Reviews for Studying Abroad
Review from Career Matters magazine, January 2016
"This excellent book deserves a place in any school or college library, and would be money well-spent by any young person considering studying abroad. The well-presented ‘Contents’ section makes navigation easy.
"Concentrating the essential questions and issues within the first three chapters, Cerys Evans reduces the risk of even the casual reader missing something vital. The high-quality information and advice is well broken-up by sub-headings and quotation boxes, leaving no single page less than inviting.
"The experiences and views of real individuals widely-spread geographically, feature strongly, mostly as a Student Story at the end of each chapter. These give credibility and colour to what (however useful) might otherwise have sounded bland, and these contributors’ enthusiasm is infectious.
"Encouraging nuggets include the number of undergraduate courses taught in English, the frequently modest (or non-existent) fees, the excellent support during application and after enrolment, and the oft-improved employment prospects.
"However, the author also highlights the need to recognise differences in the structure of Higher Education elsewhere, and the importance of choosing the right KIND of institution. She wisely points out that while many foreign universities accept lower A level grades than British ones, continuous good performance may be required for progression.
"Classroom participation may be more a feature of education elsewhere (particularly the USA), and we’re left with the strong impression that students who are less than outgoing may struggle socially as well as academically - ‘getting involved’ comes across as essential.
"Finally, the book takes the reader through the whole process of research and application, showing the need to enquire early and check sources for reliability. The 20 bullet points on pages 94-5 are a perfect distillation of what any would-be student should do."
"Studying abroad" 4 stars Amazon.co.uk
"Very helpful; lots of insight and good starting points. Would have preferred the adverts to be concentrated in one part of the book, but understand the advertisers may prefer them incorporated within the text. The adverts are helpful too, and contribute to the information, ready for the reader to decide which institution and course would be right for them. Read the book first, attend the conventions if possible, and try and go on at least one open day if you can do it cheaply with international student rail card or cheap coach. I used to be a careers adviser and this book brought me back up to date, and helped my son with his application to study abroad. Essential for a school careers library; I will donate this one as an extra copy for students to borrow."
Insanely useful book" 5 stars Amazon.co.uk
"Has information on literally everything you'd ever want to know about. I'm so glad I bought this book - it's now finally encouraged me to apply to university abroad! One criticism, though: it's a bit too Euro-centric at times, but that's perfectly okay because the main non-EU countries are covered well, too (China and Malaysia, for example). Would definitely recommend."
"Brilliant book" 5 stars Amazon.co.uk
"This book is absolutely brilliant, really clear, and especially useful if you want to study in Canada, the US, New Zealand or Australia."
"This excellent book deserves a place in any school or college library, and would be money well-spent by any young person considering studying abroad. The well-presented ‘Contents’ section makes navigation easy.
"Concentrating the essential questions and issues within the first three chapters, Cerys Evans reduces the risk of even the casual reader missing something vital. The high-quality information and advice is well broken-up by sub-headings and quotation boxes, leaving no single page less than inviting.
"The experiences and views of real individuals widely-spread geographically, feature strongly, mostly as a Student Story at the end of each chapter. These give credibility and colour to what (however useful) might otherwise have sounded bland, and these contributors’ enthusiasm is infectious.
"Encouraging nuggets include the number of undergraduate courses taught in English, the frequently modest (or non-existent) fees, the excellent support during application and after enrolment, and the oft-improved employment prospects.
"However, the author also highlights the need to recognise differences in the structure of Higher Education elsewhere, and the importance of choosing the right KIND of institution. She wisely points out that while many foreign universities accept lower A level grades than British ones, continuous good performance may be required for progression.
"Classroom participation may be more a feature of education elsewhere (particularly the USA), and we’re left with the strong impression that students who are less than outgoing may struggle socially as well as academically - ‘getting involved’ comes across as essential.
"Finally, the book takes the reader through the whole process of research and application, showing the need to enquire early and check sources for reliability. The 20 bullet points on pages 94-5 are a perfect distillation of what any would-be student should do."
"Studying abroad" 4 stars Amazon.co.uk
"Very helpful; lots of insight and good starting points. Would have preferred the adverts to be concentrated in one part of the book, but understand the advertisers may prefer them incorporated within the text. The adverts are helpful too, and contribute to the information, ready for the reader to decide which institution and course would be right for them. Read the book first, attend the conventions if possible, and try and go on at least one open day if you can do it cheaply with international student rail card or cheap coach. I used to be a careers adviser and this book brought me back up to date, and helped my son with his application to study abroad. Essential for a school careers library; I will donate this one as an extra copy for students to borrow."
Insanely useful book" 5 stars Amazon.co.uk
"Has information on literally everything you'd ever want to know about. I'm so glad I bought this book - it's now finally encouraged me to apply to university abroad! One criticism, though: it's a bit too Euro-centric at times, but that's perfectly okay because the main non-EU countries are covered well, too (China and Malaysia, for example). Would definitely recommend."
"Brilliant book" 5 stars Amazon.co.uk
"This book is absolutely brilliant, really clear, and especially useful if you want to study in Canada, the US, New Zealand or Australia."
Reviews for Choosing your A levels, Amazon.co.uk
"Good stuff" 5 stars
"This easy to follow guide has proved to be a real gem of a book. Not being au fait with current education choices, (it's been quite a few years since I darkened the doors of senior school!) its informative but easily read and understood format has given so much useful advice, that both myself and my daughter now feel totally confident about the array of current A Level courses and what they offer.
"Full of tips and careers advice, this book should be read by everyone and anyone who is contemplating A Levels in the near future. Buy it, you won't disappointed and if you value your education, in our opinion, you think its money well spent."
"Invaluable advice" 5 stars
"This book has been extremely helpful in making decisions that will affect teenage lives for the long term, it really made my daughter think outside the box not just about the subjects that she likes but about uni/career choices. Really good layout and advice about what subjects go well together and which subjects are considered "soft" by some unis etc. Ideas for future careers that relate to each subject, both non and graduate level so this book does not just focus on those looking to go on to uni. Good layout and very easy to negotiate, a very useful book."
"Full of easy to read advice" 5 stars
"For those of us who have older children, one of the big discussions that are held revolve around GCSE and A Level choices. Our eldest child has just embarked on his first year of GCSE's and it has come to light that the decisions he has made will be the basis for his later choices of subjects at A Level and university.
"Although we knew this was coming, it came as a bit of a shock in many ways, not least the realisation that he was now working towards his future adult life. Our stance has always been that we would encourage the children in whatever future plans they had and give as much advice as possible to help them reach their goals. Nevertheless knowing what subjects are the best match for certain degrees and even what some of these courses really entail is something of a minefield, which is where this excellent book comes in.
"Split into two parts, it is a font of knowledge for parents and students who are starting to reach the stage where these decisions need to be made. The first section of the book offers advice on planning which subjects to take, or not, the various qualifications available, university choice and plenty of other useful information. I should say at this point that the book is well laid out, easy to use and full of well thought out tips all of which are a great help.
"The second part of the book is a dedicated subject directory, something which our two sons latched onto immediately. It covers most subjects that you can think of, plus a few others, and offers a basic idea of the course work that will be studied. However the really interesting part to us was the explanation of how these courses would work when it came to degree choices and how the universities would view various subjects. To be fair we were aware that some subjects are often considered to be soft options, but it was interesting to see this all laid out in print.
"Also provided within the subject area are a variety of non-graduate job suggestions for each subject and a list of links to other sites which provide more in depth information if required.
"We are at quite an early stage with this kind of planning, our eldest son being fourteen, but even so the book has been useful to us and our elder children. For example one of them has his sights set on studying Law at university, so it was interesting to read that traditional subjects are generally considered more acceptable than an A Level in Law, which is also quite handy as it is not widely offered.
"Overall then I thought this was an excellent book, well designed and very informative. There are certainly others around, but this is the best one I have seen so far and I would have no problem recommending it to parents and their children."
"This easy to follow guide has proved to be a real gem of a book. Not being au fait with current education choices, (it's been quite a few years since I darkened the doors of senior school!) its informative but easily read and understood format has given so much useful advice, that both myself and my daughter now feel totally confident about the array of current A Level courses and what they offer.
"Full of tips and careers advice, this book should be read by everyone and anyone who is contemplating A Levels in the near future. Buy it, you won't disappointed and if you value your education, in our opinion, you think its money well spent."
"Invaluable advice" 5 stars
"This book has been extremely helpful in making decisions that will affect teenage lives for the long term, it really made my daughter think outside the box not just about the subjects that she likes but about uni/career choices. Really good layout and advice about what subjects go well together and which subjects are considered "soft" by some unis etc. Ideas for future careers that relate to each subject, both non and graduate level so this book does not just focus on those looking to go on to uni. Good layout and very easy to negotiate, a very useful book."
"Full of easy to read advice" 5 stars
"For those of us who have older children, one of the big discussions that are held revolve around GCSE and A Level choices. Our eldest child has just embarked on his first year of GCSE's and it has come to light that the decisions he has made will be the basis for his later choices of subjects at A Level and university.
"Although we knew this was coming, it came as a bit of a shock in many ways, not least the realisation that he was now working towards his future adult life. Our stance has always been that we would encourage the children in whatever future plans they had and give as much advice as possible to help them reach their goals. Nevertheless knowing what subjects are the best match for certain degrees and even what some of these courses really entail is something of a minefield, which is where this excellent book comes in.
"Split into two parts, it is a font of knowledge for parents and students who are starting to reach the stage where these decisions need to be made. The first section of the book offers advice on planning which subjects to take, or not, the various qualifications available, university choice and plenty of other useful information. I should say at this point that the book is well laid out, easy to use and full of well thought out tips all of which are a great help.
"The second part of the book is a dedicated subject directory, something which our two sons latched onto immediately. It covers most subjects that you can think of, plus a few others, and offers a basic idea of the course work that will be studied. However the really interesting part to us was the explanation of how these courses would work when it came to degree choices and how the universities would view various subjects. To be fair we were aware that some subjects are often considered to be soft options, but it was interesting to see this all laid out in print.
"Also provided within the subject area are a variety of non-graduate job suggestions for each subject and a list of links to other sites which provide more in depth information if required.
"We are at quite an early stage with this kind of planning, our eldest son being fourteen, but even so the book has been useful to us and our elder children. For example one of them has his sights set on studying Law at university, so it was interesting to read that traditional subjects are generally considered more acceptable than an A Level in Law, which is also quite handy as it is not widely offered.
"Overall then I thought this was an excellent book, well designed and very informative. There are certainly others around, but this is the best one I have seen so far and I would have no problem recommending it to parents and their children."