The University Guys
Episodes
Episode 96: Updates from Italy
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
David is joined by Roberto Valdo Cortese of Valdo Academics to discuss the current landscape of Italian university admissions.
Episode 95: The Bocconi Story
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How did a specialised university in Milan transform itself from a national secret into one of the most selective and international higher education in...
Episode 94: in conversation with Sandy Furth
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David is joined by Sandy Furth, a globally travelled international university advisor, who discusses her areas of specialisation, including "twic...
Episode 93: Medicine in Ireland
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Claire O'Connor from RCSI, exploring medical studies in the Republic of Ireland.
Episode 92: The UAE
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Find out about a university pathway in the United Arab Emirates, with Ango Mwakisu from NYU Abu Dhabi.
Episode 91: Study in Prague
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the wonderful world of higher education in Prague! David is joined by Caleb House from Charles University. To find out more, visit www.studych...
Episode 90: Medicine in Europe
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Ambrose of Medical Doorway joins David to explore options to study medicine in Europe, taught in English.
Episode 89: Why Australia and New Zealand, with Stefan Watts
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore universities Down Under. Our guest is Stefan Watts, Founder & Director of Study Options.
Episode 88: Business in Asia
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Come and learn about a truly global experience, including lots of time in Asia, for students interested in an international business education. In thi...
Episode 87: Reverse Admissions
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David is joined by Julie Maloney from Meto to discuss a new way to apply to universities - reverse admissions.
Episode 86: New York City... and beyond
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join David as he speaks with Adam Wu of Stevens Institute of Technology about the student experience in the New York metro area.
Episode 85: US College Tours
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why should students visit US campuses before deciding where to apply? How is it best to spend time on campus? What key things do you need to know? Joi...
Episode 84: The Claremont Colleges
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the nuances of the Claremont Colleges in California, a distinctive offering within the US higher education landscape. Our guest ...
Episode 83: US Summer Programmes
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Hsu of Venture Camp helps David unpack the purpose and variety of US summer programs for high school students.
Episode 82: Updates from the Netherlands
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Denise Nijuis, the Coordinator of Student Recruitment and Admission at University College Roosevelt is our guest to provide updates on the current la...
Episode 81: US Early Decision
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David is joined by Anne Corriveau, the Director of International Admissions at Boston University, to discuss the ins and outs of US Early Decision app...
Episode 80: Canadian University Updates, with Dan Seneker
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Seneker, Associate Vice-President of Enrolment Management & Registrar of St Mary's University, joins us to discuss the current situation ...
Episode 79: Historically Black Colleges and Universities
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join David as he explores the 'HBCUs' with colleagues from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia,Find out more about Spellman and the HBCUs at...
Episode 78: Intellectual Curiosity
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David discussed the concept of intellectual curiosity and its role in US college admissions with Matthew Jaskol and Brett Fuller from Pioneer Academic...
Episode 77: Rugby at universities in the USA
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David is joined by Brendan McGroarty from Elite Rugby Scholars to discuss opportunities to explore rugby at US universities.
Episode 76: Research Projects for High School Students
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the world of high-school research projects. Dhruva Bhat of Lumiere Education is our guest.
Episode 75: Germany's updated requirements
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 74: Multi-campus options with Sarah Sen of ESCP
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many students seek to travel as part of their degree, and some universities allow students to move to a new location each year. Join Sarah Sen from ES...
Episode 73: US Art Schools
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Olivia Anderson from the Savannah College of Art and Design to discuss artistic education in the USA.
Episode 72: The digital SAT
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Smith of UES Education returns to the podcast to discuss the new digital SAT.
Episode 71: References
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this return to the podcast, we have a The University Guys team roundtable to explore the various references accompanying university applications an...
Episode 70: Rowing Recruiting for US Universities
04 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join David with Ryan Sparks of Sparks Rowing to discuss everything you would ever need to know about rowing at college in the USA.
Episode 69: The What, Why & How of UCAS Firm & Insurance choices
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Joanne Tallentire, a higher education professional with over 25 years' experience in senior roles covering all aspects of the student journe...
Episode 68: undergraduate business in the USA
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Many students want to go to the USA to study for a degree in business, but might not be fully aware of what this actually means. In this episode, Idie...
Episode 67: Large, Public US Universities
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Alex Smith, Assistant Director of International Admissions at Michigan State University, as we explore this type of US university and the benef...
Episode 66: Studying in London
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
So many students wish to study in London, but what's the experience really like. Join us as we discuss the student experience with Jo Philips, Di...
Episode 65: UK Pathways
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join David as he discussed the various different 'pathway' options to UK universities, with Simon Fitch. Simon is the Centre Director of the...
Episode 64: Exploring IB Diploma Courses and UK university entry
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we explore the ways in which IB Diploma Courses can be used for entry to UK universities and hear from Amy Durrant, College & Careers C...
Episode 63: in conversation with Mike Nicholson
20 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach at the University of Bath. We reflect back on his career in ...
Episode 62: In conversation with Jack Shull
13 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Shull, a highly-experienced international school college counselor reflects on the past, present and future of the profession.
Episode 61: Healthcare in the USA
06 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join David as he discussed healthcare options at US universities for international students, with Megan Mankerian-Stem of Creighton University
Episode 60: Inside a US University Admissions Office, with Parke Muth
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we hit application season, hear Parke Muth, formerly Director of International Admission at the University of Virginia, give an insight into the in...
Episode 59: Catholic Colleges in the USA
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Caitlin Fairfield Hasson of Boston College joins this episode, to explore the world of Catholic colleges in the United States.
Episode 58: UK Art Schools, with Norwich University of the Arts
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Rhian John of Norwich University of the Arts joins the podcast, to explore the world of UK art schools. Creative Skillset, mentioned ...
Episode 57: The UK University Experience in 2020
18 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kieron Broadhead from the University of Southampton joins me to discuss what a UK university experience will be like in the 2020-21 academic year.
Episode 56: A Level and IB Marking, 2020 Exam Season
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Stacey of the International School of Brussels shares his expertise as an IB and A Level examiner, exploring how both exam systems have been grad...
Episode 55: How bespoke can your curriculum be? With Bennington College, Vermont, USA
06 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Across the USA, there are huge varieties in the educational experience available to students. Some universities, such as Bennington College, offer a h...
Episode 54: Student Safety UK
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Helliwell of Student Safety UK joins David to discuss how best to prepare students to be safe while attending university in the UK, and also ...
Episode 53: US Standardized Testing 2020. The international view, with Jason Smith
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Smith of UES Education returns to the podcast to examine the international perspective for the changed situation with US standardized testing.In...
Episode 52: US Standardized Testing 2020. The view from America, with Akil Bello
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Akil Bello of Fair Test and I discuss what's going on with US standardized testing in the US context, as well as the history of test-optional adm...
Episode 51: Christian Universities in the USA
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore a niche of US Higher Education which may not be immediately apparent to an international audience: the Christian universit...
Episode 50: The University Girl Takes Charge
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
To mark episode 50, the tables are turned, as a new co-host decides to shake things up.
Episode 49: Study in Germany
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Boyd, of Frankfurt International School, joins me to discuss the process of applying to universities in Germany.For more information and resource...
Episode 48: Study in India
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ankur Vohra, of O.P. Jindal Global University in New Delhi, India, joins me to discuss the new wave of Indian universities that have disrupted the tra...
Episode 47: Study in Ireland
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Deirbhle O'Reilly of Trinity College Dublin joins me to discuss all the opportunities available to students who choose to study at a university i...
Episode 46: Study in Belgium
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the country of Belgium, with some wonderful opportunities available there to study in English. My guest is Vince Cornwell, from ...
Episode 45: The University of California
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Cuca Acosta from the University of California, Santa Barbara joins me to explore the wonderful system of the University of California.https://www.univ...
Episode 44: The profession of College Counseling
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Wright, Director of College Counseling at the Benjamin School in Florida, shares her insight on what a full-time college counselor does, and what...
Episode 43: Two counselors, two countries: some thoughts on our current situation
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Juan-Camilo Tamayo of JCT4Education and I discuss the issues - both practical and emotional - facing students and counselors in the light of the curre...
Episode 42: In conversation with Jackie Vogl
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jackie Vogl, Associate Vice President for Global Education at SUNY Plattsburgh and I look back over her career in international higher education, disc...
Episode 41: University Entry in 2020, a recorded webinar with expert advisers
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On Friday 20th March 2020, I moderated a Q&A session on the changed university admissions processes in the UK, and for students from the UK holdin...
Episode 40: Study in Italy
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
'La Dolce Vita' - why not think about the opportunity to study in Italy, taught in English?Parker Siddall of Bocconi University and I discus...
Episode 39: Studying in the USA's South
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Students considering the USA will often say 'East or West coast' only, not fully understanding how they might be missing out on some amazing...
Episode 38, Engineering in the USA
08 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How does a STEM education in the USA differ from that in other countries? It's a question that students don't ask enough, given how differen...
Episode 37: Chris Ramsey, former Chair of the HMC and GSA Universities Committee
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Ramsey, the Headmaster of Whitgift School in London, has been at the forefront of recent debates about the transition to UK Higher Education fro...
Episode 36: In conversation with Dan Seneker of Bishop's University, Quebec, Canada
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In my final episode of this mini-series on Canada, I discuss the trends, changes and predictions in Canadian Higher Education with Dan Seneker, Direct...
Episode 35: Applying to Canadian Universities, with Craig Brown
13 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Craig Brown, Director of University Guidance at Shawnigan Lake School in Canada, gives me his top tips for any students thinking about applying to uni...
Episode 34: Sport at Canadian Universities
08 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There's lots of information around about sports at US universities, but what is the situation in Canada? In this episode, I discuss opportunities...
Episode 33: What's it like to be a US Sports Scholar? Featuring Holly Cram of AspireUSA
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Cram, a former US sports scholar, Great Britain hockey star and founder of AspireUSA and I discuss the realities of life as a sports scholar at ...
Episode 32: US Sports Scholarships - the why, what and how, with Rob Thomas
24 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Thomas of Sporting Elite USA and I discuss the key features of US sports scholarships, looking beyond the myths and misunderstandings about this c...
Episode 31: Pearson College London and Degree Apprenticeships, with Caroline Cox
11 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
UCAS has a wealth of specialist institutions available to students, and Pearson College London is one of my favourites. In this episode, I discuss the...
Episode 30: A new world of US admissions? Discussing the NACAC rule changes with Steve Thomas
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In September 2019, the US National Association for College Admission Counseling, under pressure from the Department of Justice, was forced to change t...
Episode 29: The IB Diploma and the UK
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this longer episode, I explore the IB Diploma and the context of UK schools and UK universities. Speaking with Pippa Gibbs from Oakham School, Joan...
Episode 28: New English GCSEs, with Dr Andy Kemp
07 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I interview Dr Andy Kemp, Head of Senior School at Wells Cathedral School in England. Our focus is the new suite of GCSEs, giving inf...
Episode 27: Do you need to use UCAS to apply to UK universities?
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Though the vast majority of students will apply to UK universities using UCAS, from time too time other routes seem possible. In this episode I explor...
Episode 26: In Conversation with Nancy Beane
29 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It was a great privilege to interview Nancy Beane, former NACAC President and a college counselor in Georgia, about her work, our profession, and her ...
Episode 25: The New IB Maths & UK University Entry
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of how the changes to IB Maths may impact entry to UK universities, with discussion from Melanie Moorhouse of St Clare's School in Ox...
Episode 24: Alex Kelly, the Unifrog story
18 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I took time out of our busy schedules to catch up with Alex Kelly, founder of Unifrog, a university and careers advice platform which has revolutionis...
Episode 23: The US College Admissions Scandal - what exactly has happened?
14 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I try to provide a summary of what exactly makes the scandal in US college admissions so bad, aimed at explaining things to those not...
Episode 22: 'Colleges that Change Lives', with Reon Sines-Sheaff of the College of Wooster
11 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Reon and I discuss the Colleges that Change Lives, an amazing group of US colleges, as well as her own college, the College of Wooster.
Episode 21: SAT & ACT, top tips for UK students
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For students at schools in the UK, there are particular challenges when it comes to preparing for the ACT or SAT. In this episode, I discuss the proce...
Episode 20: The SAT & ACT, tips on preparation for international students
01 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jeremy Craig of Test Takers Singapore and I discuss how international students might go about preparing for US standardized testing
Episode 19: Beyond medicine - the Allied Health Professions
24 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to work in health but don't want to be a doctor, what else can you do? In this episode, I discuss the Allied Heath Professions with K...
Episode 18: What's it like to be a doctor in the UK National Health Service?
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of the miniseries on UK Health Sciences, I interview doctor Bobby Barthakur, a UK GP, on his experience of a medical career in the UK&ap...
Episode 17: UK University Medical Applications
14 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I chat with Dr Christopher Nordstrom of The Medic Portal (https://www.themedicportal.com/) on how to make a successful application to ...
Episode 16: International School College Counselling
09 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at the transition from UK teacher to international school college counsellor, with Claire Gilbert of St. Andrews Internationa...
Episode 15: Tales from a Dutch Coffee House.... with Anne Kuijs
23 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I return to the topic of Dutch Higher Education, discussing the past, present and future of Dutch international higher education admis...
Episode 14: CIS Forum 2018
16 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A snapshot of impressions of the Council of International Schools Forum on Higher Education, held in Vienna in November 2018. For more information abo...
Episode 13: Confessions of a UK Director of Admissions
27 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What happens between an application being sent from a school to UCAS, and a decision being returned to a student? In this episode I delve inside the b...
Episode 12: Nepal
20 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In April 2018, an unprecedented situation hit over 60 students from Nepal who held scholarships to study in the United States. In this episode, I expl...
Episode 11: In Conversation with Alan Bullock
14 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Alan Bullock is one of the UK's most highly regarded careers advisors, in great demand from schools across the country and internationally for hi...
Episode 10: Jen Dewar, Duolingo and Access
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I chat to Jen Dewer, Head of Strategic Engagement for the Duolingo English Test, and formerly a university admissions officer. Our con...
Episode 9: UCAS Hidden Gems
12 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Five UK university recruitment officers discuss 'hidden gem' degree pathways at their universities, covering St Andrew's, East Anglia, ...
Episode 8: ACT Computer Based Testing, thoughts from Anne Richardson
07 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As the first sitting of the ACT Computer Based Testing occurs, I speak with Anne Richardson, Director of Academic Advising and College Counseling at t...
Episode 7: The IC3 Conference 2018
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 6: In Conversation with Jenny Howenstine, St Olaf College
31 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this discussion with Jenny Howenstine, Director of International Recruitment at St Olaf College in Minnesota, we discuss the benefits of a liberal ...
Episode 5: In Conversation with John Wilkerson, Indiana University Bloomington
20 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A chance to chat all things International University Admissions with John Wilkerson, of Indiana University Bloomington, including past and current tre...
Episode 4: The International ACAC Conference
02 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of the 2018 International Association for College Admission Counseling annual conference, Holly Smith (University of Sussex), Craig Brown (Shawn...
Episode 3: UK Unconditional Offers
25 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A global view on unconditional offers in the UK, featuring Richard Judd from Taunton School, Bobbe Fernando from New York University, and Elisabeth Ma...
Episode 2, Dutch Universities
11 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For more, check out www.theuniversityguy.com, @UniGuyDavid or email [email protected]
Episode 1, BTECs
24 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What is a BTEC? How do universities in the UK and internationally use them for admissions? David interviews four key influencers to explore this issue...