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The Experience of Studying in the UK

Hundreds of thousands of international students choose to study in the UK each year. Other cultures and ethnicities are intrinsic to Britain’s cultural and social identity following decades of immigration from Europe, Africa and Asia; this makes a transition into UK society and culture very easy. In a city like London, which is one of the world’s tourist hotspots, an international student will never feel homesick - you can always find treasures and reminders of home at every turn. One of the most popular study destinations, the UK enjoys a proud tradition of education with universities rooting back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Known for its language, history, culture, and innovation, the UK has an average student retention rate of 82%. With comprehensive support systems in place for international students, studying in the UK is a life-changing experience.

Education System in the UK

The United Kingdom (UK) is reputed for its excellent quality of education, interactive teaching methodology, top-ranking 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 Ranking, and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Further, degrees earned from 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 why 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 credit frameworks and qualifications.

Study Levels

The education system in the UK consists of four stages

Primary education
Secondary education
Further education
Higher education

Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelor's, master's, 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.

Undergraduate Courses: Undergraduate courses are designed to help students get exposure to a whole new world after school whilst providing a thorough understanding of a subject of interest. The UK offers a variety of courses in humanities, social science, art, design, business, technology, science, and more!

Here’s an overview of the types of undergraduate courses offered in the UK

Study Level	Duration
Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND)	1 to 2 years
Certificates or Diplomas of Higher Education (Cert HE/Dip HE)	1 to 2 years
Foundation degrees (Fd A/Fd Sc)	6 months to 2 years
Degrees (such as BA, B.Sc, BEng)	3 years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland 4 years in Scotland
Sandwich degrees	4 years with a year in industry
Integrated courses (where master’s degree is awarded as the first degree such as MEng)	4 years

Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK

Post Graduate Studies: Postgraduate courses are more specific and involve in-depth study. Most master’s degrees have a duration of one year, which means you can be back in the workforce faster than your counterparts pursuing masters in other countries. There are a plethora of courses to choose from including niche courses that are highly valued in the industry

Program	Duration
Postgraduate certificates and diploma (PG Cert/PG Dip)	9 to 12 months
Taught Masters (such as MA, M.Sc., LLM, MBA, MRes)	1 year
Research Masters (such as MPhil, PhD, DPhil)	2-3 years

How much does it cost to study in the UK?

Study Program	*Average Fees (in Euros)**
Undergraduate bachelor degree	GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year
Postgraduate master's degree	GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year
Doctoral degree	GBP 15,000 to GBP 24,000 per year

*Please note that: all figures are indicative and Ph.D. cost might differ as fully funded options are also available in the UK

@ Apply

Applying to a British University

International students should apply through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Application Service); this is the online application service which domestic students apply through as well.

1. Personal Essay: The personal essay part of your application will require you to demonstrate a passion for the field you are applying to, usually by answering a few questions with mini essay-style answers. You should use relevant real-life examples which have contributed to your current knowledge or interest; these can include personal endeavors, volunteering, and work experience. However, do not simply talk about your love for the course. Talk about why you want to study that course at that particular university. This will require researching that area, university or department. Talk about why you want to study that course at that particular university. This will require researching that area, university or department. Our EduFlyHigh Writing Counselors (EWCs) are professionally trained to help you draft a personal essay and guide you to seek the best letters of recommendation. Please speak to our EWCs for more information.
2. 2. Academic Records: You will need to provide evidence of your academic records so far so the university can evaluate whether you meet the requirements of the course you are applying to. This may involve getting these translated by an accredited translator.
3. Admission Tests: There are several admissions tests in the UK to study specific fields, while the most elite institutions (like Oxford and Cambridge) will require you to take their own admissions tests to study there. For example, Law applicants may be required to take the LNAT, while those who wish to study Law at Cambridge must take the Cambridge Law Test. You should check which tests you will be required to take for entry to the institution you are interested in.
4. Language Tests: You will need to show that you are proficient in English to a certain standard to study in the UK. This is evaluated through an English language test which you can take in your own country at a test center. The most common English language tests are IELTS and TOEFL which are widely accepted. Different universities will have slightly varying language test score requirements or accept certain language tests only. Certain subjects will also require slightly higher overall scores or higher scores in particular areas of these language tests; these are usually Law, Medicine, and Journalism, where strong English language skills are key to course material. Normally, the required minimum IELTS score for undergraduate study will be a 6.5 or a TOEFL score of around 80. Required scores to study at the postgraduate level may likely be slightly higher given the step-up in the course material. However, always confirm this with your university before booking your test so you can prepare accordingly. If you can choose, you should also consider the language test which suits your strengths.
5. Documents Checklist: : As part of your application to a British university, you will need to provide several documents. Ensure you have access to the following (providing either original or translated copies where appropriate):

a. A valid passport (valid 6 months after your course completion date)

b. Evidence of how you expect to fund your studies and lifestyle e.g. notifications of scholarships and bursaries, bank statements (yours or your parents/ guardians) etc.

c. A passport-sized photo of you (it’s good to have a few of these when applying to study abroad – you never know when they’ll come in handy)

d. Academic transcripts with grades achieved

e. Transcripts with scores from admissions and language tests

f. Resume or CV (sometimes)

g. Reference or recommendation letter x 2 (at least one being an academic reference)
6. Interviews: On some occasions, international applicants will be interviewed by the institution they are applying to before a decision can be made regarding their admission. Do not worry if this occurs; this is normal and simply means that they want to learn more about you. Interviews can be conducted in person in your country by a university representative who will report back to the admissions team at the university. Interviews may also be conducted over the phone or via Skype/Google Hangout. These interviews are normally rather brief. You can expect to answer questions about why you want to study the course you’re applying to, as well as some other questions about your interests and goals in life. Our EduFlyHigh Counselors will advise and conduct mock interviews before you take the interview.

Student Visa Requirements for the UK

The UK Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first.

The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the UK

Visa Type	Who it’s for?	When to apply?	Arrival in the UK
Tier 4 (General) student visa	Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months
Tier 4 (Child) student visa	Students aged between four and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months
Short-term study visa	Students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course	Three months before your date of travel to the UK	Depends on your nominated travel dates
Tier 4 (General) student visa	Students who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months

For detailed information, please visit the UK Government Website

Visa Fees: Visa fee depends upon the visa that you will apply for:

Visa Type	Visa Fee
General student visa (Tier 4)	It costs £348 as the application fee for the visa from outside the UK. Also, you must pay £348 per person for any dependants.
Tier 4 (Child) student visa	It costs £348 as an application fee for a Tier 4 (Child) student visa from outside the UK. Also, You’ll have to pay the healthcare surcharge that will be part of your application.
Short-term study visa	It costs: £97 for a 6-month visa £186 for an 11-month visa

Explore Study Areas

With so many courses and universities to choose from, deciding where and what to study abroad can be a daunting task. Don’t worry, we are here to guide you during the entire process. Our experienced EduFlyHigh Admission Counselors (EAC) work with you to understand your goals and aspirations to help find the perfect fit for you. Register now for a free counseling session anytime!