Let’s get you acquainted with UK education system:

Universities and colleges in UK are widely known for their teaching and research and the education system is the most adaptable and versatile for international students. With the focus on technology, research, and innovation, you’ll be engaged with individuals living in a forward-thinking society while learning from some of the brightest minds in the top universities in UK.

Education system in UK has an internationally acclaimed, that offers a globally distinguished education system along with specializations that can make an exceptional difference to your future.

Standing at the zenith of research and development, the UK offers students vast scope to build critical and analytical thinking. The common and only entry route for the United Kingdom’s University study is A – Level. It’s mandatory to prove reading, writing and speaking ability for English if you are going to UK for studies.

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.

 

Study Levels in UK

The education system in the UK consists of four stages:

• → Primary Education.
• → Secondary Education.
• → Further Education.
• → Higher Education.

 

Higher Education

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.

 

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!

 

Postgraduate Studies

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

 

Pathway Programs

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.

 

Quality Assurance System

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.

 

Intakes to Study in UK:

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.

Universities and colleges in UK offer three intakes:

• → September – October intake
• → January – February intake
• → April- May intake (for a few courses)

While other countries take at least four years for an undergraduate degree and two or three years for a postgraduate degree, it takes only three years for an undergraduate degree, and one year for a postgraduate in the United Kingdom. This overall cuts down your expenditure on your education, without compromising on the knowledge sharing and quality of teaching.

Your expenditure on tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. There are many high-ranking universities and colleges in the UK with their own fee structures. Further, the fee also depends on where in the UK you choose to study (there are different rules for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales), and your study level.

Most commonly humanities, arts, and education courses are cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at the postgraduate level, the tuition fees are typically higher and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive.

Studying in the UK costs between 10,000 to 25,000 pounds per year for an under-graduation course and ranges up to 40,000 pounds per year for post-graduation.

• → Undergraduate bachelor degree: GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000
• → Postgraduate master's degree: GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000
• → Doctoral degree: GBP 15,000 to GBP 24,000

* Please note all fee figures are indicative

The cost may vary based on lifestyle one may wish to maintain. Dining out, shopping, category of accommodation and travelling may impact the expenses.

Apart from the tuition fee, a major part of your total budget may go into accommodation. Living in private accommodations can be expensive as compared to the University hostels. Basic utilities and living expenses are quite higher than the rest of the countries. As compared to the other cities in the UK, the cost of studying and living is higher in London and South England.

Most universities in the UK offer on-campus residence facilities called the Halls of Residence to international students. These can be self-catered or full board. Certain campuses also provide self-catered shared houses or flats to their students. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option. However, you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.

If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarships available for international students.

There are plenty of options for international students interested in applying for scholarships to study in UK. Institutions in the UK offer a variety of scholarships, financial aid, grants, and bursaries to international students at different levels of education, ranging from graduation to post-graduation and postdoctoral.

If you plan well in advance, you can apply to a range of scholarships offered by UK Universities and Colleges. Open to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies, these can be partial or fully paid, depending on the criteria, course and the institution. Many scholarships and bursaries are also offered by the government, and various private and public establishments as well.

Since getting a scholarship is competitive, we recommend you to start with the procedure about 8-12 months before the preferred intake begins.

Healthcare is a rather expensive affair in Uk. Without insurance, unfortunately, if you fall sick, you will incur a huge cost on treatment. The UK is one of the countries which has an institutionalized, national health care system, which will reduce your overall health care costs.

Students are recommended to purchase this abroad education health cover even before they travel to the destination. A tier 4 student visa staying in the UK for 6 months or longer will be required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application fee.

As an international student, you may qualify to receive the National Health Care System (NHS) benefit if you have a tier 4 student visa and are studying in the UK for six months or more. If you qualify for the NHS abroad education health cover, you will receive the same benefits as UK citizens.

Why need Overseas National Health Care System (NHS):

NHS is one of the prerequisites to apply for the student visa. It is one of the documents you enclose while applying for the student visa. Apart from the fact it is mandatory, NHS is very beneficial as it covers a wide range of medical expenses. When you complete your application, you will be asked to provide proof of payment as well as confirmation that your NHS coverage begins when you arrive in UK.

We recommend you get registered with a local doctor or a medical centre located in your campus when you arrive in the country. Discuss with your AEES counsellor for details regarding your best health insurance options in UK.

Working part-time while you are studying can be a great way to help with the cost of living in the UK and also gain work experience in your field of study. There are ample opportunities available for part-time work, internship, or placements during the summer or winter break.

The UK’s Study Route (Tire-4) permits the students to work maximum of 20 hours per week, only if the student is studying at degree level and above. and Full-time work is only permitted during the holidays and vacations.

You must not work if your passport sticker or identity card says ‘No Work’ or ‘Work Prohibited’, as you will breach your immigration conditions, which is against the law in the UK.

Post Study Work Permit (PSW) in UK

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) in UK is an opportunity for student’s work experience post completion of the education in UK. If you want to stay and work in the UK after you finish your study, you’ll need to get a new visa first, or apply for a visa extension.

According to the latest update by British Council, from 1st Jul’21 international students who have completed UG or master’s degree will be given two years of post-study work permit after studies, and student completing PhD can stay for three years after studies.