FINDING MY PATH: FROM CHINA TO UK UNIVERSITY THROUGH NCUK

Moving from China to the UK, Shangkun Mai faced more than just culture shock. Language barriers, academic confidence, and uncertainty about his next steps were challenging. However, in Year 13 at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate, everything changed. Switching to a different course gave him space to rebuild his confidence, sharpen his academic English, and rediscover his love of learning. Now heading to university in the UK, Shangkun’s journey shows the resilience it takes for an international student to succeed abroad, and how growth sometimes comes from taking an unexpected path.

By Shangkun Mai

Starting My Journey in the UK

Hello everyone, my name is Shangkun and I am from China. Here's my personal journey towards

Image: Shangkun Mai

UK University readiness, and the challenges I faced as an overseas student.

I completed primary and junior high school in China. With the support of my family, I went to study Year 11 GCSEs in the UK, at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate near York. In Year 12, I chose A-Level and BTEC courses. However, due to the language barrier and the difficulty of the course, my grades did not meet my expectations, and it became difficult for me to enter university smoothly.

Changing Course: Discovering the NCUK Pathway

In Year 13, facing only one year of tight time, it was not enough for me to master the knowledge of A-Level well enough. I decided to study NCUK’s International Foundation Year (IFY) at Queen Ethelburga's. This one-year course is designed for international students to bridge the academic gap between high school and university. I chose Business, Economics, and Mathematics (business direction) as my major subjects, and NCUK also includes English courses to strengthen academic English skills.

How NCUK Helped Me Grow

NCUK’s teaching method focuses on the combination of practice and theory, and the assessment method is more diverse. This helped me gradually build confidence and the ability to think independently. For example, in terms of teaching, NCUK is less difficult than traditional A-Level courses. This makes it easier for students to understand each knowledge point and apply it. 

The courses are also very helpful for students going to university, as it prepares you further for essay writing and group discussions. International Foundation Year courses include these activities, which help students adapt in advance and reduce the fear of speaking up in class. This is especially true for international students whose first language is not English.

NCUK also tests students’ independence. In university, things are different from high school. In high school, teachers or parents may remind you to study hard. In university, if you want to do well, you rely more on your own self-discipline and independence. NCUK supports this. It helped me develop my ability to think independently and solve problems. Expressing my ideas in class also helped me speak more English and improve my confidence.

During the learning process, with the help of my teachers and by gradually adapting to the NCUK education system, I found that the real transformation didn’t happen straight away. It was the result of continuous learning and effort in everyday life. I could feel my English improving all the time. I could present my business plan in front of the whole class in fluent English. I found I could express clear and logical ideas in an English-speaking environment. 

Shangkun and his fellow students

Looking Back: What I Learned

At that moment, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. I became more determined to love learning. From then on, I was more proactive and confident, improved my academic skills, and clarified my future career direction. After successfully completing the NCUK course, I was qualified to enter many British universities.

Looking back on this experience, I deeply realised that the traditional education path is not the only option. For students like me who faced challenges at the beginning, especially international students, Queen Etheburga's NCUK provides a flexible and high-quality alternative with its International Foundation Year.

Its teaching and classroom content are closely connected with university expectations and helped lay a solid foundation for my next step. I hope that more international students will bravely explore the education path that suits them, embrace change, and work towards realising their dreams.

By Shangkun Mai