Study in United Kingdom

Welcome to UK

Situated in northwest Europe the United Kingdom is a political union made up of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales (Great Britain) and Northern Ireland. The two official languages in Britain are English and Welsh, English being the most widely spoken. The United Kingdom has a highly industrialised economy and the sixth-largest gross domestic product in the world. Nearly 80% of UK economy is services based, with around 19 % the industrial sector. Main industries include; aerospace, energy, chemicals, telecommunications, electronics, and financial services. The UK is one of the world’s top ten spenders on Research and Development, which topped 27 Billion Euros in 2015. It has more than 3,000 educational institutions welcoming international students.

Despite uncertainties following the nation’s referendum on EU membership in June 2016, UK universities are united in their efforts to continuing welcoming students from across the EU and the entire world. Indeed, the country is home to many of the world’s most internationally diverse campuses and communities – and this, for many, is a large part of the appeal of studying in the UK.

Higher Education System

Degrees are the most popular undergraduate qualification in the UK. They are academic courses, usually studied over three years in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, or four years in Scotland (where the title master’s degree may be awarded). University International Foundation Year courses help to bridge any gaps between qualifications already held and the ones needed to begin a degree course at a UK university.

There are a wide variety of postgraduate study options. Pre-master’s Courses can last from one term to a complete academic year. Postgraduate Certificate or Diplomas (PG Cert/Dip) are one-year taught postgraduate courses that don’t usually involve research. They’re often accepted as professional qualifications in the relevant field, giving you a head start in your chosen career. Taught Master’s (MA, MSc, LLM, MEd etc) courses generally last for one year and consist of two elements: a number of modules and a dissertation from original research. Research Master’s (MRes, MPhil) is a master’s degree by research. You will devote the entire year to research and your final mark will be determined by the quality of your dissertation. Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a specialist business taught master’s course. It’s the most popular postgraduate qualification.

 A Doctorate (PhD) will take you three to four years to complete, during which you’ll be working on a single research project. New Route PhDs include taught elements as well as a research project and give you the opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary study. The UK is popular with international students and according to the latest UNESCO statistics more than 427,000 international tertiary level students studied in the UK in 2012. The UK is well-regarded internationally as a higher education destination offering a wide range of world-leading educational institutions, faculties, disciplines and courses. For e.g., A total of 45 UK universities feature in the Global Top 400 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016, of which 16 are in the Top 100, and 3 in the Top 10 – Imperial College London ranked 8, The University of Cambridge ranked 4, and the University of Oxford ranked the second best University in the World.

Applying to universities in the UK London, UK

The UK has a centralized university admissions service which handles all undergraduate applications – the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). This is used by both domestic and international students to apply for courses at universities in the UK. You’ll need to register on the UCAS website before completing and submitting your application. The website provides all the details on how to apply, what to include, how to track your application and how to respond to your chosen universities. It also has a guide for international students, including information about visas, student finance and more.

Once you’ve submitted your application, UCAS will send it to the institutions you’ve chosen, and then email or mail you back their response. If you’re accepted by an institution, you’ll get an ‘offer’. This can take the form of a ‘conditional offer’ which means the place is yours if you can fulfil the specified admissions criteria, or an ‘unconditional offer’ which means you’ve already reached their criteria. If you’re unlucky, you’ll receive either a ‘withdrawn application’ response, which means either you or the university has withdrawn your course choice, or an ‘unsuccessful application’ response, which means the university has decided not to offer you a place. You might be able to add another choice if you've received decisions from all five universities or colleges and were not accepted, or if you declined the offers you received.

For schools, English language centers, most further education courses and some postgraduate courses, there is no centralized application system, so you’ll need to apply directly to the institution providing the course. You can usually find application forms on the website.

UK university application requirements

Applying to universities in the UK

All students are required to write a ‘personal statement’ explaining their reasons for wanting to study their chosen subject. If you are applying to more than one institution (as is usual), make sure not to mention any by name, as they will all receive the same personal statement. The UCAS website has a lot of tailored advice for writing personal statements, but as a rule-of-thumb, international students are encouraged to mention why they want to study in the UK rather than in their home country, how their studies will help them in the future, and describe their English language skills (perhaps by mentioning any English courses or tests they have taken).

As well as completing the UCAS process, international students may need to send copies of their academic transcripts to their course provider. This is usually because UCAS can only send some results from awarding bodies (such as the International Baccalaureate) directly to your chosen course providers. For most other international qualifications, the universities will ask that the results are sent directly to them.

There are different application forms and deadlines depending on the type of course you’re applying for. The UCAS website is usually very clear on deadlines, and it’s important to make sure you don’t miss these, as some universities may not consider late applications.

Though UCAS processes the applications, decisions about admissions requirements are made by individual universities. So, if you have any questions that are not about the technicalities of application, you should direct them to the university concerned. Before applying, make sure you read up on the course requirements, tuition fee costs and course details, emailing the university if you need more information. Remember that requirements may vary depending on your country of residence.

If you’re planning to study in the UK at postgraduate level, check out the latest edition of the QS Top Grad School Guide.

UK tuition fees & living costs

UK tuition fees

The level of UK tuition fees varies depending on your home country. EU students are charged the same as students from within the UK, while those from outside the EU typically face higher fees. Maximum undergraduate tuition fees at public universities in the UK also vary depending on the region: in England, universities can charge up to £9,250 (~US$11,330) per year, and in Wales up to £9,000 (~US$11,020). Scotland does not charge tuition fees at undergraduate level for domestic or EU students (except those from the other three parts of the UK, who will pay up to £9,000 a year). In Northern Ireland, Northern Irish students and those from EU countries pay up to £3,925 (~US$4,800) per year, while students from the other parts of the UK will pay up to £9,250.

International students from outside the EU can expect significantly higher tuition fees, varying between about £7,000 (~US$8,580) and £35,000 (~US$42,900) per year depending on the course. At postgraduate level, there’s no set maximum amount, and for all students (UK/EU/international), tuition fees tend to be higher than at undergraduate level. Again, this varies depending on the degree and university.

The result of the UK’s referendum on membership of the European Union (dubbed ‘Brexit’) has led to some uncertainty about whether EU citizens studying in the UK will have to pay higher fees after the UK officially leaves the EU. However, many universities have pledged to keep tuition fees at the same rate for current EU students for the duration of their studies. The UK government has also stated that there will be no immediate change to visa policies, and that EU students are still eligible for the same loans and grants.

Living costs in the UK

You’ll need at least £12,000 a year to cover living costs in the UK (~US$14,720) and will need to budget more to live in London, where rent and other costs are considerably higher than in the rest of the UK. If applying for a visa, you’ll need to meet the financial requirements set by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). One way to save money while studying in the UK is to take advantage of the many student discounts offered by retailers – simply flash your student card to save money!

UK student financial aid

There are many financial support options for international students who wish to study in the UK. EU nationals may also qualify for help from Student Finance England (SFE). UK student financial aid is applied for separately from the UCAS application. Many international students are eligible for scholarships, grants, bursaries, financial awards and loans, run by governments, charities and other organizations. You may also be eligible to apply for a QS Scholarship, while MBA candidates can apply for a relevant QS MBA Scholarship.

The Ministry of Education in your home country or even your local British Council office may have information on sources of support. For most schemes, competition is very tough, so you should apply early as you can to maximize your chances. Depending on your nationality, you may also be eligible for a loan or financial support from the UK government.

Always make sure you find out what is and is not covered by your financial support scheme so you can prepare to cover any other costs yourself. It is recommended to look for financial support before you start your course, as it can be very difficult to find funding mid-way through the academic year.

Healthcare in the UK

UCL quad

While private healthcare in the UK can be expensive, all international students on full-time courses lasting at least six months are entitled to use the National Health Service (NHS) which provides free registration and consultation with an NHS doctor (GP) or nurse, free hospital treatment when referred by your GP, and a standard charge for each item of prescribed medicine (except in Wales and Scotland where prescriptions are free).

You may be able to register with the NHS at your university health center. Otherwise, you should register at a GP center close to your accommodation or university. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is also a good resource for details about healthcare, student support and working during or after your studies.

Student accommodation in the UK

Most international students who study in the UK live in accommodation provided by the university, with main accommodation types being halls of residence, student houses and student flats. These can be catered or self-catered, with home stays (staying with a UK family) being fairly uncommon.

You can also choose from a range of private accommodation, either living by yourself or sharing with a group of friends. Try to secure your student accommodation before you arrive in the UK. International students are usually given preference for places in student halls, while there are plenty of websites to help with house-hunting. The Student Union and the Student Housing Office at your university should also be great sources of information on how to find accommodation.

Settling in to the UK

Cambridge Corpus Christi

You’ll probably find your UK university will hold a series of welcome events for international students, including social activities, workshops and ‘orientation sessions’, with a chance to explore the campus and local area. You can also join in with ‘Freshers’ Week’, a week-long (or sometimes fortnight-long) calendar of events designed to welcome all new students (‘fresher’ is an informal term used to describe new university students). There will also be a Freshers’ Fair, which is a chance to join student clubs and societies that interest you, including sports, art and social groups.

It is recommended that you open a UK bank account as soon as you can after your arrival in the UK. This can take a few weeks, so make sure you have access to enough cash until then. Residents of some countries may be required to register with the police.

Fast fact

• Sovereign state with four member states: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Capital city: London (also the capital of England and largest city in the UK)
• Capital of Wales is Cardiff, of Scotland is Edinburgh and of Northern Ireland is Belfast
• Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary system with bicameral legislature
• Queen Elizabeth II is head of state, a largely ceremonial role
• Head of government is the prime minister (Theresa May as of 2016)
• Developed country, and the world’s sixth biggest economy
• Was the world’s first industrialized country
• Member of European Union and Commonwealth of Nations, as well as the Council of Europe, the G7, the G8, the G20, NATO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)
• 14 Overseas Territories and 3 Crown Dependencies
• Official language: English (Welsh has resurged as a second language in Wales in recent years, and other regional languages include Scots and Gaelic)
• Popular sports include: football (soccer), tennis, rugby union, rugby league, golf, cricket, rowing, boxing, motorsport and horse racing
• Traditional British cuisine includes the ‘full breakfast’, fish and chips, Sunday roast, shepherd’s pie, Cornish pasties, haggis, Yorkshire pudding, Arbroath Smokie and Welsh cakes.
• Currency: Pounds Sterling (£)
• International dialing code: +44

Already decided to study in UK? Absolutely a great choice! Well, three   out of ten of the world’s top universities are in the UK, including the   university in the first place. Being in the top rank in the world,  UK’s  higher education institutions have a growing reputation in the  eyes of  international companies. While studying in England, students  not only  attend classroom sessions but also able to interact with  lectures  through seminars, discussions and projects. This environment  would help students to improve critical thinking skills, creativity and  confidence.

Additional benefits next to the academic traditions of various world-famous universities, students will receive access to the most up-to-date facilities for a world-class research. British education will also help you develop the ability and confidence in speaking English, skills that are highly valued by companies worldwide. Whatever brings you here, if you will study for an undergraduate level, boarding schools or further education college, you will be part of a multicultural environment and secure. Education institutions in the UK have a comprehensive service facility that can reliably support student. Seeking for a cultural adventure? UK offers you ranging from music festivals and sports events to an ancient castle and a vibrant nightlife. Finally, what you need to do is start preparing your application to universities. Not forget to mention, If you are looking for a financial support, Chevening Scholarships grant you a promising one.