Study, Work, Live in United Kingdom
There are many different entry requirements depending on your chosen type of UK study. The great thing about studying in the UK is that even if you don’t meet the requirements for one course, you can choose another at a different level and work your way up. The UK offers a range of study options to suit international students at all levels.
Why Study In UK
- Internationally recognised and respected qualifications
A UK qualification is recognised and respected globally. There are over 450,000 international students from all corners of the world studying in the UK. These ambassadors of UK education return to their countries upon graduation and move on to successful careers. UK graduates are also in high demand from major corporates globally.
- Stringent quality standards for UK programmes
Quality standards for UK programmes are among the highest in the world. The quality is assured by government supported agencies and stringent assessment mechanisms. The rigorous internal and external quality assurance systems in place lead to published ratings and reports which are available though the Quality Assurance Agency website (www.qaa.ac.uk).
- UK alumni among the global leaders
The UK education system has attracted many international students who have gone on to become global financial leaders, leading politicians and thinkers who have had an important influence on the world. These include Bill Clinton, Desmond Tutu, Imran Khan, Deng Yaping, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh.
- Diverse range of courses
There are thousands of courses covering hundreds of subjects in many different combinations and so students will be able to find exactly what they require. The diverse range of courses is also matched by the wide range of institutions that give students a varied choice to find the most suitable study environment for them.
- Forefront of scientific and creative innovation
The UK has a long tradition as a leader in scientific and creative innovation and has been the recipient of the second highest number of Nobel Prizes in the world. Students coming to study scientific and technical subjects in the UK will benefit from learning alongside some of the world’s top intellectual achievers.
- Develop skills to meet requirements of global economy
The UK learning experience allows students independent thought, encourages proactive problem-solving skills, enables development of intellectual skills and empowers creative and effective thinking. These skills are recognised by employers as the qualities needed to meet the requirements of the global economy and to succeed in a competitive job market.
- Intensive shorter tertiary education
The distinct advantage that the UK education system has is the fact that the duration of most of the undergraduate honours degrees is 3 years and the taught Masters courses is 1-2 years. Due to the shorter duration students will be able to save on both tuition fees and living costs and also get a head start on working life as they will graduate earlier.
- International students support
The UK has been welcoming international students from over 100 countries for generations. It has one of the world’s lowest drop-out rates due to a comprehensive support system in place for international students. This includes a dedicated international office, international student societies, planned social activities, academic support and a personal tutor.
- Gateway to Europe
The UK is an ideal base from which students can explore the rest of Europe. The excellent road, rail and air links allow inexpensive and hassle-free travel. The International Student Identity Card allows students to benefit from special discounted rates while sightseeing. Travel to Europe will also give them the opportunity to learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
Living In UK
There are also some initial costs that will whittle your wallet down fairly quickly if you don’t plan accordingly, especially when it comes to setting up longer-term accommodation. Generally you should budget for the following:
Accommodation when you arrive:
If you haven’t already organised accommodation for when you first arrive make sure you have enough money for hostel or hotel accommodation (from £11 upwards per night) or to give to mates who let you doss.
Bond and first month’s rent:
This will be your most significant outlay. When leasing a flat or room in a flat-share bond can be up to 6 weeks rent and on top of that you will probably have to pay up to a month’s rent in advance. This could be as much as £1000 depending on the price of your rent.
Transport:
Flat and job hunting can take a lot of trekking across the city on Tubes and buses. Make sure you have some cash for public transport or to purchase an Oyster card, see Getting around the UK.
Mobile phone:
If you’ve brought your mobile phone from home you still may need to buy a SIM card or pay to have your phone ‘unlocked’ from your previous carrier. Avoid phone contracts if possible and opt for pre-pay calling. Be sure to put aside some cash to buy pre-paid top-ups; not being able to call back a potential employer because you have no credit is not a good look!
Internet access:
You’ll probably be using the Internet for job hunting, searching for accommodation and making PC to Phone calls for staying in touch with family and friends back home. Internet cafes charge from £1 an hour, but allow plenty of cash for this as you’d be surprised how many hours you can rack up in these places.
Clothing:
Hopefully you packed suitable clothes for the season you’re arriving in the UK and if you found room in your suitcase or backpack, suitable clothing for job interviews in your line of work. But, if sneakers won out over suits, make sure you have some pounds in your budget for interview and work-wear.
Eating and drinking:
Your first few weeks are sure to be a blur of eating, drinking and socialising. Eating out in London isn’t cheap so try not to have breakfast, lunch and dinner (and those crisps with your pint) while out and about as it will be more economical to buy groceries and prepare your own meals.
There are of course ways of saving your hard earned pounds as a working traveller (you say frugal, we say sensible!) for more important things like skiing in the Swiss Alps and living it up in Ibiza.
Here are some cost-saving strategies:
Utilize your student or youth travel card:
You are entitled to many discounts if you have a student or International youth travel card. This includes discounted entry to museums, cinemas and clubs. There are also special deals and discounts associated with Oyster cards (see Getting around the UK), so keep it handy at all times. Remember, a pound saved on a movie ticket is a pound towards another pint!
Buy from Charity Shops:
Walk down any High Street in London and you’ll be hard pressed not to see at least a handful of Charity Shops (op shops, or second hand shops). Make these your first port of call for any crockery, utensils or home wares for your pad. Most stock decent clothing and shoes too, so if you don’t have a suit for that all important job interview, you can pick up a bargain.
Keep your eyes peeled for specials:
At home you may have cringed when your mate whipped out a ‘buy one get one free’ voucher, but when you’ve only a few pounds left in your wallet you’ll be cheering for specials. Check the back of your cinema ticket for discounts at nearby restaurants, take advantage of early-bird dining offers at restaurants you normally wouldn’t be able to afford and make note of happy hour times at every pub you pass.
Leave things till the last minute:
If you’re working casually and can pack your bags at a moment’s notice there are some great last minute travel deals to be had.
Book ahead of time:
In slight contradiction to the above point, you can also save loads of dosh by booking your travels well in advance! If you know the best time for you to take off work or when your mates are free to travel, book your flights/trains and accommodation early, this is often when you will get the biggest bargains.
Watch out for swaps and freebies:
The only thing better than something cheap is something for free! There are some kind souls in London who give away stuff they no longer need to struggling working travellers, you just need to be able to go and pick it up. From mattresses and couches to computers and tellies, there’s plenty up for grabs.
Join the local library:
Once you’re settled in a suburb one of the first things you should do is join your local library. Many have free computers and Internet access and cheap (£1 – £3) CDs and DVDs for hire, not to mention guide books to borrow for all of your adventures abroad!
You can of course save even more money by living outside of London, as the cost of accommodation and day to day living expenses are significantly lower than the capital. Keep in mind though that your UK earnings may be lower (or higher depending on your line of work) and some people may find the lifestyle and travel options can be less vibrant and varied than central London. Of course, it’s each working traveler’s personal preference where they want to base themselves for what will be the adventure of a lifetime no matter what!
To gain a better understanding of just how far your pounds will go when you’re in the UK and when you get home (if you’ve been lucky enough to save some along the way) check out the OECD Purchasing Power Parities. Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) are basically a rate of currency conversion that equalise the purchasing power of different currencies by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries. The simplest way of working out your own PPP is to compare two identical products in two different country’s currency (the most common products used to calculate PPPs are Big Macs and Coca Cola, basically because you can get them everywhere) and then see how much you would have to spend to obtain the same quantity of the product. So have a look to see how many burgers your savings will allow, although we hope you’ll be slightly more adventurous on the food front while you’re a working traveller in the UK!
There are many different entry requirements depending on your chosen type of UK study. The great thing about studying in the UK is that even if you don’t meet the requirements for one course, you can choose another at a different level and work your way up. The UK offers a range of study options to suit international students at all levels.
Requirements To Study In UK
There are many different entry requirements depending on your chosen type of UK study. The great thing about studying in the UK is that even if you don’t meet the requirements for one course, you can choose another at a different level and work your way up. The UK offers a range of study options to suit international students at all levels.
- Improving your English language skills
You will need a good understanding of English before you can study at most further and higher education institutions in the UK. Studying an English language course in the UK, such as English for academic purposes (EAP) or a pre-sessional course, will prepare you for further study.
Another option is to take an English test such as IELTS in your home country before you come to the UK. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s leading English test of its kind, testing the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Over 1,000 UK institutions recognise IELTS and the test is available in over 125 different countries.
You could also take the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), which is administered online at Pearson testing centres. The test is recognised by more than 100 institutions in the UK and accurately measures the English language listening, reading, speaking and writing abilities of non-native speakers.
- Entry requirements for UK undergraduate study
The qualifications you need depend on the course you want to study. You should have completed at least 13 years of education in your own country or in the UK, and have taken pre-university qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels, Scottish Highers or National Diplomas.
If you haven’t got these qualifications yet don’t worry – you can still study in the UK.
Qualifications required:
HND
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two Scottish Highers or a Higher National Certificate or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
Foundation Degree
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, one or two Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
Diploma of Higher Education
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
Degree
Qualifications equivalent to two or three UK A-levels, three or four Scottish Highers, a Higher National Certificate or Diploma, or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus IELTS 6.0-6.5
Entry requirements for postgraduate or MBA study
To begin a postgraduate course in the UK, you’ll need to hold an undergraduate degree from the UK or overseas. You’ll be expected to have obtained a first or good 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a directly related subject and you’ll need to speak English to at least IELTS 6.5 level for most courses.
Qualifications required:
Pre-master’s
Undergraduate degree plus IELTS 5.0-5.5
PG Cert/PG Dip
Undergraduate degree plus IELTS 6.5-7.0, or a pre-master’s course
Master’s degree
First or upper second class undergraduate degree plus IELTS 7.0, or a pre-master’s course
MBA
First degree, 2-3 years’ business experience, plus IELTS 6.5-7.0
PHD
Master’s degree, plus IELTS 6.5-7.0
- Entry requirements for UK independent schools
To apply to a UK independent school, you’ll need to have a good standard of education from your own country. You won’t be expected to have passed formal qualifications, but may be asked to sit the school’s own entrance exam in subjects such as English and maths.
Some schools may ask students to sit entrance exams in English and maths. The common entrance exam is also used by many schools for students who enter at the age of 13.
- Entry requirements for career-based and pre-university study
The qualifications you’ll need will depend on the course you want to study. Some qualifications (such as A-levels Scottish Highers and and BTEC National Diplomas) are below university level and lead directly on to higher education. Others (such as HNDs and foundation degrees) are university-level qualifications that enable you to join a degree course in the second or third year.
Qualifications required:
BTEC National Diploma
Good general high school education equivalent to four GCSEs grades A –C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
AS/A-levels
Good general high school education equivalent to five GCSEs grades A –C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers
Good general high school equivalent to six Standard Grade qualifications grades 1-3, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
International Foundation Year
Twelve years of school education or equivalent in your own country, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
HND
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
Foundation Degree
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0.
Courses In UK
The British education system has a worldwide reputation for excellence. Students educated in UK can be confident that their qualifications will be respected throughout their lives.
International Students may enter British universities through three different routes.
- International Foundation Course
- A Levels
- Advanced vocational diplomas (GNVQ/BTEC)
Subjects Choices
Art & Design, Construction, Business, Computing, Engineering, Fashion, Hospitality & Catering and Sports Studies Textiles etc.
Duration
1-2 years
Tuition fees
4300 Pounds to 4800 Pounds Per year
Higher Education
Higher National Diploma (HND) or Degree (BA or BSc)
Choices
Art & Humanities, Business, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, Engineering, Sports Science etc.
Duration
2-4 years
Tuition fees
6000 Pounds to 9445 Pounds Per year
This guide is intended as a general guide only and the information it contains may change. Check that the information is correct by calling the office of CTGES.