Advantages to study in UK

High-class Education

The glorious land of the UK holds three of the world’s top 10 universities. The UK’s standard of teaching and quality of education are appreciated all over the world.

Ample Career Opportunities

A degree obtained from a UK university carries global recognition and value. Hence, you can easily acquire the job of your choice in any of your aspired regions and countries.

Multicultural Environment

The UK accepts students from almost all parts worldwide. Hence, you have a great chance to live in a remarkable multicultural environment and discover different languages and places of the world.

Compact Courses Duration

The duration of the courses in the UK is shorter as compared to the counterparts (like Australia and the USA). For example, a master’s course in the UK can be accomplished in one year. Similarly, an undergraduate degree can be completed in three years. This diminishes the cost associated with the dwelling and livelihood expenses you manage while studying in the country.

Freedom of Employment While Studying

The UK government gives you the freedom of employment while you study. Though you can work only for a restricted number of hours, the income you generate is crucial to manage the basic expenses you are likely to manage during your studies.

Health Benefits

The UK provides free medical treatment to Indian students (if they are pursuing a full-time course over there). The benefits can also be leveraged by the dependents (spouse, children) residing with the student during the course.

Facts

• UK welcomes more than 4,50,000 international students every year.
• UK holds a significant number of world-class universities offering high-quality education.
• UK universities are the leading provider of remarkable research opportunities.
• Most of the international students that choose UK to pursue studies are from Asia.
• Taking an English language proficiency test is not mandatory to study in UK.
• UK providers employment permissions to the international students studying in UK.

Important :

• The visa can be applied at most three months prior to the commencement of your desired study program.
• The arrival to the UK is permitted at most 1 month before the start date of the program (if the course length exceeds six months).
• The visa permits you to join employment in the country.
• The visa can be extended (if required).

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a UK Student Visa

• You must be at least 4 years of age.
• You must have adequate funds to manage your studies and other expenses while studying in UK and must have proof of the same.
• You must hold sound English language skills and must have proof of the same.
• You must have consent from your parents or legal guardians (if you are below 18 years).
• You must be enrolled in a recognized educational institute in the UK.

Types of UK Student Visa

Obtaining a UK student visa is the first step to direct your way towards the land of the UK for further studies. A UK student visa can be majorly divided into two types namely, short-term study visa and tier-4 (general) student visa. Different visa types are suitable to accomplish different purposes and the selection of the right visa category can be troublesome in many cases.

The best way to cope with the issue is to connect with a reliable UK education consultant. Their in-depth knowledge and years of experience are compelling to help you to choose the right visa and ease other hassle associated with your UK student visa process.

Let’s Understand The Different Visa Types in Brief

Short-Term Study Visa

A short-term study visa is ideal to pursue a short-term course (6 or 11 months) from the UK. To be eligible for a short-term study visa, you must satisfy the desired set of eligibility criteria which says-

• You must be enrolled in a recognized institute in the UK.
• You must have enough funds to manage your tuition fees and living expenses in the country.
• You must have funds to sponsor your return journey.

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Document Required for Short-Term Study Visa

A valid passport.

Proof of funds (such as bank statements).

Medical reports (if required).

Letter of acceptance from the underlying school with all the required details mentioned (such as name, duration of the course).

Letter of permission from the parent or guardian (for minors).

Important:

A short-term study visa does not provide employment permissions to the visa holder. Also, neither the visa can be extended nor you can take your family members along.

Tier-4 (General) Student Visa

The tier-4 (general) student visa is the most common type of visa applied by international students who aspire to study in the UK. The visa is suitable to pursue a course that lasts for more than six months and can be applied by candidates above 16 years of age. The permitted stay is generally equivalent to the duration of the program plus one additional month.

To apply for a tier-4 (general) student visa, you must

• Be enrolled in your desired study program in the UK.
• Have sufficient funds to manage your studies and other expenses.
• Possess sound English language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding).

Documents Required for Tier-4 (General) Student Visa

A valid passport

Proof of funds (such as bank statements).

Medical test results (if required).

Proof of language proficiency (such as IELTS scorecard).

Acceptance letter from the parent or guardian (for minors).

Important :

• The visa can be applied at most three months prior to the commencement of your desired study program.
• The arrival to the UK is permitted at most 1 month before the start date of the program (if the course length exceeds six months).
• The visa permits you to join employment in the country.
• The visa can be extended (if required).

Validity of a UK Student Visa

The validity of a UK student visa depends on the duration of your course as well as the level of the study program. If you are pursuing a degree-level program, your UK student visa may allow you to stay in the country for up to five years. If you aim to undergo a study course that is below the degree level, your visa is likely to aid you with a stay and study duration for a period of up to two years.

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UK Student Visa Application – Step by Step Process

1. Check your Eligibility
2. Prepare your Documents
3. Apply for your Visa
4. Pay the Application Fee
5. Visit the visa application center at the scheduled date and time

Let’s Start with Step 1

UK Student Visa Application – Step by Step Process

As mentioned, the tier-4 (general) student visa is the most common type of visa acquired by international students willing to study in the UK. The step-by-step process to get the visa are given as under

1. Check your Eligibility

Verifying if you qualify for your aspired visa is the first step to initiate your UK student visa process. Hence, make sure you match the eligibility criteria of your desired visa before moving to the next steps. The eligibility criteria for a tier-4 (general) student visa is discussed in the above sections.

2. Prepare your Documents

Appropriate and authentic document submission is crucial to seize your UK student visa successfully. Hence, cautiously prepare all the mandatory documents before you step ahead. The list of required documents include

• A valid passport.
• Passport size photograph (colored).
• Your previous travel history.
• Confirmation of acceptance at a UK institute or university.
• Copy of the visa application form.

3. Apply for your Visa

The most convenient way to apply for your visa is – to apply online. For this, you have to create an account on the UK visa website. After this, you can complete and submit your online application form. Don’t forget to take the printout and sign your completed application form.

You are also required to book an appointment at your nearby visa application center as a part of your online application process. Perform the task using the online application calendar.

4. Pay the Application Fee

Next, settle the application fee. You have various methods to do so. You can make payment at the Standard Chartered Bank, you can visit the visa application center or you can pay online using your debit or credit card.

5. Visit the Visa Application Center at the Scheduled Date and Time

Reach the visa application center at the scheduled date and time for pending formalities (such as fingerprints).

UK Qualification Framework

UK’s education system can be divided into four parts namely primary education, secondary education, undergraduate degree, and post-graduate degree. The different study levels are designed for the students belonging to particular age groups. For example, the primary education of a student starts at the age of five and continues up to 11. Similarly, secondary education starts from the age of 11 and goes up to 16 years. To start with an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree, the age of a student must be atleast 16 years.

Education system of UK

The education system of the UK holds a worldwide reputation. The quality and standards of the UK’s education system are unmatchable. The system can be categorized into the following parts-

• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Undergraduate/Bachelor degree
• Postgraduate degrees

1. Primary Education

Starts at the age of 5 and persists till 11.

2. Secondary Education

Starts at the age of 11 and continues till 16.

3. Undergraduate/Bachelor Degree

Starts after the accomplishment of secondary education. The available options are

• BA (Bachelor of Arts)
• B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)
• LLB (Bachelor of Law)
• BS or BM (Bachelor of Medicine)
• B.Ed (Bachelor of Education Sciences)
• B.Engg (Bachelor of Technical Sciences)
• B.Mus (Bachelor of Music)

4. Postgraduate Degrees

Includes masters, doctorates, certificates, and postgraduate diplomas. Where the master’s program requires one year for completion, the doctorate needs three to four years to get completed.

Qualifications Offered

• Degree courses
• Vocational training
• Diplomas
• Postgraduate courses
• Sandwich courses (where the course includes real-time work experience)

Top universities to study in the UK

UK has 150 plus universities who are authorized to give bachelor and master’s degree. Four of the top ten universities in the world are in the UK. UK is a dream destination for numerous youths seeking to pursue higher education outside the boundaries of their home country. One of the prominent reasons behind this is – the presence of several world-class universities. UK is a hearth for many qualitative universities making the country a feasible option for international students to study abroad. The most recommended universities existing in the UK are given as under

• University of Greenwich
• University of Oxford
• University of Glasgow
• University of Leeds
• University of Cambridge
• University of Manchester
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Edinburgh
• University College London
• Imperial College London

List Of Trending Courses To Study In UK

The UK universities provide a varied range of courses in almost all the trending fields. The variety of available programs makes it easy for the students to choose a course that matches their preference.

UK has a huge variety of courses to offer to international students. Whether you want to pursue a management course, an engineering course or a law course, UK has options for you. The availability of this huge range of study programs is imperative for international students when they look to undergo a course that matches their academic background and interests. The most trending courses to study in UK include 

• Business studies
• Accounting and Finance
• Economics
• Art and Design
• Computer Science
• Biological Sciences and so on.

Top Universities to Study in the UK

1. University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich is one of the leading academic institutions present across the globe. Established in 1890, the university is a public university situated in London, UK. The university provides a total of 60+ courses including many undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The wide scale of available courses in almost all the trending fields like accounting, finance, science, pharmacy, law, and others makes the university an ideal fit to pursue your desired program without compromising the quality.

2. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is one of the oldest and the most perceptible universities existing in the world. The university was commenced in 1096 and since then it has been making significant contributions to build the future of both local as well as international students. The university welcomes a total of 6000+ international students every year and bestows them with an excellent education.

3. University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is a public university located in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. The university came into existence in 1491. The university comprises many campuses with the main campus situated at Hillhead. The university educates around 30,000 students coming from over 140 countries every year.

4. University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is a leading name in the list of top 40 international universities present universally. The university has accepted international students for more than 100 years and is the most preferred choice for Indian students. The university offers a total of 200+ academic courses including masters, bachelors, engineering, computer, science, and other levels and fields.

5. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is a commendable public university that was founded in 1209. The university is the fourth-oldest university existing worldwide. The university’s popular colleges and winning infrastructures are persuasive to draw the instant attraction of the youths and bound them with a superb education and campus life.

6. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a public research red brick university located in Greater Manchester, UK. The university is a respected name in the world’s leading research institutes. With their world-renowned teaching approaches and innovative solutions, the university is constantly creating brilliant minds for the well-being of the world and society.

7. University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire is another public university running many research centers in the fields like arts and humanities, health and human sciences, and science and technology. With the contribution of three campuses, the university supports more than 3500 international students to gain expertise in their chosen fields.

8. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is the sixth oldest university located in the boundaries of Scotland. The university was established in 1582 and soon became the most appreciated open institute in Scotland. The university offers nearly 30 courses in almost all the high-demand domains and subject areas.

9. University College London

Commenced in 1826, the University College London is the third-largest university present in the world. The university is recognized as the first university in London that welcomed students from all parts of the world without taking their gender and religion into consideration.

10. Imperial College London

The Imperial College London is one more dominant public research university located in the UK. Started in 1907, the university mainly focuses and provides courses in the fields of science, engineering, business, and medicine. The university welcomes students and staff from over 140 countries. The outstanding teaching patterns together with highly-qualified staff make the university a top choice to study abroad.

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Popular Courses to Study in the UK

A few of the most popular courses among international students are

Management Courses

The management courses are one of the top preferences among international students seeking a degree from a UK university. The course structures offered by the UK are compelling to get placement in the globally recognized company and experience a brightening career graph.

The top universities to pursue a management course in the UK are

• University of Oxford
• University of East London
• University of Leeds
• De Montford University
• University of Westminster

Engineering Courses

The engineering programs are also a leading choice amongst international students willing to study in a UK university. The exemplary lesson plans, innovative tools, and experienced faculties are perfect to develop the core skills of the students and shape the businesses in the right direction.

The high-picked university to undergo engineering courses in the UK are

• The University of Liverpool
• Coventry University
• University of Manchester
• Birmingham City University
• University of East London

Law Courses

UK has a world-renowned legal system making it a prevailing destination to study law. UK universities offer a great range of law courses allowing students to choose a course of their choice. Nevertheless, the law can also be combined with other subjects such as politics and journalism.

The highly preferred UK universities to complete a law course are

• Robert Gordon University
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Cambridge
• University of Strathclyde

Humanities and Art Programs

The humanities and art programs are idealistic for the students seeking to undergo a non-technical degree. The UK holds an impeccable reputation among international students when it comes to pursuing a humanity and art program.

The top universities to accomplish a humanity and art program in the UK are

• University of Oxford
• Liverpool Hope University
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• University of Westminster

Choose Your Desired Course

Scholarship Options To Study In UK

Pursuing studies from UK is costly. It required huge sums of money to study in UK. This huge funding requirement is an obstacle for many international students in their way to study in UK. To eliminate this hurdle from the path of deserving talents, UK presents several great scholarship options. These scholarships are sponsored by the UK government, universities and other public and private organizations. A few prominent names in the list are British Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries, Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme at UK Universities, CastleSmart Scholarship, The Royal Society Grants, and Eupraxies UK. 

Post-study work options in the UK

The UK provides many excellent options to the international students interested to stay back and gain some valuable work experience post their studies. However, you may need to acquire a separate visa to fulfill the purpose.

The Graduate Route

As per the new law effective from July 2021,  the students who admit themselves to an undergraduate or master’s course will have the privilege to dwell and work in the country for 2 years via the Graduate Route. The Ph.D. students will be eligible to stay for three years.

Important:

• Only the students who hold a valid student visa (at the time of application) will be eligible to acquire the Graduate Route
• The expected launch date of the new Graduate Route is 1 July 2021.This means that the students who complete their course after the mentioned date will have the right to apply for the route
• A fresh visa application will be required to apply for the route. The application can be raised only from within the boundaries of the UK
• CAS will be needed to apply for the Graduate Route.

Expense Vs Earning

• Expense
• Earning

The cost of studying in the UK involves many factors including

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation expenses
• Visa application fees
• Other living expenses

Cost of Studying in the UK

The cost of studying in the UK involves many factors including

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation expenses
• Visa application fees
• Other living expenses

Tuition Fees

The cost may vary depending on the country you choose. The four prominent options are England, Scotland, North Ireland, and Wales. You may also find slight variations in the tuition fees based on your selected study program and university. The approximate tuition fees to study in a UK university can be seen as under

Study Program	Approximate fees (in GBP)
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree	£6,000 to £16,000 per year
Postgraduate Master’s Degree	£10,000 to £20,000 per year
Doctoral Degree	£13,000 to £29,000 per year

Accommodation Cost

Many universities in the UK provide on-campus dwelling options which are quite economical. The absence of on-campus accommodation will ask you to search for the one on your own. The cost for the same varies depending on the city you live in, size of the home, and availability of other facilities (like water, electricity, internet, etc.). The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment generally lies between £550 and £650.

Student Visa

Acquiring a valid student visa is a prerequisite to study in the UK. The associated cost revolves around £348. To know the exact figure, feel free to connect with our USA education consultant.

Other Living Expenses

The other living expenses include a huge list of primary expenditures like your gas, water, electricity bills, clothes, food, books, stationery, transport, mobile, etc. The estimated monthly costs for the same are given as under

Expense Type	Estimated Cost
Mobile phone	£15 – £50
Gas, water, and electricity bills	£40 – £50
Clothes	£30
Food	£160 – £200
Travel & transport	£35
Socializing	£140

More factors can be included in the list, however, these are the prominent ones.

The expenses to study in the UK can be majorly divided into three categories –

• Accommodation cost
• Living expenses
• Tuition fees

The costs can fluctuate depending on the city in which you live and the university or institute where you study.

Accommodation Expenses

UK provides many different living options to international students associating varying living costs. Among these, the halls of residence, starting from £50 per week and going up to £80 per week, is the most economical option.

If you do not prefer the halls of residence option then you have to find your own accommodation that can cost you around £35/ week and more (depends on the quality of accommodation).

Living Expenses

The living expenses comprise a huge list including

• Food – £25 to £30 per week (approx)
• Transport – £10 per week (approx)
• Entertainment
• Books – £7 (approx)
• Phone, electricity, water bills – £15 per week (approx)

Of course, the list is not complete but it will give you a rough idea of the living expenses you have to come across while studying in the UK.

Student life in the UK

Moving to a new country may be exciting but it is challenging too. The language, food, and cultural differences can be annoying. Also, the completely new academic and social life can put you in a state of distress at first. Of course, it’s not possible to take up all the differences instantly, however, as time passes, you will become familiar with the new environment and life will become easier for you.

Here are some tips that will help you in the easy transition to your new home country.

• Mingle with the other international students. Remember, they are also facing the same situation
• Interact with people even if you are nervous. Communicating with people will boost your confidence and help you to adjust easily
• Associate with the student clubs and societies. This will help you to come across more people like you and you will be able to make new friends more conveniently

INTAKES

• There are two major intakes in most of the universities of UK.
• January and September is the main intake.
• March, April and November is provided by only few universities.

Upcoming Intakes in the UK

The UK’s academic year starts in the month of September and ends in July. Generally, there are three intakes available in the UK’s universities and colleges. The three intakes are –

• Intake 1 – starts in Sept/Oct. It is the major of all three
• Intake 2 – starts in Jan/Feb
• Intake 3 – starts in May/June (open only for certain courses)

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Aspire Square Helping Students to Get UK Student Visa

With the hope of leveraging one of the oldest and most powerful education systems in the world, thousands of students desire to obtain a UK student visa every year. However, the lengthy and troublesome visa process does not let all meet their purpose. In a highly competitive environment where a tiny mistake committed by you can lead your visa application to rejection, getting assistance from a reliable hand to complete your visa process holds great importance.

Aspire Square, being a trustworthy provider of student visa services, owns a knowledgeable and skillful team of UK student visa consultants as well. The utmost dedication and extensive experience of the team can support you in many ways to get your UK student visa including the following

• Understand your eligibility with the thorough screening of your profile.
• Choose the right study course based on your background, ability, and strengths.
• Prepare for the visa interview.
• Organize the required documents to complete a flawless visa application.
• Pick the right language proficiency course based on your selected course and university.