STUDY ABROAD- UK

Source:- Freshersworld

Why UK?

UK Universities have been renowned for their ability to maintain excellent standards in the field of higher education, both in terms of course content and student welfare. Over 150 universities and colleges equipped with the latest facilities for teaching and research offer a variety of courses. Every year students from all around the world throng the UK's universities and colleges, desirous of a better standard of higher education and greater career prospects. An added incentive for Indian students is that, unlike in other countries, most UK universities recognize India's 3-year graduation system. Presently, the UK is one of the leading destinations for international students aspiring to study abroad. UK owns the legacy of providing numerous facilities and flexibilities to the students through its excellent institutions. UK offers much more to its international students in comparison to any other English speaking country

Top Reasons to Study in UK

• The UK economy is growing immensely. The London city has become a financial center globally.
• British educational qualifications are respected and universally trusted across the globe.
• UK has been working hard on capitalizing the increasing demand for instruction in English language and visa hurdles post 9/11 in the US.
• Students opting for UK as a study abroad option can be assured completely that their future prospects will be enhanced after course completion in the UK.
• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education conducts independent audits on a regular basis. QAA ensures that the UK educational institutions are offering education, qualifications and awards of appropriate standards and acceptable quality
• Within the UK, the international students are required to face lower cost of education in comparison to USA.
• An international student in the UK is permitted to work about 20 hours per week during the academic session.
• Studying in UK not only broadens the horizons of every student professionally but teaches them to respect diverse cultures and co-exist with them peacefully.

This section discusses the various issues faced by international students applying to the U.K. for education. We discuss here eligibility criteria for UK colleges, accommodation, health insurance and rules for taking up employment while studying.

Undergraduate (Bachelor Level)

British students undergo thirteen years of pre-university education as compared to twelve years in India. Outstanding marks from one of the two Central Boards (CBSE or ICSE) or their equivalent, or the first year of an Indian degree programme are therefore usually required for direct entry into an undergraduate programme in UK.

For those who do not, as yet, have these qualifications, there is a range of access or foundation courses available. Foundation courses range from four months to a year.

Applicants must satisfy both general and course requirements for admissions:

General Requirements

A specified number of subject passes at both GCE "A" Levels and GCSE at grade C minimum is required for admissions in UK educational system. An equivalent Indian qualification such as a good score in the CBSE and ICSE etc.

Course Requirements

Course requirement details can be obtained from prospectuses of institutions which are available at the Education Counselling Service located in the British Council offices or Libraries.

Important

For Entry into Oxford, Cambridge and London University, 'A' level results are required. This in Indian context would mean one year in a college after 12 years of education

Post Graduate (Master's & Doctorate level)

Most UK universities accept the Indian graduation system of three years for entry into most postgraduate courses. An Indian bachelor degree like B.A., B.Com. or B.Sc. is equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree.

However, some courses and universities may require a qualification equivalent to British Bachelor (Honours) Degree, which requires 16 years of formal education, which would mean another year after graduation or a four year degree course like B.E., B.Tech or other such courses.

For most Universities, a good first degree from a leading university in India or its equivalent is essential.

For more details on British Degrees and their Indian equivalent, check out the table below:

British Degree                                        Indian Equivalent Degree

British Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree          A three-year Indian Graduation Degree like B.A. or B.Sc. and other such courses.

British Bachelor (Honours) Degree          A four-year Indian graduation course like B.E. or B.Tech. or other such courses.

OR

A post graduate degree, from Indian university, like M.A., M.Sc. or other such courses.

British Master's Degree       A post graduate degree like M.Tech. or M.E. from I.I.T. or I.I.Sc. and other such colleges

APPLICATION PROCEDURE-

You must apply for your chosen courses through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). UCAS handles applications for all full-time undergraduate courses except courses offered by the Open University. UCAS processes over 450,000 applications per year, including more than 50,000 submitted by international students.

You must submit your application on a 'UCAS form'. This form allows you to apply to up to 6 universities or colleges. You may only submit one form. A fee of £15.00 must be sent with your application, payable by cheque, postal order, credit or debit card.

When do I apply?

For courses at Oxford or Cambridge universities apply to UCAS by mid-October

For courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science at any UK university apply to UCAS by mid-October

For all other courses and all other universities (except Open University)

•           EU applicants: Apply to UCAS between September and mid January

•           Non-EU applicants: Apply to UCAS between September and June. If you intend to apply to only one course and already have the necessary qualifications, you may apply at any time (please contact UCAS or your chosen university for further advice).

Early application is strongly advised to all candidates. Non-EU nationals are advised to apply before January. UK or EU nationals residing outside the EU, who think they may be assessed as a 'home' student for fees purposes, should apply by mid-January.

You will need to fill out a UCAS form. The UCAS form is 4 pages long, and can seem complicated. Before you start, please check that you have the qualifications necessary to make an application. If you are unsure how your qualifications compare with British standards, please contact UK Naric.

Below is a short outline of the application procedure:

• Fill out your UCAS form, entering the educational institutions you have chosen in the order they appear in the UCAS directory and not in your order of preference. You will not have to declare your preference until you have received offers from the institutions you apply to.

• On receipt of your form, UCAS will send copies of your completed application to the educational institutions to which you have applied. The institutions will review your application and inform UCAS whether they wish to offer you a place.

• If you have already achieved the qualifications required by the institution, your place will be 'unconditional'. If you have yet to achieve the entrance qualifications for your chosen course, any offer will be made on condition of you achieving specific grades in your qualifying examinations.

• UCAS will contact you to ask which offer you wish to accept. You will be asked to make a first choice (firm acceptance) and second choice (insurance acceptance). You will be expected to keep to the decision you make, so think carefully about which educational institutions to put as your first and second choices.

• Your reply should be sent to UCAS who will send it on to the educational institutions concerned. You should not send replies directly to colleges or universities.

• When you receive your examination results, you must send copies to the educational institutions you have chosen.

• If you achieve the conditions of your offer, your place will become unconditional. If the university or college of your first choice confirms your acceptance, your insurance offer is automatically cancelled. Once you receive a confirmed offer, you must confirm whether you accept or reject this place immediately, by returning the slip enclosed to the university or college.

• If you do not achieve the conditions of your offer, you should still send a copy of your examination results to your first and second choices, as they may still wish to offer you an educational place through UCAS. UCAS will inform you of the final decision of the college of university.

• Do not despair if you miss the grades for the course of your first choice; you may still find a place on a similar course at another college or university through the 'clearing process.

What is the Clearing process?

UCAS operates a clearing process in August and September to assist those candidates who have been unable to gain places through the standard procedure, to find an educational place on university and college courses which are not full.

To be eligible to join the clearing process, you must have:

• Applied through UCAS in the normal way, but have not received any offers, or
• Received offers through the usual procedure, but have not met the conditions to be accepted, or
• Applied to UCAS after June (in which case you will automatically be sent a Clearing entry form).