Tips to Study in UK: Visa, Universities & Cultural Differences

Why Study in UK?

You have a hint about, students choosing to study in UK, but do you know why? So, in this section, you will be exploring the reasons for UK being a sought after study abroad destination by students.

• With the best education in the world, the UK attracts many students every year across the globe.
• UK is known for its academic excellence in the world. It has four out of ten top-ranking universities globally.
• You can earn while learning to support your education by yourself through part-time jobs.
• While studying in the UK, you will be eligible for multiple scholarships to support your education and reduce the financial burden.
• You can choose from an ocean of courses from the top universities in UK for masters and even bachelors.

Aren't these reasons enough to answer why you must study in the UK? Of course, they are. Since you have made up your mind to pursue education here, explore the education system of the country in the section below.

Do you think study in UK is a challenging process to follow alone?

Do not panic? Experts at Gradding.com are here to assist you everything from course selection to finding an accommodation. Thus, all your issues will be resolved with us. Contact Us Now!

What Is UK Education System?

Till now, you have got an answer to, which country has the best education? So, explore the education system in the UK and know the study levels and the nation's grading system. Thus, to begin with, have an overview of the four study levels.

Study Levels in the UK

1. Primary education (Years 1-6)
2. Secondary education (Years 7 and 8)
3. Further education (Year 9)
4. Higher education (Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees)
This is the complete education system in the UK. However, most international students prefer to complete their higher studies in the nation. So, if you are also one of them, here is the brief classification of this study level:

However, you can choose from the pool of subjects to pursue education in the nations. Moving ahead to perceive the UK grading system 2024.

Grading System in the UK

It is crucial to know how your performance will be evaluated in the nation in which you are studying. So, here you will be decoding the UK grading system 2024:

UK Grading System for Compulsory Education (primary & secondary levels)

The UK General Certificate of Secondary Education; GCSE grading system follows two types of scales:

• 1-9, where 1 is the highest and 9 is the lowest.
• A-F, where A is the max, and F is the mini.

UK Grading System for Higher Education

UK Grading System for Under-Graduation

• First-class - distinction
• Upper second class - merit
• Lower second class - pass
• Third class - pass

UK Grading System for Maters

This was the best education system in the world, that is, the UK. Moving ahead to explore, the factors to acknowledge while selecting the university in the UK.

What Students Must Consider While Selecting University in the UK?

As you already know, there are top universities in UK for masters, bachelor's and even diploma courses. But selecting the ideal one might make you baffle around. Here are the pointers to consider while finalising them:

• Pick the location that suits your lifestyle, as it must make you comfortable away from home.
• The university you choose must be reputed globally, as the ranking of the institute matters while you choose to study abroad. However, the nation is know for the best engineering courses for both bachelors and masters.
• University you opt for, must offer the courses you want to pursue. You should research the syllabus and faculty.
• Fees must also be an essential factor when choosing a university abroad. Thus, look for the one that fits your budget or provides scholarships to aid you financially.

However, you must also prepare a list of your requirements from an institute before finalising the ideal one. Moving ahead with the next step of applying for the student visa to get entry into the foreign nation.

How to Apply for UK Student Visa?

To apply for a UK student visa, you need to go through a detailed process that is as follows:

• Check your eligibility for the UK universities for masters or any other course you want to pursue. To do this, you need to get a CAS: confirmation of acceptance.
• Get all the required documents ready, which are:

1. Complete the Visa Form
2. A Valid Passport
3. 1 Passport-Size Photo
4. University Acceptance Letter
5. Proof of Finances
6. Language Proficiency Test Scores

• Apply online at the official website and book an appointment at the visa application centre and pay the visa application fees.
• Keep a check on the deadlines to submit the visa application form and prepare for the interview (if required) well to secure the visa smoothly.
• Avoid the issues that might become hurdles in your path. Some of the challenges can be:

1. Incorrect data
2. Poor academic records
3. Lower IELTS scores
4. Incomplete documents
5. Missing deadlines

This is the procedure to follow while applying for a visa for the best country for education that is the UK. Other than visa fees, there are several other costs that students need to manage in a foreign land. Read the upcoming section to explore what are they and how to manage them.

How to Manage Finances in the UK as a Student?

The cost of living in any country is a combination of both tuition fees and living expenses. The average tuition fees in the UK can range from £15,000 to £40,000. On the other hand, the cost of living varies as per your preferences. However, managing them is crucial as, without this, you might struggle to survive. Thus, here are the ways to help you manage these costs:

Saving

You can use either your personal savings or get help from your parents to manage your finances.

Student Loans

Taking an educational loan from the bank can also help you finance your studies by yourself. These are of two types:
1. Secured student loan
2. Unsecured student loan

Scholarships

You can apply for several scholarships available in the nation to support your study. Some of these are:

• Cardiff India Scholarships
• Inlaks Scholarships
• GREAT Scholarships
• Chevening Fellowships

Part-time Jobs

Students can work while they study in UK in their free time to become independent financially. You can work up to 20 hours per week as per the government guidelines.
These are several ways through which you can manage your finances in a foreign land as an aspirant to study abroad. Moving ahead, explore the ways you can smoothen your entire overseas education journey.

5+ Effective Tips to Ease the Process to Study in UK

• If you are scared of the procedure to pursue your education overseas, here are some of the tactics to handle them with ease.
• Begin with selecting ideal university within your budget, that is recognised globally and provide the course you are interested in.
• Plan your budget effectively to use your hard earned money wisely. Besides, use public transport, student discounts, and more to save money.
• Find appropriate accommodation that fits in your budget and is near to your university, to save transportation costs and time.
• Find a part-time job to support yourself financially and gain practical experience.
• Join cultural committees to get along with the cultural differences of the nation and enjoy your stay there.
• Learn effective time management tricks to balance your personal and professional life together without compromising.
• Set up a bank account to pay the fees bills and more easily without paying extra for foreign currency transfers.

These are a handful of tips to reduce the hurdles to study in UK. However, are you are among those students who find the journey to study abroad a challenging one? If yes, then our experts are at your rescue. Confused? Read the upcoming segment to explore how they can assist.

How International Students Can Smooth the Study Abroad Process with Us?

Overseas education consultant in India are the best supporting partners in the journey. They are there to assist you at every step of your journey. One such consulting platform is Gradding. We are the best as we do not leave your hand until you settle in a foreign land. This means, right from course/university selection to the pre-departure services, we have everything. Explore the services here:

Counselling Sessions

We provide one-on-one counselling sessions to help you find the ideal course and university that suits your needs.

Accommodation Aid

We help you to finalise your accommodation even before you land in the foreign nation. This will be done by sharing the images with you for reference.

Visa Assistance

You can get free visa assistance from us when you start by filling the application with us. Our experts are adept with the documents handling process too.

Test Preparation

At our platform, you can even get language proficiency tests; IELTS, PTE, TOELF etc, preparation classes to ensure you ace them in your first attempt.

Throughout Support

You will get constant support from our experts to boost your confidence and reduce stress to study abroad in the UK.
So, till now you have been equipped with the effective tips to study in UK. This blog covers everything you must perceive before beginning your adventurous journey. From precisely selecting the course and university to visa application, finance management you are fully equipped with the tactics to handle any situation that might become a hurdle in your path. So begin your journey by keeping these tips in mind and have a successful future ahead.

FAQ’s

Question 1: What Makes the UK Education System One of the Best in the World?

The UK is the best country for education in the world due to the following:

• Historical legacy
• Modern infrastructure
• Government support
• Top-notch faculties
• Diverse courses
• Modern teachings

Question 2: Why Study in the UK?

There are several reasons that make the UK one of the most preferred study-abroad destinations. Some of them are:

• Scholarships and grants
• short courses
• High standards
• Employment options
• Cultural diversity

Question 3: How Can a Study Abroad Consultant Help Me with My UK Education Plans?

The overseas education consultant will assist you in each step of studying in the UK. This is how they will guide:

• Course selection
• Visa application
• Document preparation
• Securing scholarship
• Education loan
• Financial planning
• Test preparation
• Accommodation aid

Question 4: How Does the UK Grading System Work in 2024?

The grading system in UK might vary from one university to another. However, usually a score above 70 is considered first-class , 60-69 is distinction, 50-59 is lower second-class and below 40 is third class.

Question 5: Which UK Universities Are Best for Masters Programs?

For the master’s program, you can select from the top UK universities enlisted:

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University of Edinburgh

Question 6: What Is a Merit Grade in UK, and How Do They Impact Admissions?

Students who receive grades from 60% to 69% are granted a merit grade in the UK. These are the above average grades that indicate a strong understanding of the subject and are often required for entry into more competitive courses at top class universities.

Question 7: What Are the Best Engineering Courses Available in the UK?

Here are several top engineering courses available in the UK for students:

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Aeronautics