springboard4education (uk)
London
Last but not least, attending a UK university means you’ll be able to make
connections and develop a high-quality network that can prove very useful when
the time comes to look for a job. Besides, the UK is a multicultural society,
and as such, you’ll easily be able to meet friends for life. Education Systems
in the UK The UK education system can be divided into four distinct levels, and
the national curriculum is organised into ‘’key stages’’: Primary education:
Students will attend between ages five and age 11 and undertake key stage 1 and
2 with compulsory subjects and tests to assess their English and Maths skills
Secondary education: Students will typically be between 11 and 16 years of age,
undertake key stages 3 and 4 and work towards taking their GCSE’s. Further
education: Students who have completed their secondary education and wish to
gain access to university or college must complete further education. They’ll
have to obtain qualifications such as A-Levels, BTEC's, or other qualifications
based on the type of curriculum they wish to pursue. Higher education: With over
33% of British people entering the higher education level every year, the
competition is fierce. A-Levels are the main criteria to get into university.
However, there are some entry pathways, such as enrolling for an Access to
Higher Education (Access to HE) course. If you’re an international student,
you‘ll need to complete the equivalent to the UK’s further education. Note that
all four regions of the UK, including Northern Ireland, England, Wales, and
Scotland, have their own forms of education systems. The main difference
pertains to primary and secondary education, where each region has its own
qualifications. Higher Education Higher education in the UK offers students
multiple options ranging from bachelors and masters to doctoral degrees. As an
international student, you can apply for pathway programme in order to improve
your English skills while accessing foundation courses to consolidate your basic
knowledge in some specific areas before enrolling for university. This will
ensure you acquire both the English and academic qualifications you need to get
access to better universities. Note that both universities and private
institutions offer pathway programs. Undergraduate courses Undergraduate courses
are a great way for students to transition to the university level after
high-school. Indeed, undertaking an undergraduate course in the UK will provide
you with a first-degree level (Bachelor) while allowing you to explore different
subjects and better define your preferences. To help you understand the
different types of programs you can choose from, we’ve added a table below.
Postgraduate studies Postgraduate courses allow students to obtain a
postgraduate diploma, a professional degree, a master’s degree, or a doctorate
and usually require having a first degree to enter (Bachelor). More
specifically, there are four main types of postgraduate degrees: Taught courses:
Master’s degrees or postgraduate diplomas Research degrees: PhDs, DPhils,
integrated PhDs, and professional doctorates Conversion courses: Certificates
and diplomas based on crash courses designed to get you up to speed on a subject
you haven’t studied before Professional qualifications: Practical training to
enter a specific profession To help you understand the different types of
programs you can choose from, we’ve added a table below. Tuition Fees Tuition
fees will greatly vary depending on your location, the institution you’re
studying at, the study level, the program, and the duration of the program.
Normally, the tuition fees range from 10,000GBP to 20000GBP+ per year, depend on
the university or college you are going to attend. Students life in the UK The
UK includes four different countries, including England, Scotland, North
Ireland, and Wales, and is home to 66.65 million inhabitants. A few general
facts you should be familiar with when enrolling for a British university:
British people like law and order Respect and politeness are expected
Punctuality is important Universities and college campuses are non-smoking zones
Although the UK is usually safe, travel in a group at night, lock your doors,
and avoid leaving your valuables in plain sight Accommodation There are a few
different types of accommodation options available when it comes to
accommodation for international students depending on your location, your
budget, and whether or not your university features halls of residence: Halls of
residence Finding accommodation will most likely be one of the first obstacles
to tackle as an international student. One of the most popular options for a
foreign student who starts the first year of study in the UK is to stay in a
hall of residence. Halls of residence are buildings offering small single or
shared flats usually provided by universities or colleges to accommodate
students. Living in a hall of residence is an excellent way to meet other
students as they feature common facilities and communal areas such as canteens,
pool tables, or bars. This option is usually cheaper than renting a flat or a
house. Private Flats or Houses While choosing to live in a flat or a house is
more costly than staying in a hall of residence, this option allows for
flexibility as you’ll be able to choose the location you live in. However,
choosing to live by yourself might make meeting new people more challenging.
According to a study led by the World University Ranking in 2020, the average
student rent is £126 per week on average, and the average annual rent cost is
£4,914. Note that around 70% of rents include bills. Shared flats Some websites,
such as studentspareroom.co.uk or room.go.uk , allow students to research shared
houses and shared flat options. Less expensive than renting a private flat, this
option will also allow you to meet other people (may they be students or not).
It also means you won’t have to consistently stay on the college or university
premises. Public Transport The UK is well connected through different types of
transport: Trains: Most cities and towns in the UK have a train station. You can
plan your journey and book your tickets on thetrainline.com . As a full-time
international student under the age of 25, you are eligible for a 30% discounted
pass . Coaches: Coaches are a great option if you’re planning to explore the UK
as these large buses are designed for long journeys. Buses: Buses are the
cheapest way to travel around and are very popular among students. You can use
the app city mapper to plan your journey. You can find tickets based on your
destination here . Underground: Whether you’re studying in London or just
exploring for a couple of days, you’ll most likely use ‘’the tube’’ to travel
around. As an international student under the age of 25, you can apply for the
18+ student Oyster card , which will give you access to a 30% discount on fares.
Social Life Two great ways to immerse yourself into the UK culture and embrace
the local way of life is to learn English and join student clubs or societies.
Some campuses, including Loughborough University, Lancaster, or Liverpool Hope,
offer great facilities such as spas, gyms, shops, bars, and clubs, which can
help you meet other students. The towns and campuses brim with bars,
restaurants, and clubs welcoming countless students every night. Going out on
the weekends is an integral part of the UK way of life and is a widespread
activity among students. Note that, if you’re invited to a house party or for
dinner, you’ll be expected to bring something along (dessert if it’s a dinner,
for instance, or a drink if it’s a party). Note that the pub culture is embedded
in the UK way of life as it’s a way for people to relax and socialise. Although
the country is multicultural and international cuisines are an integral part of
the UK food scene, Britons have a few specialties you might want to try on a day
out with friends. Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s pie or steak & kidney
pudding are some of the British favourites to try. Last but not least, the local
sense of humour might surprise you. Indeed, Brits use sarcasm and irony a lot
(famous British sense of humour) so make sure you don’t take things to the first
degree as they’ll often be teasing you. You can deleted it The UK student visa
Cost of Visa The fee for the Tier 4 General Visa is £348. In addition to the
general visa fee, you’ll have to pay for the healthcare surcharge up to £470 a
year, depending on your location, home country, and the type, of course, you
choose to enroll in. The fees for the Short-term Student Visa range currently
between £97 for visas up to 6 months and £186 for visas up to 11 months.
Healthcare As a Tier 4 student visa holder who is studying in the UK for six
months or longer, you will have access to the NHS (the British Healthcare
System). If you’re not eligible via your visa, you will need to look into
private insurance. Note: For students who apply with SpringBoard4Education in
any countries, we help you prepare the necessary documents for your student visa
application, as well as other steps in the process, completely free of charge.
Work opportunities International students who hold a Tier 4 student visa are
allowed to work part-time while studying in the UK. Let’s take a look at the
working rights before diving into working options. Working rights If you hold a
Tier 4 visa issued for full-time degree-level studies, you’ll be allowed to work
for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during vacations or summer holidays.
Your institutions must be listed on the official UKVI Sponsor list and the list
of “recognised bodies .” Note that you’re not allowed to work, may it be work
placement or work experience, on a Short-term Student Visa. Reinstatement of the
two-year post-study work visa In 2019, the UK government announced the
reinstatement of the two-year post-study work visa ( Graduate Route ) for
international students studying in the UK, starting from September 2020. This
will allow international students enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree to
be able to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their master’s
degree and up to three years after completing their Ph.D. There will be no
restrictions regarding the type of work that can be performed by former
international students. Sponsorship For international students who wish to find
long term work in the UK (up to 5 years), the Tier 2 Visa is the best option. To
be eligible for this visa, the first step will be to find an employer who is a
licensed sponsor and is willing to hire you. They must also demonstrate that
they’ve advertised the role but couldn’t fill it. You’ll find more information
on this visa here . Opportunities Working part-time while studying can be a
great way to help fund the cost related to your study. It can also be an
excellent way for students to develop their work experience and critical
employability skills and ultimately increase your chances of being offered a job
at the end of your studies. Popular part-time jobs for international students
include: Server Bartender Student Ambassador Admin jobs Animal Caretaker
Childminder Tutor Retail assistant Customer Service
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