About Hands On
Hands On Education Consultants is an official representative of over 100 universities and more than 50 language schools in the UK and Ireland. We also provide consulting services for further education in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
We have 5 branches: Silom (Head Office), Chidlom, Pinklao, Rama 2, and Chiang Mai.
Hands On Education Consultants provides free complete education consulting services.
Ranging from:
Consulting on finding suitable courses and universities that meet learners’ needs.
Helping with application submission
Tracking application status
Preparing documents for visa application (exclusively for students who accept their offers though Hands On)
We also organize various activities to help preparing our students for their abroad study without charging any fee. For example, we hold a pre-departure event to help students to get ready before their departure. We also organize the UK networking party, a great opportunity for students to meet new friends who are going to the same university and others.
Moreover, we can also provide consulting services on housing and plane ticket bookings.
Currently, Hands On Education Consultants provides consulting services for further education in the UK and Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Singapore.
Hands On Education Consultants is an official representative of over 100 universities and more than 50 language schools in the UK and Ireland.
With over 10 years of experiences, Hands On has helped over 8,000 Thai students who pursued their further education in the UK through our team of consultants who graduated with a master’s degree from the UK. Additionally, our team also visit the universities we represent regularly, so we always have accurate information.
We realise that studying in the UK is an investment; therefore, we provide information and consultation in detail. This allows you to make your decision based on your own needs freely. Most importantly, all of our services and activities are free.
Choosing the right course and the right university, tracking application status, contacting universities overseas as well as other steps and processes after getting offers may take up a lot of your time or cause you to miss out good opportunities.
To ensure that your plans meet your expectations and to manage things accurately and timely, Hands On Education Consultants can aid you through these important processes as well as other unforeseen situations and problems successfully with our experiences and expertise in many areas such as booking accommodations, applying for visa, preparing prior departure, and getting to know new friends who are going to the same university along with meeting with the seniors through our various activities. All of our services are free.
Studying in the UK
The quality of teaching and research–the UK government inspects the quality of education and research in every public university. This guarantees that the UK provides the best quality assurance for higher education.
English Language –After graduating from the UK, your English skills will certainly be improved. This will benefit your work and daily life in the future.
Teaching Approach— In the UK, the teaching focuses on thinking process and learning skill development. Students have to participate in classes and are involved in different research topics. Each course will help students to develop skills in exchanging knowledge continuously. These skills play a crucial role in your future work life.
Shorter Courses – In the UK, courses are shorter than other countries meaning that you can be qualified with your degree and go back to apply the knowledge in your career within a shorter amount of time. This benefit makes studying in the UK more economical.
Although, every university is funded and inspected by the government, there are differences between “Old Universities” and “Young Universities”. Old universities were built before 1992 with an aim to focus on teaching and research. These universities normally received high ranking scores in public assessments as well as other rankings. The number of teachers and staffs is also higher reflecting higher quality of knowledge and education. This results in higher tuition fees and admission requirements.
Young Universities are generally vocational colleges or colleges that were approved as universities in 1992 from the UK government. These universities are renowned for their professional skills trainings and they focus more on preparing students for their businesses rather than focusing on research. Often that teachers and staffs do not hold a doctoral degree in the subject they are teaching; however, they have years of experiences in businesses and industries to share and exchange with students. Their tuition fees and admission requirements may be slightly lower and there are courses which are open in January as well.
Undergraduate Degree- the average amount of time needed to complete a bachelor’s degree is three years. There are different types of bachelor’s degrees offered including Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degrees, and Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Postgraduate Degree- there are many courses offered. The most popular courses are taught masters degrees and research masters degrees.
Taught Masters Degrees
Postgraduate Degree (MA, MSc, LLM) –the average time needed to complete the course is 1 year. This involves 2 semesters of teaching and a dissertation.
Postgraduate Diploma/ Postgraduate Certificate (PGDip / PGCert) —generally the courses offered are the same as masters degrees, but students are not required to write a dissertation. However, in some courses, students are allowed to write a dissertation in order to obtain a master’s degree.
Research
The abbreviation of doctoral degree is PhD which is the highest level of education. The degree depends on your thesis. If you are interested, please feel free to consult with Hands On team on submitting an application and finding your supervisor.
Higher education in the UK requires shorter time because the structure of the education system in the UK encourages students to choose the subjects they prefer since high school; therefore, students already have expertise in the courses they select.
Undergraduate education aims to encourage students to develop further expertise in the same subject area they have previously studied.
Postgraduate education is designed to build on the knowledge obtained at undergraduate degree level. Therefore, generally, many universities require students to have basic knowledge or prior work experiences in the subject area.
Teaching methods in the UK are different from many counties as students are encouraged to learn independently rather than relying on teachers in the classroom. At all levels of higher education, you have to do self-study. That is to spend time in the library and research about your subjects on the internet. You have to analyse and review your research results and then give analytical opinions which go beyond reporting your findings. You also have to actively participate in class by sharing your ideas and giving your suggestions in group discussions. If you disagree with what has been said or what has been read, you should argue. However, do not forget that you have to argue for your opinions and research results academically.
Yes. For Thai students, you need a student visa.
Application Submission
Education in the UK is renown in its standard and teaching method. It is also most known for difficult entry process. The key is a complete and thorough application form to ensure a chance of consideration from your preferred university.
3 main criteria of application.
Education background
English proficiency
Work experience or relevant experience such as personal achievement or specialization.
Keep in mind that all the information provided in the application is what the University will receive and know about you. All of the information will be used to determine whether or not you will get a spot at studying in your desired university.
Documents to be submitted with application are including
1. Transcript – Certificate and evidence to your past education. It should state clearly your GPA and the grading system or Criteria. If the study hasn’t yet been finalized, a certificate letter of your most current term is required.
2. English proficiency test result – Usually IELTS for UKVI score is used. (State clearly if you have taken the test but are expecting the result)
3. Letter of recommendation – 2 copies of letter of recommendation are required. One of which must come from the instructor from your current university. (A specific form is provided by some off the university)
4. Statement of Purpose – A self-introductory essay explaining reasons behind your course choice.
5. CV – A brief personal profile stating your past work experience or other relevant useful information.
6. Scholarship entitlement. Relevant documents should be provided in case you receive scholarship,
All documents should be in English. Copied documents with signed signature should be used as a substitute in case original documents cannot be provided.
In general universities required IELTS Academic and UKVI test results which test all 4 skills that are listening, speaking, reading and writing. (Criteria are depending on each course and university)
If English test result is under minimum requirement, students can take Pre-sessional course with a condition that IELTS for UKVI test result must submit to the university.
Tips: Hands On Education Consultants recommends students to take IELTS for UKVI.
There are other types of English test that UK universities accept such as TOEFL, Pearson English test but these tests are only equivalent to IELTS Academic which means most universities won’t consider these results for Pre-sessional course.
Other than that, there is “TOEIC 4 Skills” test which equivalent to IELTS for UKVI. However, there is no place in Thailand that offer TOEIC 4 Skills test.
There are many courses for international students who need to improve and prepare their English and academic skills such as;
Pathway Program – A bachelor’s degree preparatory course for international students.
Pre-master Program – A master’s degree preparatory course for international students.
MRES and MPHIL Programs – A PHD preparatory course for international students.
Tips: Reach out to Hands On Education Consultant team to find the most suitable course for you.
Pre-sessional Course is an English preparation course for international students with lower-than-required English test result. The courses range in length from 4-12 weeks depending on the test score of each student. Average course fee is between 700-1000 Ponds for 4 weeks depending on the university.
Most university in the UK are more flexible and often don’t specify the closing date. However, popular courses are often flooded with applications which results to courses being filled up quickly.
Tips: Hands On Education Consultants strongly recommends students to send in their application as early as possible. Even without English test result, students can send in application first then submit English test result afterward.
Generally, each university takes about 2-6 weeks to consider applications. The duration vary from each university.
*It takes longer for universities to consider PhD applications.
When the decision is made universities will then send application result to applicants. Results can be divided into 3 categories below;
Unconditional Offer
When receive this unconditional offer applicants must choose the condition that you want after that go on to “accept” the offer to confirm your place with the university and then arrange accommodation and visa application respectively.
Conditional Offer
A university offer with conditions set such as a submission of English Test result as per university standard or a certain academic result in case of applicants’ unfinished degree.
*After submitting all the required documents, applicants will then receive Unconditional Offer from university.
Rejection – Application being rejected.
The most essential document for PhD applicants to UK universities is Proposal Paper. Applicants must portray thesis and research guideline in a 1500-2000 wording Proposal Paper that should include following information;
A clear explanation of the course research you want to pursue outlining the problem of the topic and topic scaling. It is probably a good starting point to work on your research topic.
Demonstrate your studies evidence of researchers, literature review and how your research can help and push the knowledge forward.
Describe your research problems scope, hypothesis and research methodology. Explanation of the method may include framework, technique, procedure and timescale because quantitative and observation researches can take up a lot of time to collect data.
Accommodation in the UK
The 2 main types of accommodation in the UK are university accommodation and private accommodation.
University accommodations are owned and managed by the university both on and off campus.
Private accommodations are the ones that owned by private companies or providers including student accommodation and rental apartments.
Share Room Facilities – A room with shared restroom, bathroom, kitchen and other common areas with other students.
Ensuite – A room that comes with private bathroom but shared kitchen.
Studio – A self-contained room with private bathroom and kitchen.
Tips: Hands On Education Consultants can help students arrange accommodation through both universities and private sectors that are our partners. This service is free of charge.