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United Kingdom

Study Bachelor in United Kingdom 2024

Study in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) and Britain, is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The country includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state—the Republic of Ireland.

Many people confuse the United Kingdom with Great Britain, but in fact they are not the same thing. The United Kingdom is a united group of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These four countries share a group of islands to the northwest of mainland Europe and are united under one government with one monarch. Great Britain comprises only England, Scotland and Wales.

While the UK has four distinct countries, each with its own culture and different dialects, there is a reason that many people confuse the UK with England. For centuries, England was the dominant nation, with the monarch frequently called the "Queen of England." When people think of the UK, the image of the monarch is often the first thing they think of. The kings, queens, princes and princesses of England have become international celebrities. The UK is also known for other cultural icons, like David Beckham, Dr. Who and the Beatles. If you visited the UK, you would want to dine on decadent Cadbury chocolate after a traditional meal of fish and chips, washing it all down with a glass of Guinness stout.

The people of the UK are known as leaders in the arts as well as science and technology. The UK is the place where fashion trends often start and actors or musicians are born. London, the center of it all, is often called a "cultural superpower."

The UK, and England specifically, is known for some of the top universities in the world. People travel from around the globe to study at some of the world's highest ranked schools, like Cambridge and Oxford. In fact, UK has four universities ranked among the global top 10 in the QS World University Rankings.

Climate in the UK
The climate in the UK varies tremendously based on location. Areas that are close to the Atlantic, like Northern Ireland and Wales, are wet, windy and mild in temperature. England has cool, but not cold, temperatures almost year round, and experiences an average amount of rainfall. Snow can happen, but is uncommon.

Cost of Living
Like the climate, the cost of living is going to vary depending on where you live in the UK. London, which is a cultural and educational center, is one of the most expensive places in the world. Rent and the cost of day-to-day activities are both quite high here. Eating out is also expensive throughout England, so consider looking for a dormitory or apartment that has a kitchen to cut down on expenses.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    628
  • Share of utilities

    83
  • Internet subscription

    35
  • Local transportation

    79

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    8
  • Cinema ticket

    12
  • Pint of local beer

    5

About United Kingdom

Higher Education in the United Kingdom

Because of its excellent universities, higher education in the United Kingdom is sought after, not only by residents of the UK, but people around the world. Typically, students enter university starting at age 18. Most residents will attend a state-financed school for their undergraduate degree, to help control costs.

In the UK, the first degree is a bachelor's degree. Most students spend about three years studying for this degree, and during this time they are known as undergraduates. Upon graduate from an undergraduate or other first degree program, eligible students may choose to pursue postgraduate education. A master's degree, which typically takes one year, is the first option. Doctoral programs will take about three years. Admissions to graduate programs are highly competitive, and these are not state financed.

In addition to these three basic degrees, students in the UK can pursue specialist qualifications through its various boards and guilds. These specialist qualifications may include Psychology, Law, Medicine, Education or Business.

Studying in the UK provides you with the benefit of a degree from one of the world's most prestigious schools. The country values education, and you will be living in the midst of excellent thinkers and researchers. If your degree of choice includes a strong research focus, you will find that studying in the UK gives you the opportunity to join excellent research programs.

Tuition Fees

As you consider studying in the UK, understanding the cost will help. In the 2012 to 2013 school year, undergraduate degrees in England specifically were set at a max of £9,000 per year, with a cost of £6,000 being more common. Postgraduate degrees had higher costs than undergraduate programs, but this varied tremendously between schools. Students who studied outside of England paid a range of £5,000 - £20,000 per year for their degrees.

Graduating with a degree received in the UK opens the door to many employment opportunities. Because these universities are so highly regarded around the world, you will have the option to pursue employment in international locations, and also within the UK should you choose to settle there.

Health Insurance

The UK offers a national healthcare system called National Health Service. Students who are taking at least six months of courses in the country may qualify for free or subsidized treatment in the UK. Those who are residents of the EEA or already live in the UK automatically qualify for NHS services, no matter how long they intend to study in the UK.

Obtaining a Visa to the UK

The types of student visas to the UK include:

  • Tier 4 General – This visa applies to adults over the age of 17 coming to the UK to study.

  • Student Visitor – This visa applies to students taking a short course and not planning to work during their stay.

  • Prospective Student – This visa applies to students who need to make final arrangements before beginning Tier 4 study.

Tips

As you prepare to study in the UK, remember that several universities and specific programs are highly competitive. Get your application in early to ensure you can get a spot, and apply to more than one school to improve your chances of being approved. Find affordable housing near the university or on campus, and consider sharing a loft or apartment with another tenant to maximize your financial investment. With these tips, you will be able to study in the UK with minimal hassle, taking advantage of a country with a rich educational heritage and an international reputation for producing quality graduates.

Visa Requirements

Tier 4 (General) Student Visa has been replaced with the so-called “Student Route”. The Student Route is the UK’s new Student Visa, which will be available to EEA nationals as well, who, before Brexit, did not need a visa to study in the UK.

Student Route (ages 18+)

Child Student Route (ages 4 - 17, which has replaced the Tier 4 Child Student Visa)

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Route

Price and currency

GBP 348

The current UK student visa fees are:

  • £348 if applying from outside the UK.
  • £475 if you apply to extend or switch to a Student Visa from inside the UK.

Who can apply for the visa?

Anyone entering the country for studies must apply for a Student Visa if entering after January 1, 2021. This includes EU/EEA nationals who previously did not need a visa to enter the UK for their studies. You will need to reach 70 points on the Points Based System, which measures whether you meet the requirements to study in the UK. This includes:

  • Have you been accepted into an approved institution?
  • Do you have the financial resources to fund your stay in the UK?
  • Are you proficient in English?
  • Does your course meet the course requirements?

Those graduating from a British educational institution by and after Summer 2021 will be able to apply for the post-graduate visa, allowing them to work/look for work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Where can you make the application?

UK visa application centre / Online

You can apply for a UK student visa at the UK visa application centre in your home country. You can find a list of UK visa application centres worldwide here: https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre.

You can also apply for a UK student visa online through the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration Service website. You can start here: https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/country-nationality?p=student_out_uk

Website:https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre

How to make the application?

To obtain a UK student visa, you will first need to be accepted onto a course. For most courses, you will also need to prove that you understand English to the required level.

The UK student visa application process differs slightly depending on the type of UK student visa you are applying for.

For your UK student visa application, you will need to provide the following:

  • passport or travel ID
  • proof that you can cover your course and living costs
  • proof of parental or guardian consent if you are under 18
  • proof of acceptance onto your course
  • proof of payment of healthcare surcharge

Depending on your country of origin, you may also need to have a tuberculosis test.

When you arrive in the UK, you may need to register your UK student visa with the police. You should receive information about whether you need to register in your UK student visa sticker or letter from the UK Home Office. You will also need to apply for a Biometric residence permit if you are staying in the UK for longer than 6 months.

When should you apply?

You can apply for a Student Visa up to 6 months before your courses start. UK student visa processing times vary according to where you are applying from but generally you will receive a decision within 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK, and within 8 weeks if you are applying within the UK.

The General student visa length depends on the duration of your course and you can apply to extend it if you wish to stay in the UK to work or pursue further studies. The Child student visa is valid for the length of the course, up to a maximum of 6 years, and can be extended. The length of the short-term student visa cannot exceed the length of your course and cannot be extended.

Processing time

3 Weeks

Work opportunities

International students are allowed to work with studying in the UK, under certain conditions. The type of work that you can do will depend on what you are studying and if you will be working during the school term, or during breaks.

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

The main reasons for student visa refusals are:

  1. Missing or incorrect documents;
  2. Failure to meet financial requirements;
  3. Incorrect document format.