an international alumni network is invaluable. The experience of studying abroad forces a young person to become more independent and resilient, and travel opportunities are a given too.’
