Study In UK

CAREER ADVICE STUDY IN THE UK UNIVERSITIES

UK higher education and qualifications have a remarkable international reputation and the UK degree is recognised globally by international universities, top employers and government bodies, creating a huge number of chances to get placed with leading companies.

Many countries like to follow the UK’s education system as its quality is considered the best in the world. UK universities are inspected regularly by QAA to assess the standards of teaching, learning and research to ensure that set benchmarks are met. The Indian education system is also based on that of the UK.

• A wide choice in selecting your field of study and institution.
• Shorter duration of courses in the UK helps reduce tuition and accommodation costs.
• The English language support to help you develop excellent language skills, which has crucial importance in the global digital arena and increases one’s chances of employment
• Promoting close student-teacher interaction with a provision of combining different subjects into a single course.

• The unrivalled cultural diversity of life in UK gives you the chance to experience a multicultural environment, meet fellow international students and develop a range of desirable skills that are necessary to be part of today’s global workforce.

• Along with your studies, you can work in a part-time job, internship, or placement to gain valuable skills for your CV. Your university may assist in providing placement after studies. Also, now you are eligible to stay back in the UK for 2 years after completing your degree under the new Graduate Immigration Route.

• Most UK universities offer merit-based scholarship programmes and funding opportunities to international students to support their studies and cost of living. To apply, you will need to first gain acceptance to the course of study.

• 30% of UK university research is classified as “world-leading” and 46% as “internationally excellent” by the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

• Every year, the UK government warmly welcomes thousands of international students with open arms. International student societies, besides organising parties, conducting events, planning activities and outings, help in the rough days as well by giving advice on personal problems and assisting you as you fit in.

• One needs to get a UK Tier 4 General student visa to study higher education at a UK university. It is quite easy to obtain and the process is simpler, more transparent and user-friendly for international students who have received an offer/CAS and are able to show the required funding available.

The United Kingdom (UK) is reputed for its excellent quality of education, interactive teaching methodology, top-ranked universities and great student satisfaction. Universities in the UK consistently rank in the world university rankings such as the QS World Rankings, Times Higher Education Rankings, and Academic Rankings of World Universities. Further, degrees earned in the country are globally recognized and preferred by employers all over the world.

Standing at the zenith of research and development, the UK offers students vast scope to build critical and analytical thinking. Here’s an overview of the education system in the UK.

The responsibility of education in the UK is delegated to four jurisdictions – England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. All of these regions have different forms of education systems, qualifications and individual laws/regulations. The major differences can be found in general and secondary education resulting in each region having its own credit frameworks and qualifications.

The education system in the UK consists of four stages:

• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Further education
• Higher education

A qualification frameworks is a principal national reference point that maintains academic standards in the higher education sect in any country. Two parallel frameworks run for higher education qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies:

• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of Degree Awarding Bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
• The Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland (FQHEIS)

Around 160 universities and colleges are allowed to award degrees in the UK.

The unique factor of education system in the UK is its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is an independent body that assesses and compares universities and colleges in the country through regular audits and reviews. It also identifies the best education practices and provides feedback for areas of improvement. This ensures that the students have access to the best quality of education.

All review reports are public, and can be accessed on the QAA website. However, do note that private institutions are not subjected to assessment by QAA.

Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. As an international student, you may also transition to university level studies via pathway programs that generally include English language courses and foundation courses.

These are preparatory courses for seeking admission into universities through English Language learning programs or foundation-level courses. Pathway programs can help enter university-level studies in the country and help strengthen your language skills as well. These are offered by both universities and private institutions to help students who need extra assistance with English language to gain admission.

Your expenditure on tuition fee in the UK depends on two factors:

• where you choose to study – different rules and laws apply in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland
• you study level – bachelors, masters or doctorate

Tuition fee for undergraduate students range from £10,000 a year to about £18,000 a year, depending on the course and institution. Fee for postgraduate courses vary based on the program, course duration and the course provider.

Students who enroll for a course in the UK can get support in the form of scholarships, bursaries, grants, fellowships, and financial awards. These may be funded by the government, public/private organisations or institutions. Since a lot of students apply to these scholarships, we recommended you to apply in advance to beat competition and keep aware of the deadline to apply. Know more about the available grants, scholarships and bursaries available in the UK

The UK has a high reputation for its education, which is mostly the reason why so many Indian students come here to pursue higher studies. The best part about studying in the UK is the way education is imparted – it goes beyond textbook learning. You’ll be engaged in various activities such as workshops, seminars, tutorials and conferences at all times.

Teachers will expect you to be interactive in the classroom which will involve regular participation in group discussions, quizzes and debates. You’ll also be required to learn to work independently. If you see, education in the UK will eventually enhance your communication skills and help you build critical thought-process, creativity and analytical skills. This may be a little challenging initially but you’ll get the hang of it with constant support from your teachers and classmates.

The standard academic year in the UK begins around the month of September – October. The deadline for applications for courses commencing in September is generally in the preceding January of that year. Two other intakes available for programs in the UK are January and April, which are usually smaller than the September intake. Pathway programs may have additional dates to offer. Always check for the intakes available for your course of preference.

• Physiotherapy
• Law
• Actuarial Science
• Sports Management
• Medicine & Surgery
• Computer Science
• Engineering

What if we told you that you can support your living in the UK as an international student by working part-time! Not only this, working alongside your studies is a great way to gain work experience in your field of study.

Students holding a Tier 4 (general) or a Tier 4 (child) visa can work up to 20 hours a week during their studies and full-time during holidays vacations if they:

1. are studying at a publicly-funded higher education institution
2. are studying a short-term study abroad program with an overseas higher education institution
3. are over 16
4. are studying a course at NQF level 6 (degree level) and above

Refer the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) for more information.

It is important to note that you must not breach your immigration conditions as it is against the law in the UK. You cannot work if your passport sticker or identity card says ‘No Work’ or ‘Work Prohibited’. Breaching the law in the UK can have disastrous consequences including deportation.

You can choose from a range of options when it comes to working as a student in the UK. If you’re lucky, you might just land up a job on the campus. Stay in touch with your campus career cell and check their notice board/online portal for regular updates on job openings.  

Nearly all retail stores and eateries hire students on a regular basis. Check for openings at nearby departmental stores, cafes, multiplexes, bars, restaurants, hotels, hostels, and takeaway stores to find a suitable job.

If you’re a masters or a doctoral students or if you think you can teach something, you could be a tutor and even earn better than the regular barista jobs. Not everyone lands up an office job, but if you have prior knowledge and experience of social media, marketing, sales, web development, etc., you could be employed on a part-time basis as an intern.

1. The best way to find a job on campus is to stay connected with your uni’s placement or career centre. They regularly update their notice board or
2. On-campus work opportunities include administrative jobs, at the cafeteria or as teaching assistant
3. For off-campus jobs, look for vacancies online on portals like StudentJob, Employment 4 Student, Careers Group London, etc.
4. Look out for jobs in hospitality and retail industry, they are usually available in abundance
5. You can also work as a tutor if you are a student with any existing qualification or expertise

1. You will have to apply for a visa extension if you wish to stay and work in the UK after you finish your program.The three most common visas available to international students are:
   

   Start-up visa

   Tier 2 (General)

   Tier 5 (Temporary Worker)

   Note that you’ll not be able for the popular Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa any more. You shall have to apply for Start-up visa. To find out if you’re eligible for any of these visas and how to go about with the process, visit the UK Government website.

There are several steps to apply for a UK Student Visa. UK Study Visa applications are processed within three weeks of the completed application being lodged.

Step 1 – The first step is to check if you qualify for the student visa or not. You need to show that you have:

• A confirmed place at the school, university or college where you intend to study. It is called a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ (CAS).
• Enough money (also known as ‘maintenance or funds’) to cover your course fees and living costs in the UK.

Step 2 – Get your documents ready

Step 3 – Apply online

You will need to register and create an account on the official UK Visa website.
When you have completed your online application form, you will need to print and sign your completed form. You must use the online appointment calendar to book an appointment at the visa application center. When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number.

Step 4 – Pay your application fee. There are 4 ways to pay your visa application fee.

• Payment at Standard Chartered Bank – You can pay your fee at some branches of the Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favor of the ‘The British High Commission’.
• Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank – You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a nationalized or a foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary. The demand draft must be in favor of the ‘The British High Commission’.
• Payment at the visa application center – You can pay the visa application fee at the visa application center when you submit your visa application.
• Pay online – You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

Step 5 – Visit the visa application center on the appointed date. You must book and attend an appointment at the visa application center to submit your application and facial photograph and fingerprints.

Students should be informed that the UK Visa is a point-based visa system and it is essential for applicants to meet all the requirements of the Immigration Rules and have 40 points in total.

The wife or children get a Dependent Visa for the same duration as the primary applicant. This is applicable to the Master’s degree application only. Undergraduates cannot take dependents with them to the UK.

If you have a student visa, your dependents apply as ‘dependent on a Points Based System migrant’. Each dependent completes a separate application form and pays a separate fee.

Along with your own maintenance funds, you need to show an additional £845 (within London) and £680 (outside London) for each dependent for each month that you are applying for up to a maximum of 9 months’ maintenance funds. You can use a scholarship to cover the maintenance funds for your dependents if you already have got a scholarship. The scholarship letter must state that funds are also intended for your dependents.

If you want to work there after completing your studies, then you need to apply for a Tier 2 visa which is meant for Highly Skilled Workers. So along with your student visa, you don’t get a work permit. You need to apply for a work visa separately.

Your spouse may work in the UK if the grant of leave is for more than 12 months. If your visa was granted for a period of fewer than 12 months or you are participating in a course of study below degree level, your spouse will not be allowed to work in the UK.

While a normal UK Study Visa could take at least 6 weeks to process, students can opt for the Priority Visa Service or the Super Priority Visa Service to shorten the visa processing time for an added fee. Under the Priority Visa Application, the UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your Priority Visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected within 5 working days from when you submit your biometric information. Under the Super Priority Visa Application, the same work is completed within 24 Hrs. Candidates should note that the cost of this service is in addition to the visa application fee and is non-refundable if the visa application is refused, or in exceptional cases if it takes longer to process.

The UK Student Visa process of getting a Tier 4 visa is completely online.  Below is the link where you can fill the form –

Online visa application form

For Biometrics interview you need to visit the VFS global’s visa application centre in Delhi:

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
Mezzanine Floor, Baba Kadak Singh Marg,
Shivaji Stadium Metro Station,
Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India

Check the list of all visa application centers

1. British High Commission New Delhi

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021

2. British Deputy High Commission Mumbai

Naman Chambers,
C/32 G Block Bandra Kurla Complex,
Mumbai
Bandra (East) 400 051

3. British Deputy High Commission Chennai

20 Anderson Road
Chennai 600 006

4. British Deputy High Commission Kolkata

1A Ho Chi Minh Sarani
Kolkata 700071

Q. What are the eligibility criteria for getting a Tier 4 visa?

• Candidates must have an unconditional offer from a recognized educational institute for pursuing a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor
• Appropriate funds to support yourself and for the course

Q. Do I need a UK student visa to study in the UK?

A. If you are a national from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you do need a visa to pursue your higher education in the UK. Students from all other nationalities need to have a valid UK student visa to study in the UK.

Q. If a student is going just for one semester, in that case also he need a visa.

A. Yes, even if you are going for a short-term say less than six months, then you can apply for a Short Term Study Visa.

Q. At the latest when one can apply for a study visa?

A. One can apply for 3 months before the start of their course. Also, candidates usually get a decision on their visa within 3 weeks.

Q. How early one can come to the UK before the program starts? And for how long one can stay here?

• If your course lasts 6 months or less then you can come to the UK up to one week before the beginning of your course.
• If your course lasts, more than 6 months then can come to the UK for up to one month before your course starts.

Q. What is a CAS document?

A. Your educational institute will send you a reference number called a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) once they admitted you for the course. Candidates need to enter this number on their visa application.