Encouraging your creativity Education UK Newsletter
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Heatherwick Studio Garden Bridge, Bridge London
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Imaginative ideas flourish in the UK; home to the world’s most innovative designers and engineers. For creative solutions, choose the UK. www.britishcouncil.org
What does a UK education offer you? UK courses give you the skills, qualifications and connections you need for your chosen career. UK qualifications are respected and valued by employers worldwide, giving you the edge when you are applying for jobs. The 2013/2014 QS World University Rankings found that employers worldwide consider UK graduates among the most ‘employable’ – from a global survey of 27,000 graduate employers, five UK universities were ranked in the top 10. One of the reasons why employers value UK qualifications is because of the focus on skills for the workplace. Many UK courses are designed in partnership with businesses and industry and are taught by industry professionals, so you will gain experience for your future career. Some courses give you the chance to do a work placement as part of your studies too, working for a business, charity or public sector organisation. The teaching style in the UK helps you to develop attributes that are in high demand from employers worldwide –
attributes such as creativity, innovation, teamwork and leadership. By studying in the UK you’ll also gain an international perspective, learn about new cultures and socialise with students and teachers from around the world – valuable experience for a career in an international company. Many careers require professional qualifications. The UK offers thousands of courses leading to internationallyrecognised qualifications in fields such as law, accountancy, medicine, engineering, childcare, teaching, marketing and more, to help you get ahead. English language skills are a real boost to your career prospects too. On a UK course, you will be immersed in the language and should find that your skills improve rapidly. You can choose courses specialising in business English, or even courses for specific careers, such as English for law, technology or engineering. Finding a job can be challenging. At UK schools, colleges and universities, you will find professional career advisers who can help you plan your career, and give you advice on how to look for work, prepare for interviews and write your CV.
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By studying in the UK you’ll also gain an international perspective, learn about new cultures and socialise with students and teachers from around the world.
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Siti Nurfateha Abdullah
Chevening Scholar 2014/2015 Masters in Anthropology of Development and Rights at Goldsmiths, University of London
WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY Why did you chose to study in London? I visited London once for holiday and fell in love with the city. The cultural diversity and the influx of art available everywhere was a motive for me to live there. What was interesting about your course and the university? I never once dreaded going to class because I had so much fun with my course. My university is politically active, so I witnessed a lot of debates on diversity and social justice. The anthropology intersection in my course on development and rights (which I learned is not exclusively for humans!) allowed me to think from a multidisciplinary angle. My programme had nine people. The small group allowed us to form working relationships with our lecturers and gave us the opportunity to have enjoyable discussions in seminars. We had one session where we talked 4
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about the rights of marine mammals; the debate got very heated. What were your best experiences while living and studying in the UK? After a decade of wanting to do stand-up comedy, I finally took the stage during my time in the UK. I went on stage once a week for four months at open-mic spaces to practise the art of stand-up comedy. Each week, I learned to perform under pressure, listened to the audience, and forced myself to better my material before going on stage again. It was exhilarating and stressful, and I loved every single second of it. Working with Arts Emergency Services, a charity that helps underprivileged London teens to enter the arts and humanities industries, was among the most valuable learning experience I have ever had. The charity gave me tasks to draw and craft every week, allowed
me to interact with artists, musicians, comedians, writers, and actors in the UK, as well as help students who are struggling with rising university fees and budget cuts on art centres. What was your time in the UK mostly spent on? I did a lot of things related to comedy! I went to stand-up comedy shows several times per week, performed stand-up comedy, travelled to a rural town in Wales to see comedians sort out their work-in-progress for a weekend, and spent ten days in Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is one of the biggest performance arts festivals worldwide. What advice would you give to students hoping to study in the UK? Finding the right university and course is absolutely crucial in order for you to have a beneficial experience, which is why you should carefully select the right place to go to. Don’t be shy to e-mail your course convener; they can be very helpful in making your final decision. It is also important to know what kind of environment you want to be in, whether you want to be in a city or closer to the countryside. Regardless where it is you choose, I do think that volunteering during your time in the UK will make it a more valuable experience.
University College London
Described by the Sunday Times as ‘an intellectual powerhouse with a worldclass reputation’, University College London (UCL) is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary universities, with an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching across the academic spectrum. UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top UK universities and in the top 10 universities worldwide. Currently we are 7th in the world, 3rd in Europe and 1st in London – QS World University Rankings.
UCL is London’s global university and is committed to finding solutions to major global challenges. We work in cooperation with many worldwide partners and global perspectives are embedded in the undergraduate and graduate degrees. UCL attracts talented staff and students from all over the world and about 37% of our students are from countries outside the UK, and from around 150 countries. They are welcomed for the different perspectives and diversity they bring to teaching and learning at UCL.
A WORLD LEADING UNIVERSITY/ IN THE HEART OF LONDON
UCL is located on a compact site in the heart of London and is surrounded by the greatest concentration of libraries, museums, archives and professional bodies in Europe. As well as enhancing your studies, living and studying in London offers unrivalled networking, career, social and leisure opportunities. UCL is committed to offering high levels of support to international students, and this includes academic support through the personal tutor system, accommodation advice, English language tuition and welfare support. UCL supports and enhances students’ future goals by developing their skills and employability. There is dedicated international student support as part of the UCL Careers service, and UCL Advances offers a huge range of ways to learn about, start or grow a business. For more information about what UCL can offer you, visit the international section of our website at www.ucl.ac.uk/ international.
Ranked 7th in the world QS World University Rankings 2015/16 Architecture, PlAnning And construction Arts And humAnities BrAin sciences educAtion engineering lAw
LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
life sciences mAthemAticAl And PhysicAl sciences medicine, dentistry, PhArmAcy And medicAl sciences PoPulAtion heAlth sciences sociAl And historicAl sciences / www.educationuk.org
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FINANCIAL TIPS FOR YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY AHEAD Prophet Muhammad SAW realised the importance of constantly seeking knowledge throughout everyone’s life. Pursuing higher education is also a life-lesson as you learn to be more self-dependent, which includes requiring you to be more financially aware. These are life-lessons you have to learn on top of your own push to get better grades. It is a balancing act and there is no better teacher than experience. Although there are no short-cuts, here are a few tips to help prepare you for your upcoming journey: Saving versus spending Understand what you need and what you don’t. This discipline teaches you to make real-life decisions such as whether or not you really do need a new pair of shoes. If possible, seek ways to also cut down on spending such as looking out for bargains and discount offers. Funds saved can be placed in an emergency fund or even for something special later on. Know where your money goes In between assignments, hanging out with friends, you’ll find that your money can instantly disappear. Avoid the usual routine of waiting until your allowance comes in, and plan your expenses properly. Set allocations for fixed expenses such as rent and utilities, while other leisure expenditures should be controlled. Should you have a large expense coming up, such as a holiday, be sure to start setting aside some funds early, and accumulate savings accordingly. Applications such as the BIBD Mobile or BIBD Online can also help you to monitor your account and track expenses. Watch out for Influential spending Those discounts can be quite deceiving. A promotion such as “buy six for the price of three” persuades your logic to part with your money and purchase more than what you really wanted. Watch out for these sales gimmicks and always be aware of what you really need. Also, be aware of your surroundings as peer pressure can affect your spending patterns, forcing you to blend in and spend as much as they have. Earn extra income If possible, to create a sense of independency, and also to allow you to spend a little bit more, you can try to get a part time job either during your free time or in-between semester breaks. It also creates a good opportunity to earn invaluable working experience. BIBD Education Financing Education is the best investment you can make; hence BIBD’s Education Financing is our solution for your education needs, either locally or internationally. With a financing amount of up to B$200,000, and a grace period payment plan (for overseas education only) of up to three years, you will be able to enjoy the best educational facilities anywhere. This will also include living expenses (for overseas education only) on top of the education expenses. The BIBD Education Financing can also be applied to cover fees for A’ Levels onwards to any higher education level. 6
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INtERNAtIONAL StudENtS COmE ANd StudY At uEA
tHE uNIVERSItY OF EASt ANGLIA WILL EquIP YOu WItH tHE quALItIES ANd SkILLS tHAt WILL SHAPE YOuR LIFE ANd CAREER uEA IS A PIONEERING BRItISH uNIVERSItY, HOmE tO 16,000 StudENtS. WE LEAd tHE WAY IN INNOVAtIVE tEACHING ACROSS A WIdE RANGE OF SuBjECtS, BRINGING BREAktHROuGH tHINkING INtO tHE CLASSROOm tO mAkE BRIGHt FutuRES ANd EmPLOYABLE GRAduAtES
COuLd uEA BROAdEN YOuR HORIZONS?
Start your journey today: www.uea.ac.uk/international/country/brunei 8
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SCHOLARSHIPS OF uP tO
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University of East Anglia The University of East Anglia (UEA) is an internationally renowned campus-based university, just 15 minutes away from the historic city of Norwich, situated in the East of England. We pride ourselves on our excellent rankings which currently place us firmly within the UK top 20 institutions (Times Higher Education Guide 2015) and the world top 150 (THE Rankings 2015). Our real focus is on student satisfaction with small class sizes leading to UEA being ranked 2nd in the UK in the recent Student Experience Survey. The University itself is located in 320 acres of parkland, two miles from the city. UEA is a leading member of the Norwich Research Park, making it home to 3,000 scientists and researchers in the
Hey! I’m Karen Lee and I’m currently a second year English Literature and Drama student in UEA. I am also the UEA Student Ambassador for Brunei. I chose UEA for its excellence in the LDC course and the fact that it allows me to do a joint degree. There is a flexible choice of modules and I can shape my degree to suit my interest and career aspirations. This is especially helpful as I plan to be a teacher and teach English Literature and Drama in the future. University is all about independence. I rely a lot on independent study and personal research. Having said that, we do get ample support from the school and academic advisor to ensure that we are heading towards the right track in our studies. UEA has a great support system for the
fields of environment, health and plant science. UEA is home to a truly international community living and working on a campus combining stunning modern architecture with wide green open spaces. Campus facilities include shops, music venues, the world famous Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts art galleries, libraries, cafes and a world class Sportspark. There are currently 19 Bruneian students at UEA studying a range of courses in Sciences, Computing, Pharmacy, Business, Media & Politics, and Law amongst others. Our Bruneian graduates do well and many are awarded with a 2:1 degree or higher when they leave.
UEA is in the top 20 universities in the UK and just recently has made it into the top 150 universities in the world.
Karen Lee
BA English Literature & Drama University of East Anglia
students and offers dedicated workshops on study skills, academic writing, use of English, among others, to help students study more effectively. When I first arrived at UEA, it reminded me very much of Brunei with its green scenery and peaceful atmosphere. And I love how safe Norwich is! I think safety is a priority. Being able to go out without feeling you’re in danger really helps with settling in a foreign country. UEA is a campus -based university and I think it really promotes a sense of community as you’ll be able to meet students from other schools. There is a plethora of societies that students can join, ranging from sports, academic, social to cultural. I find that joining societies is a great way to meet more people and learn
new things. And as a fitness enthusiast, UEA’s Sportspark is a remarkable indoor sports centre with excellent facilities at hand including an Olympic sized pool and a well-furnished gym. To those who are considering whether to pursue your studies at UEA, my advice is take into account UEA’s history and milestones and how it’s holding its ground against other universities that have existed longer than UEA has. UEA is in the top 20 universities in the UK and just recently has made it into the top 150 universities in the world. All in all, my two years here in UEA have been amazing. UEA and Norwich have a lot to offer to the students and I can’t imagine studying elsewhere.
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Choosing Actuarial Science in the UK What is Actuarial Science and why DID I choOse it? Actuarial Science is a course which applies mathematical knowledge and statistical method in order to assess the risks in insurance and finance industries. I have always been very interested in how mathematics is applied to real world situations. Undertaking an Actuarial Science degree and a postgraduate degree in Actuarial management have assisted me in broadening this interest. Throughout the course, I have been exposed to various specialisation such as Life Insurance, Risk Management, Finance and Investment, pensions, Statistics an Economics. Where do actuaries work in Brunei and what do they do? Actuaries are experts in risk management. They use their mathematical skills in order to measure the probability and the risk of the future uncertain events. This information is very useful to many industries, including healthcare, pensions, Insurance, Banking and investment, where a single decision can have a major financial impact. For example in insurance or takaful, Actuaries assess the risk and determine the price of the insurance. We also estimate the probability of an insurance claim as well as where to invest the premium received. Actuaries’ skills are in high demand particularly in investment, insurance and pensions. There are many areas where actuaries can work including 1. Government and consultant company
2. Insurance and Takaful companies 3. Banking and investments 4. Risk management 5. Global markets and security exchange 6. Corporate finance What is it like to be a student in the UK? To be a student in the UK really brings out my independent nature. I am able to be explorer and discover myself. It does test my ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem solve. How do you think you have benefited by studying abroad? By studying abroad, I have the opportunity to see the world. I have the experience of a brand new place, learn new culture and have the opportunity to immerse myself in a new language, and there is no better way to learn than to dive right in. After finishing my study and returning home, I am able to return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education and as well as willingness to learn in a new environment. I would say these are very attractive to future employers. What was your most memorable experience in the UK? One of the most memorable trips I have had was in London where I spent my first winter in the UK and being so many miles away from home. I have had the opportunity to see many historical buildings and architecture that was so breath taking. Some of these included
the Palace of the Westminster, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and many others. Besides these, I also paid a visit to the British Museum which consisted of a vast collection of world art and artifacts where I gained plenty of knowledge regarding human history and culture. It was such an exciting trip, as I have benefited so much in terms of knowing more about the past history and at the same time being able to make new friends. Moreover, I have seen the natural beauty of the UK too when I visited Lake District. It has been very well known for the mountainous region around North West England. In one of the towns called Bowness, I have had the chance to carry out some hiking to witness some of the most overwhelming sceneries in Lake District. Although having had the fact that it was a small town, there were still valuable experiences that I have gained for self enhancement. Furthermore, I have also seen the famous beauty of Scotland by living in the heart of Scotland, i.e. Edinburgh for 4 years now. I must say that Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities to live in, because there is so much being offered there in terms of culture, safety, the quality of higher education and the friendliness of the people here. What is your advice to prospective students? Study smart and try to learn something new every time. Believe in your dream, you will get it one day and don’t give up.
Arif Asnawi Leong
Master in Actuarial Management & Bacherlor of Degree in Actuarial Science Heriot-Watt University
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RANKED 4TH FOR STUDENT SATISFACTION
SMALL GROUP CULTURE Ranked 4th for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2015, Winchester is a popular choice amongst students.
(MORE TIME WITH TEACHERS, FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE)
Studying in the UK provides a great learning and teaching experience, and a degree that is recognised and highly valued worldwide. The University of Winchester allows you to do this in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.
Where to fin
@_UoW universityofwinchester
d us:
E N G LA N D
uniofwinchester
London Dover
Winchester
www.winchester.ac.uk/mobileapp
Southampton
Call our Brunei Office on: +673 2428658 or +673 7222092
Weymouth
LOCATED IN THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF WINCHESTER
Portsmouth
Folkestone
Calais
The English Channel
Le Havre rg ou rb Che www.educationuk.org 11 FR A N C E
The attractions of law It is no surprise why law remains a popular subject and places for law are always oversubscribed in most universities. Law affects every part of our lives. For example, the driving of a car on the road is governed by the law. Even the simple transaction of buying an item in a supermarket is a relationship with legal consequences. Specifically, the study of law is one that allows you to acquire a breadth of understanding and allows you to develop a skill set that will help you in your career. Skills such as critical thinking and problem solving are tested when one does a degree in law. You don’t have to be a lawyer once you complete a law degree. Many law degree holders find equally rewarding jobs in other sectors such as journalism, foreign affairs and even the business world. This is because the skill set earned from the study of law is easily transferable in many professions.
How to qualify as a lawyer in Brunei? In order to qualify as a lawyer in Brunei Darussalam i.e. to be able to be called to the Bar of Brunei Darussalam and practise as a lawyer, one has to comply with the provisions of the Legal Profession Act. Under Section 3 of the Act, any person who has qualified as a Barrister or a Solicitor in the United Kingdom or attained similar professional qualifications in Australia may be called to the Bar in Brunei Darussalam. Some qualifying degrees in Malaysia as well as the local law degree at Universiti Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) are also accepted for admission into the Brunei Bar. If you are pursuing your law degree in the United Kingdom, you will need to complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and be called to an Inns of Court or complete the Legal Practice Course if you intend to pursue the Solicitors route. It is important to note that unlike the United Kingdom, Brunei’s legal system does distinguish between a Barrister and a Solicitor. Rather lawyers in Brunei are able to pursue both kinds of work, that is Court Advocacy as well as other roles practised by solicitors in the UK e.g. Contract drafting, Negotiation, Conveyancing. The preferred route to becoming a lawyer in Brunei Darussalam from the United Kingdom is to complete an undergraduate law degree followed by the Bar Professional Training Course, which is a one-year intensive course, equipping you with the skills to be a practising advocate. 12
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For those that want to qualify as a practising lawyer but are not in possession of an undergraduate law degree, one must undertake a law conversion course. The common professional examination (CPE) and the graduate diploma in law (GDL, sometimes referred to as GDip) are intensive one year courses that equip non-lawyers with the basics of legal education to enable them to undertake the BPTC and LPC following successful completion. Therefore, just because you studied History or International Relations at undergraduate level, it does not stop you from having a legal career. A Masters of Law (LLM) does NOT allow you to fulfil the qualifiying requirements in Brunei Darussalam but may enhance your specialization in a certain area of expertise in the law. It is a purely academic degree that does not provide for admission into legal practice. Whilst the bar is necessary for being able to practice in Brunei as a lawyer and appear in the Courts of Brunei Darussalam, those without a BPTC qualification may still find employment in financial institutions or various government departments. The skills of a lawyer are always in demand! Nevertheless, one must be aware that the job market is increasingly competitive with many applicants for a single position in some instances. A practicing qualification like the BPTC will definitely enhance one’s chances of employment.
What are the work options for law graduates? In Brunei Darussalam, there are many options for law graduates. The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) is the main Government Legal Service Provider and is constantly recruiting lawyers into its workforce. An AGC lawyer has the opportunity to represent the government in many aspects whether as a prosecutor in Court bringing a case on behalf of the state, negotiating a contract on behalf of the Government of Brunei or even representing Brunei in discussions on the latest international treaty on a transnational issue like climate change. For more information about the Attorney General’s Chambers, please check out their website at www.agc.gov.bn Employment opportunities are also available in: • Other Government Ministries and Departments • Statutory Boards (Brunei Economic Development Board, Authority for Info Communication Technology Industry [AITI) • Government Linked Companies (Brunei Petroleum, Darussalam Assets) • Financial Institutions (Banks) There are also private law firms which are constantly recruiting. They undertake a range of work such as litigation, criminal defence work, family law and the drafting of contracts between private individuals and companies, amongst others.
What are the specialisations (new or emerging areas) of law needed in Brunei?
marrying of various disciplines, all of which are necessary for the complete understanding of this complex area of law.
Intellectual Property Law With the increasing importance of knowledge as a driving force of innovation and economic growth worldwide, IP rights are becoming central to the modern economy. As matters relating to the protection of ideas play an important role in the fields of science, technology, business and the arts, the need for expertise in intellectual property issues increases. Intellectual Property law examines the protection of inventions, products, trademarks, creative works and designs. Copyrighted works such as songs, movies and video games are protected by numerous rules and regulations.
Criminal Law There is always a demand for criminal lawyers as new areas of crime emerge in our daily lives. With borders becoming more accessible, more transnational crimes have emerged and legal experts are required to deal with new crime types such as Cybercrime, Trafficking in Persons and Corruption. Not only do such lawyers go to court to prosecute cases concerning these issues but they play an important role in guiding policy and looking into international legal agreements to tackle and combat these criminal activities.
Banking and Finance Law In light of changing global economic circumstances and recent financial crises, more regulations have been enacted to govern the banking and finance industry. The field of finance and banking is also diverse with many different components such as securities and stock market laws, mergers and acquisitions and insolvency. With new developing areas such as Islamic Finance, there are many opportunities for specialization in this diverse area of law. Environmental Law Environmental law is one of the most challenging fields that has grown very rapidly over the past decades and is now one of the key areas of both domestic and international law. Not only do governments have to ensure they comply with the international agreements governing areas such as climate change and biodiversity, but the private sector and corporations are also now governed by environmental regulations that affect the way they conduct business. Energy Law / Oil and Gas Law Oil and gas activities or Energy Policy in general involves a combination of legal, economic and environmental issues, all of which are necessary for individuals involved in these sectors to have a thorough understanding of. In these sectors there is often a gap in the combination of legal, environmental and economic expertise. With Brunei Darussalam’s main export being oil and gas and the general search in the world for more renewable sources of energy, work in this area allows the
What is the government / AGC doing to attract more students to take up A law degree? Legal skills are very much sought after in Brunei Darussalam. As such, scholarships are still being offered for law under the various scholarship schemes in Brunei Darussalam. Besides this, The Government of Brunei Darussalam has now introduced a local law degree where students get to study both Civil law and Syariah law subjects at Universiti Sultan Sharif Ali. The AGC continues to make efforts in order to attract students into a career in law. Students in Brunei Darussalam who have completed their 'A' levels or on university semester breaks are invited and encouraged to come for an attachment programme at the AGC. If you’re interested in reading law or want to know more of what a career in law is like, the best way to find out is to do work attachment. A work attachment, which will allow you to shadow counsels in the AGC, will expose you firsthand to a lawyer’s daily work. This attachment programme has received much positive response from those who have already gone through it with some wanting to come back again! The AGC encourages those interested in pursuing a career in law to write in to us for an attachment programme at: Attorney General’s Chambers The Law Building Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bandar Seri Begawan, BA1910 Brunei Daruss alam
Mr Christopher Ng MING YEW Counsel & Deputy Public Prosecutor, AGC
The AGC has also provided a number of career talks to students in schools and educational institutions all over Brunei Darussalam concerning careers in law. In 2015, the Honourable Attorney General herself and a team of officers from AGC conducted a careers briefing session in Brunei Hall for law degree students in the UK, organised by the Brunei Students Unit. What advice would you give to students wishing to read law? Get the Grades – Subject Choice at 'A' Level does not matter as much as people think it does. The important thing is to score well in the subjects you study to attain the grades to get yourself into a good law school! Be Patient – the skills that you need to survive a law degree take time to be nurtured and developed. Be prepared to learn from trial and error Do an attachment programme – whether in the government or private sector, hands on experience with real life lawyers will open your eyes as to whether you want to do this job for the rest of your life Learn to Love the Law – It can at times be a tough relationship with essays, exams, deadlines but keep your eye on the prize – your law degree. Don’t forget to have fun, ask questions and interact with your peers in similar situations. You will find that it will be an enriching experience which builds your character! British Council thanks the Attorney-General’s Chamber for contributing this article. 13
SHAKESPEARE LIVES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
The Sam Wanamaker Festival 2015 at Shakespeare's Globe. Photo by Cesare De Giglio. 14
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Trivia on
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of our civilisation, turned 450 years old last 2014 ... and 2016 is the 400th anniversary of his death. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire in 1564, Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets and many other poems before his death in 1616. Shakespeare invented lots of expressions that we still use today. Below is a selection of popular expressions. • ‘Heart of gold’ (Henry V) • ‘Wild-goose chase’ (Romeo and Juliet) • ‘Brave new world’ (The Tempest) • ‘Faint-hearted’ (Henry IV part 1) • ‘Break the ice’ (The Taming of the Shrew) • ‘For goodness’ sake’ (Henry VIII) • ‘Knock knock! Who’s there?’ (Mcabeth) • ‘Love is blind’ (The Merchant of Venice) The word ‘love’ appears 2,191 times in the complete works. The number is based on the 1864 Globe Edition – the amount could vary slightly from edition to edition. Altogether, there are
28,829 unique word forms in all of Shakepeare’s works, and 12,493 occur only once. You can find more text statistics at Open Source Shakespeare. The most popular name from a Shakespeare play used today is Olivia. According to the list of most popular US and British baby names in 2014. Olivia is the name of a character in Twelfth Night. Shakespeare was the first person to use the name with this spelling. Romeo and Juliet has been performed in 24 countries in the last ten years. The play has been performed in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Korean, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Finnish, Russian,Dutch, Estonian, Czech, Hebrew, Ukrainian, and Romanian. These performances include musicals, ballets and puppet shows. Visit www.shakespearelives.org and join us for events and activities celebrating Shakespeare’s work. In 2016 we’re marking the 400th anniversary of his death.
For more information contact: international-office@bristol.ac.ukwww.educationuk.org
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Kamaliah Fadhilah Haji Ibrahim
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) – BPP College of Law Bachelor of Law – King’s College London Currently taking the Diploma in Syariah Course in UNISSA
Why did you choose your course and university? To be honest I didn’t grow up knowing that I wanted to be a lawyer and yet here I am today working in the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) having passed the BPTC. So how did I end up choosing to read law? I would have to thank my father for that. During my A-Levels, I was undecided as to what course to take, funnily enough though my father is not a lawyer but to him law was a subject every person should take. If anyone asked his opinion as to what course to take the answer would be a firm and definitive: “LAW”. So I looked it up and decided law was something I could see myself doing, so I did it. First and foremost, it was something I could read that could be used to help my family and friends. As to the university, I suppose I could say it chose me. I had no idea about the existence of King’s College London whilst doing my A-Levels but one day I saw their magazine in my school’s common room, took one look at it and said “this one is for me”. It was just my luck that it so happened that they had a well-established law course as well so that was settled.
How did you prepare for your applications to universities? Those who know me as I am today wouldn’t believe me when I say I was a shy kid. I wasn’t one to speak much in public, so once I knew I wanted to study law I slowly started to put myself out there by running
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THE LAW GRADUATE
Before attending university I didn’t have any work experience. It was only during my 2nd year in university did I do a 2-week attachment with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) where I ended up working.
Course in Singapore in January 2014 where I was able to upgrade my prosecution skills as well as compare Brunei’s system to another common law jurisdiction with many similarities. I was also part of the delegation headed by the Honourable Solicitor General in August 2014 when my Office attended the Asia Pacific Asset Recovery Interagency Network (ARIN-AP) where issues concerning financial crime and how to take away profits from criminals were discussed. It opened my eyes to the fact that criminals are motivated by profit and going after their funds is the way forward if we are going to address transnational crime
Tell us about your career – what are you doing now, and what is it like?
In addition to that, I am also doing a 2-year Diploma in Syariah in UNISSA as a part-time student.
for house captain etc. and just getting some confidence. I’d like to think that maybe this reflected in my personal statement which might have had a part in being accepted into my chosen university.
Did you do any work experience, internships or part-time jobs while you were a student?
I am currently working in the Criminal Justice Division of the Attorney General’s Chamber (AGC) since 2014. Being in this line of work keeps you on your toes, a hectic day would consist of dealing with enforcement agencies such as the police, running from one Court to another, witness interviews, conducting trials and daydreaming about when I will be getting my next coffee fix. There is always something new and exciting with this job, from knowing the ins and outs of high profile cases to knowing that Brunei is a safer place having brought criminals to Court to face justice. As my job often entails appearing in Court, I get to create a Court persona that is different from my everyday self. I’ve had the opportunity to travel abroad with my work. I was fortunate enough to attend a Prosecution
But despite the hectic craziness, I am so thankful for the people I work with because they make up for all the craziness that happens at work.
What skills did you gain, that helped to kickstart your career? Aside from the analytical and argumentative skills that I learned and picked up at bar school, it was more about mentally preparing myself to accept any challenges head on and to be open minded to try and welcome new experiences. A positive attitude is everything in achieving what you want and skills is something you will pick up and develop along the way. Oh lastly, I should add that if you want to know more about life as a Lawyer in the Attorney General’s Chamber, you are more than welcome to do an attachment with us!
Making the best of your student life by being proactive One of the most useful pieces of advice I’ve received before leaving for the UK is that of a former tutor of mine who says that I should constantly endeavor to seize and make the best of the endless opportunities that are presented in the UK to broaden my horizons. As a student, one of the best ways to begin scouting for opportunities is by involving yourself in different student societies. Normally, there are all sorts of societies at university that cater to different interests of the student body. Get involved in as many of them as you possibly can. I myself have become a member of several different societies ranging from the Outdoors society to the TED x society to SPiKL (a language exchange society). I am also the incumbent Vice-President of the Brunei-York society and also the Vicepresident of the International Students’ Association (ISA) which is a branch of the student union at my university. Moreover, I am in the pursuit of founding my own society entitled the Asean-York society with the aim: to foster a vibrant and integrated Asean community here
at York, such that as a whole, we can play an active part in contributing to the larger Asean community-building effort that is happening miles away in our home region. Through my involvement in different societies I have been able to gain new skills and hone my existing ones such as my leadership skills, teamwork skills, interpersonal skills, etc. whilst also benefitting from new experiences and making friends with people from all walks of life. One piece of advice that I would gladly impart to new students is to be proactive. Being proactive, or in other words an ‘allrounder’, basically means that you are capable of juggling both academia and curricular activities on both hands and this mostly requires you to be highly disciplined and efficient with the time and energy that you invest in both your academic work and societies. By doing exactly so, I’ve managed to bag an upper second class in my first year whilst being involved in many different societies. I believe that being a proactive pupil will
Ak Md Syafi Al Waly Pg Abu Bakar BA (Hons) Politics with International Relations University of York
pay off as it not only will reflect well on any CV, but it also means that you can potentially become a valuable asset to both your university and ultimately Brunei, as one of the sultanate’s main vision of 2035 is to produce a welleducated and highly-skilled people to spearhead a dynamic and sustainable economy. Additionally, being a student in the UK entails being independent as you learn to live without your family being by your side. You will potentially pick up a number of ‘life skills’ from this experience alone, such as learning how to cook, learning how to do the dishes and laundry, learning how to pay the house rent, etc, all of which would ensure a smooth transition to the life of adulthood!
What’s MY recommendation on: Places to shop. The Trafford Centre in Manchester Must-try restaurant or cafe or dish. The world renowned Betty’s Tea room in York Outdoor activities. Kayaking at Lake District Places to visit (in the UK). Cambridge The ultimate, die-die must try in the UK. Tazza Kebab, Bayswater, London www.educationuk.org
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THE BRUNEIAN UK MASTERS EXPERIENCE Having developed an interest in starting up a business after finishing my BEng course in Mechanical Engineering at UCL, London in 2012, I decided to pursue a Masters course in UCL once again, focusing this time on business studies. The course I undertook was the MSc Technology Entrepreneurship. My reason for the choice of the post grad course and at UCL of all places again was due to my desire of wanting to take advantage of UCL’s great reputation as a student business hub and being immersed in London’s vibrant tech startup scene. My Masters course was unique in the sense that it was both an academic course and a startup incubator. The course not only taught my fellow batch mates and me how to startup and manage a business from a theoretical view, but it also gave us the opportunity to put what we have learnt to good use as well. On top of that, we also had the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs in London’s startup scene as well as meet with potential business mentors and investors. We also had access to startup spaces such as IDEA London, Google Campus London and other London accelerators as well. Outside of my studies, I had also participated in startup competitions such as the London Entrepreneurs’ Challenge and I have pitched for money to fund my own startup project. I also at one point took time out to volunteer in the organizing of the London Lean Startup Machine in 2014, a seminar that teaches budding entrepreneurs how to startup a business through validated learning and quick experimentation. Currently I am the Executive Director 18
Education UK
for a local Bruneian oil and gas service provider, with additional responsibilities as the Regional Business Development Manager for the South East Asia region (ASEAN). I am now working to set up a company in Singapore to help my company expand its services to the region. While doing business outside of Brunei as a foreigner is tough, the skills and experience I gained from my Masters course allowed me to quickly adapt and build my business and networking connections there. My plans for the next two years are to aggressively market and establish a strong local business presence in some parts of ASEAN. I am also currently acting as a country ambassador for the UCL MSc Technology Entrepreneurship course for Brunei, with the main aim of playing a role in developing the nation's young entrepreneurial talent. My top tips for future students going to the UK is to forge good connections and friendships and make as many international friends as possible. The UK is the best place to build your global connections, connections that may one
Asher J Khan
BEng Mechanical Engineering & MSc Technology Entrepreneurship University College London
day help you in your career or personal life. Establish a bond with your mentors and lecturers too as they can help you and also get you connected to others who can help you out. And lastly, do not be afraid to make mistakes. University is the best time to immerse yourself in new experiences and learn as much as you can while you are at it. At the end of the day, living a full and happy life is a continuous learning process.
Useful Websites British Council
AMBA
www.britishcouncil.org
Association of MBAs www.mbaworld.com
Education UK www.educationuk.org
Education Quality Assurance Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA)
British High Commission, Brunei https://www.gov.uk/government/world/brunei
GOV.UK
The best place to find UK government services and information www.gov.uk
www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/ Research Excellence Framework (REF) – the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions Unistats – the official website for comparing UK higher education course data www.unistats.com
Register of Approved Sponsors (Tier 4)
This is a list of organisations licensed to sponsor migrants under Tier 4 of the Points-based System
International English Language Testing (IELTS)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-oflicensed-sponsors-students
www.ielts.org
UCAS
Central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges www.ucas.com
Information on English Language assessment
UKCISA
UKCISA provides free advice and information to international students studying in the UK www.ukcisa.org.uk
Prepare for success List of boarding and day schools in the UK
An interactive web learning tool for international students
Searching for a boarding school that matches your needs
www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk
www.ISC.co.uk www.ukboardingschools.com www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk
Accommodation
Council for Independence Further Education (CIFE)
Unipol Housing provides student accommodation directly to around 2,000 students including 194 students, families in self-catering provision
CIFE is the professional association for independent sixth-form colleges
www.unipol.org.uk
www.cife.org.uk
Youth Hostels Association (YHA) provides list of youth hostels throughout UK
Graduate Management Admission Council
Provider of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) www.mba.com
www.yha.org.uk
Visit Britain
Comprehensive directory of tourist information on Britain www.visitbritain.com
www.educationuk.org
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Map out your future Education UK exhibition 2016 21 February 2016, 2pm – 7pm Indera Samudra Grand Hall, The Empire Hotel • • • • •
Meet representatives from 40 UK colleges and universities Network with UK graduates as they share their UK experience Scholarships & financial packages available Find out about study abroad opportunity Attend free seminars
Pre-register at https://bn.edukexhibition.org and stand a chance to win a SMART TV* *Terms and conditions apply.
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Education UK
www.educationuk.org