STUDY IN UK

Overview

The United Kingdom known as Land of the Rose has a long history as a major player in international affairs. Studying in the UK is an opportunity to experience a multicultural environment, meet new people and fellow international students from across the world and discover new places. You benefit by developing a range of skills that are necessary to be part of today’s global workforce.

WHY UK

The UK is one of the top destinations to study in the world. International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and their numbers have been growing steadily over the years. The UK institutions consistently rank among the best in the world and qualifications are internationally valued and recognised.

And also it takes less time to complete your degree in the UK than in other countries and that will help in saving money. UK institutions offer flexibility of choice and enable you to blend academic and vocational courses of your choice. The UK is the home of English hence an ideal place to develop language skills and enhance employment prospects.

Reasons to Consider Studying a Masters in the UK in a Nutshell

1. Greater Employability and Career Advancement: Progressively, employers are getting more conscious about the value of a master degree. They are considering advanced expertise and experience into hiring decisions for entry-level positions. As per the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, around 1 in 7 jobs will likely need a postgraduate degree by 2022. A master will be a crucial head start on rivals.
2. Short Duration: A master in India needs enrolment for up to two years while UK masters have a comparatively short length of 1 year. The short duration programme will be lighter on your wallet, excellent value of money and allows you to enter the workplace quickly.
3. Full-time, part-time, distance – it is up to you!

How long your master’s degree lasts is generally up to you. Full-time courses typically last one year while part-time courses can last from two to three years. Completing it part-time allows you to benefit from work experience as well, but don’t forget that a postgraduate degree requires a lot of time, work and focus.

4. Improved Salary Potential: Numerous studies have shown that a masters improves your short and long term salary potential. Research carried out by the Sutton Trust in 2013 for example showed that a postgraduate student can expect to earn £5,500 more a year or £220,000 over a 40-year work period, than someone only holding an undergraduate degree.
5. Quality Assurance: Higher teaching quality and world-class research facilities make UK education more valuable for employers across the world. Subjects are taught by some of the world’s leading academics and there is a regular assessment of the quality of teaching by QAA.
6. Global Professional Connections: Thousands of international students coming to the UK for higher studies and native populations make the UK culturally diverse. During your studies, you will be involved with independent research, interactions through debates, forums, events and will be interviewing professionals. You will build a strong professional network that will benefit you once a study is completed.
7. Prepare for a PhD: If you want to take your study to the next level, then a postgraduate course is required before beginning a research or PhD programme. A PhD is the highest degree awarded at universities in the UK and study is based around a research project on an area of academic interest.
8. Convert to a new subject area: If you are coming to the end of your undergraduate degree, but want a change, a taught masters allows you to move in a completely different direction as you pivot to a new area of interest.
9. Postgraduate funding is readily available: Studying at postgraduate level can be a serious financial commitment. Almost all universities offer various types of scholarships, bursaries and grants to help support you throughout your study. Search funding which suits you using our scholarship search.

DEADLINES & INTAKES

The academic year in the UK runs from September to July. The majority of university courses in London begin in September, although some courses also begin in January and February. You can check the start date of your course using our course search.

• Deadlines for most undergraduate courses beginning in September are set for the previous January.
• Medicine and dentistry courses have an earlier deadline which is usually the October the year before the course begins.
• Postgraduate course deadlines are more flexible and you can apply at any time for most courses.
• Scholarship deadlines are different to course application deadlines. Some scholarship applications can have deadlines 6 months before the course start date while others only applications can have deadlines 6 months before the course start date while others only close for applications a few weeks before the course start date.
• September / October
• January / February (Few Universities)

The deadlines for each intake are usually a few months before the start date. It is highly recommended that you apply early to maximize your chances for admission. Some universities even offer rolling admissions, i.e. admissions are open through the year. The major intake for the UK is the Fall intake which offers the highest degree of competition but also features the largest number of corporate internships.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

IELTS / TOEFL / PTE

COST OF LIVING

Funding Options:
Bank Loan / Own Funding

Work Options

International students pay higher tuition fees than domestic students and also fund their accommodation and living costs. Fortunately, there is support available and opportunities for part-time work to top up funds.

Part-time work:

• A student working part-time has the same rights as a full-time employee.
• The UK has a National Minimum Wage (NMW) that all employers must abide by.
• The NMW for a student aged between 18 and 20 is £5.30 per hour; for those 21 and over,
• The NMW is £6.70 per hour.

Note: To work part-time while studying, a National Insurance number is required. This ensures all tax and national insurance contributions made while working are recorded correctly.

FAQ's

1. What is ATAS?

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requires all students who will be studying for a postgraduate qualification in certain sensitive subject areas on a time-limited visa, which includes a Tier 4 visa, to apply for a clearance certificate. The relevant subject areas are based on whether knowledge gained could be used in programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery.
ATAS applications are administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). It is a free online application. The standard ATAS processing time is 20 working days although this can increase to 6 weeks during the peak period July – September.

2. How do I open a bank account?

All the major UK banks have branches in Cambridge. Different banks offer different benefits and services to international students so it is advisable to check your options before making a choice. Most students open a current account which provides a visa debit card, which can be used to make payment in shops and online as well as take money from cash points (ATMs) up to a daily maximum limit, and is usually combined with an online banking service.
The banks advise students to visit one of their branches to discuss opening an account. You may need to book an appointment to make your application depending on how busy the bank is at the time you visit.
This is particularly likely at the beginning of the academic year. To open an account you will need to take your passport, UK visa (if applicable) and a letter from your College.

3. When and how do I get my CAS to support my Tier 4 visa application?

You will receive your CAS once you have met all of your offer conditions and your offer of admission is confirmed. Your CAS will be sent to you electronically. The Graduate Admissions Office issues CAS for new graduate students. All other CAS are issued by the International Student Team.

4. How do I collect my Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) after I arrive in the UK?

1. We advise you to select a collection of your BRP from the University when completing your visa application. To do this, you will need to use the relevant ACL code in the relevant part of your visa application. Once you arrive in the UK, the collection location will depend on when you are starting your studies.