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Last Updated: January 20, 2021

All you need to know about studying in the UK

The country that provides benefits to students
So you have been thinking about studying in the UK but don't have enough information or you have decided to study in the UK but don't know what is to come next.

Don't worry, we have got you covered. Read along to get all the necessary information needed to plan your future in the UK.

Let us begin with some facts!

Visa Regulations

To begin with, the success rate for a student visa to get accepted stands at a whopping 98% as of 2019! Students from the US wanting to study in any university in the UK need to have a Student visa (previously known as the Tier 4 General Student Visa). A student visa has the required number of hours allowed to work in a week, which might vary depending on the degree you are pursuing.

The student visa is valid for the duration of your course and plus one month. If you wish to renew your visa, it has to be done from the UK and may incur extra charges.

The student visa has no restrictions in terms of employment, but certain jobs such as - working as an entrepreneur, entertainer, or as a sportsperson/sports coach are restricted in the student visa. Most importantly, the Student visa does not allow you to claim public funds such as pensions.

Scholarships

Scholarships are one of the best ways to save on some extra money before going to university. The UK provides a range of scholarships for international students, although there are individual sponsors as well. Scholarships in the UK can be divided into two parts-
  1. Non-Government Scholarships: These scholarships are provided majorly by universities. You would have to check with your desired university if they have a criteria for scholarships. Some popular university scholarships are:
    • Gates Cambridge Scholarship
    • Rhodes House Scholarship
    • MBA Scholarship
    • Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
    • UK Scholarships from British Council
    • Denys Holland Scholarship
    • Bristol University Scholarships
    • Cardiff University Scholarships
    • International Undergraduate Engineering Scholarship
    • International Scholarships at University of Westminster
    • University of Sussex International Scholarships.
  2. Government Scholarships: As the name suggests, these scholarships are put together by the government of UK for international students. There are two such scholarships - Chevening Scholarships and the Commonwealth Scholarships.

Admission Requirements for UK Universities

Admission requirements are consistent amongst universities most of the time, but the details vary as per universities and the course you would be applying to. Hence, narrowing your choices of university and following up with their requirements frequently is ideal.
It is advisable to apply as early as possible in regards to the visa process, the documents submission, fees payment, and of course, the closing date.
Applications are open 3-4 months before the starting date. Inquiries concerning admission to a graduate course should be sent to the institutions at least twelve months before the proposed start date.

Undergraduate Degree requirements

Requirements to get an offer from your desired university for an undergraduate course vary between universities. They are usually a mix of grades, essays, entrance exams and other qualifications. You can check the website of the university to get detailed information about the entry requirements. Although, the basic entry requirements of any university are as follows:
Remember: Applications for an undergraduate degree go through a UCAS application only .

Postgraduate Degree requirements

Unlike an undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree requirements and applications are pretty straight-forward. Just like the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree, the entry requirement details for a postgraduate degree are as per the university's requirements. The basic entry requirements for a postgraduate degree are as follows:

English Language requirements

You may have to take ONE of the following tests:

Cost of Study in UK

The tuition fee is different for students from UK/EU and for international students. The fees structure for UK/EU and international students is shown in accordance to degrees below:

Undergraduate degree

Postgraduate (taught) degree

Accommodation in the UK

On Campus

On-Campus accommodation is based on 'first come first serve' basis in most universities. An average cost for university accommodation cannot be determined as of yet, as universities keep it at different rates based on the type of accommodation they provide. You can head over to the university's website to have an idea about the types of accommodation they offer as well as the cost for them. As a general rule, living on-campus has its ups and downs. Staying on campus helps you reap benefits such as not paying for electricity bills, no extra charge for transportation and so on.

Off Campus

Usually, universities also have an option for students wanting to stay in private accommodations. Some of these private accommodations come under the university but are not on campus. Additionally, they are known as private accommodations but are actually shared with 5-6 people, so depending on your budget and preferences, you could get a shared accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms, but might have to share the kitchen and hall. There is a lot of variety when it comes to private accommodation, hence you can take your time and decide which is suitable for you and your room partners. The downside of an off-campus accommodation would be to incur extra charges for electricity and water bills, as well as transportation if the campus is far from your accommodation.

Note: The accommodation charges are subject to the university's guidelines. Just as academic fees are lower in Wales and Scotland, accommodation is lower as well.

HealthCare

If your course lasts for more than six months, you will be entitled to free medical care under the UK's National Health Service. Even if your course lasts for less than six months, your country might have a reciprocal agreement with the UK which will mean that you also are entitled to free medical care. If your country does not have a mutual agreement, however, and your course lasts less than six months you should set aside sufficient funds to pay for medical insurance.

Why not live outside England?

Yes, you read that right. England has very renowned universities, hence by default it becomes the No.1 choice for most students as an ideal destination for higher studies. The beautiful architecture amongst the hustle and bustle of what the city has to offer is a beautiful balance for a new experience! But the other side of the coin is that the universities in England are very expensive, be it their academic fees, living costs or both. Yes, you have the option of a scholarship but no university or the government guarantees a scholarship to every student. So what do you do? You start to look at the equally amazing opportunities outside England! Universities in Wales, Scotland and Ireland have a great quality of education while being at a drastically lesser price point in all terms than England. Check out more info here.

Extra information

You may first wish to contact your own Ministry of Education or Education Department, as they should have details of scholarship opportunities for students wanting to study overseas. They will also be able to advise you on your own government's conditions for studying abroad. You may also contact the British Council office in your country of origin, which should have details of British scholarship schemes. The British Council will be able to give you information about educational and training courses and about living in the UK, including how much it costs to study. If there is no British Council office, contact your nearest British Embassy or High Commission.

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