Applying to U.K.

Every year, many students travel from around the world to study in the UK. Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world. There are many educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK. Student can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in student’s home country. The variety of specializations means student is able to find a course that suits the interests, ambitions and passions. For example, in the UK, one can specialise in anything from computer games programming, ocean engineering, satellite positioning technology or sound engineering to multi- media design, anthropology, cross-cultural psychology, hotel management or dance.

UK degrees can take only three years and postgraduate master's courses only one year ' compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means student saves a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs. The courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of time and money. Under existing work regulations, international students in the UK can work up to 20 hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.

Application to Universities abroad is not an easy process. It involves time, careful planning and a significant degree of financial commitment on the part of students who wish to study abroad. As a set rule, if a student wishes to enter a university in the Fall semester (August/September) then s/he should commence the applications process in June/July of the previous year. This timeline however is greatly dependent on the deadline within which the student has to apply. Students also need to start preparing for the required standardised tests at least a year in advance. This enables them to obtain the necessary scores well within the time of the application.

Following is the general application process to Universities abroad: The admissions process entails:
STEP 1:
Prospective students need to first gather the information about the universities they’re interested in. They should identify the Universities which offer the course of their choice.
STEP 2:
Students should then short-list the universities depending on several aspects like budget, preference of location, course offered, infrastructure and so on. This is important because they need to focus on a few select universities for taking their application process further. More importantly, they can have their standardized test scores sent to select universities at no extra costs. By identifying a few universities correctly, students can save a considerable amount of money in the form of application fees, standardized test score fees.
STEP 3:
Students from all over the world seek admission into universities abroad and so to facilitate the process of evaluating these students for admission, several standardized tests have been developed. All the international students are required to take these tests depending on the level of study, course and country.
SAT (students applying for a Bachelor’s degree in USA)
GMAT (for students applying for MBA)
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
TOEFL/IELTS as English proficiency tests

While SAT and GRE are required only while applying to USA, GMAT is generally preferred by all the leading schools of the world. It is however mandatory for pursuing MBA in USA. IELTS is required if applying to UK/Australia/New Zealand/Singapore and so on. TOEFL should be taken if applying to USA.
STEP 4:
Students must prepare all the necessary documents to be submitted to the University along with the application form. Students need to provide:
Transcripts from all universities/colleges attended
Letters of recommendation
Essays/Statement of Purpose
Resume
Financial capability certificates/Bank Statements
Final Application form, including application fees
Financial aid forms
Test results (if applying to more than four universities)

Students might be required to submit a separate form for Graduate Assistantships. Some Universities also require students to complete an imminisation form. All this information is available on the university website. Students are therefore required to thoroughly check the requirements of every University they are applying to as it may differ from one University to another.
Most post graduates get a teaching or a research assistantship which may include a tuition waiver in addition to a small stipend for services rendered (i.e. teaching/researching).

However, before applying to any university, it becomes important that the student takes a long hard look at his/her return on the investment made. Studying abroad is not cheap; therefore it is very essential to choose the ‘What’ and the ‘Where’ wisely.

The UK is a cosmopolitan place to live. Many thousands of families from around the world have made the UK their home, creating a richly diverse, open-minded, multicultural society. There are also more than a quarter of a million international students in the UK at any one time.

When students come to the UK, they get three countries and a province in one: England, Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. Each has its own distinctive history, landscape and modern culture. And, because they're all within easy reach of one another, they're easy to explore. The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get one almost anywhere in the UK ' so a car is not required, like in some countries. Discounts or special rates are generally available for students on most forms of transport.

UK qualifications are recognised and respected throughout the world and is a solid foundation for building ones future, boosting career and prospects for a higher salary. UK universities, colleges and schools provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment which helps to develop student’s potential to the maximum.