Last Updated: July 25, 2024
Study in the UK
The country that provides benefits to students
So you have been thinking about studying in the UK but don't have enough information, or you have decided to study in the UK but don't know what to do next.
Don't worry, we have got you covered.
Read along to get all the necessary information needed to plan your future in the UK.
Let us begin with some facts!
- UK is second most popular destination for international students after the US.
- Most of the international students are from India, China, the US, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
- Around 20% of the international students are from China. 30% of the students are from EU.
- Most international students enroll for an undergraduate degree!
- Getting a degree in the UK takes comparatively less time. An undergraduate degree is for three years (full-time), and a postgraduate degree is for a year (full-time), compared to 4 years for an undergraduate degree and 2-3 years for a postgraduate degree in the US.
- Health care is mostly free for international students in the UK. You are likely to be able to take advantage of the NHS (National Health Service) and its free treatment(s).
UK Universities
Some of the world's top universities are the University of Cambridge,
University of Oxford,
London School of Economics and Political Science,
Imperial College London.
For a complete list of universities and more information, click below.
Universities in UK
Admission Requirements for UK Universities
Admission requirements are usually consistent amongst universities, but the details vary depending on the university and the course you are applying to. Hence, narrowing your university choices and frequently following up with their requirements is ideal.
It is advisable to apply as early as possible regarding the visa process, the documents submission, fee payment, and the closing date.
Applications are open 3-4 months before the starting date.
Inquiries concerning admission to a graduate course should be sent to the institutions at least twelve months before the proposed start date.
Undergraduate Degree requirements
Requirements to get an offer from your desired university for an undergraduate course vary between universities. They are usually a mix of grades, essays, entrance exams, and other qualifications. You can check the university's website for detailed information about the entry requirements.
Although, the basic entry requirements of any university are as follows:
- Academic qualifications
- Admission test/entrance exam
- Interview (online or in person)
- Further experience
- A personal statement (also known as a Statement of purpose)
- Other requirements (a DBS check, medical check, or if you have a criminal record)
- English Language scores
Remember: Applications for an undergraduate degree go through a UCAS application only .
Postgraduate Degree requirements
Unlike an undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree requirements and applications are pretty straightforward. Like the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree, the entry requirement details for a postgraduate degree are per the university's requirements.
The basic entry requirements for a postgraduate degree are as follows:
- Academic qualifications
- A personal statement (also known as a Statement of purpose)
- Work/internship experience
- Solid references
- English Language scores
English Language requirements
You may have to take
ONE of the following tests:
Cost of Study in UK
The tuition fee is different for students from UK/EU and for international students.
The fee structure for UK/EU and international students is shown by degrees below:
Undergraduate degree
- For UK/EU students: fees begin from £9,000 and may be higher for medical courses.
- For International students: fees begin at £10,000 ($15,000) and can go up to £38,000 ($55,000) depending on the course and university.
Postgraduate (taught) degree
- For UK/EU students: fees begin from £8,000 and may be higher for medical courses.
- For International students: fees range between £9,000 ($13,000) to £16,000 ($22,000) depending on the course and the university.
Note: UK education fees vary as per region. England's fee structure differs from Scotland and Wales's fee structure.
Visa Regulations
To begin with, the success rate for a student visa to get accepted stands at a whopping > 95% as of 2023!
Students from the US who want to study at any university in the UK need to have a student visa (previously known as the Tier 4 General Student Visa). A student visa has the required number of hours allowed to work in a week, which might vary depending on the degree you are pursuing.
The student visa is valid for your course plus one month. If you wish to renew your visa, you must do so from the UK, and extra charges may be incurred.
The student visa has no restrictions in terms of employment. Still, the student visa restricts certain jobs, such as - working as an entrepreneur, entertainer, or sportsperson/sports coach. Most importantly, the Student visa does not allow you to claim public funds such as pensions.
Student visa for UK
Work visa for UK
Scholarships
Scholarships are one of the best ways to save extra money before university. The UK provides a range of scholarships for international students, although there are also individual sponsors.
Scholarships in the UK can be divided into two parts-
- Non-Government Scholarships: These scholarships are provided majorly by universities. You would have to check with your desired university to see if they have the criteria for scholarships. Some popular university scholarships are:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Rhodes House Scholarship
- MBA Scholarship
- Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
- UK Scholarships from British Council
- Denys Holland Scholarship
- Bristol University Scholarships
- Cardiff University Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Engineering Scholarship
- International Scholarships at University of Westminster
- University of Sussex International Scholarships.
- Government Scholarships: As the name suggests, these scholarships are put together by the government of the UK for international students. There are two such scholarships - the Chevening Scholarships and the Commonwealth Scholarships.
Accommodation in the UK
On Campus
On-campus accommodation is based on a 'first come, first serve' basis in
most universities.
An average cost for university accommodation cannot be determined yet, as universities charge different rates based on the type of accommodation they provide.
Visit the university's website to learn about the types of accommodation they offer and their costs.
As a general rule, living on campus has its ups and downs. Staying on campus helps you reap benefits such as not paying electricity bills, having no extra charge for transportation, and so on.
Off Campus
Usually, universities also have an option for students wanting to stay in private accommodations. Some private accommodations come under the university but are not on campus. Additionally, they are known as private accommodations. Still, they are shared with 5-6 people, so depending on your budget and preferences, you could get shared accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms, but you might have to share the kitchen and hall. There is a lot of variety regarding private accommodation, so you can take your time and decide which is suitable for you and your roommates.
The downside of an off-campus accommodation would be to incur extra charges for electricity and water bills, as well as transportation if the campus is far from your accommodation.
Note: The accommodation charges are subject to the university's guidelines. Just as academic fees are lower in Wales and Scotland, accommodation is lower as well.
HealthCare
If your course lasts for
more than six months, you will be entitled to free medical care under the UK's National Health Service. Even if your course lasts for less than six months, your country might have a reciprocal agreement with the UK, meaning you are also entitled to free medical care. However, if your country does not have a mutual agreement and your course lasts less than six months, you should set aside sufficient funds to pay for medical insurance.
Why not live outside England?
Yes, you read that right. England has very renowned universities, hence by default it becomes the No.1 choice for most students as an ideal destination for higher studies. The beautiful architecture amongst the city's hustle and bustle is a lovely balance for a new experience! But the other side of the coin is that the universities in England are costly, be it their academic fees, living costs, or both. Yes, you can get a scholarship, but no university or government guarantees a scholarship to every student.
So what do you do?
You start to look at the equally excellent opportunities outside England! Universities in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland offer an exceptional quality of education while being drastically less expensive than in England. Check out more info here.
Extra information
You may first wish to contact your own Ministry of Education or Education Department, as they should have details of scholarship opportunities for students wanting to study overseas. They will also be able to advise you on your own government's conditions for studying abroad. You may also contact the British Council office in your country of origin, which should have details of British scholarship schemes. The British Council will be able to give you information about educational and training courses and about living in the UK, including how much it costs to study. Contact your nearest British Embassy or High Commission if there is no British Council office.
Map of UK
