The Study and Work in the UK

One of the most popular study destinations, the UK enjoys a proud tradition of education with universities rooting back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Known for its language, history, culture, and innovation, the UK has an average student retention rate of 82%. With comprehensive support systems in place for international students, studying in the UK is definitely a life-changing experience.

Why study in the United Kingdom?

• World-class Education System
• The oldest universities and colleges having their roots in the 12th and 13th centuries.
• Academic Excellence
•  Three Years Bachelor’s Degree
•  1-2 Years Master’s Degree
•  Part-Time Work allowed for up to 20 hours per week
•  Post Study Work permit for Two Years
• High Visa Success Rate
• Only 28 days old funds required to Show.
• Easy Admission and Visa Process.

The education system in the UK

The UK is globally recognized for its teaching excellence. Let’s find out why.

The United Kingdom (UK) is reputed for its excellent quality of education, interactive teaching methodology, top-ranking universities, and great student satisfaction. Universities in the UK consistently rank in the world university rankings such as the QS World Rankings, Times Higher Education Ranking, and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Further, degrees earned from the country are globally recognized and preferred by employers all over the world.

Standing at the zenith of research and development, the UK offers students vast scope to build critical and analytical thinking. Here’s why an overview of the education system in the UK.

How does the UK education system work?

The responsibility of education in the UK is delegated to four jurisdictions – England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. All of these regions have different forms of education systems, qualifications, and individual laws/regulations. The major differences can be found in general and secondary education resulting in each region having their own credit frameworks and qualifications.

Study levels

The education system in the UK consists of four stages:

• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Further education
• Higher education

Qualifications framework

A qualification framework is a principal national reference point that maintains academic standards in the higher education sect in any country. Two parallel frameworks run for higher education qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies:

• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of Degree Awarding Bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
• The Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland (FQHEIS)

Around 160 universities and colleges are allowed to award degrees in the UK.

Quality Assurance System

The unique factor of the education system in the UK is its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is an independent body that assesses and compares universities and colleges in the country through regular audits and reviews. It also identifies the best education practices and provides feedback for areas of improvement. This ensures that the students have access to the best quality of education.

All review reports are public and can be accessed on the QAA website. However, do note that private institutions are not subjected to assessment by QAA.

Higher education

Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degrees. As an international student, you may also transition to university-level studies via pathway programs that generally include English language courses and foundation courses.

Undergraduate courses

Undergraduate courses are designed to help students get exposure to a whole new world after school whilst providing a thorough understanding of a subject of interest. The UK offers a variety of courses in humanities, social science, art, design, business, technology, science, and more!

Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK:

Postgraduate studies

Postgraduate courses are more specific and involve in-depth study. Most master’s degrees have a duration of one year, which means you can be back in the workforce faster than your counterparts pursuing masters in other countries. There are a plethora of courses to choose from including niche courses that are highly valued in the industry.

Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK:

Pathway programs

These are preparatory courses for seeking admission into universities through English Language learning programs or foundation-level courses. Pathway programs can help enter university-level studies in the country and help strengthen your language skills as well. These are offered by both universities and private institutions to help students who need extra assistance with the English language to gain admission.

Fee structure

Your expenditure on tuition fee in the UK depends on two factors:

• where you choose to study – different rules and laws apply in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland
• you study level – bachelors, masters or doctorate

The tuition fee for undergraduate students ranges from £10,000 a year to about £18,000 a year, depending on the course and institution. Fee for postgraduate courses vary based on the program, course duration, and the course provider generally it ranges from £12,000 a year to about £24,000 a year.

Pedagogy in British classrooms

The UK has a high reputation for its education, which is mostly the reason why so many Indian students come here to pursue higher studies. The best part about studying in the UK is the way education is imparted – it goes beyond textbook learning. You’ll be engaged in various activities such as workshops, seminars, tutorials, and conferences at all times.

Teachers will expect you to be interactive in the classroom which will involve regular participation in group discussions, quizzes, and debates. You’ll also be required to learn to work independently. If you see, education in the UK will eventually enhance your communication skills and help you build critical thought-process, creativity, and analytical skills. This may be a little challenging initially but you’ll get the hang of it with constant support from your teachers and classmates.

Academic year

The standard academic year in the UK begins around the month of September – October. The deadline for applications for courses commencing in September is generally in the preceding January of that year. Two other intakes available for programs in the UK are January and April, which are usually smaller than the September intake. Pathway programs may have additional dates to offer. Always check for the intakes available for your course of preference. You can also check about the upcoming intakes in the UK here.

Popular programs

• MBA
• Law
• Business management
• Computer Science
• Sports Management
• Health Care Management
• Science
• Engineering

Student visa requirements for the UK

Applying for a UK student visa? Here’s help!

The UK Government provides an opportunity for all Indian students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first.

The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the UK. Here’s an overview* of the types of study visas and their application requirements:

*For detailed information, please visit the Gov.UK website

To be eligible for a Tier 4 student visa, you must:

• Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor
• Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
• Have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course.

Documents required for Tier 4 student visa

When applying for your Tier 4 visa, you will generally need:

• A current passport or other valid travel documentation
• Evidence of funds to provide your living expenses for the duration of your course
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number and documents used to obtain CAS
• Passport-sized color photographs
• Tuberculosis screening (if required)
• Assessment documentation
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (if required)

Additional documents may also be needed if you are:

• Not a citizen of the country you are applying from
• Under 18 years of age
• Have family (dependents)

For any kind of further information don’t hesitate to contact our Expert Team Members at M: +91-98724-04711.