The United Kingdom has been known for its long-standing quality education system. Paired with the rich history & culture of the country, it offers a unique experience of knowledge that attracts students from all over the world. At Writers Qi, we offer a unique consultation experience where we help you with your college essays, curation of your profile, and identifying the best opportunities for scholarships for your education in the UK!
Studying abroad can be confusing and complicated at the same time and this is why we are going to answer some of the most common questions that we come across about studying in the UK.
1. What options do I have for postgraduate studies in the UK?
The minimum requirement for doing a postgraduate degree is that you need to complete a Bachelor's degree in India. There are three different categories of courses that you can do after completing your undergraduate.
Graduate certificates and diploma: These are usually offered as conversion courses for students who have completed a UG degree. They’re short term courses to learn certain skills or fill certain gaps in your education. They’re common in the field of law such as the GDL conversion courses etc.
Postgraduate certificate and diploma: These are shorter than master courses typically 6-9 months and can be taken to learn elaborate skills or like training courses for a specific industry job
Masters degree: These are one year courses with either completely taught coursework or can be research-based as well. It can extend to 2 years in some courses or if you’re taking up the part-time track. In the case that you’re interested in pursuing a PhD in the future, it is mandatory to pursue a Master’s before.
2. What are the admission criteria for studying there?
All Indian university degrees are accepted in the UK which is a big advantage for students from here. You need to do a 3 year or 4 year Bachelor’s degree such as a BA, BSc, Bcom, BEng, etc.
The main catch is that the degree must be a first-class degree i.e, 75% and above. This increases your chances of getting accepted for a PG degree. If it’s a UK 2:1 degree, that would convert to 65% in the Indian system. In extremely selective universities, the accepted degree is highly dependent on the institution that is awarding it. So, do check the specific degree and university requirements before applying!
3. What are the language requirements for studying in the UK?
All programs are taught in English so it is important to have good fluency in the language. In some universities. They accept your degree if you have completed your education in English but most likely you will have to take either of these exams.
IELTS: This is the most widely accepted exam and the minimum requirement is a 6.5
TOEFL: An acceptable score would be 100 and above
PTE: An acceptable score would be 70 and above
4. When can I start my course in the UK?
Most UK universities have two main intakes which are in January and September. All universities definitely offer a September intake but January intakes depend on the university and course requirements. So, be sure to check them beforehand.
5. What are the visa requirements?
All international students are needed to have a Tier 4 visa and for this, you need to have a CAS form (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) from the university along with proof of sufficient funds. In the case that you are applying for a degree that requires lab work, then you will be required to sign an ATAS form as well.
6. How much does it cost to study in the UK?
Tuition fees can be between 18000 - 35000 GBP but it mostly depends on the type of course that you will be taking up. For example, a degree in biology would cost more because of the laboratory work that is required as part of the course. The cost of living can go up to 12000 GBP for a 9-month course especially in expensive cities such as London.
Prior to your departure from India, you can also expect a visa application fee that is almost 400 GBP along with an Immigration Health Service charge of 150 GBP. These charges do change every year so it’s best to re-check them before applying for a visa.
7. Are there any scholarships available for my studies abroad?
There are a lot of scholarship opportunities especially for postgraduate students who aspire to study in the UK. Some of the most popular ones are the Commonwealth Scholarship & Chevening Scholarship with a few course-specific scholarships and country-specific scholarships available as well. Always check the funding opportunities available for each university.
8. Can I work while studying in the UK?
All students who possess a Tier 4 visa in the UK are allowed to work for 20 hours a week. It can be a job under an employer, organization, or even a teacher/ research assistantship. Most students get a job within the campus itself or nearby areas but corporate jobs might be permitted or required for some courses as well.
9. Is it possible to stay back and work after my graduation?
With the new visa rules that have been introduced this year, the New Graduate Route allows international students to stay back in the UK for work or to look for work in the skilled sector for a period of 2 years. This rule is applicable from 2021 onwards so any student graduating from then should benefit from it. The rule is applicable to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
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