The United Kingdom is a pioneer in quality education. University of Oxford and Cambridge are synonyms for prestige when it comes to higher education. Studying in UK is one of the first choices of international students who are looking forward to quality education, research facilities, and highly accredited degrees. Undoubtedly, a degree from a prestigious university in UK will do wonders for your career once you graduate. Here is all you need to know:
Why Study in UK?
There are plenty of reasons why international students choose the UK as their Study abroad destination. Here we have mentioned a few of them:
• More than 80 universities in UK are featured among the top universities ranked by QS University Ranking.
• Another reason is that the UK is one of the most culturally diverse places on Earth. People from different countries and cultures have migrated to the UK over the years, and studying in UK provides the students with an opportunity and exposure to different cultures and learning.
• Students are also allowed to work while studying, which gives them networking and earning opportunities
• Students graduating from UK universities are eligible for a two-year stay back, which was reduced to merely four months in 2012.
Requirements to Study in UK
Different universities and courses ask for some documents to be presented at the application time. Talking about requirements, here are some you need to fulfil in order to get into UK:
• A valid passport
• Academic transcripts
• Passport photographs
• IELTS, TOEFL, etc to prove your English Language skills
• Standardized entrance exams such as GRE, GMAT, etc(if required)
• Letter of Recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/ Curriculum Vitae
• Portfolio (if required)
Study in UK Visa:
The Tier 4 General student visa is required for the international student willing to study in UK. Study in UK visa can be applied if you fulfil these Study in UK Visa Requirements:
• You have been accepted into a course at a University in UK
• Have proven your English Language Proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or Language Courses)
• Have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK
• Fulfill the requirements of the course you are enrolling into.
• Have paid for the valid healthcare surcharge (insurance)
Study in UK Visa costs £348 of application fees for international students. If your course lasts for more than six months, you can arrive and stay in the UK for one month before the course begins. With a general student visa, you can work and study at part-time jobs as long as it does not interfere with your studies.
Study in UK without IELTS:
Many students who are willing to study in UK have one question: can you study in UK without IELTS? The answer depends highly on the individual applications, as there are some universities that have alternatives to IELTS scores if the student fulfils all the other requirements for the course. The most common alternative is to enrol in a language course before the actual course begins. Students who have lower IELTS scores can apply for this and the courses help them in achieving the proficiency they require.
Stay Back in UK after Graduation:
Since 2012, the UK had put restrictions on the stay back of students, and the stay back period was reduced to four months for many students and academics, that period was not enough for finding a job that is permanent, and therefore the UK no longer was a lucrative option.
However, for the students graduating in 2021, the UK has implemented a change in that rule. By 2021, students graduating from UK universities will be eligible for a two-year stay-back period. This brings the UK back on the map of overseas education and back into the competition with rival European countries as well as English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia.
Study in UK Cost
The UK is not exactly known for affordability. However, the cost of studying in UK is not as high as it has always been hyped. A student in the UK will require 1000 to 1300 pounds a month. A place like London and other metropolises will obviously have higher costs of living, but that hardly depends on the location and lifestyle of the students. Students can also study and work in the UK as mentioned earlier to make the expenditure lighter. The university fees highly depend on the level of education provided and the course one chooses in the UK.
Scholarships for International students to study in UK:
To help you further with your cost of study in UK, there are a number of scholarships available for International as well as international students. There are even fully paid scholarships that not only waive the tuition fees but also help students with day-to-day living expenses when they are studying in UK.
Scholarships to Study in UK can either be need-based or merit-based. The best way to check if you are eligible for a scholarship or not is to visit dedicated websites for these scholarships and understand their eligibility criteria thoroughly before applying.