Making the decision to attend university and enrol in a course can be difficult and you will no doubt have lots of questions that you need to find answers to. As an international student you might think that it is difficult to get this information, especially if you live on the other side of the world. However, you will find that universities want to answer your questions and try to make it as easy as possible for you to get in touch. Below is a simple guide on how you can contact a university and have your questions answered!
Open days
Open days are one of the best ways to get a feel for a campus. Attending an open day gives you the chance to see the town or city where the university is located, talk to current students, speak with tutors and lecturers, and learn about student services, scholarships and application processes. Universities will often have programmes specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and also for specific academic disciplines.
Campus tours
If you can’t attend an Open Day, campus tours are another great way to visit a campus, check out some of the facilities, learning spaces, and the grounds. Tours are sometimes open to the general public as well as potential students so might include a bit of history about the campus and its buildings. Tours are often run by students so it can be a good opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the student experience.
Web chats
For many international students, visiting a campus in Scotland might not be an option, especially if you don’t live in the UK. For this reason, some universities will arrange online chat forums where you can log on and ask questions about the university from the comfort of your own home. Different institutions will have various formats for these they might be called ‘online open days’ or ‘Virtual Chat events’.
University offices and representatives in your home country
Universities will usually have a large number of overseas offices or representatives. Often the representatives will be education agents who can give you information about the university and provide application advice. These will usually be listed on the institution’s website.
Education fairs
University staff frequently travel the world to attend education fairs and exhibitions where students and their families can get information and meet with university representatives. The British Council hold regular events all around the world but it is also worthwhile having a look on university websites as there are many other events throughout the year.
Social media
If you have a question for example about a particular course, the application process, or where to find certain information, it is likely that someone else will have the same question so why not send a tweet? Or ask a question on Facebook? Higher education institutions will certainly be on social media and chances are someone will be able to quickly point you in the right direction.