What Is Matriculation?

The preparatory course refers to the University Foundation Year or Bridging course. Pre-university education generally requires overseas high school graduates to take a preparatory course for about one year in order to adapt to foreign learning styles.

[yù k]

There are several kinds of concepts in the analysis of preparatory studies for specialists studying abroad:

Foundation courses included in the higher education system

The University Foundation Year is also called the University Foundation Year. It is a pre-university education and usually takes one year. The university preparatory course is an important part of the western education system. It belongs to the category of higher education in foreign education systems. Because of the irreplaceable role played by the university preparatory course in the smooth transition from basic education to higher education, it is called An important cornerstone of high school education to higher education.

Foundation courses are often carefully designed by university professional teachers to meet the actual needs of future teaching at the university. However, the course content is often reviewed and revised with the preparatory teachers who teach the project. The university foundation course is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge to successfully complete their university studies after entering university.

Minority Preparatory Course

The preparatory course for ethnic minorities is a teaching system based on the characteristics of ethnic minority students to lay a good foundation for professional study in colleges and universities.

Although the preparatory course focuses on supplementing the senior high school cultural courses, the teaching purpose is different from the general college entrance examination tuition classes, and the teaching content is related to and different from future professional studies. Relevant departments organize the preparation of preparatory textbooks in accordance with the basic requirements of preparatory teaching. And introduce competition mechanism to strengthen the management of ethnic preparatory students. It is required to organize teaching and examinations in accordance with the teaching plan, syllabus and teaching materials issued by the State Education Commission. It is stipulated that students who fail the Chinese, mathematics, and foreign languages in the Chinese language entrance examination in the preparatory examination for preparatory students are not allowed to study in mainland universities; students who have failed the Chinese language or mathematics in the private examination students are not allowed to study in mainland universities.

In March 1984, in the "Opinions on Strengthening Leadership and Further Running Ethnic Minority Classes in Colleges and Universities," the Ministry of Education and the National Civil Affairs Commission made clear provisions on the teaching and management of ethnic preparatory classes. The task is "to lay a good foundation for professional studies in colleges and universities according to the characteristics of minority students." The length of study of the Foundation Year is generally one year. If the student has a poor basic knowledge of Chinese, the study period is two years. The students in the preparatory class enter the university-based and junior college for professional study, and their academic system is the same as that of the school-based and junior college. In the admissions of ethnic minorities, under the principle of comprehensive assessment of morals, intelligence, and physical education, and selection of merit, admissions from ethnic minority candidates who participated in the college entrance examination of that year can be appropriately reduced. However, according to the training goals and requirements of different types of colleges and universities, based on the actual conditions of various ethnic groups in various regions, they must be treated differently, and the degree of reduction must be appropriate. The students of the preparatory course for ethnic minorities have completed their studies and have good political performance. Those who pass the examinations in their schools pass directly to the relevant colleges and universities. The professional distribution of ethnic minority textbooks and junior college students is based on the needs of the country's economic construction and social development, especially in ethnic minority areas, and the moral, intellectual, and physical conditions of the students. The education administrative department of the autonomous region shall determine it through consultation; in accordance with the above-mentioned conditions when enrolling students, it may be studied and determined by the school and the education administrative department of the relevant province or autonomous region, and the specific work shall be mastered by the school. After the profession is determined, except for special circumstances, it is generally not allowed to change.

Why are Chinese high school graduates studying at British universities?

1. Strengthen language learning and language skills. It should be emphasized that: students must have IELTS 5.0 or above when studying the foundation course, and language courses are not the only goal of the foundation course. They are just one of the courses. After one year, IELTS will reach 6.5.

2. The Foundation Year is a bridge course for undergraduates. As mentioned earlier, the choice of university and university majors is determined by the choice of subjects and grades at the A-level. For Chinese high school graduates, under the premise that there are not so many professional course elective opportunities in high school, and Chinese high school textbooks and British textbooks are very different, they have to complete bridge courses in one year of preparatory studies: 3 study skills courses; 2-4 cores Courses; 3-4 professional courses.

1. visa

To apply for studying abroad, from making plans, preparing materials, applying for schools, and applying for a visa, you need to pass numerous checkpoints. Among them, the visa is the most difficult one to cross. Once a visa application is rejected, it means that all previous efforts have been lost. Although the US study abroad policy and visa policy are currently "good", competition still exists, which does not mean that applicants can reduce their visa preparation requirements.

2. funds

The cost of studying abroad in the United States is famous worldwide. The tuition for undergraduate courses is about 19,000 US dollars per year, the master's courses are about 25,000 US dollars per year, and the living expenses are about 8,000 US dollars per year. Not only that, the tuition of American universities is rising every year, and the increase is about 5% to 10%. The tuition of some famous universities has even increased by 20%. Taking the University of Chicago as an example, the tuition for undergraduates in 2004-2005 is US $ 30,123, the housing fee is US $ 962, the medical insurance and student management fee is US $ 606, the total cost for one year is US $ 40,353, and the contract is more than 300,000 yuan. . For Chinese students with limited financial capacity, the financial burden is heavier.

3 School selection

American higher education is very developed, with more than 3,000 colleges and universities. In addition to top universities such as Harvard and Yale, those universities in the top 50 universities in the United States are also "big names" in the global higher education community, with extraordinary strength. However, the more prestigious universities, the more intense the competition, especially for some popular majors, which is almost one hundred miles. If Chinese students do not have outstanding personal conditions, it will be difficult to pass the admissions application.

4 Professional choice

U.S. colleges have strong professional programs in business, law, biology, finance, communications, and IT. Among them, business schools are second to none in the world; basic disciplines such as applied physics, applied chemistry, biological sciences, and food science are established majors. The diplomas of these popular majors have a high amount of gold, but the learning costs are also quite expensive, and because of the advantages of many majors, many Chinese students feel that they have no direction when choosing.

5. Teach

The education methods in American universities are very different from those in China. In the United States, professors let students explore for themselves. Students need to actively think about problems, they need to go to the library or the Internet to find information, they need to analyze the information themselves, and they must prove themselves with sufficient arguments Conclusion, you need to complete a paper that reflects your analytical ability and problem-solving ability. For students who are accustomed to the domestic "fill-in-duck" education method, sometimes it is difficult to adapt.

6. life

For Chinese students, it is very important to study alone in the United States, how to live in the United States, integrate into American society, and adapt to American culture. Most Chinese students today are only children, have weak adaptability and independence, and are more self-centered. This personality is very different from the American open environment, so many international students feel isolated.

International Student Foundation Class

The foundation course is mainly set up by schools in European and American countries. Chinese students can apply for college foundation courses and take certain language and professional courses in the absence of language scores.

United States: "Bridge Course"

The American "bridge course" is what we often call the American Foundation Program for Studying Abroad.

Study abroad experts point out that for domestic candidates who want to study in the United States, the advantages of studying the American Foundation Year are: First, American universities have high language requirements for international students, not only referring to language test skills, but also really proficient in using language. Ability to listen, speak, read and write. Through preparatory studies, students can effectively overcome the difficulties caused by cultural and language differences and integrate into foreign social environments as soon as possible. Secondly, studying through the foreign foundation studies helps to enrich the academic background of students, which is more beneficial to applying to foreign excellent universities.

For example, some students do not have outstanding high school results in China, and they have no chance of being a prestigious school in China, let alone apply for a prestigious American school directly, but they can successfully enter a prestigious foreign school through the prestigious American preparatory school. Therefore, some preparatory courses for prestigious American universities, such as the Northeastern University Preparatory Program, are highly sought after by domestic candidates. In addition, American universities are rich in resources and the preparatory method is relatively flexible. Some American colleges and universities also provide a way to directly study sophomore after graduating, which undoubtedly greatly saves the cost of studying in the United States and the study time. Therefore, this type of preparatory course is also very popular attention.

UK: Foundation Year Essentials

Except for a few universities , such as Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics and Political Science , which do not have their own foundation, most British universities have their own foundation. There is generally no problem in the management of university foundation in the UK. However, it should be noted that because the universities in Scotland are four years and the universities in other regions are three years, Chinese high school graduates can directly enter the first year of undergraduate studies at Scottish universities if they pass the English level. Foundation course.

Students with a bachelor's degree or higher can apply for the undergraduate preparatory course with a high school transcript, and enter the undergraduate study for 3 years after successful completion. Since the basic education in the UK is 13 years, for Chinese high school graduates who have only 12 years of basic education, it is necessary to go to the UK for a one-year college preparatory course. The foundation course teaches language courses, professional courses and learning methods, which can help students better adapt to foreign teaching and achieve good grades at the undergraduate level. Many well-known universities in the UK offer foundation courses, such as Lancaster University Foundation, London University School of Asian and African Studies, Sheffield University Foundation, and so on.

Canada: Senior 3 = Foundation Year

Whether to take the Canadian Foundation Studies program actually varies from person to person. Some high school students have excellent grades in language and culture courses, and of course they can skip the foundation course. Some high school graduates have a mediocre high school grade or do not have a regular high school diploma. Even if they are good at English, they must supplement the preparatory professional courses in order to attend college. Another part of high school graduates have excellent high school scores, but average language skills, or language skills are acceptable, but there are no internationally recognized language test scores, such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc., must also strengthen English or take preparatory language courses (ESL, ENG , EAP, etc.) to college. For high school graduates who do not meet the requirements for both language and culture courses, the Canadian Foundation Program is even more essential.

For students who are not ideal for the college entrance examination, it is recommended that they go to the preparatory course first. In fact, there is no such thing as a "preparatory course" in Canada. Their preparatory course is the local senior year. Chinese students used to re-read a senior year in the past to prepare for college application. Local children who have finished their second year of high school can finish their courses and go to employment first. If they want to go to college, they will continue to high school. This is the same reason. For Chinese students, one advantage of repeating one year is that they can apply to all Canadian universities, or they can apply for universities in other countries after obtaining a diploma after finishing third year. Generally, entering the foundation course is equivalent to entering a university, but not equal to entering a prestigious university.

Australia:

Pre-selection direction

The Australian University Foundation Program generally offers six to six courses in half a year to one year. It is roughly divided into several directions: business direction, liberal arts direction, science direction, engineering direction, law direction, etc. Students can choose the general direction according to the major that the university is going to study. After completing the preparatory course and entering the university, select a specific major. In the curriculum, English is the main compulsory course. In addition to English courses, there are also some professional compulsory courses and elective courses according to the preparatory course.

The foundation arrangement is very reasonable for overseas students. It can help them lay the foundation and make the necessary preparations to adapt to overseas university education and successfully complete their studies. This starts with the education systems of middle schools and universities at home and abroad. Undergraduate preparatory course is that under normal circumstances, Chinese students cannot directly enter some western countries to study because of language differences , cultural backgrounds, and different courses. The foundation course is a basic training course for overseas students to study and help them meet college admissions requirements.

(1) Whether it is domestic or in the Western education system, the basic education and higher education have a large span in terms of knowledge structure and teaching methods. Even in China, freshmen in our first year of college generally feel uncomfortable with university teaching and life, and even feel a little dazed. In our middle schools, more is the passive indoctrination of knowledge; in universities, it is the exploration of knowledge under the guidance of professors. Geometry and algebra in middle school mathematics cultivate students' image thinking, while calculus and linear algebra in college are abstract thinking skills. As far as mathematics is concerned, the span is so large. The foundation course is a preparatory course that takes the most important and basic knowledge of compulsory college courses, such as

What is the role of the preparatory classes for studying abroad

After graduating from high school and technical secondary school, they must go to Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand to study for a bachelor's degree. They must first study locally for one year.

(1) Recognize school qualifications and guarantee quality

Some foundation courses are only language training, and truly formal foundation schools will infiltrate a lot of computer, math or business knowledge that the undergraduate will touch in the future, laying a solid foundation for you to enter overseas undergraduate studies. In addition, the quality of running a school also needs attention. It is best to choose a preparatory school that has a long running time and has a good reputation.

(2) Understand the relationship between the matriculation and university

When choosing a preparatory study abroad, we must make clear the relationship between the preparatory study and the university, and make a careful screening. For example: after completing the corresponding preparatory studies, is it possible to directly enter the university after passing the exam, whether to change the visa type or re-apply. In addition, the "preparatory course" of a university set up by a domestic institution must also confirm its nature of running a school, and what effect the "preparatory course" of the university has on applying to enter a foreign university.

A transitional course for international students to adapt to the country's education system, generally one year, less courses than undergraduate courses, for example, 8-12 courses are required for undergraduate courses each year, while the pre-university course 5 -6 courses, some of which are designed to help students adapt to the country's education system, such as how to write a dissertation, how to lecture, etc. Curriculum design is provided by foreign universities. After passing the graduation exams of various subjects and obtaining the pre-diploma, they can study in foreign universities. The foundation courses in the domestic market can be divided into university (undergraduate) foundation courses and graduate (master, doctoral) foundation courses.

(3) Choose courses according to your level

Students should choose the foundation course based on their own circumstances. They must not adhere to the mentality of blind followers and are not responsible for their own studies. Please make a careful decision after consulting with relevant professional study institutions and senior educators.

(4) Can participate in reliable international foundation courses in China

At present, major universities in China offer various forms of preparatory courses for studying abroad at their own expense. In the selection process, you should pay attention to asking whether the foundation course is accredited by an overseas university. The project party is required to provide written materials to ensure that students can successfully enter the freshman course of foreign universities after completing the foundation course.

Why do Chinese students take the foundation course?

From the perspective of academic qualifications, Canadian institutions of higher education do not require Chinese students to be admitted after completing the foundation course. Students with excellent grades (average score of 85 or higher) and TOEFL scores of 80 (new TOEFL test) can do so. Apply directly for first year undergraduate courses. However, if students' English level is not good, they can study in Canada by taking the foundation course and then entering the undergraduate course.

(1) Preparatory course for the undergraduate

In addition to studying English, students also need to take some university preparatory courses, such as the basic knowledge of professional courses. They can be familiar with foreign teaching methods, adjust their mental state, and lay the foundation for undergraduate studies.

The American Foundation Studies abroad is often carefully designed by the professional teachers of the university to meet the actual needs of the university's future teaching. However, the course content is often reviewed and revised with the preparatory teachers who teach the project. The American Foundation Studies Program aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge to successfully complete their university studies after entering the university. English subjects are designed to develop students' confidence and ability in English understanding, listening, speaking and writing.

Some US Foundation Studies abroad are just language training, and truly formal US Foundation Studies abroad schools will infiltrate a lot of computer, math or business knowledge that the undergraduate will touch in the future, laying a solid foundation for you to enter the US undergraduate study . In addition, the quality of running a school also needs attention. It is best to choose a preparatory school that has a long running time and a good reputation.

(2) English and Australian Foundation Years are indispensable

Some parents are concerned that pre-university study will extend their children's academic time. This is not the case. The undergraduate degree of the Commonwealth National University is 3 years, plus the foundation year, the length of life is the same as that of the domestic university, and the amount of lessons in the three-year undergraduate course abroad is not less than that of domestic universities. If you continue to study for a master's degree abroad, like a master's degree program in the United Kingdom, it only takes one year, and the total of masters and masters is 5 years, which is 1-2 years shorter than domestic hours.

Studying in the UK Foundation Program is a foundation course for British universities. It is designed for international students who cannot meet the requirements for directly entering the undergraduate degree program. Based on the differences between China s current education system and those in the Western Commonwealth countries, Chinese high school graduates or college graduates are generally not allowed to directly enter the first-year courses of British universities, so all high school graduates from China Students or college graduates must complete the college preparatory course and pass the exam before they can officially enter the first year of university study.

Introduction to Foundation Studies

The preparatory education for ethnic minorities is a special school-run form adopted by the state to train minority talents and accelerate the development of socialist modernization in minority and remote areas. After one or two years of study in a preparatory course for ethnic colleges or general colleges, candidates can directly enter the undergraduate studies of the admission college after passing the exam. When enrolling students in ethnic preparatory classes, there is usually only a liberal arts and science. Except for special circumstances, the major is generally uncertain.

Type of Foundation Studies

The pre-scientific system for nationalities is usually one or two years, and the one-year system is often referred to as the national class; the two-year system is generally used for candidates who use national language answer sheets.

Foundation Studies Study Category

There are also two types of foundation studies: one is studying at the university during the preparatory phase and the normal study phase; the other is studying at another school that undertakes preparatory training at an external school. The preparatory examination is transferred to the school after passing the exam. Undergraduate study. The admissions and admissions of preparatory students are the responsibility of the admissions colleges themselves, and the entrusted training colleges are only responsible for the substitutive work. For example, the Central University for Nationalities is a daipei school in Beijing Foreign Studies University, Communication University of China and other institutions, and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications is a daipei school in Beijing Normal University and Beijing University of Chemical Technology. Among them, there are both universities and colleges in the province (districts and cities) and inter-provincial universities. For example, the preparatory students of the universities of Ji University and East China Normal University are represented by Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nankai University, Zhejiang University, and Xiamen University. The preparatory students were replaced by the Yellow River Institute of Science and Technology.

National Foundation Studies

It is understood that three basic points can be summarized (these three institutions with preparatory courses nationwide are common):

1. National identity. The preparatory course for ethnic minorities was set up to serve ethnic minorities. Therefore, the most important thing to apply for the ethnic preparatory classes is that their national identity must be a minority, and Han candidates are not eligible to apply, even if the candidates are Han candidates in areas where ethnic minorities live in compact communities.

2. Enrollment plan. The admission plans for ethnic minorities are all mandatory plans issued by the state, so not all schools have admission plans. Moreover, due to the nature of the foundation course, most of the provinces (autonomous regions and cities) where it is put in are regions where minority candidates are relatively concentrated. Candidates can check the preparatory admissions plan according to the local school admissions plan of the provincial provincial admission office. For example, Hunan Province has pre-assigned the admission plans for ethnic preparatory classes of colleges and universities affiliated to the central government to cities and prefectures. Therefore, it is still necessary to understand the province's preparatory admissions policies when filling in the preparatory volunteering.

3. College entrance examination score. According to the unified regulations of the Ministry of Education, candidates for minority preparatory courses are selected from high to low according to their willingness. Candidates must take the college entrance examination and the score must not be lower than 80 points (excluding ethnic care points) below the minimum admission line of the province (autonomous city) of the school that year.

In addition to the above three basic points, colleges and universities, especially some provincial universities, have their own rules on the details of admissions policies for preparatory students. These will be clearly reflected in the admissions regulations of various institutions, and candidates must understand them in a targeted manner.