The University Guys

David Hawkins
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Discussion and interviews about everything to do with university admissions, offering an international perspective, from David Hawkins and the team at The University Guys

  1. Episode 99: Korea

    1 DAY AGO

    Episode 99: Korea

    From K-Pop and K-Makeup to world-class STEM programs, South Korea is rapidly becoming a top-tier destination for international students. But while the "K-Wave" is exciting, the university admissions process is notoriously complex, paper-heavy, and strict. In this episode, David Hawkins sits down with Justin Kurrass, a veteran high school counsellor with over 20 years of experience (including over a decade in Korea), to demystify what it actually takes to get into a Korean university. In This Episode, We Cover: The "SKY" Universities & Beyond: Why Seoul National, Korea University, and Yonsei are the "Ivory League" of Korea, and why KAIST is a powerhouse for STEM.The Three Admission Tracks: Understanding the difference between the Pure International track, the Overseas Korean track, and the hyper-competitive Domestic track.The "Study Plan": Why you need more than just a personal statement—and why Korean universities want a 1–3 page roadmap of your future career.Logistics & Red Tape: Why the "Apostille" process and strict two-week application windows mean you cannot treat Korea as a "backup plan."Hidden Gems: Exploring women's universities (Ewha) and international branch campuses like Ghent, Utah, and George Mason in Songdo.Key Takeaways for Counsellors: Start Early: Students should begin planning in 9th or 10th grade to ensure their subject choices align with rigorous Korean faculty requirements.Nationality Matters: If a student or parent holds a Korean passport, they are almost always funnelled into the more competitive domestic or overseas Korean tracks.ROI & Safety: Why the combination of low tuition, high safety, and worldwide degree recognition is driving the current surge in interest.Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Study in Korea: The official government-run portal for international students.KCUE (Adiga): The Korean Council for University Education (use Google Chrome for translation).University Admission Pages: Justin recommends downloading the specific "Application Guide PDF" from each university’s site at least a year in advance.Connect with The University Guys: Website: The University GuysLinkedIn: Connect with David HawkinsSocials: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more global higher education insights!Enjoyed the show? Please subscribe and leave us a review!

    21 min
  2. Episode 98: A Zest of Spain

    10 APR

    Episode 98: A Zest of Spain

    In this episode, David Hawkins explores the rising popularity of Spain as a premier destination for international students. Joining him is Oliver Rodriguez-Pearson, a Madrid-based educational consultant with Lemon Tree Education who breaks down the unique "formula" that makes Spanish universities thrive: a blend of high-quality English-taught programs, a diverse international intake, and an unbeatable lifestyle. From the complexities of the Selectividad entrance exams to the cultural importance of learning Spanish even in English-led courses, Oliver provides a roadmap for families navigating the Spanish higher education landscape.

    23 min
  3. Episode 97: Gap Years

    31 MAR

    Episode 97: Gap Years

    Richard Doring from CIEE joins David to discuss gap year opportunities.

    20 min
  4. Episode 96: Updates from Italy

    24 MAR

    Episode 96: Updates from Italy

    David is joined by Roberto Valdo Cortese of Valdo Academics to discuss the current landscape of Italian university admissions.

    24 min
  5. Episode 95: The Bocconi Story

    19/12/2025

    Episode 95: The Bocconi Story

    How did a specialised university in Milan transform itself from a national secret into one of the most selective and international higher education institutions in the world? In the early 2000s, the idea of studying in English in Italy was practically unheard of. If you wanted a global business education, you went to the UK or the US. Today, Università Bocconi has broken that duopoly, becoming a top choice for students globally—including, ironically, those from the UK and US. In this documentary-style episode, we tell the inside story of Bocconi’s 20-year rise. We sit down with the recruitment team members who lived through the transformation, tracing their journey.

    15 min
  6. Episode 94: in conversation with Sandy Furth

    18/11/2025

    Episode 94: in conversation with Sandy Furth

    David is joined by Sandy Furth, a globally travelled international university advisor, who discusses her areas of specialisation, including "twice exceptional" students and her work at World Student Support.

    22 min
  7. Episode 93: Medicine in Ireland

    21/10/2025

    Episode 93: Medicine in Ireland

    Our guest this week is Claire O'Connor from RCSI, exploring medical studies in the Republic of Ireland.

    24 min
  8. Episode 92: The UAE

    08/10/2025

    Episode 92: The UAE

    Find out about a university pathway in the United Arab Emirates, with Ango Mwakisu from NYU Abu Dhabi.

    22 min
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About

Discussion and interviews about everything to do with university admissions, offering an international perspective, from David Hawkins and the team at The University Guys

Information

  • Creator
    David Hawkins
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The University Guys
  • Show Website
    The University Guys

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