As per the statistics, every year more than one lac students from all across the globe apply for admission in UK universities. A wide cultural diversity along with a wide options of courses to choose from has always attracted students to take admission in the UK and its universities.
There are various reasons why candidates from all across the globe wish to study in the UK. The universities from the UK are known for their quality education with an option to earn and learn. To assist meritorious students many universities provide scholarship support so as to make sure they don’t miss the opportunity. Universities from the UK have state-of-the-art infrastructure along with strong research infrastructure for students wishing to understand the subject line deeply and practically. Short-term courses help reduce total expenditure. The courses offered by the UK and its universities have got international recognition as well. The UK and its universities nurture the students to be future leaders.
The UK is a country that has made a lot of impact on the educational system of the world. The reason for that esteemed position is the wide variety of STEM courses offered by UK Universities.
Affordability is also one of the major reasons for the UK to be on top in terms of education. The UK is also known for its comparatively shorter duration of courses which reduces the cost of studying at a whole new level.
UK educational institutions offer a lot of scholarships to help students relieve some of the financial burdens. These scholarships face a great deal of competition, so a student must apply well in advance to get these scholarships.
As the UK is home to some of the top universities in the world, it is obvious that the cost of studying there is also high. But this does not let the students dishearten themselves. There are a lot of financial supports offered to students to cope with these financial constraints. These scholarships are available to all meritorious international students to cover their financial expenses for studying.
The UK has developed an education system that offers great student satisfaction, interactive learning, and high-quality education. As per the QS World Rankings statistics, UK Universities have constantly secured a spot on the top universities list. Degrees acquired in the UK also have one more advantage they are globally recognized and acclaimed as well.
Students studying in the UK also have an opportunity for critical and analytical thinking due to their high-end research and development facilities.
Let us now look at the education system in the UK:
The Education System in the UK is divided into four jurisdictions namely Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England. The education system in all these regions has different kinds of regulations and norms. However, the major difference is found in general and secondary education levels which results in each region having its own qualifications and frameworks.
There are four stages in the UK education system:
There is a principal national reference point for maintaining academic standards of higher education in any country known as the Qualification Framework. The education qualification of the UK runs by two parallel frameworks. These are:
There are almost 160 universities and colleges in the UK that are designated to award degrees.
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is one of the unique factors in the Education System of the UK. Being an independent body, it is entitled to maintain the standards of education in the UK. This body performs regular audits and ensures that proper education standards are maintained and even provides advice and feedback for the scope of improvement. This accessing body is not for private institutions. The reports and audits are publicly available and can be accessed on the official website of QAA.
Higher education:
Bachelor’s, Master and doctoral degrees are the higher education offered in the UK. There is also an option for international students to opt for university-level studies through pathway programs. These pathway programs usually include foundation and language courses.
Undergraduate courses:
These courses are designed in such a way that they help students explore a world of opportunities at the same time providing them with a thorough understanding of the subject as well. UK educational institutes are known to offer a variety of courses to their students.
Here’s an overview of the types of undergraduate courses offered in the UK:
| Program | Duration |
|---|---|
| Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) | 1 to 2 years |
| Certificates or Diplomas of Higher Education | 1 to 2 years |
| Foundation degrees (Fd A/Fd Sc) | 6 months to 2 years |
| Degrees (such as BA, B.Sc., BEng) | • 3 years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland • 4 years in Scotland |
| Sandwich degrees | 4 years with a year in the industry |
| Integrated courses | 4 years |
Postgraduate studies:
To have more specific and in-depth knowledge of the subject, these are the courses one should opt for. The duration of most Master’s degrees is one year, meaning students pursuing this degree can return to working at a much faster rate. There are various courses to choose from in different niches.
Overview of Postgraduate courses offered in the UK:
| Program | Duration |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate certificates and diplomas (PG Cert/PG Dip) | 9 to 12 months |
| Masters (such as MRes, M.Sc, MA, LLM, MBA,) | 1 year |
| Research Masters (such as MPhil, Ph.D., DPhil) | 2-3 years |
In order for an Indian student to study in the UK, the student must obtain a study visa as a prerequisite.
The visa a student will need will depend on the age and the type, of course, they are willing to pursue.
Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
| Type of Student Visa | Who it’s for | When to Apply | Arrival in the UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 4 (General) student visa | Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution | Three months before the start of your course | • Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. • Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
| Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa | Students aged between four and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school | Three months before the start of your course | • Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. • Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
| Short-term Study Visa | Students who have been offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course | Three months before your date of travel to the UK | Depends on your nominated travel dates |
| Tier 4 (General) Student Visa | Students who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor | Three months before the start of your course | Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
Documents Requirement:
Additional Documents Requirements:
In order to obtain a UK student visa, the applicant is required to have proof of English language proficiency. To prove your English language competency you need to give an approved English language test.
IELTS is an approved test for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) purposes. Once you have acquired the required levels in IELTS, you will be eligible for a UK study visa. The student may also be required to appear for a personal interview at the UK embassy or consulate.
UK Visa and Immigration Department has made it compulsory to have a biometric taken as a part of your visa application. You will have to make an appointment to get your fingers and thumbs scanned and your digital photo will be taken.
Studying abroad can be an expensive affair. But with proper and effective budgeting things can turn out to be in your favor. But before an applicant decides to study in the UK, they must look at the various expenses other than the tuition fee and plan their budget accordingly. Now let’s look at the expensive in a more detailed manner.
The Tuition Fee is one of the prime expenditures if you are looking to study abroad. This expenditure will depend upon the universities and the course the student is willing to pursue. High-ranking colleges and universities in the UK have their own fee structure. The location also does matter in the UK meaning it will vary depending on the locations like England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Given below is the overview of tuition fees along with the corresponding programs.
| S.No. | Study Program | Average fee (in Euros*) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | £6,000 to £9,000 per year |
| 2 | Postgraduate Master’s Degree | £10,000 to £16,000 per year |
| 3 | Doctoral Degree | £13,000 to £29,000 per year |
UK universities offer an on-campus residence facility to their students but the students also have the option to opt for off-campus residency. The average cost for an on-campus residency varies as per the university while the cost for students who opt for living outside the campus on a shared accommodation is around £550 and £650 per month depending upon the location of the accommodation.
The first step towards studying in the UK is securing a valid student Visa. The student Visa for the UK usually costs approximately £348. These charges are subject to change as per government norms and exchange rates.
Living expenses are day-to-day expenditures like groceries, social activities, emergency situations, etc. A student studying in the UK spends an average of £5,500 and £8,000 per year for all their personal expenses. So students should monitor and plan their expenses from time to time for effective budgeting.
As it is said health is everything. So a student studying in the UK should definitely consider medical insurance. As life is so uncertain and living in a foreign country away from your known relatives can be a bit difficult to manage. Medical insurance should cover all these uncertainties. Medical insurance in the UK ranges from approximately £150 a year.
Traveling charges either by bus, train, or subway for a long or short distance in the UK costs not that much but it can be reduced if you opt for a monthly pass.
Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during their academic session while it is upgraded to full-time when they are on vacation. If a student chooses to work along with their studies, your first £11,500 is tax-free; however, anything earned above this amount will be taxable.
If you are willing to know more about the UK Study Visa process, you can certainly contact us by writing us an email at mail@pioverseas.com and one of our experts will help you out in every possible way. Call us at +91-9310-10-6988 or you can also receive a call back from our expert once you fill out the inquiry form. You can also talk to our experts directly through our live chat feature and clear your doubts instantaneously.
We at Pi Overseas have a team of dedicated experts that cater to every need of the clients. We have a proven track record in the immigration industry which was achieved in a very short span of time. Our experts will help and guide you through every step of the filing process and keep you posted throughout the whole cumbersome process of visa filing.
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