UK

United Kingdom at a Glance :

• About 94% of Native Students in the UK receive free education paid from Public Funds.
• UK has around 28 million skilled and adaptable workers and high standards of education with a strong emphasis on vocational education and training.
• UK has the lowest main corporation tax rate of any major industrialized country, and there are no additional local taxes on profits.
• UK is the largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Europe and in the World it is second only to the US.
• It is the World’s fifth largest exporter of goods and services.
• UK offers a stable and productive environment for business and is striving to create a knowledge driven economy.
• UK qualifications are recognized and respected throughout the world. Your UK qualification will be a solid foundation for building your future, boosting your career and prospects for a higher salary. UK universities, colleges and schools in UK will provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment in which to develop your potential. Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world. Universities, colleges and schools continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of the UK.
• Studying in the UK is an unforgettable experience. Some universities in the UK are over 600 years old and have a long tradition of offering personalized education in the UK. All of them are owned and funded by the British Government and pass quality assurance audits.
• When you come to the UK, you get four countries in one England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each has its own distinctive history, landscape and modern culture. And, because they're all within easy reach of one another, they're easy to explore. The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get you almost anywhere in the UK- so you won't need a car, as you might in some countries. Discounts or special rates are generally available for students on most forms of transport. All international students staying in the UK for a period of six months or more will qualify for free healthcare through the National Healthcare Service.
• It's easy to see the rest of Europe. The Channel Tunnel, cheap flights and ferries mean that you're never too far away from the other great capital cities of the European mainland. The closeness of the rest of Europe means that many institutions offer work placements and periods of study there.

Some Salient Features :

• British Education is famous for its academic excellence.
• British Standards are among the highest in the World. It is distinctive, diverse and flexible.
• Students are legally allowed to work part-time during the studies.
• Indian 3-year degree is acceptable directly for Masters Programs.
• No GRE/GMAT/ SAT required.
• Admission is possible in some institutions without TOEFL/ IELTS also.
• In UK all Masters Courses are of 1 year and all Bachelors courses are of 3 years, unlike other Countries where Masters are of 2 years and Bachelors of 4 years.
• Excellent post qualification prospects.
• Requires only 15 years of education for direct entry into postgraduate Program.
• International students studying at UK institutions are not required to obtain permission from the jobcentre to take spare time and vacation work.
• One centralized application form for six undergraduate courses and generally no application fee for postgraduate courses.
• Educational institutions are constantly monitored and reviewed to ensure that courses offered are of high quality.
• Qualifications from the UK are some of the most recognized and respected worldwide.
• There is a high success rate for international students in the UK education system.
• Health insurance is free to students who are studying in UK for 6 months of more.
• There are many routes into education in UK, so chances of accessing the British system are high.
• UK is the gateway to Europe, rich in history and has welcomed international students for hundreds of years.

Major Cities :

• The major cities are London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast, Plymouth, Cardiff and Glasgow.

Geography & Climate :
There are four distinct seasons, winter, spring, summer, and autumn. On the whole, it is fairly temperate, and temperatures rarely fall below –5°C and rise above 32°C. The climate is mild and the rainfall is not spectacular. The least hospitable months for visitors are November through February - it's cold and the days are short. March and October are marginal - there's more daylight but it can still be very cold. April to September are undoubtedly the best months.
Currency :
The official currency of UK is Pound Sterling (£).
1 £ = Rs.95/- (Approx. as on AUG. 2013).

Education System :
United Kingdom boasts of harboring the best-known business schools in the World like ‘The Oxford University’ and ‘London Business School’. The soothing climate of UK is very conducive to an efficient study environment and the colleges in UK are among the most sought after in the World.
Admission :

• UK degrees can take only three years and postgraduate Master's courses only one year - compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means you will save a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs - and you will be able to start working and earning money sooner. UK degree courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of your time and money.
• Admission is based on individual institutions’ requirements, since there are no pre-requisite tests (other than for English proficiency).
• Most universities require good performance at the undergraduate level, in relevant area, in order to consider admission into their Master’s level programs. Most Master’s programs are of 12 months duration.
• MBA admission requires work experience of at least 2-3 years at the managerial level, in all decent UK universities.
• And, unlike in the US, PhD applicants need a Master’s degree. Otherwise, applicants could register for a M.Phil. Degree and transfer to Ph.D program if the progress is good.

Required tests :
You may be required to sit on an English Language Test such as IELTS or TOEFL before the university will confirm your seat on the course. The IELTS is organized by the British Council & IDP Australia and results take 13 days. The minimum scores usually required are 6.0 for IELTS.
For MBA, a good GMAT score is required, in addition to IELTS or TOEFL scores and work experience of 2-3 years, in addition to decent academic performance at the Bachelor’s level.

Cost of Education
For undergraduate courses, the costs are approx. 7,000 for Arts, 8,000 for Sciences and between 7,000 and 18,000 for clinical programs.
For international students, universities set their own fees and they vary by subject and by institution. The average costs of tuition in various fields are:
Arts £ 6,500 to £ 8,000 / per year
Science £ 7,000 to £ 9,500 / per year
Clinical £ 7,500 to £ 15,500 / per year
MBA £ 7,500 to £ 13,500 / per year
(Programs at some top UK business schools can cost up to £20,000 per year).

Living Expense :
Living expenses are approx. 400 to 500 pounds sterling per month depending upon your lifestyle and the city of residence. Please note, however, that some universities include the cost of accommodation and food within the total fee payable to them
London £7,200 per year
Other City in UK £7,200 per year
Scotland £5,400 per year
North Ireland £5,400 per year
Wales £5,400 per year
How much you should expect to pay for your main needs :Accommodation or rent £150 to £350 per month
Heat and light (if not included) £25 to £40 per month
Food (if not included) £100 to £125 per month
Other Average Costs :
Underwear, T-shirts about £10 or less
Jeans £40 approximately
Winter coats for men and women £90 approximately
Textbooks approximately £90 approximately
Laundry £12 per month
Personal hygiene, cosmetics £9 to £12 per month
Restaurant meal £5 minimum, £12 average
Daily travel fares £1 to £3 per day
Future Prospects :
International students below degree level in the UK can work up to ten hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.
International students above degree level in the UK can work up to twenty hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.
After completion of education, student are allowed to stay for up to 3 months during which time they may try for obtaining a new level of study in the UK or obtaining work permit – to work in UK.

Student VISA :

• Where to Apply
  A student has to personally go to Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) to apply for visas; Student needs to visit VFS for Biometrics registration.
• English ability Requirements
  If student is undergraduate and want to study below degree level then they need IELTS of minimum 4.0 band overall and in each section & if student is graduate and want to study PG or Masters level of education then if the Education provider has asked for then the student has to give IELTS, But it is strongly recommended to give IELTS.
• Documents require for VISA
  Original Passport
  Visa Application forms
  CAS certificate issued by the education Institute
  Tuition fees payment Receipt
  Financial Documents (these must be 28 days old)
  • Bank Balance certificate of 8.5 lacks if your institute is in inner London
  • Bank Balance certificate of 7.5 lacks if your institute is in Outer London
  Documents as listed in CAS certificate
  • All Academic, IELTS & Work Experience
• How Many days prior a student can apply for visa
  Student can apply 3 months prior for Student Visa, but cannot travel before 30 days from the course commencement date
• Visa application Fees
  The visa application fees is Rs 33000/-* approx (As on SEP’ 2013)
  (*. subject to change)
• Processing time
  The processing time required at least 3 to 4 week
  For more information you can contact our Visa counselor at Surat office.