Study Abroad :- Study in the United Kingdom, General Information

• What is the Application Procedure for UK?

You need to apply through UCAS (University College Admission Services). Through this application form you can apply to maximum 5 universities of your choice with an application fee of £ 15. UCAS forms should be ideally submitted before 15th December of the preceding year. Students can start applying even if they have received their final results. However, even after 15th December, applications can still be processed in the normal way until 30th June. After that, applications will be handled through "Clearing Process".


Note: For Oxford and Cambridge
Students must apply before 15th October of the year preceding their year of proposed entry
There are specific forms to be filled and sent to the universities
You cannot apply to both the colleges in the same academic year
For entry into Oxford, Cambridge and London University, "A" level results are required. This in the Indian context would mean one year in college after 12 years of education

Postgraduate Programs

For Postgraduate programs, you can apply through the regular University application form of colleges of your choice. For Masters very few universities have an application fee.

Application Requirements:
Academic Records
Standardized Tests
Work Experience Details
Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose (SOP)

For management programs, there are separate application forms for each university. Few universities may also charge application fee. Along with the above mentioned documents, you also need to submit Personal Essays and Resume to the University.

• What are the Visa Application Requirements?

To be eligible for Visa, applicants need to fulfill the criteria of the Points Based System (PBS) which is a system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study. The first stage of Tier 4 (General) Student and Tier 4 (Child) Student rolled-out on 31 March 2009. If you are overseas, you have the option of applying online.

To qualify for Tier 4 of the PBS, you must be able to demonstrate that you have adequate tuition fee and funds to support yourself and any dependants during the period of your stay. The maintenance amount for the main applicant is calculated at £ 800 per month, if you intend to study in the Inner London Boroughs; and £ 600 per month, if you intend studying elsewhere. For courses of up to nine months duration, you will be required to show that you have the full tuition fee plus the appropriate monthly amount for the entire period of your stay in UK.

On a course of more than nine months, you will be required to show that you have the first year of the tuition fee plus either £ 7, 200 or £ 5, 400 depending on whether you intend to study inside or outside of the Inner London Boroughs.

These amounts must be held in your personal bank account for a minimum period of 28 days. The end of that 28 day period must not be more than one month before the date of your application, for which you must show bank statements/other evidence.

If you apply before 1st June 2009, you will only need to show proof that you have the money needed, on the day that you apply. You must also provide the correct documents to support your application. If you are under 18 years of age, you need to have the sponsor.

You should complete application form VAF9 with your personal details. You will need to give a full-face digital photograph as well as your biometric details which include a scan of all ten fingers. You will need to provide your biometric details in person. The whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete. Your visa application will not be processed until you have met this requirement.

• How much does UK education costs?

Undergraduate course: GBP 8, 000- GBP 13, 000 per annum approx

Postgraduate course: GBP 8, 000 - GBP 15,000 per annum approx

MBA: GBP 6,000 - GBP 45, 000 per annum approx

• What are the Living Expenses?

London GBP 8,000 - GBP 8, 500 per annum approx

Areas apart from London GBP 5,500 -7,000 per annum approx

In Scotland: GBP 7, 000 - GBP 8, 000 per annum approx

In Wales: GBP 6, 000 -7, 000 per annum approx

• What are the advantages to study in UK?

The advantages of studying in UK are as follows:
It requires only 15 years of education for direct entry into postgraduate program
International students studying at UK institutions are not required to obtain permission from the job centre to take spare time or vacation work
You can apply through one centralized application form for undergraduate courses
Generally no application fee charged for postgraduate courses
Most undergraduate degrees take only three years while postgraduate degrees take one year; thus, you spend less time away from home and less money on course fees
UK qualifications are recognized and respected worldwide
There is a high success rate for international students in the UK education system
Health insurance is free to students who are studying in UK for six months or more
You can stay for one year in UK after the course and look for a suitable job
Easy Visa rules for international students

• Can I work whilst I am studying?

Yes, as a International student you are allowed to work part-time for 20 hours per week in UK.

• Can I stay in UK to work after I have finished studying?

Yes, you can stay and work in UK after finishing your studies.

• Are Scholarships available?

Yes, UK offers a number of private and government scholarships for international students. Some universities also provide scholarships for specific programs. However, scholarship grants are very competitive and available on merit basis.