Overview
Universities to study in UK have high ratings, world-renowned. The education system is famous for subjects and courses. It gives a choice to combine courses and subjects from different areas of studies. Which is almost like moulding your degree to your own needs and interest to study in UK. Do not pursue courses because your friend is doing. Every individual has different skills and potential. Find out what is yours and proceed to achieve your goals to study in UK.
Entry into university to study in UK.
The entry requirements to study in UK vary for each course and program selected. Identify your interests, career aspirations and select a program to study in UK. Factors like nationality, academic level, and course selection may change requirements as well. Interaction with great focused students can build your skills and contacts. Start on your Journey of thoughts and follow the guidelines below to make an entry to study in UK.
Research to study in UK
Research is the key to a successful application to study in UK. Start with discovering universities from official websites. Select, compare, and check methods of study, and location which is suitable to you. Each course has a ‘Key Information Set’. This informs about professional recognition, student satisfaction and provides employment statistics. It is important to find a university recognized by the UK government to study in UK
Consider the below points to discover a suitable university.
- To study in UK, check if the university offers the right course options flexible for you.
- Does the university rank for your satisfaction and care?
Please note that departmental/school rankings are far more crucial than University rankings. You may miss the opportunity to enroll in the best department/school if you overlook this point.
- Check the course fees and accommodation costs and standards.
- Is your career prospect looking good to your expectations?
- Do you wish to study further or get employed immediately after your studies?
- Is the university in the right ecosystem of your intended career path?
- Check the teaching rankings and performance in research activities of the department/school that you are wishing to enrol in.
- Facilities like libraries and study spaces, extra-curricular activities like sports and unions. This supports you to study in UK.
Application
Follow the timeline mentioned to get admission steps completed in time. If you have ample time, start research 12 to 18 months before enrolling. To pursue masters, you can start research as soon as you begin your final year of undergraduate study. Select 4-6 universities that you wish to apply to study in UK. More than this will confuse you when you have the offers in hand. So if you have chosen the right course to apply for, then 4 universities is usually not a good idea. Think about budget and prospects of scholarships and apply.
To study in UK all applications are online. The Universities and colleges Admissions Service – (UCAS) accepts and processes the applications. This is for undergraduate study programmes. Most universities accept UCAS application for UG study. The website shows application deadline dates and applicable fees. Applying to 5 universities is accepted by UCAS. The deadlines for UK residents is usually earlier than for International students.
For all postgraduate study, applying through UCAS is not required. All universities accept direct applications.
Consider the below for the application:
Important documents required for the postgraduate application to study in UK are:
- a Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of purpose
- Academic scores in your undergraduate study (even part completion of the degree works. (apply during the final year to study in the following year.)
- References from academic faculty and/or Employer.
A detailed description guide to these documents is below;
Curriculum Vitae
To study in UK, the first and most important document is your Curriculum Vitae (CV). This is a summary of your academic and professional qualifications. It gives the first impression of you to the admission committee. Hence your CV should be well written. It should define your, goal, achievements and skills. Remember your CV is not your autobiography. It is only a summary of your academic qualification and professional skills. From the view of the admissions team, your capability to handle the course will be a criterion to study in UK.
Statement of Purpose.
To study in UK, a student needs to write their Statement of Purpose on their own also known as SOP. Details like study or work profile and interest to enrol in the university.
When writing an SOP focus should be on the following points.
- Reason for applying for a particular degree.
- Why you chose the course and subject.
- How ready and eager you are to pursue to study in the chosen university.
- Why it makes the best study option for you.
- What factor convinced you to pick the programme.
- How does your education qualifications match the course you want to pursue.
- If they don’t match then show why you want to change subject areas.
- What career you are aiming for after graduation and how this fits your plan.
- About your personality and skills.
Write your SOP like you are talking about who you are and what inspired you in an essay format of about 47 – 50 lines. The information in your SOP is important to process your application. Your SOP is likely to be to your success to study in UK.
Academics and Grading System to study in UK.
To study in UK most degree programmes are competitive. The grading system is unique and efficient. The grading system varies between study programmes and levels. For undergraduate study, the least academic record is 65% but some universities may expect a higher cut off score for the humanities stream in class XII. A score of 70 – 80% and above for the Science/Commerce stream in class XII is necessary to gain admission into higher ranked universities.
For postgraduate study, an undergraduate degree with a score of 60% is ideal to study in UK although some universities may expect higher score. A work experienced candidate is always seen in different light so ideal to ensure your CV incorporates all your work-related experiences.
Students with a low score in Std 12, may not get selected for the undergraduate degree but may get into the Foundation programmes. Successful completion of least achievement, one may get admission to an undergraduate degree.
Letter of Reference/Recommendation.
To study in UK, you may have to give a reference letter or letter of recommendation. A reference letter is from an academic professional. The professional should know you and refer you as a well-deserved candidate. The reference letter should show outstanding talent in career goals and professional experience.
The applicant can collect the reference letter and keep it to use when required. The letter will be a general one saying “To whomsoever, it may concern”.
One reference from a college for postgraduate study with work experience. Another from the employer. Two references from any two teachers who have taught you. This is for undergraduates.
The application form to study in UK may ask a student to provide a Letter of Recommendation. It also depends on the programme. Universities sometimes ask for recommendation letters from professors and employers. The admission panel gets a comprehensive insight into your experience and achievements. This letter can admit the candidate provided it meets the requirements to study in UK.
Request a Letter of Recommendation
To study in UK, the applicant should request the faculty from the last attended institute for a LOR. It is important to pick the right person to give you a LOR. The person should have known you at least for 6 months. Below is a list of people you can request a LOR according to the course studied earlier.
UG, students: from teachers, professors, school counsellors or principals.
MS students from college professors, intern supervisors, managers from the company they worked.
MBA students if they have 3 years of experience or more, then from a professional.
MBA and PhD aspirants who recently graduated. Ask for a letter of recommendation from college professors or project guides.
Note: A misconception is that Fellow students or colleagues can write a LOR. This is incorrect. Only a faculty or Manager who know you can give a LOR to study in UK.
Content for Letter of Recommendation.
To study in UK a recommendation letter is a formal letter. The person recommending should highlight 4 main points in the Letter of Recommendation.
- A paragraph to Introduce how they know the applicant (like professor or employer). The general impression from the time they knew you.
- Main content. The person recommending needs to emphasise why they think you are the best for the programme. Focus on educational skills, interests and relevant personality traits at the university. Examples of the applicant’s academic achievements, goals and voluntary activities during the course.
- Closing lines to conclude with assertive statements and reasons for recommending the applicant. Why he thinks the university should accept the applicant to study in UK. End with Name, contact details, signature with the seal of College/Place of Business.
- The professor or employer giving the LOR has to send it to the university. The university will confirm once received. Do not take it from him.
The format for the letter varies with each institute or company. If the University you are applying to in UK has a format, please inform the Faculty.
English language tests
English language skill is important to study in UK. It helps to communicate and interact with professors and fellow students. Also, to read course material and write essays and succeed in completing the course. An Indian student requires to meet the least English language skills. IELTS – International English Language testing system Academic test. This test is in approval for UK Visa and Immigration -(UKVI). There is also IELTS academic tests. This test is mandatory for applicants with a non-English speaking background. The IELTS helps to improve Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
The scores assess if you are ready to train and to study in UK. Plan and remember that studying for the test and getting the results can take 8 to 10 weeks to complete. Accordingly, clear the IELTS and prepare to apply to study in UK. Most universities accept applications without the IELTS score. They may give a conditional offer if they want you to meet the English language skill.
Some universities have a conditional rule for IELTS. The university may accept the State board results of the Standard 12 examination. Sometimes they may not. The standard rule for students from India is to meet the English skill test to study in UK. So, if you wish to you can apply without the IELTS score if the university does not stipulate English as a pre-condition for application.
Interviews by University admission and what they want to know?
Interviews are sometimes required as an entry to study in UK. It is necessary when individuals pose as students and come to the UK to work instead of study. Sometimes the interview acts as a filtration mechanism when seats are insufficient.
The interview helps determine if your intentions are genuine to study in UK. It checks to see if your communication skills meet the admissions panel requirements. It can also be on the academic capability to understand your motivation and goal for your course.
The university’s admissions office will schedule the interview. This could be after issuing a conditional offer letter. The interview will happen online over a video call and you will know well in advance.
Interview by UK Visa and What they want to Know?
- Your education history and plans for study and post-study.
- Your personal and financial circumstances situation. Reasons for coming to the UK as a study destination and why you choose a particular university.
- The rationale for choosing a particular course and your career ambitions.
Prepare for the interview with genuine answers. Understand clearly your responsibilities as a Student visa holder. Speak with clear intentions of your intention to study. Wishing you all success with your visa to study in UK.
Good to Know
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Info for International students
Since covid-19 led to growing travel restrictions. The UK Council for International Students affair-(UKCISA) works with the UK government. It guides students who need to return to complete study in UK.
Besides, the UKCISA provides up-to-date information on Immigration, fees, and student support. Check the website for further details on information and support for international students.
Post-study work options
The opportunity to work after study in UK is here. Those who have been dreaming to get work in UK post-study is now possible. To study in UK program has started the ‘Graduate Route’. Published on 1st July 2021. This supports international students to stay and look for work in the UK. After completing the course, they can stay up to two years to work. The student should have a valid visa. Needs to enrol from 2020-2021 for a full-time masters-level, one-year programme. PhD. Students can stay for three years.
Good to know some features of the graduate route
- Graduates can change over into skilled work once they find a suitable job.
- The employer does not need to take permission from Immigration to hire you. You have the opportunity to prove yourself.
- Apply for a new visa application via the visa and immigration website . Can do it when living in the UK.
- Payment of visa fee of £700 and the Immigration Health Surcharge at the full rate of £624 per year.
- Refer to the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) used earlier.
- If you are an online student in your home country due to Covid-19. You can apply for the Graduate Route. Check to see if you meet the requirements on the UK government’s Covid-19 website.
We at ScotsGrad Consultancy Services are with you to help pursue your interests to study in UK. Our team has provided on this page valuable information with a view of requirements to study in UK. Our expert area is to mentor, explore and discuss your mind-set. Yes, you read it right. Yes, you read it right. We want to know your mind-set and the rationality of the choice of your chosen course. Earlier experiences of discussions with our past students, we noticed that they select courses based on what friends, relatives and well-wishers have suggested. ScotsGrad counsellors will want to know more than that from you. These discussion will help bring clarity to your strengths and make you achieve your goal to study in UK. Contact our team at ScotsGrad to explore and have a discussion with us and build your career. We have over 30 subject expert mentors across various disciplines. It’s all yours for free to avail.
Browse:
For working after studies on UKCISA: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Working/Working-after-studies
For Graduate Route link below:- https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
For covid-19 website – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-student-sponsors-migrants-and-short-term-students
For a list of govt. sponsored universities; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-students
For application to Universities: https://www.ucas.com
For undergraduates application: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/ucas-undergraduate-when-apply
For students support information: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Studying–living-in-the-UK/Coronavirus-Covid-19-info-for-international-students#layer-6718