Watching your kids head off for university is hard, and a lot depends on which university your child wants to attend. Students hoping to transfer between the British and American systems of education may have a particularly hard time, but a little research is sure to ease the way.

If your child has always been educated using the British curriculum but wants to attend an American university, they may have to sit an extra set of exams such as the SAT or ACT. If English isn’t their first language or they have no proof of being able to speak it fluently, they will be required to take the TOEFL examination. British-educated students will also need a custom-made transcript to get into an American university.

Students educated in the American system who hope to go to university in the UK will face a different set of challenges; however, the process is much easier for them thanks to the unified Universities and Colleges Admissions Service or UCAS. There are three application deadlines for courses through UCAS: 15th October, 15th January and 15th March.

No matter where your child is hoping to attend or what his or her background is, the best thing you can do is closely check the requirements of the university your child wants to attend for deadlines and documentation, especially for overseas students. This information is generally available on the universities’ websites and your high school guidance counsellor should be able to help.

Also, since your child is likely to have to travel, make sure that he or she has enough time for visas to be processed, entry to be cleared with immigration and accommodation to be arranged.

As with any school assignment, success lies in doing your homework and managing your time so that nothing is left to the last minute, but with a little preparation, making the move between the British and American systems can be as easy as apple – or mince – pie.

Jessica Saunders, age 16