Studying in the UK is one of the biggest adventures a student can possibly have. A degree from a well known UK University can multiply the chances of getting a good job back home as well as the prestige which comes from studying at a good University. This, coupled with a rich history and the reputation of the UK as a centre for learning and development, makes it an ideal place to study.
However, the path to decide where to study in the UK, what course to choose, what scholarships are available, etc. all can seem like a complicated maze which can confuse most, and possibly lead to wrong decisions being made which could be costly in terms of both time and money.
The first thing you to think about when studying in the UK is what level of study and what course you want to apply for. Bsc, Msc, PhD, all vary in both price and duration. This is obviously influenced by your previous level of education and the subjects you have studied in your respective country. Course names can be misleading and the content can and does differ from University to University, so make sure you read about the subjects you will be taking with a University before deciding to apply for it.
Depending on which University you decide to go and study with in the UK, there may well be some requirements that you need to meet before they will consider you for the course. These usually come in the form of language skills (TOEFL), certain grades in certain subjects, competency lists, etc. as well as proof that you have the financial support to complete your studies in the UK.
If you want to study in the UK and need funding, you should find out if there are any scholarships you can apply for and how you can apply for these. Again, most Universities can assist you with this and are generally very helpful.
You should also get in touch with the UK embassy in your country in order to understand what the visa requirements are and what you can and can’t do whilst studying in the UK i.e. make sure you understand work laws, tax laws, etc. and if your home country has any laws regarding these whilst you are studying in the UK (tax on any money you earn, etc). You also need to understand if you need to pay any taxes whilst studying in the UK, so be careful, as you don’t want to be hit by a big bill when you leave! On the other hand, the UK does pay income tax back to foreign students who work, so again check to make sure you understand fully what the most recent laws are!
Once you have found out about the University, the degree, visa issues and funding, the next thing to look into is student accommodation and how much this costs and what this includes. Many Universities have onsite accommodation for first year students. After the first year, many Universities asks students to move out of University accommodation to make space for the first year students, so check with the University what their policy is on accommodation and how much this costs.
Most Universities also have details of private accommodation off campus, but its recommended you stay on campus for the first year to learn about the area you are studying at in order to make a more informed decision at a later stage.
Groceries, bills and other living expenses should be carefully calculated to ensure you don’t run off budget when you start studying in the UK. If you can, it’s best that you learn how to cook some basic food dishes so that you can save on some money when studying, which you will most certainly need! There are many budget stores you can buy good groceries from including TESCO, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Aldi, LIDL and many more.
One way to save money is to apply for a student card which allows you to get discount at many high street stores. You can apply for this at your University and it helps to save a few pennies whilst you are studying in the UK.
Course textbooks, stationery, gym memberships, socializing and any travel costs should also be considered carefully. For sure you will need breaks and probably travel to get a well earned rest, especially during the summer break. Just make sure you have some idea of the costs associated with these to make sure you don’t have any nasty surprises when you start to study in the UK.
All UK Universities have societies of many shapes and forms which provide social activities of various natures. Make sure you ask your University about these to understand what is on offer and what the costs of these activities are. Most Universities have very good international liaison offices who can answer most questions about studying in the UK and in specific about the facilities available at the University you’ve decided to go to.
Another thing you don’t want to get caught by is having the wrong clothes with you! Studying in the UK can be great but make sure you know what the climate is during the different parts of the year and make sure you take appropriate clothing. UK weather is notoriously unpredictable so make sure you take some warm clothing and a good jacket.
A point regarding your health and wellbeing in the UK is to make sure you ask the University if there is a resident doctor at the University and how medical charges are handled if you do fall ill. The UK has a National Health Service which means you can get treated for free at public hospitals so you should not have to pay for healthcare, apart from prescription drugs.
Transportation is also a very key issue to understand. Make sure you know how people get around and how much this costs. Students studying in the UK mainly use the public transportation system which is very good in most UK cities. You can purchase weekly, monthly or yearly passes for trains, buses and even the underground (the London subway system) for discounted student rates.
Also, consider how you will get from the airport to your University accommodation. Many Universities provide ‘Meet and Greet’ services that can take you from the airport to the University for an extra fee.
Take into consideration any additional costs the University may have e.g. yearly registration fees, graduation fees, etc. These can add up and can bite you if you don’t know they are there. Also ask about work vacancies, etc. and how many hours you can legally work for as you will need extra money as no matter how well you plan. Extra cash is always good, especially when you are studying in the UK!
Finally, make sure you make all your travel arrangements well before hand and make a checklist of all the documentation you need to take with you
As you can see, there is a lot to think about when planning to study in the UK. Many things need to be taken into consideration but it can be a wonderful and life changing experience when you meet different people and experience new cultures. The UK is a rich and diverse country, and studying there for most is a privilege. Don’t however expect too much. As with any country, there are good and bad points.
I hope the information provided above has given you some idea of how to plan for your studies in the UK.
If you do happen to need assistance and are looking to study in the UK, please visit http://www.ukud.co.uk/apply_now.html and fill in the online form with your details.
This is an excellent UK based student registration agency that can help you find the right University, the right course and advise on all of the above points I have mentioned..... for free!
They charge ZERO administration fees if you mention “offer 101” in the “how did you hear about us” section, so you can avoid all those expensive agencies that charge hundreds just to process your application.
Also, the UK borders agency has an excellent website that can give you more information about studying in the UK, which is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
Good luck with your studies in the UK. If this article has been useful to you, please do let me know and tell others!
However, the path to decide where to study in the UK, what course to choose, what scholarships are available, etc. all can seem like a complicated maze which can confuse most, and possibly lead to wrong decisions being made which could be costly in terms of both time and money.
The first thing you to think about when studying in the UK is what level of study and what course you want to apply for. Bsc, Msc, PhD, all vary in both price and duration. This is obviously influenced by your previous level of education and the subjects you have studied in your respective country. Course names can be misleading and the content can and does differ from University to University, so make sure you read about the subjects you will be taking with a University before deciding to apply for it.
Depending on which University you decide to go and study with in the UK, there may well be some requirements that you need to meet before they will consider you for the course. These usually come in the form of language skills (TOEFL), certain grades in certain subjects, competency lists, etc. as well as proof that you have the financial support to complete your studies in the UK.
If you want to study in the UK and need funding, you should find out if there are any scholarships you can apply for and how you can apply for these. Again, most Universities can assist you with this and are generally very helpful.
You should also get in touch with the UK embassy in your country in order to understand what the visa requirements are and what you can and can’t do whilst studying in the UK i.e. make sure you understand work laws, tax laws, etc. and if your home country has any laws regarding these whilst you are studying in the UK (tax on any money you earn, etc). You also need to understand if you need to pay any taxes whilst studying in the UK, so be careful, as you don’t want to be hit by a big bill when you leave! On the other hand, the UK does pay income tax back to foreign students who work, so again check to make sure you understand fully what the most recent laws are!
Once you have found out about the University, the degree, visa issues and funding, the next thing to look into is student accommodation and how much this costs and what this includes. Many Universities have onsite accommodation for first year students. After the first year, many Universities asks students to move out of University accommodation to make space for the first year students, so check with the University what their policy is on accommodation and how much this costs.
Most Universities also have details of private accommodation off campus, but its recommended you stay on campus for the first year to learn about the area you are studying at in order to make a more informed decision at a later stage.
Groceries, bills and other living expenses should be carefully calculated to ensure you don’t run off budget when you start studying in the UK. If you can, it’s best that you learn how to cook some basic food dishes so that you can save on some money when studying, which you will most certainly need! There are many budget stores you can buy good groceries from including TESCO, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Aldi, LIDL and many more.
One way to save money is to apply for a student card which allows you to get discount at many high street stores. You can apply for this at your University and it helps to save a few pennies whilst you are studying in the UK.
Course textbooks, stationery, gym memberships, socializing and any travel costs should also be considered carefully. For sure you will need breaks and probably travel to get a well earned rest, especially during the summer break. Just make sure you have some idea of the costs associated with these to make sure you don’t have any nasty surprises when you start to study in the UK.
All UK Universities have societies of many shapes and forms which provide social activities of various natures. Make sure you ask your University about these to understand what is on offer and what the costs of these activities are. Most Universities have very good international liaison offices who can answer most questions about studying in the UK and in specific about the facilities available at the University you’ve decided to go to.
Another thing you don’t want to get caught by is having the wrong clothes with you! Studying in the UK can be great but make sure you know what the climate is during the different parts of the year and make sure you take appropriate clothing. UK weather is notoriously unpredictable so make sure you take some warm clothing and a good jacket.
A point regarding your health and wellbeing in the UK is to make sure you ask the University if there is a resident doctor at the University and how medical charges are handled if you do fall ill. The UK has a National Health Service which means you can get treated for free at public hospitals so you should not have to pay for healthcare, apart from prescription drugs.
Transportation is also a very key issue to understand. Make sure you know how people get around and how much this costs. Students studying in the UK mainly use the public transportation system which is very good in most UK cities. You can purchase weekly, monthly or yearly passes for trains, buses and even the underground (the London subway system) for discounted student rates.
Also, consider how you will get from the airport to your University accommodation. Many Universities provide ‘Meet and Greet’ services that can take you from the airport to the University for an extra fee.
Take into consideration any additional costs the University may have e.g. yearly registration fees, graduation fees, etc. These can add up and can bite you if you don’t know they are there. Also ask about work vacancies, etc. and how many hours you can legally work for as you will need extra money as no matter how well you plan. Extra cash is always good, especially when you are studying in the UK!
Finally, make sure you make all your travel arrangements well before hand and make a checklist of all the documentation you need to take with you
As you can see, there is a lot to think about when planning to study in the UK. Many things need to be taken into consideration but it can be a wonderful and life changing experience when you meet different people and experience new cultures. The UK is a rich and diverse country, and studying there for most is a privilege. Don’t however expect too much. As with any country, there are good and bad points.
I hope the information provided above has given you some idea of how to plan for your studies in the UK.
If you do happen to need assistance and are looking to study in the UK, please visit http://www.ukud.co.uk/apply_now.html and fill in the online form with your details.
This is an excellent UK based student registration agency that can help you find the right University, the right course and advise on all of the above points I have mentioned..... for free!
They charge ZERO administration fees if you mention “offer 101” in the “how did you hear about us” section, so you can avoid all those expensive agencies that charge hundreds just to process your application.
Also, the UK borders agency has an excellent website that can give you more information about studying in the UK, which is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
Good luck with your studies in the UK. If this article has been useful to you, please do let me know and tell others!
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