Upcoming college visits, Cambridge Centre for International Research Essay competition, & Reflections from the Times Higher Education conference
Upcoming college visits, Cambridge Centre for International Research Essay competition, & Reflections from the Times Higher Education conference
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Upcoming College Visits
🎓 Canada’s Co-Op Programs with McMaster University, Monday, 16 March 12.45pm-01.30pm, G7 El Nido Classroom
📍 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (near Toronto)
👥 Student Population: 37,000+ students, including a strong international community
🎓 Known For: A research-intensive institution recognised for excellence in Health Sciences, Engineering, Business, and Science. McMaster University is known for its innovative, inquiry-based learning approach.
🌟 Why It’s a Great Fit: Canada’s co-op programs allow students to alternate academic study with paid work placements in their field. Students graduate with:
- 💼 Real professional experience
- 🌐 Industry connections
- 💰 Paid placements
- 🚀 A competitive edge in the job market
🏆 Recognition:
- Top 100 globally (QS World Rankings)
- Member of Canada’s U15 research universities
🎯 Popular Co-Op Programs:
- Engineering 🛠️
- Commerce (Business) 📊
- Science & Life Sciences 🔬
Sign up for BSM College/University visits here
Check out our website for summer programmes here and slides of Parent Presentations here.
Cambridge Centre for International Research Essay competition
- Open to all Senior School students (check the age categories to choose the right one)
- For students who want to write essays that have been set by distinguished professors from Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Cornell, UPenn, Berkeley, Princeton, Oxford, Columbia, and Cambridge, why not take a look here at the Cambridge Re: Think global essay competition?
- These essays range across academic subjects and are designed to stimulate your critical thinking.
- You can find further information here.
Reflections from the Times Higher Education Conference
Last week, our Head of College Counselling, Samamtha Caras, had the opportunity to represent the British School Manila at the Times Higher Education Global Counsellor Forum in Indonesia, where a small group of invited school counsellors met with universities from around the world to discuss trends in higher education and how we can best support students as they prepare for life after school.
One of the most thought-provoking conversations came from a panel with four Harvard professors. A key message that emerged was that education should not only be about getting students into university, but about preparing them for life once they arrive there. Universities are increasingly focussed on how well students manage the transition to adulthood - developing independence, managing their time, responding to feedback, and learning to navigate setbacks. These are skills that develop gradually through everyday experiences, and both schools and parents play an important role in helping students build them. We encourage families to engage not only with the College Counselling team but also with our PSHE curriculum, Heads of Years, and the workshops offered by our social-emotional School Counsellors, which are designed to support these areas of growth.
Another theme that came up repeatedly was the importance of student ownership and agency. When adults step in too quickly to organise, manage, or solve things for students, we can unintentionally limit their opportunities to develop the skills they will need later on. Learning to plan, prioritise, and take responsibility for decisions is a critical part of growing independence. When students are trusted to handle these challenges themselves, it sends the message that we believe in their capability.
We also discussed the role of academics and extracurricular activities in the admissions process. While holistic admissions - particularly in the United States - consider many factors and institutional priorities, the Harvard faculty emphasised that academic preparation remains the strongest predictor of college success. In some cases, there is a fear that students become over-programmed with extracurricular activities that they may not genuinely enjoy. Focusing on meaningful engagement and strong academic foundations often serves students better than trying to do everything. This is something our team continues to emphasise as we help students balance their time, well-being, and commitments.
The conference also prompted broader reflection on a big question: what is the purpose of education? Around the world, there are growing conversations about vocational pathways and employability. For many students, these routes offer excellent opportunities. At the same time, some universities—particularly those grounded in a liberal arts philosophy—continue to emphasise education as something broader: developing critical thinking, perspective, and engaged citizenship. As families think about university, it can be helpful to explore these larger questions together and consider what kind of learning experience best aligns with a student’s interests, values, and goals.
Finally, the conference reinforced how quickly the global higher education landscape is evolving. Universities across Europe and Asia are expanding English-taught programs and new pathways for international students. Some British universities now offer programs where students can begin their studies in Vietnam before transferring to the UK. Institutions in countries such as Lithuania, Germany, Italy, and Hungary are also increasingly welcoming international students. In Germany, for example, universities such as Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences offer free tuition, with students primarily covering living costs, as the country actively seeks international graduates in fields like engineering and business.
Events like this are an important reminder that preparing students for the future is not only about where they go to university, but about helping them develop the independence, resilience, and sense of purpose that will guide them well beyond it. Supporting students in this process is truly a partnership between students, parents, teachers, and counsellors—and we look forward to continuing these conversations with our community.
Warm regards,
BSM College Counselling Team
RELATED LINKS
- Careers & Higher Education