Significance of Studying Abroad
When choosing an institution or program for study or pursuing a career path, the first consideration should be the quality of education required. The qualification students work towards directly relates to the quality of education received from a university. Studying at the top universities in your country provides the comfort of being near but differs in terms of education quality compared to universities abroad. Studying abroad offers high-quality education, the necessary skills vital for building a career, and the confidence to move forward. The exposure and experience gained by living abroad add to personal growth.
Major Countries for Study Opportunities
Study opportunities abroad are abundant for students, regardless of the program they pursue. BSc, MSc, and even Ph.D. programs are widely available in universities abroad for international students. The mode of study has also become convenient, offering online study options alongside on-campus study choices. Furthermore, students can opt for studying part-time, if they are managing jobs as well. Major countries that students are inclined to apply to include the UK, Canada, Hungary, and many more. While there are various registration options for students seeking the opportunity to study abroad, the UK, in particular, offers various opportunities waiting to be discovered.
Universities in the UK for International Students
In the UK, numerous educational institutions offer opportunities for students seeking education abroad. The programs available for international students comprise BSc programs, MSc programs, Ph.D./doctoral programs, diplomas, short courses, and sometimes online options.
Still, wondering why to study in the UK? Well, the top 10 reasons to study abroad in UK are as follows:
1) Quality Education
2) Merit-Based Scholarships
3) Best Healthcare System
4) Shorter courses
5) Academic Excellence
6) Easy Visa Process
7) Economical Accommodation Cost
8) Cultural Diversity
9) Quality Assurance
10) Post Study Work-Permit (PSW)
A total of 679,970 international students are currently enrolled in various programs across different universities in the UK, with 23,075 from Pakistan. Students undergo a thorough process to decide their future paths. This decision-making is simplified by categorizing the universities based on their popular programs. The following are the top 5 universities in the UK that are recognized in different fields:
1) Coventry University
2) The University of Law
3) Birmingham City University
4) University of Stirling
5) Glasgow Caledonian University
Coventry University
Coventry University is a public research university in Coventry, England, with its establishment dating back to the mid-1800s. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, available both onsite and online.
Ranked among the top 38% in the QS World University Ranking, Coventry University is among the top-ranked universities in the UK. The university offers several popular programs, including:
-> Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
-> Computer Hardware and Software Engineering BEng (Hons)
-> Applied Mechanical Engineering BSc (Hons) Top-Up
-> Engineering Business Management BEng (Hons) Top-Up
-> Aerospace Systems Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
The Top-up programs, lasting one year, follow a full-time study mode. These programs are designed for students with limited time but a need for the necessary degree or qualification.
The University of Law
The University of Law is a private university in the United Kingdom with campuses in 17 major locations. Established in the late 1800s, the university has been offering law degrees and providing professional training for British Barristers and Solicitors. The programs offered by The University of Law are not limited to Law degrees but include the following:
-> BSc (Hons) Psychology
-> BSc Professional Policing
-> BA Criminology
-> BSc (Hons) Computer Science
-> BSc Business Management
It is known as the best university in the UK for law and is the only one to offer December intakes. The variety of campuses in locations including London, Manchester, and Leeds provides convenience for students to choose according to their preferences.
Birmingham City University
Birmingham City Univerisity’s origin can be traced back to the Birmingham College of Art, established in 1843, and it gained university status in 1992. Ranked 601 in the QS World University Ranking, the university offers a wide range of programs which include BSc, MSc, Foundation, Apprenticeship, Short courses, part-time courses, and distance learning. Recognizing their talents, Birmingham City University offers merit-based scholarships to its international students, The university has a variety of courses, with the following being among the most popular programs:
-> Landscape Architecture, BA (Hons)
-> Digital Media Technology BSc (Hons)
-> Visual/Graphic Communication BA (Hons)
Both international and national students can apply to any program of their choice and proceed to learn in the beautiful environment of Birmingham City.
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling, located in Central Scotland and founded in 1967, is among the top 500 universities worldwide according to the QS World University Ranking. Set in an 18th-century castle, the campus is full of history. The University of Stirling is known for its expertise in teaching various courses, including:
-> Accounting and Finance
-> Aquaculture
-> Biology
-> Business and Management
-> Computer science and Software engineering
Offering over 170 undergraduate degrees, the university provides both online and on-campus courses for master’s programs with multiple start dates. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to apply for and avail research-based degrees.
Glasgow Caledonian University
The Glasgow Caledonian University, commonly referred to as GCU, is a public university located in Glasgow, Scotland. Formed in the early 1990s after the merger of different institutions, GCU is the sole university in the country offering degrees in optometry. The university is the largest provider of NHS healthcare graduates in Scotland. GCU is also renowned for pioneering specialist degrees, including:
-> Consumer Protection
-> Tourism Management
-> Fashion Marketing
Furthermore, GCU holds the distinction of being the first and only business school globally to offer triple-accredited degrees in financial services. Ranked 23rd out of 154 universities in the UK, it is also rated 1st in Scotland for environmental and ethical performance in the People & Planet University League.
The universities mentioned above represent the top 5 institutions in the UK, offering a variety of programs in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to law and business. Renowned for their high ratings and exceptional education quality, these universities provide opportunities for both full-time and part-time study. Affiliated with these and other UK universities, AK Consultants offers consultancy services to students seeking enrollment.
Application Process to Study Abroad in UK
For a student seeking opportunities to study abroad in UK, Selecting the desired program and university is the first step. The application process begins after the student has narrowed down their choice and is ready for the next step. The overall process takes 1 to 2 months on average for completion, but it can take longer depending on the university. The major steps that are a part of the complete application process include:
1) Entry Requirement
2) Assessment of Documents
3) Application for the Program
4) Conditional Offer Letter
5) Initial Payment of Tuition Fee
6) Tuberculosis (TB) Test
7) Unconditional Offer Letter
8) Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Apply
9) Pre-CAS Interview
10) Issuance of CAS
11) Visa Filing
12) VFS Appointment
13) Enrollment
Entry Requirement
The entry requirements vary across universities, each having its distinct eligibility criteria, and the criteria differ for each program. In a general context, the primary language requirements for eligibility for any program at a UK university encompass IELTS Academic UKVI, PTE, and Language Certificate, all widely accepted in the country. Furthermore, a justification for any study gap, if relevant, is mandatory. The main academic requirement for a master’s program is a CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, and for a bachelor’s program, it is a minimum of 60% marks.
Assessment of Documents
Once a student is declared eligible for a program, the next step is document assessment. The main documents required for evaluation, which are common for most UK universities include the following:
-> Motivational Letter
-> All transcripts/degrees
-> Passport
-> Bank statement
-> CV
-> 2 Recommendation letters
-> ID card
-> Contact details
-> Experience letter, in case of study gap
-> Results of English Language test
Apply for the Program
After the documents have been evaluated, the student proceeds to apply for the specific program through UCAS or the university’s official website. UCAS is a student portal that facilitates applications to programs at most universities in the UK.
Conditional Offer Letter
After the application is submitted, the student is presented with a conditional offer letter in which they are required to fulfill the incomplete details of their application. This may include the submission of missing documents such as recommendation letters or CVs etc.
Initial Payment of Tuition Fee
After the student fulfills all the requirements, the universities require an initial partial payment of tuition fees. This payment, ranging from 40% to 80% of the tuition fee, renders students eligible for CAS and advances the application process. The remaining deposit is credited as a balance and is required to be paid later per the university’s specifications.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
Once the initial payment is made, a student is required to take a TB test at a medical institute that is recognized by the UK. It is a mandatory test required by the embassy along with the universities for admission.
Unconditional Offer Letter
Once the TB test is cleared and all requirements are completed, the university provides the student with the unconditional offer letter, which is the green signal for the student. It signifies that all required documents have been submitted, and the student is making good progress in the application process.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies Apply
With the unconditional offer letter, half of the process is complete. After this, the student proceeds to apply for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). During this stage, the bank statement from either guardian’s account or applicant’s account for the past 28 days is verified. It is vital that the bank statement submitted at the time of application falls within a 31-day duration and is not older than that.
For students seeking admission to a university in London, a minimum of £12,000 should be present in their bank account. This amount is in addition to the remaining university fee, credited as a balance after the initial fee deposit. However, if students are applying to a university outside of London, they are required to have a minimum of £9,207 in their bank account. This amount is in addition to the remaining university fee, credited as a balance after the initial fee deposit.
Pre-CAS Interview
The Pre-CAS is the sub-step of CAS. It is an interview, which is the most crucial step of the application program and is found to be challenging for students at times as well. A Pre-CAS interview is conducted by a representative of the university to assess the student’s communication skills.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Following the successful qualification for CAS, the documents and the bank statement are checked and verified. If everything is in perfect order, the student is then provided with the CAS letter.
Visa Filing
Once the student has received the CAS letter, the process of visa filing is initiated. The students fill out their visa application and provide all the necessary information and details that are required. During this process, the IHS fee, which is £624 annually, and the embassy fee, which is £490 for standard services, along with an additional amount of £500 for priority services, are paid. These transactions are made via a credit/debit card, and with this, the visa filing process is complete.
VFS Appointment
Moving forward, the student is required to schedule the VFS appointment. The purpose of this appointment is verification of the student’s biometrics, submission of their passport, and scanning of their documents. Upon completion, the impending decision keeps the student waiting with great excitement. Once the decision is finalized, the student receives an email notification. Finally, students get to collect their passports with the stamp they desired.
Enrollment
In the final stage of this process, the students are required to join their university and enroll in their classes. With this step, the application process is complete, and students are successfully enrolled in their dream university.
How to Make UK Application Process Easy?
Navigating through the application process might make it look easy, but it often leads to complexities that students find challenging. In such situations, consultancy agencies play a crucial role as rescuers. These agencies handle various tasks, including completing lengthy applications and compiling necessary documents. Everything students require is managed by the agency. You can visit AK Consultants for a smooth application process and ask any queries about studying abroad in UK. AK Consultants are associated with many top-ranked universities in the UK, which makes the process of choosing a program in the best university of your choice easier.
Benefits of Studying in the UK
Every country offers benefits to students which range from short courses to work permits. This opens up the door of opportunity for students, allowing them to support themselves financially by working alongside their studies. There are numerous benefits offered to students enrolled in UK universities, including PSW, 20 hours weekly allowed for work, a 1-year master’s program, and a 3-year bachelor’s program.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study opportunities in the UK are numerous, with a wide variety of programs offered by different universities. Students looking for a short master’s or bachelor’s degree are best suited for studying in the UK. The benefits offered to students can provide them with the necessary exposure needed to succeed in their respective careers after completing their degrees. In addition to these, the guidance provided by agencies makes the complete experience for the student of applying and studying extraordinary and trouble-free.
