Studying in the UK

Your guide to higher education in the UK

Check that the course content cover the areas of the subject you want to study

The UK has a long history of welcoming international students to study in its universities and colleges. International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and the numbers have been growing steadily: there are 1.6 million full-time undergraduate students in higher education, which includes over 99,000 international students, making the UK the second most popular destination for international students after the US.

And it’s getting easier than ever to get to: with the addition of the Channel Tunnel and low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair, Europe is easier to access from the UK than ever, with most areas of Europe within a few hours by train or direct flight from the UK.

The UK is also renowned for its multicultural society, with all religions and faiths represented in some way. With such a racial, ethnic and religious mix, the UK is very open to new traditions and cultures.

Entering higher education in the UK

Qualifications from the UK are recognised and respected throughout the world. British universities and colleges provide a diverse, creative and inviting environment, which will encourage you to reach your full potential. Many UK institutions provide international offices, international student societies, planned social activities, academic support, counsellors and advisers to ensure you feel welcome and are supported throughout your time in UK higher education.

Choosing a course to study

It is important that you check that employers and professional organisations in your country (or the country where you want to work) will accept the course and qualification that you have chosen. You also need to check that the course content covers the areas of the subject that you want to study and that you need in order to follow your chosen career. Contact your chosen university and college for course information.

Non-UK student fees

Your degree will generally take less time to complete in the UK than it would do in other countries. Although four-year programmes are increasing in popularity, most degree programmes in the UK require a three-year course and a masters programme is typically between one and two years. When you consider the shorter time frame, the cost will be much lower if you only have to plan for three years instead of four or even five as in many other countries.

If you are planning to study in the UK and want to attend a publicly-funded university or college, your fee status (whether you pay full-cost fees or a subsidised fee rate) will be determined by the UK institution you plan to attend.

Before you decide which university or college to attend, you need to be absolutely certain that you can pay the full cost of:

• your tuition fees (the amount is set by universities and colleges, so contact them for more information – visit the websites of the institutions that you are considering because many list their fees)
• the everyday living expenses for you (and your family, if necessary) for the whole time that you are in the UK, including accommodation, food, heat, light, clothes and travel
• books and equipment for your course
• travel to and from your country

You may be eligible to apply for financial help to cover the cost of your tuition fees if:

• you are an EU national or a family member of an EU national (the 27 EU countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK);
• you have been living within the EEA or Switzerland for the three years immediately before the start of your course;
• your main reason for being in the EEA or Switzerland is not to receive full-time education.

In some circumstances, students from EEA countries or from Switzerland may also be able to apply for help with living costs. If you or your parent, guardian or partner were temporarily employed outside the EEA and Switzerland for all or part of the three-year period, you may still qualify for finance.

Financial help for non-EU students

You will need to contact the universities and colleges that you are considering for precise information on course fees and financial help available for you. Most universities and colleges will also display this information on their websites.

Work opportunities

Many universities organise a programme of events before you start to help you make new friends

An international student in the UK is typically allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school term, and up to fulltime when school is out of term. Of course, you should always check with your international adviser at your school before starting any work – you do not want to be in violation of your visa, and rules change all the time.

Also, it is not always easy to find a job, so relying on work income to fund your education is not a good idea. Unless you have employment set up through your school before you arrive, you should plan to fund the entire first year of your studies without any employment income.

There are people at each university and college who are ready to answer your questions, help you through the application process and support you while you are in the UK. Many universities and colleges organise a programme of events before you start your course to welcome you and to help you make new friends and get used to your new surroundings.

For more information, vist:
www.ucas.com
www.britishcouncil.org

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