Universities, Scholarships, Eligibility for Indian Students To Study In UK
The UK is home to some of the oldest universities in the world and it still remains one of the most preferred study destinations for Indian students.
Owing to its strong legacy, education in the UK has been inspiring the institutions around the world. Apart from their lavish lifestyle, citizens of the UK are kind and compassionate.
On the flip side, the colleges are affordable and there are fewer restrictions on part-time and VISA. This is a comprehensive guide that will help you with everything you need to know about studying in the UK.
Why the UK?
1. International recognition
When it comes to academic standards, universities in the UK are second to none. As a matter of fact, 4 out of the top 10 universities in the world are from the UK which includes Cambridge and Oxford.
The institutions in the UK forbid text-book based learning and prefer the practical and utility-based approach. This will, in turn, help you improve critical reasoning ability and analytical skills in your chosen discipline.
2. Quality of education
The UK has a separate body called the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) which frequently monitors the educational quality standards of all the colleges and universities.
Apart from the mundane audits and subject reviews, the QAA is also helping them come up with the best educational practices that are causing frequent improvisations.
The UK has higher education funding bodies who manage the quality of their research and also to publish their findings at periodic intervals.
3. Employment opportunities
During your term or semester, the UK regulations allow an international student to work up to 20 hours per week. During your semester break or holiday, you can extend your work to full-time.
Unlike the US, there are no rules in the UK that restricts or allows the students to only work inside their campus. So if you can manage to find a part-time job or an internship that matches your field of study, apart from being able to manage your expenses, you can also gain some valuable industry experience.
4. Other Additional Benefits
Courses With Shorter Duration: The universities in the UK usually offer courses with a shorter duration without compromising on the quality or intensity of the courses. You can complete a UG degree in 3 years and a PG degree in a year which could save you a huge deal of money in tuition.
Spend Less On Tourism: The UK has excellent landscapes and you’re just a few hundred kilometres away from major countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and France. You can explore the entire European continent during your stay in the UK.
Health Benefits: The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK makes sure that every student gets free medical treatment during their stay. You have to pay a small International Health Surcharge (IHS) in advance in order for you to enjoy this benefit.
Education System
Undergraduate
The UK has a huge reputation among employers and academics for its wide range of 3-year UG degrees. There are a ton of different courses that you can choose from under various streams such as Arts (B.A.), Engineering (B.Engg.), Science (B.Sc.), and Education (B.Ed.). Here’s a shortlist of popular degrees in the UK that you must consider:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Business (Economy and Management)
- Anthropology and Archaeology
- Sciences (Earth sciences, Biology, Chemistry)
- Mathematics
- English Literature
- Philosophy, Theology and Religion
Postgraduate
The European Universities have a diverse range of specializations that students from various UG streams can choose from. The duration of most masters courses is no more than a year which provides ample time for the students to search for internships and jobs.
The UK universities also provide a unique specialized undergraduate Master’s Degree program which basically clubs a UG and a PG program together as one. Apart from saving your money on tuition, this program also helps a candidate have two degrees without consuming much time.
Exams to take
IELTS
Every University in the UK would need you to prove that your English is good and you can communicate better. IELTS is what they prefer the most. But if you’re planning on getting into Oxford and Cambridge, you’ll have to score a band 7.5 wat at least 7 in all the individual sections of the IELTS exam.
IELTS
Every University in the UK would need you to prove that your English is good and you can communicate better. IELTS is what they prefer the most. But if you’re planning on getting into Oxford and Cambridge, you’ll have to score a band 7.5 wat at least 7 in all the individual sections of the IELTS exam.
TOEFL
Almost all of the colleges and universities in the UK accept TOEFL or Test Of English as a Foreign Language. As a matter of fact, over 130 countries around the world accept TOEFL to access your English proficiency. However, you might not be able to use your TOEFL scores in the UK Visa process.
PTE
98% of the colleges in the UK accept PTE scores and you can also use the same for your Visa and immigration process. Students who take up PTE would score in-between the range of 10-90. A score of 55 and above is good enough to prove competent in your application process.
GRE
Universities in the UK do not recommend that you take up GRE as an entrance or admission test. Your English score in your GRE is also invalid when it comes to checking your English proficiency. Some colleges may recommend GRE for the students who do not have either a UG or a PG degree.
GMAT
UK universities do not just accept but also recommend students to write GMAT. You probably know that GMAT is a requirement of most business schools however in the UK, it is not mandatory. Still, there’s no denying the fact that a good GMAT score can give you an edge over your peers.
Eligibility
- Qualifications and Grades – Universities analyse and would ask you to submit the scores that you’ve received from previous schools and institutions.
- Entrance tests – Certain colleges have their own entrance tests for UG courses to filter out the herd. These tests usually contain basic questions from the major that you’re applying for.
- Language proficiency – IELTS is the most common language test in the UK and a good IELTS band could help you secure an admit easily.
- Experience & References – Having a good amount of work experience and an official recommendation are really factors that the UK universities look for.
Admission Process For UK Universities
- Have your documents ready.
- Up-to-date passport
- English language proficiency qualification
- Proof of funds
- Find your preferred course that you’re passionate about.
- Select Universities that you want to apply for.
- Write a really good Personal Statement
- Apply through UCAS
- Enquire about Immigration Health Surcharge
- Apply for your VISA
- Plan Your Journey
Popular Universities
Like we have previously discussed, the UK is home to some of the oldest and highly renowned Universities in the world. The admissions are extremely competitive where only the best can get in. Here’s the list of the top 3 Universities in the UK.
1. University of Oxford
On average, 5 students apply for every single available position at the University of Oxford. More than 30 world leaders and 50 noble prize winners have studied here. Oxford has over 44 colleges and halls and 100 libraries. It offers more than 100 UG degree combinations but getting an admit is really hard and you would need an excellent profile
2. University of Cambridge
Operating with over 9,000 staff members, Cambridge welcomes around 19,000 students each year. It has more than 100 academic departments and 31 colleges but the acceptance rate can go as low as 20%.
3. Imperial College London
When it comes to medicine, science, engineering and business, ICL is one among the top 10 universities in the world. It welcomes more than 17,000 students each year and its international students come from over 125 nationalities.
Cost of Education & Living
Education
The international UG tuition fee for the UK universities could vary from £10,000 to £38,000 which could go even higher for medical-based degrees. If you’re planning on studying at expensive colleges (London-based), your average cost of tuition could rise up to £22,200 per year.
Accommodation & Other Expenses
UK Visa requirements suggest that you should at least have £1,015 for a month which adds up to £12,180 per year. If you’re planning on staying in London, this expense could easily rise up to £15,180.
Surveys suggest that an average student in the UK would spend somewhere around £400 – £500 on other expenses which includes food, books, internet, phone bills, night outs and entertainment.
Scholarship opportunities
Getting a scholarship at a UK university is hard but not impossible. There is no one-thing-does-it-all when it comes to getting a scholarship. Your overall profile has to stand out right from your academic grades.
Colleges only award scholarships to the students who can add value to their institutions. If you have 3+ years of relevant work experience for the major that you’re applying to, your chances of getting a scholarship are considerably high.
FAQs
Of course, they can! There are no rules in the UK that restrict international students from working during their education. As long as you stick to the legal number of work hours per week for a student, you are safe.
The UK is one of the major countries which took the hit in the ongoing COVID pandemic. But the country is slowly regaining its control and the educational situation is getting back to normal.
The number of applicants doesn’t seem to reduce, however, the admission process is getting quite complicated since not everyone can attend on-campus classes during the pandemic. If you are open to online and hybrid classes, you should be fine.
Conclusion
The process of applying to a UK university has become quite complicated due to the COVID pandemic. You know have a lot of things to consider. One wrong decision could cost you a great deal of time, money and effort.
This is exactly it is wise to work with an educational study abroad consultant who can help you make informed decisions.
