The ultimate guide to help you study in the UK

Your Ultimate Guide to Study in the UK

INTRODUCTION

The UK has always been the first study abroad destination for students from India and neighboring countries for many years. There are quite a few reasons for this – the top-quality education, the lure of London - the city of power, the easy connectivity to Paris – the city of dreams and the strong ethnic Asian community in the UK.

In this e-book we present a clear and concise picture of how to join a higher education course in the UK. We have covered topics like – why you should choose the UK, the admissions process, academic semester deadlines, tuition fees and living expenses, scholarships and documents required for the visa interview.

In recent years, Singapore and Australia are slowly gaining popularity as the courses and the cost of living is lesser; but the popularity and respect associated with a degree from the UK will never wane.

CONTENT

Why should you consider the UK as a study destination?

- 5

What would be the average cost of higher education in the UK?

- 7

When does the academic semester start? Which is the best semester to apply

?

- 9

What are the main eligibility tests required to study in the UK?

- 11

How to apply to Universities in the UK? What is the process?

- 12

Document list - What you need to submit with your application?

- 15

Financial support for studying in the UK?

- 17

Securing a student visa

- 19

Why should you consider the UK as a study destination?

CHAPTER 1

There is not one – but there are many reasons to apply for a higher education course at a UK University or college:

Credibility of InstitutionsThe quality of education in the UK is internationally recognised by employers and universities around the world, making it a popular option for many international students for higher education.

The quality of an educational institution’s teaching and its facilities are reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), whereas the institutions research standards are examined by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

FlexibilityThe UK higher education system offers many choices within a program and the opportunity to modify majors or select multiple specializations. At an advanced stage of an undergraduate program, a student can alter the program to meet detailed career objectives. At the graduate level students can create their own timetable and complete courses at ease within the stipulated time-frame.

Work OpportunitiesThe F1 Visa limits students allowing them to work a total of 20 hours a week on and off-campus, maintaining full-time status while attending universities. Students need to contact Campus Career Services’ of their institutions for job vacancies. There are no restrictions on first year students to work off-campus except the hour stipulation and working past 20 hours a week will affect their credits leading to deportation and the ability to return.

Diverse CulturesThe UK is one of the few racially, ethnically and culturally diverse countries; a prominent contributing factor why international students are interested in studying in the UK The country is decked with large cities, rustic towns and villages, contemporary and historical architecture is a diverse and exciting place to explore.

Get free advice on study abroad Call us @ 1-800-103-9634(toll free)

5Your Ultimate Guide to Study in the UK

What would be the average cost of higher education in the UK?

CHAPTER 2

It is advisable to opt for university accommodation unless you have a friend or guardian residing in the same city as your institution. Day-to-day expenses include transportation, food, entertainment and other related costs. During the student visa interview, students need to show that they have sufficient funds in their bank account to fund the duration of their stay in the UK.

Average tuition fee

Undergraduate Studies

Foundation courses : £4,000 to £12,000

Arts courses : £7,000 to £9,000

Science courses : £7,500 to £22,000

Clinical courses : £10,000 to £25,000

Postgraduate Studies

Arts and humanities courses : £7,000 to £12,000Science courses : £7,500 to £25,000Clinical courses : £10,000 to £33,000MBA: £4,000 to more than £34,000

Disclaimer: All rates shown are for indicative purposes only. It is important to note that foreign exchange rates fluctuate and rates will vary.

Living expenses

London : £7200 per yearOther areas : £5400 per

year



When does the academic semester start every year? Which is the best semester to apply?

CHAPTER 3

Admission intakes

Application deadlines:

For Undergraduate applicants: Your application should be at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what course you apply for.

• 15 October for the universities of Oxford, Cambridge or any professional course in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science.

• 15 January for the majority of courses.• 24 March for some art and design courses.

For Postgraduate applicants: Check the institution where you plan to study for the final date of sending application forms.

In the UK, the standard academic year starts in September or October and runs until June or July. Some courses are more flexible, however, and offer a range of start dates.



What are the main eligibility tests required to study in the UK?

CHAPTER 4

There are two types of eligibility testsA) Language B) Aptitude

Language:Prospective students will have to prove their proficiency in English through standardized tests such as IELTS/TOEFL.

Aptitude:The aptitude tests vary depending upon the course of interest. Some popular ones include GRE and GMAT.

Students who give the TOEFL test are expected to get a minimum score of 80 - 120, but a score of 100 -120 would increase their chance of admission and students who take the IELTS tests are expected to score 6-9. Similarly, a good score for GRE would be 320 -340 and for GMAT would be 700 - 800.

Minimum scores will vary based on which schools you are applying to. At some schools, academic transcripts will also play an important role in whether or not a student from India is able to study in the UK, at his or her preferred school.



How to apply to Universities in the UK? What is the process?

CHAPTER 5

Applying for a course:

• For undergraduate courses, you can apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS).

• For postgraduate courses, you can apply online through Hotcourses’ apply online service (UNI-FORM).

• Some institutions use the UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service (UKPASS) scheme. You can see which institutions are covered by the scheme and find out more at the UKPASS website. You can apply using the UKPASS service at any time as there are no deadlines. However, your preferred universities and colleges may have their own closing dates, so you'll need to check with them before you apply.

• The Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS) operates a separate application system for undergraduate and postgraduate practice-based music courses, and some dance and drama courses. You can find out more information and apply online by visiting the CUKAS website.

• The Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) operates a separate application system for graduates who want to take postgraduate teacher training courses at most universities and colleges of higher education in England, Scotland and Wales. You can find out more information and apply online at the GTTR website.



http://www.ucas.com/

http://www.uniguru.co.in/university-application-form-apply-online?campaign=10545&utm_source=Landing%20page&utm_medium=ebook&utm_campaign=UK%20Study%20guide%20Ebook%20landing%20page

http://www.ukpass.ac.uk/

http://www.cukas.ac.uk/

http://www.gttr.ac.uk/

Document List - What you need to submit with your application?

CHAPTER 6

Once you have all the right documents, re-check it as many times as you want. Have attested copies of all the documents in a folder and arrange it according to the check list. This will help you organize your application better.

You will have to submit the following documents along with your application form:

• Academic Certificates• Competitive exam score sheets• Statement of purpose• Resume• Letters of recommendation• Passport size photographs• Experience Documents• Achievement Certificates[Awards]• A copy of your passport



Financial support for studying in the UK

CHAPTER 7

Scholarships are mostly available at the postgraduate level and some of these are offered by the British Government and other UK organizations

On the Hotcourses India website, you can search through thousands of scholarships offered by UK Universities.

British Financial Assistance for Indian Students

• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan • Charles Wallace India Trust Awards and Fellowships • Hornby one year MA Scholarship Programme • Felix Scholarships • Brendish Family Foundation Scholarships

Financial Assistance from India:

• The HSBC Chevening Scholarships• Goa Education Trust (GET)

Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a loan or financial support from the UK government. Visit the UKCISA website for more details.



http://www.csfp-online.org/

http://www.wallace-trusts.org.uk/cwt_india.html

http://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/scholarships/charles-wallace-trust/hornby




http://www.felixscholarship.org/

http://www.ioe.ac.uk/studentInformation/52571.html

http://www.ioe.ac.uk/studentInformation/52571.html

http://www.chevening.org/india/



http://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/scholarships/goa-education-trust-scholarships

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/

Securing a student visa!

CHAPTER 8

International students in order to study in the UK have to acquire a student visa from the British High Commission near them. A Tier 4 (General) student visa will cover a student’s plan to pursue full-time education in the UK.

Complete the online application form in the

Visa4UK visa application system

Print out the confirmation page and when you have

printed a copy of the completed form, you must

sign the declaration by hand

Pay the fee online through the Visa4UK

website

Collect the list of documents required

(Visa4UK will send you the list of documents required through an

email)

Fix an appointment through Visa4UK and you have a visa appointment reference (VAR) number

Usually, these interviews happen at UK embassies in home countries.



http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

Documents Required for a UK Student Visa

The UK visa interview lasts only for a few minutes. Since this is a very short session, all students are expected to carry all necessary documents organized properly.

You can organise the documents as individual folders in the following order:

Completed visa application form

Letter of acceptance for studies, the confirmation

Educational certificates and transcripts

Evidence of an English language test (TOEFL, IELTS)

Passport

Proof of sufficient funds

Sponsorship details if this is the case

TB testing (where applicable)

Your Ultimate Guide to Study in the UK 20



As a student planning to go abroad and study a course of your choice the options are many – within the UK itself you will find multiple institutions – ‘the Redbrick universities’ representing the class, values and pedigree of high education standards. Younger institutions that are focused on offering students a fantastic student experience with all modern conveniences the options will be many.

So take your time and short-list an institution of your choice. If you think you want to study in a relaxed atmosphere away from the madding crowd, look at some of the smaller universities, which offer excellent quality teaching at affordable costs. There’s something for everyone in the UK. So take a deep breath, decide what course you want to study and browse through our institution listings to find an institution in the UK that matches your needs.

