Masco International Study Network ®

DETAILS ABOUT STUDY IN UNITED KINGDOM

The UK education system is one of the most widely acceptable eucation system. United Kingdom have a 13-year schooling system and the most of the SSC and HSC are equivalent to the UK’s GCSE O and ‘A’ Levels respectively. Therefore international students will find it easy to adapt to the UK education system.Education in the UK is compulsory for everyone between the ages of five and sixteen, and is provided by two kinds of schools; state-funded schools and independent (fee-charging) schools. The UK has two distinct systems of courses and qualifications; one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for the Scotland, each compatible with the other.

Post-sixteen Education (including ‘A’ Levels & equivalent)

After completing compulsory education at the age of sixteen, students may legally leave school and start work. International students often enter the education system at this point, e.g. taking an ‘A’ Level course in preparation for further or higher education in UK.

Tertiary Education

The breadth and flexibility of the British educational system are exceptional. The UK boasts over one thousand educational institutions including:

·         Over 180 tertiary institutions

·         Over 500 Colleges of Further Education

·         600 plus boarding schools

1.1  ENTRY REQUIREMENT

Foundation Studies

Foundation studies were developed to prepare international students for undergraduate studies at the universities. Usually, Foundation Studies are conducted at the university the student plan to attend and the university will hold a provisional place for the student in the undergraduate course.

Foundation studies usually take 1 year and are divided into streams, such as business studies or science studies, which offer a variety of compulsory and elective subjects depending on the student’s English language proficiency and academic qualifications.

Classes are very similar to those at university with large group lectures and small group tutorials where students get individual attention.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor Degree

The general requirements are as follows: 5 subject passes (2 GCE ‘A’ Levels and 3 GCSE at Grade C minimum) or 4 subject passes (3 GCE ‘A’ Levels and 1 GCSE at Grade C minimum). The equivalent of GCE ‘A’ Level is HSC and the equivalent of GCSE is SSC.

The course requirement details can be obtained from the institution’s current prospectus or directly from the faculty concerned. The level of these requirements varies from course and from institution to institution.

If an overseas student’s qualifications do not meet the entrance requirements demanded by a UK institution for entry to a particular degree programme, then the candidate may wish to consider taking a FOUNDATION or BRIDGING course which, if completed successfully, would provide an alternative access route to the chosen course.

English Language Requirements

Students are required to produce proof of their English Language proficiency such as the International English Language Testing Service test (IELTS). They must have a good command of written and spoken English. Each institution will decide on the standard required for each of its courses.

1.2    EXPENSES

Tuition Fees

Below is a general guide on average course fees:

Living Costs

For living costs, students should budget for a nine-month academic year. Average living costs (covering accommodation, food, clothing, books, entertainment and travel) for an international student on a degree course are £768 per month in London or £600 per month elsewhere. For both types of postgraduate study (taught and research) students should budget for a 12-month academic year.

Accommodation

UK town and cities have long experience of providing homes for students, and there are many inexpensive, comfortable and safe places to live. For those coming to the UK for the first time, accommodation provided by the school, college or university might be the most suitable choice. This is an option taken up by more than half of the international students on degree courses in the UK, and around 30% of those who come to FE colleges.

Value for Money

Most UK degrees 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 that students will save a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs – one will also be able to start working and earn money sooner. UK degree courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of time and money.

There are many benefits available.Among them is the level of discounts negotiated by the National Union of Students. Students can save up to 50% on everything from books to entertainment.

Health care is often free for international students. Students can take advantage of the National Health Service (NHS) treatment, as well as reduced-cost medicines, dental treatment and eye tests. Thousands of scholarships and financial packages are offered by UK institutions just for international students, while more than twenty-one thousand international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year.

1.3   APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Applications for first degree courses and higher national diplomas (HNDs) can be made centrally through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). For schools, career-based training and other courses, such as master degrees, one can check the institution’s website for online application forms.

Degree Courses

All UK universities, except the Open University and most colleges of higher education are members of Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Some universities accept applications directly from international students.

For a full-time Undergraduate Course, students may apply up to a maximum of five courses in one UCAS application which is available online at www.ucas.com.

Important Dates to Note

Postgraduate Programmes

At this level, students should apply directly to the university they are interested in. Details of the application procedure will be available from their selected institution.

1.4   VISA APPLICATION

Most of the international student(please checque with UK ambassy in your country) required to apply for UK Residence Permits (UKRPs) before travelling to the UK. This requirement mainly affects students, work permit holders and dependants.Application can be submitted in person at the UK Visa Application Centre. For more information, kindly refer to www.vfs.com.

  For more information, please visit the websites below :

Lifestyle

Students will find the experience of having studied in the UK enriching and not just from the education aspect. The UK is an international and cosmopolitan country to live in. many thousand family from around the world have made the UK their home, creating a richly diverse, open minded, multi-cultural society. All of the world’s major religions are represented in the UK, and international foods are widely available. This cosmopolitan atmosphere makes it easy to settle down as an international student.

Furthermore, it is an ideal base for travels. When students are in the UK, they get four countries in one: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each has its own distinctive history, landscape and modern culture. And, because they are all within easy reach of one another, they are easy to explore. And it is just as easy to travel around Europe as the UK is the gateway to the rest of Europe – an advantage over other English-speaking study destinations.

 For more information, please visit the websites below:

1.       Free counseling

Prospectus, videos and complete information for every program from all universities are provided to make comparison. Advices are given from living expenses, visa application, important documents and etc based on student’s qualification and budget.

2.       Personal assessment

Procedures are explained from data collection to visa application. We help student to decide the right choices before an admission application is lodged.

3.       Admission application

Application submitted to UCAS. Student will be informed if additional information is required. We keep student up to date on the application status until offer letter received from universities.

4.       Deposit of tuition fees

Deposit or payment of tuition fee is made upon accepting an offer letter. Amount required depends on the conditions in offer letter. Payment is made normally by telegraphic transfer or bank draft. Receipt of payment will be sent over to university and a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) is requested.

5.       Application of accommodation

Upon successful of receiving CAS, student will have to decide his/her accommodation in university and we help you apply for it. Meantime, making a medical examination which is compulsory for visa application can be done at some medical institutions we appointed.

6.       Application for Visa

Forms are provided. All we need your documents, valid passport and your complete forms. Leave the rest to us! This process will take some times from a few weeks to a month.

7.       Flight arrangement

Once Visa is approved and received, we help you get the cheapest flight to the airport nearest to your university and make sure you arrive before your school starts!

8.       Pre-departure briefing

A simple briefing regarding important information, what’s hot and not regarding studying and a short meeting with officers from related universities is vital for your final preparations. Knowing some friends who travel and study along with you made your journey more interesting.

9.       Arrival to University