UK institutions offer a wide variety of qualifications for local and international students. The British educational system is recognized as one of the strongest in the world. The country’s universities occupy leading positions in international rankings: Times Higher Education, Shanghai Ranking (ARWU), and others. According to the QS World University Rankings, 6 British universities entered the top 20 leading universities worldwide. Higher education in the UK combines centuries of teaching tradition with the most modern teaching methods.

Thanks to a large number of academic programs and quality education, 500,000 international students come to the country every year. They enroll in undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs to pursue science or to start a successful international career.

Education in the UK

Education in the United Kingdom is characterized by the following:

Price

The UK is one of the most expensive tertiary education options in the world. Only for training, you need to pledge 20.909-55.758 USD per year, while accommodation will cost you a minimum of 16.727 USD. However, a bachelor’s degree lasts 3 years instead of 4 (as in the USA, for example), so the total costs may be lower.

Admission 

In 90% of universities, it is required to complete a one-year Foundation preparatory program. It is crucial that by the beginning of the 1st course the student is 18 years old. When applying for a master’s program, you often need a GRE / GMAT and excellent academic results, if you aim at high-quality universities.

Language

For admission to the Foundation, you must have at least IELTS 5. For undergraduate IELTS 6, but the requirements in some universities may be higher.

Housing

One of the few countries where accommodation is available to all students right on campus. An exception is London, where traditionally there are not enough places in hostels for everyone.

The choice of universities

In the UK, you can find both universities in which it is easy and hard to enroll. 

Visa

Graduates are allowed to obtain a Graduate Route visa for up to two years.

Internships

Many programs in Britain set aside an additional year for internships – the Sandwich year. Thus, the bachelor’s program lasts three years, but between the second and third-year students experience an internship at the company. It helps graduates find work faster and easier. There are similar programs in the masters.

Admission to undergraduate universities in the UK

The education system in the UK assumes a convenient platform for submitting documents to universities – UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

To apply, the student needs to register on the UCAS website and choose from 1 to 5 UK universities and programs. Nevertheless, applying for one program requires $ 14, and for several – $ 28. Thus, it is more profitable to apply for several courses than one.

After registration, selection of universities and programs, the student must fill out a personal form on the website, indicating information about himself, his academic and work experience, if any.

What documents are needed for the admission?

The completed form must be accompanied by:

• A copy of the passport;
• Certificate of complete secondary education;
• Foundation or A-level diploma;
• Motivational essay;
• Two letters of recommendation;
• IELTS or TOEFL certificate.

Remark that this list of documents is suggestive. More accurate information about the required documents is on the website. 

UK student visa

A visa to study in the UK is not required for students from countries that are part of the European Union or the Eurasian Economic Area. For citizens of other foreign countries, this is a prerequisite.

Those wishing to obtain higher education at universities in the UK should apply for a Tier 4 visa no earlier than 3 months before the start of their studies. However, this can be done only with an official invitation from the university – Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The application processing time is approximately 3 weeks.

British visas are issued on a point system. 

The student must score 40 points by submitting the following two documents:

• CAS from an educational institution included in the official list of Tier 4 register of sponsors – 30 points;
• Certificate of financial solvency (bank statement or sponsorship letter) – 10 points.

In addition to the annual tuition fee, the amount to be confirmed must correspond to the estimated living costs for 9 months – 15.870 USD in London or 12.734 USD in any other city in the country.

Additionally, as part of the application, the student must:

• Pay for Healthcare surcharge for the entire period of study with the calculation of 209 USD / year;
• Submit biometric data – 19.28 USD;
• Get interviewed at the Visa Application Center.

Within 10 days after arriving in the UK, the student must pick up the biometric residence permit prepared for him – Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This is a document that proves a person’s right to stay, study and work in Berlin. Moreover, it serves as an identity document in Germany.