Know About the UK:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that shares a land border with another sovereign state, the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the south and the Celtic Sea to the south-west.
The United Kingdom is a developed country and has the world’s sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the ninth-largest economy by purchasing power parity.
UK one of the most popular study destinations, the UK enjoys a tradition of education with universities rooting back with the 12th and 13th centuries. Known for its language, history, culture, and innovation, With a comprehensive support system in place for international students, studying in the UK is definitely a life-changing experience.
The UK’s university systems are categorized into groups.
- Ancient Universities – These are the institutions founded before the year 1600. Some examples are Oxford University, Cambridge University, St. Andrews University.
- Russell Group Universities – These are the group of 24 public research universities. These universities endeavor to maintain the best research, teaching and leading standards. Some examples are the University of Birmingham, the University of Edinburgh, and Durham University.
- Plate Glass Universities – These are the institutions established or granted university status in the 1960s. The term ‘plate glass’ is due to modern architectural buildings. Some examples are the University of York, the University of Warwick, and the University of Lancaster.
- Red Brick Universities – These are the institutions founded in UK industrial cities. The term ‘red brick’ is due to the Victorian architectural style of the buildings. Some examples are the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, and the University of Leeds.
Why study in UK:
For best:
- Academic excellence,
- Quality education,
- Shorter duration of courses,
- Work while you learn,
- Explore Europe while studying,
- Health benefits for students.
Cost of Studying and Living in the UK:
Tuition fees for international students are not fixed or governed in the UK. This means that they can vary greatly from institution to institution, and each university decides what they wish to charge. The tuition fees you are charged will be highly dependent on your home country. If you are coming from an EU country, you are likely to be charged the same as a UK student. If you are from any other country, you will pay international student fees.
In England, the maximum undergraduate fee for UK/EU students is around £9,000 per annum for the 2019/20 academic year.
EU students will be aware of the UK’s referendum on membership of the European Union, also known as ‘Brexit’. Whilst there are uncertainties for all parties in terms of what tuition fees EU students will pay once the UK officially leaves the EU, many universities have pledged to keep EU fees the same for at least the next few years.
*Make time and know about ‘Brexit’ by reading the article for more information.
If you are a student coming from outside of the EU(European Union) your tuition fees could be much higher. you can expect to pay between £5,000 and £40,000 per annum. If you choose to study an executive education course such as an MBA, or a competitive course such as medicine, your fees will be on the higher end of the scale.
In terms of living costs, it is recommended that you should have around £15,000 per year. This will cover your rent, groceries, travel, and any other necessary expenses. If you choose to live in London and some of the big cities then you should plan a budget for higher living costs, as it is significantly more expensive than the rest of the UK. Many retailers offer generous student discounts as long as you can prove that you are a student by showing your student card, take advantage of this to save some money. Depending on where you are coming from, you may be able to get a part-time job to supplement your funds. This is normally dictated by your visa, and can sometimes have restrictions.
*Try to know about a part-time student job by reading the article for more information about working during your studies.
You may be able to apply for a scholarship to help fund your studies. This could be awarded by your institution or a separate funding body. Check out our scholarships and funding section for more information.
Visas:
Depending on your home country, you may need to obtain a visa in order to study in the UK. If you are from an EU country, you do not currently need a visa to come and study in the UK. This is subject to change once the UK leaves the EU. If you are from any other country, you are required to be granted a visa before you can enter the UK. Before you can apply for a visa, you will need to be accepted onto a course, be able to prove that your English language skills meet the required standard, prove that you have sufficient funds for living and studying. To apply for a visa outside of the UK. The UK government website will provide you with more information about eligibility and restrictions.
*Read about the Student Visa Questions article for more information about that process.