Which universities do Dubai kids attend in UK? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Which universities do Dubai kids attend in UK?

143
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 13:44

Hi ladies

A lot of ppl seem to complain of the low standard of schools here, saying that when kids return to their home country they are often behind their peers. But no-one seems to discuss which universities those who complete their schooling here are admitted to.

I would love to know more about this and would really appreciate if any mums with older kids could share their experiences.

Which unis were your kids admitted to? And how about their peers? Obvously it would also be helpful to know which schools they attended here in Dubai.

TIA x

1511
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 20:39
I work in a Secondary school here in Dubai, have had 2 children write the IB and I can guarantee you that teachers do not write the students coursework for them. They would never in a million years have the time to do so and ethically never would do so. As CP says please give the students and schools here some credit! This is one of the reasons one of the teachers i knew left a school here, knew it was going on and ethically just could not be part of it.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 20:27
I am a teacher and can only speak of what I have seen first hand, shocking as it is. I am not saying that it always happens and nor am I saying that none of the students or schools deserve any credit. Am I being told that there is a problem with my eyesight?
Anonymous (not verified)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 20:19
I work in a Secondary school here in Dubai, have had 2 children write the IB and I can guarantee you that teachers do not write the students coursework for them. They would never in a million years have the time to do so and ethically never would do so. As CP says please give the students and schools here some credit!
2043
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 20:10
Cousrework is sadly often basically written by the teachers and then rewritten in the students' own handwriting and the boards obviously turn a blind eye to it....depends on the ethics of the school/staff...By saying this I am not suggesting that students don't deserve to be where they are...here are exceptions to every rule... Good lord, the teachers in Dubai must all be bionic if they are re-writing everything, give the students a tiny bit of credit - what a load of cr*p! Truly I refuse to post another word on this subject, it's getting sillier by the hour.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 19:28
I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. It is not all about grades with Oxford - or any of the Universities come to that! I know excellent students from both DC and high level private UK schools ( eg with 5 A* in A levels) who have not been offered a place by Oxford or Cambridge - mind boggling...there is so much issue with $$$$$$$$ right now that Unis in the UK will pick and choose according to budget as well as other factors. Some students from here do get home status while others do not. It all varies from person to person and even from Uni to Uni. It is going to get even worse! So you need to be prepared - kids need to get the best grades they can, make appropriate choices and if they are a bit borderline, you may consider applying as an International Student as your chance of getting an offer are likely to be higher! It will hit your wallet though! @ OP surely it depends on your child's type of background and possibly your home country? I spoke to a friend the other day she said that Oxford don’t even take grades into consideration (most people applying would have achieved top grades) anymore as its so easy to pass A levels the results are meaningless. They go on the interview, whether they play an instrument and extracurricular pursuits A Uk student can attend an Oxbridge interview, with top GCSE & A level results, with the ability to speak other languages, have D OF E gold, play instruments, plus plus and still do not get accepted at Oxbridge. It is the overseas students who pay the full cost of the course who are 'winning' the places! All UK Universities have a limit on how many overseas students they can take, it is not limitless.[/quotes My (recent) experience is that the unis can take as many overseas students as they like...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 19:25
Thanks again. Does anyone else know of universities attended in the UK (or elsewhere) by kids having completed IB or A Levels in Dubai? It's up to the individual schools to release results and where leavers go, very few appear to do that here. A few name the handful of students who gained good grades and imply all sorts without actually publishing purified statistics. Other schools like DC actually show results and where leavers go. Statistics however as regards exam results can be quite obtuse leading the reader to a conclusion that may not actually be accurate. This is quite a trick used in the UK as well. Very few schools in the UK have a high Oxbridge rate, those schools are known to have a good relationship with Oxbridge and their students will have an advantage. edited by Sticky Wicket on 18/03/2011 This used to be the case SW, but not any more - possible still stands for Eton, harrow Certain schools do still have relationships with Oxbridge and prepare students for entrance and still have high Oxbridge rates. Mind those schools do have a greater number of "brighter" students. Ie St Pauls, Westminster.[/quote You are right, but I think the number of schools who have the special relationship is reducing.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 17:12
Somehow, it's [i'>always[/i'> about maids... To go back on topic - and this is only anecdotal, from friends working in university admissions - my sense is that some ME schools are looked at with a certain amount of scepticism, as pale imitations of long-established UK schools set up as cash-cows for an expat market perceived to be undiscerning and only borrowing the famous name etc. Never a truer word spoken. http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Education/documents/2007/09/20/100topoxbridge.pdf Couldnt find any info on int schools. prob dont have thet many going to Unis like Oxford.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 16:31
Simpleasabc - to answer your earlier question... I can only speak for my own subject (history) at Oxford, but what tutors are looking for is a real commitment and enthusiasm for their chosen subject, demonstrated to a high intellectual level. This will probably involve extra reading or activity and most importantly the ability to use that knowledge in a convincing and intellectual way: to be able to muster and use information to support a point of view and not simply regurgitate facts. Nobody gets in to Oxford without interviews and it is these interviews - 1:1 with a formidably clever tutor, that sorts out the average A student from those with that something extra. There are so many straight A students now that you have to differentiate them somehow. As spongemonkey points out, today's "a" level students do still work extremely hard, but grade inflation kind of gives the impression that they are brilliant, because they have always got top marks, then they get to a place like Oxford and all of a sudden it's a whole different ball game. Oh, sorry, I'd somehow assumed you were talking about selection for interviews. With so many students getting outstanding results and excelling in extracurricular activities of all kinds, I wonder how they are able to select people for interview? I've heard rumours that Oxbridge are considering reverting to the old system of an entrance exam, because it is so difficult to select good candidates.
141
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 16:07
Somehow, it's [i'>always[/i'> about maids... To go back on topic - and this is only anecdotal, from friends working in university admissions - my sense is that some ME schools are looked at with a certain amount of scepticism, as pale imitations of long-established UK schools set up as cash-cows for an expat market perceived to be undiscerning and only borrowing the famous name etc.
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 15:55
I'm impressed at how this has turned into a thread about maids ;)
521
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 14:40
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011 All kidding aside I agree that things are very unfair and no wonder that our English neighbours get so upset. We will have free prescriptions next month while the cost goes up to 7 quid down south!!?? Are we really? Didn't know that. If we wanted to be mean we could really start on what happened to all the money from our oil, but that is another topic for another day. I am going off to do my housework. :) You need to get yourself a maid then you could chat longer! :D Can I pay her DHS650 a month and give her left overs to eat? Is it any wonder my DS won't eat left overs, he must be reading the EW maids threads. :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:45
I have never heard as much as a rumour that anyone re-wrote anything at DAA, if anyone could copy my DD's handwriting they'd be very gifted!! No CP you are missing the point, and not suggesting DAA by any means. Have heard and it should be noted heard that work can sometimes be corrected/looked at by a teacher and suggestions made for for the re written version as first draft too poor. Also heard of scertain subject areas where parents helped out a bit on course work! LOL Cousrework is sadly often basically written by the teachers and then rewritten in the students' own handwriting and the boards obviously turn a blind eye to it....depends on the ethics of the school/staff...By saying this I am not suggesting that students don't deserve to be where they are...here are exceptions to every rule...
1236
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:29
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011 All kidding aside I agree that things are very unfair and no wonder that our English neighbours get so upset. We will have free prescriptions next month while the cost goes up to 7 quid down south!!?? Are we really? Didn't know that. If we wanted to be mean we could really start on what happened to all the money from our oil, but that is another topic for another day. I am going off to do my housework. :) I wasn't going to mention the oil thing LOL!! Happy house cleaning ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:28
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011 All kidding aside I agree that things are very unfair and no wonder that our English neighbours get so upset. We will have free prescriptions next month while the cost goes up to 7 quid down south!!?? Are we really? Didn't know that. If we wanted to be mean we could really start on what happened to all the money from our oil, but that is another topic for another day. I am going off to do my housework. :) You need to get yourself a maid then you could chat longer! :D
4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:27
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011 All kidding aside I agree that things are very unfair and no wonder that our English neighbours get so upset. We will have free prescriptions next month while the cost goes up to 7 quid down south!!?? But it's not free, is it? Someone pays! Everyone pays. I know that my brother's Community Charge is much more than mine in the SE of England.
521
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:25
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011 All kidding aside I agree that things are very unfair and no wonder that our English neighbours get so upset. We will have free prescriptions next month while the cost goes up to 7 quid down south!!?? Are we really? Didn't know that. If we wanted to be mean we could really start on what happened to all the money from our oil, but that is another topic for another day. I am going off to do my housework. :)
1236
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:20
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011 All kidding aside I agree that things are very unfair and no wonder that our English neighbours get so upset. We will have free prescriptions next month while the cost goes up to 7 quid down south!!??
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:17
Good for him, what is he studying? Is a nice university with lovely grounds. My DD studied nursing there so she was able to stay at home. The university is only 4 miles from where we are in Alva Oooh, ooh, I've heard of Alva, I'm sure my Grandma mentioned it :) She lived in Musselborough, but that's not the right area, is it? And whilst I'm here, so glad you've now got three job options, Joyce, good luck with whichever one you choose :) Musselburgh is close to Edinburgh which is about an hour or so away from us. Alva is in Clackmannanshire which is between Stirlingshire and Fife. Lovely area and Alva is one of the Hillfoot towns along with Menstrie, Tillcoultry, Dollar and Muckhart. The area is dominated by the Ochil Hills. Yup, 3 possible job offers with first interview on the 30th!! Thanks for your good wishes :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:15
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8377095/Alex-Salmond-rules-out-fees-for-Scottish-students.html It's going to get costly though!! What with this and all those free bus passes :-P No, CP, someone has to pay - everyone....is this really fair? <em>edited by spongemonkey on 19/03/2011</em>
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:14
SM, absolutely and with increases up to £9,000 ........ At the end of the day, I personally do not think that you can beat the Scottish Unis for our Scottish Darlings. :) Us English will be even more green than at present, there is no doubt that the Scottish have it good on the uni front!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 13:03
SM, absolutely and with increases up to £9,000 for home students a year are parents going to fund their children or are these kids going to be graduating with even bigger debts, or failing their course because they are working as well as studying to make ends meet. The student also needs to be comfortable within the confines of their choosen university and be with like minded individuals, after all, their is more to Uni life than just the course; as many students are living away from home, the University and the people within become the closest thing they have to family. At the end of the day, I personally do not think that you can beat the Scottish Unis for our Scottish Darlings. :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:54
It is very costly also. Too many go to University now and have weaked the value of the degree. Alot have big debt when they leave. I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :) Out of the 50 odd children on the list Im sure more than one of them would of had the desire to go to Oxbridge, but as this thread shows it is incredibly hard for children to gain a place there. :):) I am not saying there was only one applied, of course not all that apply will get in, but do not think for a minute that the number of children who want to go to Oxbridge is particulary high, and quite often it is the parents who are pushing it. Scottish children in particular are very loyal to their own Universities and not just since the fee changes. :) I agree with you, saltire. The set up at Oxford and Cambridge is not what everyone would want even when able to apply! This is a multi cultural place and youngsters are applying to go all over the world - Australia, the US, Canada and of course the UK. Oxford and Cambridge are not the be all and end all. Parents will have to accept that there are external limitations imposed on their children's choices by the current situation - recession and increase in fees to name only a couple.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:51
I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :) Yes but there are many parents who do want them to ( regardless of their ability!) :-P LOLOL - spot on as usual :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:51
I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :) Yes but there are many parents who do want them to ( regardless of their ability!) :-P Yes, I agree, that is why I said that often it is the parents who are pushing for it, simply for what they perceive to be the kudos attached to it. Not every child is suited to Oxbridge. :)
4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:47
I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :) Yes but there are many parents who do want them to ( regardless of their ability!) :-P
521
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:44
It is very costly also. Too many go to University now and have weaked the value of the degree. Alot have big debt when they leave. I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :) Out of the 50 odd children on the list Im sure more than one of them would of had the desire to go to Oxbridge, but as this thread shows it is incredibly hard for children to gain a place there. :):) I am not saying there was only one applied, of course not all that apply will get in, but do not think for a minute that the number of children who want to go to Oxbridge is particulary high, and quite often it is the parents who are pushing it. Scottish children in particular are very loyal to their own Universities and not just since the fee changes. :)
648
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:23
It is very costly also. Too many go to University now and have weaked the value of the degree. Alot have big debt when they leave. I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :) Out of the 50 odd children on the list Im sure more than one of them would of had the desire to go to Oxbridge, but as this thread shows it is incredibly hard for children to gain a place there. :):)
521
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 12:01
I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. It is not all about grades with Oxford - or any of the Universities come to that! I know excellent students from both DC and high level private UK schools ( eg with 5 A* in A levels) who have not been offered a place by Oxford or Cambridge - mind boggling...there is so much issue with $$$$$$$$ right now that Unis in the UK will pick and choose according to budget as well as other factors. Some students from here do get home status while others do not. It all varies from person to person and even from Uni to Uni. It is going to get even worse! So you need to be prepared - kids need to get the best grades they can, make appropriate choices and if they are a bit borderline, you may consider applying as an International Student as your chance of getting an offer are likely to be higher! It will hit your wallet though! @ OP surely it depends on your child's type of background and possibly your home country? I spoke to a friend the other day she said that Oxford don’t even take grades into consideration (most people applying would have achieved top grades) anymore as its so easy to pass A levels the results are meaningless. They go on the interview, whether they play an instrument and extracurricular pursuits A Uk student can attend an Oxbridge interview, with top GCSE & A level results, with the ability to speak other languages, have D OF E gold, play instruments, plus plus and still do not get accepted at Oxbridge. It is the overseas students who pay the full cost of the course who are 'winning' the places! All UK Universities have a limit on how many overseas students they can take, it is not limitless.
596
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 11:58
It is very costly also. Too many go to University now and have weaked the value of the degree. Alot have big debt when they leave. I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :)
521
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 11:54
I had a look at DC website and I was quite surprised to see that only one child went on to Oxford. Not all children have the desire to go to Oxbridge. :)
 
 

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