Study in the UK – Complete Student Guide

The UK has been consistently popular due to the number of international studentsstudying in UK. One can say UK is a natural location for international students to go to in mass for study purposes. Every year more than 500,000 foreign students are enrolled.

Little wonder, it is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations for international students, just behind the United States.

WAIT! WATCH: Studying in UK vs US: Which Is Better? Study Abroad Comparison

British universities are some of the best in the world and consistently rank well in the world rankings. You also have a reputation for cutting-edge research.

UK higher education certificates are recognized by employers and academics around the world.

Students have the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, critical thinking and relationships to advance their careers.

High quality postgraduate opportunities are also available at most UK universities. Some universities offer sponsorship for Tier 4 visa extensions.

The United Kingdom promises a rich experience for an international student sequel to the excellent higher-education system existent in it and hundreds of world-class universities that it has.

Thus, this Study in UK complete guide will make available to you first-hand information you need to stay and study in UK.

UK has been ranked as theQS Best Student Cities 2018, making it a great place to study. Seventeen London universities are ranked in the university QS ranking, including two in the top 10 worldwide. The city’s academic skills, world-class resources and incredible job opportunities make it a great place to start your education and career.

If you’re planning to study here, between the city’s landmarks, world-famous attractions, and the innovative arts and culture scene, this is what you can expect when you live in London.

8 quick facts if you must study in UK

1. There are more than 395 UK universities and colleges offering more than 50,000 undergraduate degree programs.

• Applications for higher education in the UK are made through UCAS

• There are different application deadlines for different courses and universities. Note the most important dates and deadlines for the courses you are interested in.

• You have to pay tuition fees – these vary according to university or college and chosen course. You may be eligible for financial support for your tuition or scholarship. However, there are no tuition fees for EU students in Scotland.

WATCH: Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in UK for International Students | Top 10 Series

• The amount of money you need to cover your living expenses depends on where you study. London and other big cities tend to be more expensive.

• Many foreign students need to apply for a visa to study in the UK. There are work permit restrictions and some English skills that you may need.

• The universities inform all candidates about the English language skills required for their courses. Most course providers will ask you to prove your English language skills or pass a recognized English language test if English is not your native language.

• New students usually live in student residences (dormitories) – but there are many other accommodation options.

What do you know about UNITED KINGDOM?

Now you know the 8 facts needed to study in UK, let’s delve into more details as to why UK still maintain a top spot when it comes to international study abroad options.

BUT FIRST, WATCH: 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Studying In UK

The UK or United Kingdom is the shortened form of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Four countries namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up this prestigious political union.  The island of Great Britainwhich lies just off the northwest coast of continental Europe is shared by England, Scotland and Wales.

The fourth country, Northern Ireland, happens to be a portion of another island, with splitting between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, an independent country, in the south. Bermuda and Gibraltar are the oversea territories of the UK.

The latest that has occurred over the last 300 years is the union of the union of Great Britain and Northern Island. From origin, Scotland and England were two entirely separate as two different countries with their own monarchs and political systems, and Wales was controlled by England and was known as a principality.

Years back, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland have been brought together by the various acts off union that has taken place and Ireland’s independence was later to come in 1922 leaving the current split seen today.

There was a time that the British Empire had the world under its control, with territory getting to as far as India, Canada, South America and Africa. The UK is still a major political and economic force, with membership in the G8 and an economy that is ranked the fifth largest worldwide and second largest in Europe, this is despite the fact that colonial days are far gone and a steady decline have been in existence in the British Empire and the UK’s influence around the world. Checking from the UK’s colonial history, it is found out that it has been subject to a multitude of international influences and influxes of people, giving a helping hand towards the creation of the multi-cultural society that is known to be in existence today.

Why Study in the UK

The UK has become one of the most popular/top destinations to study around the world. In the UK having traditions of excellence which dates back hundreds of years, institutions of high class on every corner, and much more flexibility than is seen in many other countries, it has much to offer international students that other English-speaking countries cannot.

The things that made the United Kingdom stand out and that prompts the influx of students to come to the UK as a destination to further their international education include:

• Growing Destination
• Worldwide Recognition
• Education Costs are Lower
• Work Opportunities
• Multicultural Nation

Growing Destination

The presence of international students has always been an important factor in the UK, and their counts have been experiencing steady growth over the years. After the US which is the most popular destination for international students, UK is the second, followed by China which is the third in the list. Efforts have been put in by the UK towards the capitalization on the growing demand for English-language instruction and the post-9/11 visa hurdles in the US.

Worldwide Recognition

All around the world, degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known as high quality and world class. Some of the older universities with recognizable names, such as Oxford and Cambridge have seen to the setting of this standard of excellence, but like the flow of blood, the tradition has flown down to many of the universities and colleges throughout the UK. International students have a great selling point in this regard when seeking to be hired in the future.

Education Costs are Lower

The degree obtained by international students generally takeless time to be completed in the UK than in other countries hence, one could save money in comparison to a US school. Although the increase in the popularity of four-year programs, most degree programs in the UK last for three years, and a master’s program typically lasts for one to two years.

UK education can be affordable by international students managing their affairs. Although this, there has been an alarming trend in the cost of education for non-EU students and UK policymakers are taking note of that. With increment in exchange rates, high expense can be attached to life in the UK. Additionally, unlike in many other EU countries, non-EU students experience higher charges in the UK than students from EU countries. According to the warning from the Higher Education Policy Institute in one recent study, the UK is mandated to act to contain and reduce tuition and costs in order not to be kicked out of its recent position as the world’s third most populated country of international students as it works towards going up the list in its hunt for international students.

Work Opportunities

Work for up to 20 hours a week schedule during school termand up to full-time when school is out of term is open to international students in the UK. Before starting any work as an international student, you are to check with your school’s international advisor before starting any work. This is because rules change frequently and you do not want to be in violation of your visa. It’s not a good idea to rely on work income for the funding of your education because it is not always easy to find a job. Except at having an employment set up through your school before your arrival, you should have plans made to see to funding the entire first year of your studies without any employment income.

Multicultural Nation

The UK has nearly all religions and faiths represented as a multicultural society. The UK is very open to new traditions and cultures with a racial, ethnic and religious jumble, which happens to be a great thing for students from other countries.

In this, the UK is known to be a melting pot and as such, students can feel confident that there will be easy accessibility of a place of worship for most major religions.

UK Education System

These four main parts, primary education, secondary education, further education and higher educationmake up the education system in the UK. Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education in the UK from about that age 5 until age 16.

The “key stages or sections” into which the education system in the UK is split into are four in number and includes:

• 1: 5 to 7 years old
• 2: 7 to 11 years old
• 3: 11 to 14 years old
• 4: 14 to 16 years old

Generally, key stages 1 and 2 is undergone at primary school and at age 11, a student moves onto secondary school and to finish key stages 3 and 4.

Assessment is given to students at the end of each stage. Students receive their most important assessment at age 16, in pursuit of their GCSE or General Certificate of Secondary Education. At the completion of a student’s GCSE, he/she has the choice to go onto further education and then potential higher education, or finish school and launch into the working world.

Primary Education

In the UK, primary education kicks off at in at the age of 5 and continues until one is 11 years old. This comprises key stages one and two under the system of education in the UK.

Secondary Education

The secondary education kicks off from age 11 to 16. Here, students enter secondary school for key stages three and four and thiskick-starts their move towards taking the General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is to be noted that it is compulsory to go through primary and secondary education in the UK as education in those levels is not optional. After age 16, education then becomes a thing of option.

Further Education

Afterthe completion of astudent’s secondary education, it is optional for them to extend into further education to take their A-Levels, GNVQ’s, BTEC’s or other such qualifications. The completion of further education is required of UK students planning to go to college or university.

Higher Education

Here, explanation is made on more about the higher education system in the UK and how it works for international students. Most international students will have direct entry into the UK higher education system, after the completion of their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s “further education.”

Entry Requirements

The requirements to gain entry into each level of education varies and must be satisfied in order to gain entry at that level.

Financial Aid to Study in UK

The need for financial aid is the most common questions amonginternational students. The questions likely to be seen arisingare on:

1. Where to look for scholarships

2. Finding scholarships to study abroad

3. Loans available to international students

4. The expenses that has to be paid

Questions always spring up from these samples above.

This section is aimedat answering those questions and helping you look for financial aid and have a better understanding of what funds are required to study in the UK.

As is the requirement in nearly all other countries around the world, if you wish to study in the UK, a proof of financial support will be required from you whilst you are there. This insinuates that you don’t have to expect any pay or support from the UK government whilst you are studying in the UK.

So, the first question you should probably ask and get answered is on how much you will need to study in the UK and guess what, the answer is not simple. Though UK is a small country, it is quite diverse. Large variations exist between the south in comparison to the north of the country and this means that there more expenses is associated with the south especially London, than other parts of the country.

International students in preparation for studies in UK should put the following into consideration and plan towards it:

• Tuition/ Fees
• Living Expenses
• Budgeting
• Sources of Funding
• Scholarship

International Student Loan Information

This is one of the avenues through which financial aid is offered to international students. International student planning to study overseas have loans available to them. Are you ambitious of studying in UK? Has finance been the constraint? You have nothing to worry about any longer as you have loan options available to you. International students can apply for a loan up to the total cost of their education minus any other financial aid they’ve been in receipt of. Student loans cater for tuition, books, room and board, transportation, health insurance…the list continues

Scholarships

Difficulty always exists in financing an international education. Having this in mind, one has to make plansapproach which includes lots of preparation, careful analysis of your budget, and hard work in carrying out research and theapplication for scholarships. Many scholarships and loans are available to students who want to study in the UK.

Due to financial constraint, a lot of international students have been deprived the opportunity of studying in the UK but we have good news for in that you have opportunities available for you to study in the UK without pay. These large number of scholarships is provided bythe British Government and UK Universities for international students who want to study in the UK.

We present to you, UK Scholarships for international students. They include:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships
• Clarendon Scholarships at University of Oxford (UK)
• Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
• Denys Holland Scholarship at University College London
• University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarships
• Bristol University Think Big Scholarships
• University of West England Chancellor’s Scholarships
• Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships
• University of Westminster Undergraduate Scholarships for Developing Country Students (UK)
• Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships
• Developing Solutions Scholarships at University of Nottingham

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships is the global scholarship programme of the UK’s government and is awarded to outstanding scholars from countries around the globe that has Chevening-eligibility. Awards are commonly for a one-year Master’s degree. Most Chevening Scholarships cater for the following: tuition fees, a living allowance at a set rate (for one individual), an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants to cover essential expenditure.

Commonwealth Masters Scholarships

This scholarship is available for students from developing Commonwealth countries who afterpursuing Master’s study in the UK. UK Department funds these scholarships for International Development. Airfare to and from the UK, tuition and examination fees, personal maintaining allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), initial arrival allowance and et cetera are taken care of by these scholarships.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Gates Cambridge Scholarships award is given to outstanding applicants from any country outside the UK in pursuit of a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship caters for the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also makes provision for additional, discretionary funding.

Clarendon Scholarships at University of Oxford (UK)

Thisscholarship Fund is prestigious and a graduate scholarship scheme. It offers around 140 new scholarships annually to eligible graduate applicants (including international students) at the University of Oxford. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and potential across all subjects that bear degrees at the graduate level at the University of Oxford. The scholarships take full care of tuition and college fees and offers a generous grant for living expenses.

Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships

These scholarships are open to 30 outstanding overseas students who have the intention of going in pursuit of a PhD Research Programme in any field of study offered by the University. Each scholarship caters for the difference that exists between the tuition fee paid by a UK/EU graduate student and that paid by an overseas graduate student. Maintenance expenses re not taken care of in the award.

Denys Holland Scholarship at University College London

The scholarship is aimed at giving a helping hand to undergraduate students from any country, whowould not be able to secure the funding required to study at University College London (UCL) in the absence of the support of the scholarship. The demonstration of one’s intention to make full use of the activities offered by UCL and the Student Union is a criterion for receiving this scholarship award. The scholarship worth says £9,000 per annum and it is the choice of scholars to use all or part of the scholarship to cater for fees.

The University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarship

Offered by the University of Sussex, majority of Sussex Schools have this scholarships available in them. They are awarded based on academic performance and potential to non-EU international students who have been admitted into full-time Postgraduate Taught degrees at this institution of higher education, after application to the school. The University of Sussex Chancellor’s InternationalScholarshipcatersfor 50% off international student tuition fee and is offered yearly.

Bristol University Think Big Scholarships

This is a scholarship offered by Bristol University is investing £500,000 in 2019 for the purpose ofhelping the brightest and best international students be admitted into the University of Bristol. The Think Big scholarships for the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels are available for courses starting in 2019. The awardrange for this tuition fee is from £5,000 to £20,000.

University of West London International Ambassador Scholarships

TheUniversity of West London International Ambassador Scholarships gives recognition andprovision of financial support for outstanding students who wish to go in pursuit of a full time undergraduate or postgraduate degree at University of West London. The recipients of these scholarships will act as international ambassadors for this institution of higher education. Up to a worth of £5,000 are available for up to 50 scholarships.

University of West England Chancellor’s Scholarships

This scholarship is offered by the University of the West of England, Bristol, which offers above £100,000 worth of scholarships for international students annually. The Chancellor’s Scholarship wherein the recipient will be required to undertake an internship working within the International Development Office and other departments is included in this scholarship. The full tuition fees is taken care of by this scholarship for one academic year.

Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships

This scholarship is made available by the Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships and is open to international and European Union (non-UK) students who are in pursuit of a full-time postgraduate or undergraduate taught course at Sheffield Hallam University. There is the availability of a half fee waiver (50%) for postgraduate courses and for each year of a degree in the undergraduate level.

University of Westminster Undergraduate Scholarships for Developing Country Students(UK)

Westminster’s Full International Scholarships are the University’s most competitive scholarships offered by theUniversity of Westminster. It isopen to international students from countries which are developing and termed middle-incomewho have the wish of pursuing a full-time Undergraduate degree at the University of Westminster. The scholarships cater for full tuition fee waivers, accommodation, living expenses and flights to and from London.

Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships

The Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships are offered by the Warwick Graduate School. It awards around 25 Chancellor’s International Scholarships to international students who emerged as the most outstanding international PhD applicants annually. The scholarships are not restricted to any particular nationality or discipline offered at Warwick. The scholarships provide the full payment of overseas tuition fee and a maintenance stipend.

Developing Solutions Scholarships at University of Nottingham

The Developing Solutions Scholarships offered by the University of Nottingham are designed for international students of African orIndian origin or one of the developing countries of the Commonwealth who wish to obtain a Master’s Degree at the University of Nottingham thereby making a difference to the development of their home country. Annually, 105 scholarship awards are given out– 30 scholarships will take care of the full tuition fee while 75 will cater for 50% of the tuition fee.

Studying/Living in the UK

This section is aimed at giving you background information about the UK. It will discuss what living in different parts of UK looks like, the weather conditions, the possibility of traveling around the UK and issues concerning bank accounts in the UK.

This section has the following subcategories.

• Map and Climate

The weather conditions of different regions of the UK varies hence one is to make findings on that in order to choose from the options.

• People and Culture

People possess different character and temperament and the need to be studied I’m order to ascertain how to live with them. Also, people’ way of life (culture) hence one should not expect to see people with the same way of life but rather should adjust to cope with it.

• Student Accommodation

Different accommodation types exist and include: Dorms, homestays, a private flat. It then left for international students to

• Getting Around

This talks about the many transportation options available to one with which to get around the UK.

• Money Matters

This enables one with budgeting in the UK.

• Visa and Immigration

This exposes one to learning more about who needs a visa, and what to do to get one.

Graduation and Graduate Student Options

First and foremost, we’ve got a hand shake for you on your graduation but furthermore, we wish to remind you that it is of time to relax but a time to plan well.

We’ve got a question for you, after graduation, what next? Several options exist from which one is to choose and getting through the right path is not an easy one. For international students, the most common courses include returning home or looking for work in the UK.

It’s left for you to explore all options in order to decide which is the best route for you.

Graduate student options available include:

• Graduate School
• Visa Options
• Job Search
• Returning Home

Graduate School

Most students can be lured into visiting a grad school in the USA and obtaining their masters or PhD and this can be too strong to resist most times. Some of the very best graduate schools worldwide are in the US but attending them may not be cost-friendly. It may also be hard to get a place to study and will entails a lot of hard work.

Visa Options

After graduation, being in compliance with your student visa is of utmost importance.

Job Search

In searching for jobs, one of the challenges that is likely to be encountered is with regard to employers often being reluctant to deal with visa and immigration issues associated with international students. This makes it hard to get hired for a job. Ways around this does exist actually just as they saying, there’s no harm in trial, but just that one might hardly find. So, do well to try!

Returning Home

Returning home is certainly the option many students will sign into in order to use what they have learnt in the USA to help better their home country. Howbeit, it could be quite a shock to some students, moving back from the USA after a 4-year degree.

Conclusion

The United Kingdom remains the better place to obtain English Language education in that that are the inventors of English language. The reasons why you should study in UK include: Growing Destination, WorldwideRecognition, Education Costs are Lower, Work Opportunities and Multicultural Nation. One of the benefits of studying in the UK is that international students have the opportunity of working in the UK aside studying there. It has options available for is graduate students which include Graduate School, Visa Options, Job Search and Returning Home. So, it is left for you to start up your application process if you wish to study in UK. We wish you success in your bid of studying in the UK.