Study in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom stands as a global pioneer across multiple domains of education, encompassing engineering, science, art and design, business and management, as well as law and finance. Its esteemed reputation and historical eminence as a hub for scientific exploration draw some of the brightest intellects from around the world. Remarkably, despite constituting only one percent of the global population, the UK contributes to a noteworthy eight percent of worldwide scientific publications.

Setting itself apart, the UK's education system grants students the liberty to blend courses and subjects from diverse fields of study. This unique approach empowers learners to tailor their degrees according to their individual requisites and passions.

Why Study in United Kingdom?

If you're looking to study at a university in the United Kingdom, you will find a multitude of higher education opportunities, providing diverse academic programmes and vibrant city experiences. Universities in the UK are well known in the world for their top-quality education. Critical thinking, creative methods of teaching, and quality-control merge successfully in British higher education.

Here are the top reasons why the uk is the best place to study:

• The highest number of ranked universities. The UK has the highest number of ranked universities in relation to the size of the country: 111 ranked universities. University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London constantly feature in the world's Top10.
• Quality of teaching regulated by the government. The UK is home to some of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. This doesn't happen by chance. Bodies such as the Office for Students (OfS) and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) make sure that universities meet national standards for academic quality.
• Big focus on independent learning and creative thinking. As a student in the UK you will be expected to take responsibility for your learning and develop critical thinking skills. This is different from other countries where lecture-based learning is considered more important. This approach encourages you to take an active role in your learning, rather than simply listening to lectures and memorizing information, which can help you develop a deeper understanding of your subject matter.
• Nightlife for many tastes and interests. Big cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow have a well-established nightlife scene with many clubs, bars, and music venues that cater to different tastes and interests. However, smaller cities and towns may have a more limited nightlife scene, but will still offer a range of student-friendly places like museums, cinemas, and live music venues.

The country offers some of the best and most comprehensive support systems for international students, both as part of the university and through government or independent bodies and organizations. It's no wonder why so many international students choose to study in the UK.

At the same time, while they do have high tuition fees and living costs which won't be easy to meet, the UK also provides students with a lot of scholarships and funding opportunities.

What's more, British universities excel in all fields of study (Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, and Natural Sciences) but what matters most is that here you can find study areas that are unique in Europe, like Creative Writing or innovative interdisciplinary courses that may sound like this: "Are We Alone? The Search for Extraterrestrial Life." or "From Sherlock Holmes to CSI: a History of Forensic Science and Medicine."

What are the best universities in UK?

Its centuries-old tradition, high standards of teaching and commitment to providing students with a world-class education, lead to the UK having over 100 world-ranking universities. Here are the top 5 universities in the UK:

• TheUniversity of Oxford is the oldest university in the UK, benefiting from a distinctive collegiate structure. Both students and academics belong to a college or hall, a self-governing organisation within the university.
• TheUniversity of Cambridge is, alongside Oxford, one of the ancient English universities consistently ranking among the top 5 in the world, with a rich tradition of over 800 years and world-leading research.
• Imperial College London started from a vision of Prince Albert (the consort of Queen Victoria) who wanted to create a cultural area to include museums and colleges. The college focuses only on business, science, technology, and medicine.
• University College London (UCL) the very first university in London, is a rule-breaking institution: the first university in England to accept students of any religion and one of the first to admit women as students.
• The University of Edinburgh is the best Scottish university and the fifth ranking in the UK. With an entrepreneurial and cross-disciplinary culture, it attracts students and staff from across the globe.

What are the top student hubs in UK?

The biggest student hub in the UK is of course London. The city was declared Best Student city by QS, and it has no less than 18 ranked universities. It's huge - the third biggest city in Europe with a population of over 9,3 million people, multicultural, and very diverse.

But big-city life is only for some, and the UK offers many other excellent student hubs. In the North of England, you have Manchester with five big universities, BBC and ITV studios and many thriving businesses. Even further to the North, another thriving city full of charm and history is Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, home to one of the best five universities in the UK.

If you want your experience of studying in the UK to be even more relaxed, so you can enjoy that orderly and calm British life, consider the famous cities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as Bath or Liverpool with their highly ranked universities.

How much money is required to study in United Kingdom?

The expenses linked to pursuing education in the UK have surged lately. Undergraduates see varying fee structures, while other fields span from GBP10,000 to GBP38,000 for medical degrees. Social Sciences and Humanities degrees cost less, and Clinical degrees cost more. Average yearly costs, including living, hover around GBP22,200, higher in London. Short programs, like three-year undergrad or one-year master's, can cut costs. Added costs comprise IELTS, possibly GRE, UK student visa, and university fees.

Tuition Fees in United Kingdom

British students pay different tuition fees from international students (including EU students). Fees are also different depending on the university or study programme you choose.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students range between GBP9,000 and GBP33,500 per year, while tuition fees for international students at postgraduate level cost between GBP7,000 - GBP36,400 per year, the average programme being GBP20,000. For UK nationals, tuition fees at undergraduate level range between GBP1,820 and GBP9,250, while postgraduate courses cost between GBP3,350 and GBP22,300.

If cost is a big factor for you when choosing a university, the cheapest tuition fees for international students according to QS Top Universities are Coventry University, Royal Agricultural University, and University of Suffolk. Also, keep in mind that online programmes are usually cheaper than campus-based ones. There are over 700 online bachelor's programmes in the UK, the cheapest only GBP1,784 per year and over 2,500 online master's programmes, starting at GBP540 per year.

Sometimes, students can benefit from a tuition fee waiver, meaning a discount applied to your overall tuition fee. However, this is usually available only for UK and sometimes EU students. Check on your university's page to be sure. Also, remember that there are plenty of scholarships available for both national and international students.

Language requirements

If you want to study in the UK, your programme will be taught in English, so you must have a certain level of proficiency in order to perform your academic work. That’s why you will definitely need to meet certain English language requirements for UK universities. To do that, you have to take one of the approved tests and obtain the minimum score required by your university.

Commonly accepted UK language tests:

• IELTSYou'll get a score of 0 to 9 for each category (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), as well as an overall band score. Generally, UK universities ask for a minimum score of 6.0 or 6.5, with some more reputed universities requiring 7.0 or 7.5.
• TOEFLThe four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) have a score of 0 to 30 points each. You can get a maximum of 120 points. Many universities ask for a score of 70-80 to be admitted, while the more famous ones like Oxford and Cambridge ask for a score over 100 points.
• PTE AcademicYou can obtain a score between 10 and 90 points in the three sections Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. To study for a degree level course, UK universities usually ask for a minimum of 59 points.
• Cambridge English AdvancedThe Cambridge exams range from pre A1 - Starters to C2 Proficiency which means scores starting at 80 points and going up to 230 points. For UK universities, you need to obtain the C1 Advanced certificate with a score range of 180-200 points.
• Duolingo English testThe test is gaining more and more popularity and is already accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. You'll get a score between 10 and 160 points, where 95-100 points is the equivalent of the 6.0 IELTS score.

Cost of living in United Kingdom

The average cost of living in the UK with rent, food, transport, and entertainment included is around GBP12,000 - GBP15,000 per year.

London, the country's capital, has by far the highest cost of living in the UK. Here, you might end up paying almost double the amount you would pay in the rest of the country. The average monthly rent in London is over GBP1,000 for a small apartment where you pay the bills or a room in a private student hall with bills included, while in other cities, the average cost is around GBP700 per month.

For students in the UK, the cost of living varies according to each region. Belfast in Northern Ireland, Cardiff in Wales, and Glasgow in Scotland are more affordable locations with an average monthly cost of living around GBP1,000 - GBP1,300, while Manchester in England and Edinburgh in Scotland are more expensive, the average being GBP1,400 - GBP1,700 respectively. London remains the most expensive location in the UK with a monthly average cost of GBP2,500. This data is based on Numbeo and refers to the living expenses of a single person, however as a student you will be able to get different discounts and promotions, so your actual expenditure will probably be smaller if you budget your money well.

Cost of food in the UK

On average, a meal in a mid-range restaurant costs around GBP15-£20, while a week's worth of groceries for one person can cost anywhere from GBP40 to GBP60. However, international students can save money by cooking at home, shopping at local supermarkets and taking advantage of student discounts. The average monthly cost of food for a student in the UK is around GBP250.

Student accommodation in United Kingdom

When you're looking for student housing in the UK, you have two options:

On-campus accommodation: these are halls of residence managed by your university; they are basically blocks of flats where hundreds of other students live. Additional costs such as water, heating and electricity fees are included most of the time, and as much as possible, first-year and international students have a guaranteed place if they apply on time.

This type of student accommodation in the UK generally offers small, clean rooms, with a bed, wardrobe, and desk. The kitchen and common room are shared, and sometimes the bathroom is as well. You can have a lot of fun living in a hall of residence and fully immerse yourself in student life but will also need to learn how to share and live with people you've just met.

Off-campus student housing: this option can mean private student housing apartments or halls, where you will have more privacy, less sharing, and probably a more modern environment. Of course, this can come at a higher monthly cost. At the same time, another option to live off-campus is to share a house with a couple of other friends. The cost will be more affordable, and you won't share the place with people you don't know. However, you need to find the place yourself, sometimes pay rent in advance, and handle your own additional costs like heating, water, internet or electricity payments.

When to apply for student accommodation

In order to know when to apply for university accommodation on campus, you should check the university's website for specific deadlines. The rule of thumb is to start applying once you have an unconditional offer from the university and before you arrive in the UK.

On the other hand, if you prefer off-campus student housing, start applying as soon as you know you will start studying at that university to have a better chance of getting the accommodation you want.

Work and study in United Kingdom

Are international students allowed to work in the UK?

Generally yes, but there are some restrictions. The maximum number of working hours for international students in the UK depends on your exact Visa conditions. Usually, the limit is 20 hours during term time and full-time during holidays, but sometimes, international students can be restricted to only 10 hours during term times. To be sure, you must check what conditions are set on your Visa. Furthermore, your university may also impose further restrictions.

If you are eligible, the first place to search for a job is your university's career page where they post jobs, specifically for students.

Residing in Canada after studying?

Once you graduate, the main thing that changes is that you will no longer have a study Visa so you'll need to find a different type of Visa (such as a work visa or residency permit) in order to be able to stay in the country.

To be eligible for such a visa you will need a job offer from a UK employer. Once you've secured a job, the next step should be finding your expat apartment. As an expat in the UK you can use the National Health Service (NHS), but many choose to take out private health insurance as well.

University application in United Kingdom

All UK applications are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can submit only one application for each study cycle and within this application you can select up to 5 different study programmes. Unlike in many other countries where you must tailor your application to each individual university, here you need a general application.

The structure of the UK academic year

The UK academic year typically starts in late September or early October and ends in June. The exact dates may vary depending on the institution and the course, but most universities follow a similar timeline.

During the academic year, there are three main terms:

• Autumn term (September to December),
• Spring term (January to April),
• Summer term (from May until late June).

These terms are broken up into several weeks of teaching and a few weeks of holidays or exams:

• Christmas Break: (mid-December to early January)
• Easter Break: (two weeks, during spring)
• Summer Break: (the longest break of the year, from June to late September)
• Half-Term Breaks: (roughly every six to eight weeks throughout the academic year)
• Bank Holidays (public holidays in the UK)

Some institutions may have slight variations on this structure, but the three-term system is the standard for most UK universities.

When to apply for UK universities

Most universities and courses in the UK have the application deadline in January for courses starting September the same year. But Cambridge and Oxford as well as programmes in Medicine will likely have an earlier deadline. Make sure to check the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for the exact dates each year.

You can still apply to university after the deadline through Clearing, from July until October, but you must keep in mind that this round of applications is only for the places left unfilled in the regular application process, so you should only use it if you didn't manage to secure a place beforehand.

Documents needed to apply for university admission in UK

Each UCAS application contains this list of documents you need to apply for university:

• Personal details
• Education history
• Employment history
• Programmes selection
• Personal Statement (a very important part of you application)
• Reference (from a current teacher or employer, depending on your situation, written in English)
• Payment of the application fee

Next step is to await an answer. If you are accepted, you can receive a conditional offer or an unconditional offer.

A conditional offer means that your acceptance depends on meeting some conditions in the future, like obtaining certain results at exams or language tests. An unconditional offer means you already meet all requirements and are definitely accepted.

Scholarship application in UK

Applying for a foreign university scholarship may be intimidating to students, but VisaFlex has streamlined the process into one platform.

Student Visa application for UK

Some international students will need to apply for a visa to study in United Kingdom. The information relating to requirements is sourced from the embassy and consulate.