United Kingdom

Why Study in UK ?

Employers all over the world recognize UK Qualifications. The courses encourage independence, creativity and self- reliance: qualities that employers from around the world look for in potential hires. When making decisions about your future, you may wish to consider the kind of salaries earned by certain professions, the distribution of jobs and vacancies across the UK and other statistics about the current state of the graduate market. UK institutions follow one of the best quality standards in the world. The British government rates Universities, Colleges, and Schools periodically and ranks them between one and five.Education system in UK is similar to that of India and Australia.


Education System:

There are more than three thousand educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK. You can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in your home country. There are currently more than 10,000 Indian students studying in UK universities and colleges. The sheer variety of specializations means you will be able to find a course that suits your real interests, your ambitions and passions. For example, in the UK, you could specialize in anything from computer games programming, ocean engineering, music technology, meteorology or underwater photography to multimedia design, anthropology, women's studies, hotel management or dance.

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 PhD program if the progress is good.


Applying UK Study Visa

If you are planning for UK Study visa, first of all you get admission to the university or college of your choice in the UK. Before applying for a visa, you must be able to show you have been accepted for study at an educational establishment that is on the UK's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Register of Education and Training Providers. Make sure to fill out your form carefully and precisely. Do not forget to sign it. The visa officer will, in many cases, make a decision based solely on your application form and supporting documents. Officers repeatedly stress that an incomplete or incorrect application may result in an unfavorable outcome. Remember to include your contact details on the form, especially an e-mail address if you have one (if you don't, we suggest you create one to facilitate e-mail communication).

Supporting documents:

Start putting your supporting documents together in advance. Do not submit your application until you have collected all the documents required. Make sure your documents are originals or attested copies. There is no fixed checklist for the documents needed, as each student's circumstances are different. The common factor is that students need to show as much credible evidence as they can of their individual circumstances. Your supporting documents must relate to your education, your family's financial situation, any assets you own and your sponsor.


Documents checklist:

1) Letter of acceptance from the university. You must include a letter from the university, college or school confirming that you have been accepted for a course of study in the UK.
2) Bank Balance showing your living cost. A bank letter confirming the balance in their account is sufficient to cover costs of study. Funds are required 28 days old in your or your parents’ account.
3) Evidence of past studies. This includes original school and college examination certificates. You will need to include evidence of your proficiency in English. This could be in the form of an up-to-date International English Language Proficiency Test (IELTS) certificate. You may be asked to take the test at the British Council.
4) Original Passport. You must have a valid passport, with enough space for a visa.
5) Photograph. It is crucial to include a photograph that meets the following requirements: It should be a recent, passport-sized (45 mm x 35 mm), colour photograph of you taken against a light coloured background. It must be clear and of good quality and printed on normal photographic paper. It must display your full face, without sunglasses, hat or any other head-covering, unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons. It must be glued to the application form. Do not staple the photo onto the form.
6) Visa fee ( Application Fee)


Entry Clearance and Immigration

Entry Clearance: A visa or entry clearance will not be required if a person holds a United Kingdom passport or one issued by another country in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. There are various advantages of having the entry clearance including: You can get the permission to stay for the full length of your course; You will quickly clear immigration control at the airport in the UK; You can appeal from within the UK in case of any problem at immigration control in the UK; You would be able to check before traveling that you have been given an entry clearance sticker allowing you to work part-time; In case you later change your mind about how long you want to study in the UK, you will be able to ask the Border and Immigration Agency in the UK to allow you to stay longer. You will not be able to do this if you do not have entry clearance, unless the course is at degree level or above. Instead, it would be expected of you to return to your home country and apply for entry clearance. This restriction applies even to British nationals (overseas), British overseas territories citizens, British overseas citizens, British protected persons and British subjects.
Applying for Entry Clearance: To obtain entry clearance, you must apply at the British Mission in your home country. The British Mission will give you a form to fill in and information about the documents you need to provide. There is a charge for the application. You will need to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) at the British Mission that you meet the students’ immigration requirements, who will then issue entry clearance in the form of a sticker in your passport. The entry clearance should normally be valid for the entire duration of your course. The Immigration Officer, at the UK’s port of entry will put a date stamp in your passport to show when you entered the UK. Your permission to be in the UK expires on the date indicated on the entry clearance. The forms required For getting an entry clearance, you will have to contact your local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate-General for entry clearance form.
1) Your passport
2) Your recent passport-sized photograph
3) Appropriate fee paid in local currency
4) Documents proving that you meet the entry requirements.
5) A letter of acceptance on the course
6) Evidence that you can pay the course fees and support yourself and your family
7) Proof of Accommodation (in certain cases)