Study In The UK
July 22, 2023
Key Facts:
Capital: London
Consists of 4 States: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales & England
Popular Cities: London, Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast
Travel Time from Nigeria : 6 hours 30 mins by flight (Direct)
Currency : Pound Sterling ‘£’, Great Britain Pound (GBP)
1. Prestigious Education system
The UK is renowned for its prestigious education system and long-standing tradition of academic excellence. It is home to some of the world’s oldest and most respected universities, offering a wide range of high-quality educational programs. The UK has been a leader in academia for centuries. It’s home to two of the world’s top five universities (with a further 26 ranked among the global top 200).
Top Universities rankings based on QS world university ranking 2023
2. Diverse Course Offering
British universities provide an extensive variety of academic disciplines and courses, ensuring that students can find programs that suit their interests and career aspirations.
3. Globally Recognized Degrees
A degree from a UK university holds global recognition and is highly respected by employers worldwide. Graduates from UK institutions often enjoy enhanced employability and career prospects.
4. Shorter duration of courses
Courses in the UK education system are shorter and more intensive than in many other countries, so you’ll graduate sooner, without compromising on quality. While you can complete an undergraduate program in three years, you’ll be able to finish a graduate program in just one year. This not only saves time, but also a chunk of money spent on tuition fees and living costs.
5. Work while you learn
To manage your everyday living expenses along with your studies, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during term me and full-time during your semester break. This helps pay for your bills, as well as gain industry experience in your field of study.
6. Post-Study Work Opportunities
After completing their studies, international students in the UK may be eligible for a post-study work visa. This allows graduates to gain work experience and explore job opportunities in the UK after graduation
7. Explore Europe while studying
The UK is well-connected to major European countries, such as France, Netherlands and Belgium – these being the closest at distances ranging from 300 – 1000 miles. This is a great benefit for students because they are able to explore new countries while studying.
The biggest advantage of UK education in comparison to other educational destinations worldwide is that UK provides programs of shorter duration.
Bachelors – 3 years (4 years in Scotland)
Masters – 1 year ( 2 years with placement / internship also available)
Bachelors with Sandwich year – 4 years ( 1 year of internship after completing the 2nd year)
Integrated Masters – 4 years (5 years in Scotland)
Integrated Masters with a Sandwich Year – 5 years (UG and PG Combined with 1 year of internship)
Fees for UK courses vary depending on your study level and where in the UK you are studying.
– Bachelor’s degree: £13,000 to £38,000
– Master’s degree: £13,000 to £32,000
– Doctoral degree: £15,000 to £24,000
Undergraduate
International undergraduate tuition fees vary from £11,400 – £38,000. The average cost is estimated to be around £22,200 per year.
Typically, undergraduate degree courses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland last for three years or four in Scotland.
Postgraduate
International postgraduate tuition fees vary from £9,000 – £32,000. The average cost is estimated to be around £17,109 per year.
Many postgraduate degree courses in the UK can be completed in one year of full-time study. This has financial and career benefits. A one-year master’s programme usually has fewer and lower associated costs. It offers the option of faster entry or re-entry into employment than a traditional two-year master’s programme.
As tuition fees vary by course and institution, contact our study in UK team to advise you on the university or college you are applying for detailed information.
As an international student coming to the UK without dependants, you can expect to pay around £1300-£1400 per month in London or £900-£1300 in the rest of the UK to cover your accommodation, bills, groceries, and a range of other living expenses during your studies.
Other Costs
If you study in the UK for more than six months, there are additional associated costs to consider.
£363 for your UK student visa which will allow you to live and study in the UK throughout your course (this is a one-off charge)
£470 for your Immigration Health Surcharge per year which will give you access to the UK’s National Health Service – this is the cost after the 25 per cent discount for student visa holders
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- As part of your student visa application, if you will stay in the UK and study for more than six months, you will need to pay a fee called an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This will give you access to the UK’s National Health Service.
- The surcharge for a student visa will be a fee of £470 per year for each full year you are in the UK. Where your stay in the UK includes part of a year, you would be charged £235 for periods of 1-6 months and £470 for periods of 6-12 months. For example, if you are doing a 12-month master’s course, you would be charged £705. This is because your visa will be issued for a total of 16-17 months (including up to one month before the course start date and four months after the course end date).
- The amount you have to pay depends on how much leave you’re granted. You can find out how much you will be expected to pay by using the fee calculator on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
With bills included
• London: £848
• Rest of UK: £664
Note: these costs are based on non-catered single occupancy student halls. If you are interested in catered student halls, budget for more.
Room in private accommodation (without bills)
• London: £750
• Rest of UK: £554
Note: these cost is based on a room for one person in shared accommodation.
Gas, electricity, water, broadband and a TV License.
• London: £140
• Rest of UK: £80
• London: £155
• Rest of UK: £116
• London: £103*
• Rest of UK: £54
* Full-time students from all over the UK receive a 30 per cent discount off standard tube and bus fares with a Student Oyster Card if they have a National Rail Card. Monthly student Oyster cards for Zones 1-2 cost £103.
• London and the rest of UK: £18
To study in the UK as an international student, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- English language proficiency test like IELTS.
- Financial support
- Admission requirements
- Visa
- Health care insurance
- Letter of recommendation (LOR)
- Statement of purpose (SOP)
Study in the UK frequently asked questions
Yes, the UK is a popular destination for international students, and many universities welcome students from around the world.
Entry requirements vary depending on the course and the university. Generally, students are required to have completed a certain level of education, meet English language proficiency requirements (IELTS or equivalent), and may need to submit additional qualifications or test scores, such as the SAT or ACT for undergraduate programs, or GRE/GMAT for postgraduate programs.
Tuition fees vary depending on the university and the course you choose. International students typically pay higher fees than domestic students. It’s essential to research the specific university and program for accurate cost information.
Yes, as an international student in the UK. Students on full-time degree-level courses holding a Student visa are permitted to work in the UK. The requirements and rules are as follows:
- Up to 20 hours per week during University term time. UKVI has defined a “week” as “a seven-day period starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday”
- Full-time in vacation periods
The Graduate visa gives you two years to stay in the UK after successfully completing a course in the UK. Graduates must apply for this whilst living in the UK. The application fee is £715, and you will also need to pay £624 for the healthcare surcharge for each year you spend in the UK.
Students need to show 28 days bank statement covering 9 months of living expenses and remaining tuition fees if any. If the university is based out of Greater London, £1,265 per month is the living expense. The maximum amount you will need for your living costs is £11,385.
During the 28-day period, the money shouldn’t drop below the required amount at any one time or you will not meet the requirements and your application will be refused. Your bank statement must be no more than 31 days old on the date of Visa submission. This should be the date you pay the online visa fee.
If you are applying for a master’s program, you can have a maximum of 10-12 years of experience starting from the year you graduated. If you are applying for a bachelor’s program, you can have a maximum of 2-3 years of experience in-between. A gap is never allowed, but you will be asked to demonstrate work experience for your gap years.
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