Popular Consultant
Emrul Hasan
Professional Consultant
Miriam Beard’s famous quote, “Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change
that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living,” is one that many study abroad
students and alumni can relate to. But with so many to choose from, it’s not always easy to
navigate your way through the university landscape.
Hey there, buddy! Don’t you worry, okay? Cause your Buddybee’s here to the rescue!
So, are you planning to fly to the United Kingdom for your higher studies? Great choice I must
say! Well, let me tell you why!
UK is said to be the home to some of the world’s oldest universities and colleges having their
roots in the 12th and 13th centuries. Coming from such a strong legacy, education in the UK
has become a benchmark for other countries. Revered for offering the best education system in
the world, pursuing higher studies from the UK opens the door to an array of opportunities.
Now, it’s time to explore more to decide whether UK is gonna be my buddy’s final kingdom, or
not! So, without any further ado, let me start with clearing some of the common queries you
may have in your mind right now!
● Why study in UK?
[2]
● Which universities and colleges to attend in the UK?
Throughout the UK, you can enroll in universities, university colleges, or business schools. A
university college is an institution that usually does not have full or independent university
status. Generally, it’s part of a larger university. Most university colleges only offer around
1,000 places for students to enroll in.
British universities are also divided according to the year they have been founded, as follows:
● old universities – founded during the 12th and 13th century; the oldest university is
the University of Oxford
● red-brick universities – founded in the late 19th century in the big industrial cities of
the UK
● new universities – established after 1992 [7]
● What are the most popular courses in UK?
In the UK, international students can study every conceivable course and area of study. From
conventional courses like MBA, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, English, Political
Science, Psychology, Architecture, Medicine, Law to unconventional courses like Culinary Arts,
Performing Arts, and Music! The host of courses offered at UK universities are rich in terms of
curriculum, practical knowledge as well as practical training. Students can opt for any program
they like and kickstart their global careers in the royal land. [2]
● Grading System in UK Universities
Before you start your academic journey in the UK, let’s look at the distinct evaluation system
used by the UK universities:
[2]
● Program duration
The duration of an undergraduate program is 3 years and a postgraduate program is 1 year in
the UK, which in turn helps students save time and money. [3]
● Top Universities 2021- 2022
[2]
● How much does it cost to study in UK?
Apart from the primary tuition fees, the cost of studying in the UK includes accommodation,
Visa, daily expenses, transport, etc. Enlisted are the details pertaining to the expenses which
one may incur to study in UK:
● Undergraduate Programs in UK: £8000 to £9000 per year – up to £30000
● Postgraduate Programs in UK: £12000 to £15000 – up to £35000
● Doctoral Programs in UK: £15,000 to £24,000
The cost of studying programs like MBBS, clinical degrees, and various engineering branches
will be a little more expensive than in other countries. [11]
● Cost of living in UK
For students in the UK, the costs of living vary according to each region, with Northern Ireland
being the cheapest, followed by Wales and England (except London which is the most
expensive city in the UK). Scotland and London city are the most expensive in terms of living
costs.
Living costs in cities in England:
● Birmingham: £765 – £1,130 per month
● Leeds: £635 – £1,100 per month
● London: £1,140 – £2,100 per month
Living costs in cities in Scotland:
● Edinburgh: £725 – £1,170 per month
● Glasgow: £620 – £1,000 per month
● Dundee: £785 – £1,500 per month
Living costs in cities in Wales:
● Cardiff: £630 – £1,065 per month
● Newport: £740 – £1,400 per month
● Swansea: £730 – £1,380 per month
Living costs in cities in Northern Ireland:
● Belfast: £530 – £875 per month [8]
● Can I work while studying in UK?
Yes, my buddy, you can. Under current legal regulations in the UK, you’re allowed to find a
part-time job while studying. As a government-sponsored international student who attends a
course for 6 months or longer, you’re allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. However, you
have to make sure that your university is listed on the list of recognized higher education
providers in the UK. [10]
● English Language Tests
As English is the first language of the United Kingdom, you’ll need to sit for an English
Language Proficiency Test (EPT). If you’re planning to live in England or Scotland, then being
fluent in the native language is a must, my buddy. In fact, it’s required for international
students to have a decent comprehension of the English language in order to apply to the UK as
part of the study in UK requirements.
The most prevalent option that students undertake is the IELTS exam. The abbreviation means
International English Language Testing System and must be taken in your country of origin. It
can be completed online and in-person as well. The IELTS tests the four fundamental skills:
listening, reading, writing and of course, speaking.
Moreover, there’s the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) exam. This is
administered online at designated Pearson testing centers. Several UK universities accept PTE
scores nowadays.
Furthermore, the UK universities accept the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),
designed for non-native English speakers who want to study in the United Kingdom. [1]
● Requirements to Study in UK
Here are the major requirements to study in the UK which you need to ensure while applying to
a UK university:
● Copy of a valid passport
● Scorecard of English proficiency tests like TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced. (Some
universities exempt students from this if they meet the set criteria)
● GMAT/GRE for Masters programs
● Academic Transcripts
● Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
● Portfolio (for specific courses)
● A CV (if applicable)
● Statement of Purpose (SOP) [2]
● How to apply?
When applying for a Bachelor’s degree in the UK, you can do it directly through the university
platform or use application websites like UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service),
where you can apply to up to five courses, at the same or different universities in the UK.
If you want to apply for a Master’s or Ph.D. degree, you can apply directly to your chosen
university. For most universities, you can send your application anytime throughout the year,
but some degree courses have their own deadlines. Don’t forget to check the application
deadline, buddy! [7]
● Popular Intakes in UK
Many universities have rolling applications, which means you can apply whenever you are
ready. [9]
Woohoo! You’ve made it Buddy. If you have come this far, you can definitely make your dream
of studying in the United Kingdom a reality, trust me!
Hey, all your queries got cleared up today, isn’t it? Well, if you still have any further queries,
know that your Buddybee’s right here, you can ask for Buddybee’s help any time!
So, just keep chasing your dreams, buddy. Make them happen. Be fearless and just go for it
now!