International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and the numbers have been growing steadily. UK is the second most popular destination for international students, behind the US. The UK has worked hard to capitalize on the growing demand for English-language instruction and the visa hurdles in the US.
Work Opportunities
An international student in the UK is typically allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school term, and up to full-time when school is out of term. There are many courses which gives you the permit to work for a couple of years on the student visa. You need to check with the University for such courses.
Global Edge
The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A high degree of educational quality that`s
backed by centuries of tradition, the United Kingdom is just the right place to give your career that global edge.
In addition to the Oxford and Cambridge, UK has a large number of other universities which rank among the best in the world and offer a wide range of courses.
One major advantage of U.K. education system is that most UK universities recognize the Indian education system of 3 year graduation.
UK Universities & colleges offer one-year Masters Degree for almost all courses, saving you considerable time and money.
Worldwide Recognition
The degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high quality and world class. The standard of excellence is set by some of the older universities with recognizable names, like Oxford and Cambridge, but the tradition carries through to many of the universities and colleges throughout the UK.
Education Costs are Lower
The cost of education for an international student in the UK can be lower compared to the USA and other countries. Some courses in the USA can be $25,000 plus a year in tuition alone. Tution for the majority of UK higher education institutions is in the region of £6,000 to £7,000 a year .
You can also save a lot of money because your degree will generally take less time to complete in the UK than in other countries. Although four-year programs are increasing in popularity, most degree programs in the UK require a three-year course and a masters program is typically between one and two years. When you consider the shorter timeframe, the cost will be much lower if you only have to plan for three years instead of four or even five as in many other countries.
Primary Education
Generally key stages 1 and 2 will be undertaken at primary school and at 11 years old a student will move onto secondary school and finish key stages 3 and 4.
Secondary Education
From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education). At age 14, student enter into your first year of a 2 year process known as your GCSE (or SCE for those who are in Scotland). GCSE's are a set of exams that test your knowledge and skill.
GCSE's take a total of 2 years and mark the end of compulsory education for students in the UK. Once they have completed their GCSE's students then have the choice to either move into further education (with a view to higher education) or can leave school and look for work.
Further Education
Once a student finishes secondary education they have the option to extend into further education to take their A-Levels, GNVQ's, BTEC's or other such qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.
Most schools in the UK have what is called a "6th Form" for students to enter after they have taken their GCSE's. As an alternative, there are many "6th Form Colleges" that will offer the same courses from students at schools that do not have a 6th form. Here students typically study A-levels, further academic qualifications required of students before they enter higher education and a degree program.
A-levels, like GCSE's, follow a two-year program and there are two components to them, full A-levels and half AS-levels. Generally A-levels comprise of 6 modules, and an AS-level 3 modules
Higher Education System
In the UK most undergraduate degree programs take three years to finish; however, the "sandwich course"is increasing in popularity, which is four years and involves one year in the work place (normally in your third year). In Scotland the courses are four years in length for undergraduate programs.
For graduate or masters programs they are generally shorter in length and undertaken after graduation of your undergraduate program. Some professional degrees like medicine, veterinary, law etc. have longer programs that can be as much as five years.
UCAS
UCAS is the central organization that processes applications for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.
For More info click: www.ucas.com
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills " listening, reading, writing and speaking " for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.
You must apply to a test centre to take an IELTS test prior to the test date.
Applications are made on an IELTS Application Form which you can send or take into a test centre, along with the test fee, two passport sized photographs, and a photocopy of your passport/national identity card. You will also need to include your passport number, or in some circumstances a national identity card number, on the application form " check with your test centre.
For More info click: www.ielts.org/
Transcripts
Students who are applying for a Bachelor program or another undergraduate course would be required to submit a secondary school report and transcripts (report cards) of the final exams. The report form should be filled out by a school official like the principal, counselor or headmaster. This form should introduce you in the context of your whole school experience in relation to the other students in your class. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you have performed in your own educational system. The school report should talk about your accomplishments and provide a prediction of your chances for success in university-level studies.
Since there is a variation between the styles of scoring used abroad and the ones used in India, ask your school to include a guide to the grading standards used in your educational system and your school. If your school ranks students by their level of academic achievement, make certain that the ranking is included with the other details.
Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose is the single most important part of the application form, that will introduce the applicant to the admissions committee. It will also give a brief of the applicant`s current career path and professional interests and goals for the future.
Letter of Recommendation
One of the most important elements of your college application is the Letter of recommendation. It is a signed statement from preferably a teacher who knows you well and has taught you in a subject that is related to the course you are applying to.
The letter should list your positive and negative qualities, useful skills (e.g., computer, statistical, or interpersonal skills), related experiences (extracurricular, work experience, clubs, volunteer work),
information about the student that can portray a true picture of the candidate to the reader. A good letter might also provide information about the student`s development and achievements over time. Therefore you need to choose a teacher who knows you well to write your letter.
Undergraduate Studies
You`ll get great value for money from a UK undergraduate education no matter where you choose to study. Course fees can vary considerably between institutions but this will give you a fair idea about the average annual course fees across various streams.
Foundation courses :£4,000 to £12,000
Arts courses :£7,000 to £9,000
Science courses :£7,500 to £12,000
Clinical courses :£10,000 to £21,000
Postgraduate Studies
You`ll get great value for money from a UK postgraduate education no matter where you choose to study.Course fees can vary considerably between institutions but this will give you a fair idea about the average annual course fees across various streams
Arts and humanities
courses :£7,000-£9,000
Science courses :£7,500-£12,000
Clinical courses :£10,000-£21,000
MBA :£4,000 to £30,000
AS- and A-levels :£4,000-£8,000
BTECs and other
vocational :£4,000-£6,000
HNC/HNDs :£5,000-£10,000
Foundation Degrees :£7,000-£12,000
International
Foundation Courses :£4,000 to £12,000
Living Expenses
Living in the UK can be an expensive affair if you don't plan your expenses in advance. This will give you a fair idea about the various expenses that you can incur per month, which can go up considerably depending on your lifestyle.
Halls of Residence :£200- £350 per month for some larger universities.
Shared Accommodation with 5-6 people : £120-£150 per month
Food: £100 to £120 per month to purchase food supplies.
DSL/ Internet and Telephone -charge a base of £50 per month depending where your home country is.
Bills In shared apartment you will need to calculate water, heating and electricity into your budget - this can be anything from £50 per month for all bills depending on the time of year.
Travel - £40 per month or more depending on your location.
Study Materials - books, notepads, paper, printer cartridges etc. £30 per month.
Scholarship
You must apply for your grant at least one year before your course starts as the deadlines vary, so you must check that you know what the deadline is before applying. The majority of the grants will not cover the full cost of a course, so you should have other sources to fund your education.
For More info click: www.britishcouncil.org
UK Border Agency (UKBA)
If you need to apply for a new student visa or extend your student visa you must make your application under the UK Border Agency`s new Points Based Immigration System Tier 4 Student (General) legislation.
If granted a visa, the new regulations allow international students to undertake part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during term time, full time work during the holidays as well as any course related work placements.
These changes to the visa application system will allow students to check whether they are eligible for a visa before they even apply, making the whole system more straightforward. We would urge anyone considering studying in the UK to visit the UKBA website now to familiarise themselves with the new regulations and ensure their application can be processed as quickly as possible.
For the first time, all independent fee-paying schools, colleges and universities that want to accept international students to study with them now need a licence to do so. This will help the UK Government crack down on bogus colleges, something which will be welcome news to many international students, who can now be sure the language school, college or university they intend to study at is an approved educational institution. So far over a thousand UK institutions have signed up to sponsor international students.
For More info click: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Visa Letter
Under the new Points Based Immigration System it is requirement to have a visa letter issued by the University (acting as official sponsor) containing specified information.Students need to prove that they have been accepted onto a course run by a UK Border Agency (UKBA) licensed education institution, prove that they have the means to support themselves and supply their biometric details at their local visa application centre.
For More info click: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf29pbsstudent#18650151
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
ATAS clearance is required for non-EEA students applying for admission, or continuation to Masters and PhD courses in certain science and technology subjects. You will also need to apply for ATAS clearance if you are already a student at Cambridge in these subjects, and need to renew or extend your visa.
For More info click: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2007/atas
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