COSTS
The major areas of expenditure for international students are tuition and living costs. Since costs have to be borne for 3-4 years, you should have a clear idea of expenditure involved and resources. It is not very common in the UK to find students who can work their way through college. Immigration rules do not permit students to take a job. A code 2 stamp on the passport on entry to Britain is needed along with a work permit from the Department of Employment for any non-European national to find work in Britain.
Cost of studying
Universities/institutions vary largely in tuition fees. International students in any institution are required to pay full fees. Updated information on the fee amount can only be obtained from the institution you wish to join. Higher education institutions charge tuition fees at different rates to home and overseas students. Home students pay a lower scale compared to the full fees charged to overseas students.
Since 1995 there ceases to be any guidelines or recommendations for fee scales for overseas students. Institutions are free to set their own fees and as such there is great disparity.
English Language Courses - the range could be £100 per week to £300 for small group tuition. Academic English study may cost £100-£200 (free for students enrolled in other courses).
Boarding schools and colleges - £3,000 - £7,000 per term and £1,500 to £4,000 per term for day students
Career based courses - £3,300 to £4,150 per annum.
Subject-wise undergraduate tuition costs - Arts and social science courses is £6,250 - £7,500 for science and engineering £6,500 - £9,700 and for Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses £14,900 - £18,000, for BTEC £5,500.
Postgraduate courses - Arts/Social Science subjects cost £6,750 -£8,200 while engineering and science courses cost £6,500 to £9500. Medicine and clinical postgraduate courses cost £9500-£17,500; MBA £7,500 an £11,500 to £20,000 in high profile business schools
Living Costs
£7,200 to £10,000 is needed for an estimated stay of one year towards accommodation, electricity, food, daily travel, books and equipment. (All amounts indicated are liable to increase with economic inflation.).
An additional £1,000 may be required for paying for rent deposit, temporary or transit accommodation, initial books and equipment, clothing, etc.
Studying and living in Britain is costly for most Indian students. Generally an Indian student seeks financial assistance (full or partial) to meet the cost of study and stay.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Most scholarships in the UK are for international students doing postgraduate studies. These are either government sponsored or are offered by individual institutions. Application for awards needs to be made at least a year in advance. Institutions normally give full or partial scholarships covering fees, airfares, living costs or just tuition fee or perhaps just a part of the fee. Governments to government scholarships are more likely to be full, covering fees, fares and living costs.
Income can be supplemented in a number of ways only if your entry condition does not prohibit you from working. Postgraduate scholars are allowed to work as lab demonstrators without a work permit if the work does not exceed 6 hours a week.
Sources of financial assistance
At the undergraduate level there is very limited financial assistance. Scholarships are usually for one and three years and cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. There may be an additional allowance for books or clothes. Ministry of Human Resource Development has information on this.
Overseas students may be eligible for financial help from their own governments, international agencies or sometimes from the UK government. Some universities offer grants and awards. Various other trusts, cultural agencies or charitable societies may also be able to help. It has been divided subject-wise to facilitate the applicant. Entries in each column are based upon information available from British Council publications and other relevant sources. The entries, however, particularly concerning the value of the award is likely to be revised from time to time. It is advisable that the applicant gets relevant details from the address mentioned before making a formal request.
Commonwealth scholarships - These are for citizens of Commonwealth countries or British dependent territories who are under 25 and permanently residing within those areas. They are for postgraduate study or research so applicants normally hold a university degree or equivalent qualification.
Awards last from one to three years and usually cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. In certain cases there are additional allowances for books or clothes. In certain circumstances allowances may be paid towards the cost of maintaining a student's spouse. The scholarships are advertised and you should apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency which is usually the Ministry of Education.
British Council Fellowships - These awards are for postgraduate study or research. British Council Directors in our country may decide in what subject areas they wish to offer their awards, and are responsible for selecting the candidates.
Awards range from short attachments to PhD research. Benefits may vary from small grants up to fully-funded awards which cover fees, living expenses and international travel.
For further information, you should apply to the British Council Office
British Chevening Scholarships and Awards Scheme - British Chevening program of scholarships offers approximately 2300 scholarships for PG studies research.
The scholarships are offered for 1 year Masters Courses and for specialized courses up to 6 months.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers annually a number of awards at postgraduate level. The principal aim of the scheme is to bring to the UK present and future leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers. The scheme also aims to attract particularly able students from countries with whom the UK's economic relations are expected to develop. The awards are normally for formal courses at postgraduate level in most subject fields and preference is given to postgraduates or those applicants already established in a career. Applications should be made to the British Embassy or High Commission.
Overseas research student awards scheme - These are awarded on a competitive basis to postgraduate students of outstanding merit and research potential from all overseas countries that would normally be charged `overseas' students fees. To be eligible you must be registered as a full-time postgraduate research student at a British higher education institution. Academic merit and research potential are the criteria governing selection.
They are awarded initially for one year but are renewable for a second and third year subject to satisfactory progress. These awards make up the difference between `home' (British) and 'overseas' students fees. Application form is available through the British higher education institution which has accepted, or provisionally accepted you.
International agencies and organizations - Award schemes are also funded in some countries by international agencies and organizations such as UNESCO or the Commission of the European Communities. For information on these you should apply at the offices of these bodies in India or through Ministry of Human Resource Development.
DfiD Shared Scholarship (DfiDSSS) - There is a scheme called DfiDSS this scheme is jointly funded by the Department for International Development and certain British higher education institution. Students with high academic merit in developing countries, who could benefit from higher education, are helped. These awards are generally given for taught postgraduate courses or for undergraduate courses in subjects which are not available in the applicants’ country. The purpose of this scheme is to assist academically able students from developing commonwealth countries who would benefit from higher education in Britain to the developmental advantage of their home countries, who could not for financial reasons study in UK.
Address for contact:
Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordam Square, London, WC1H 0PF
IMMIGRATION RULES
After securing a place in a British university or college international students must ensure that they fulfill immigration regulations. Immigration regulations must be complied with and this must be checked before making travel arrangements or even paying the tuition fee. Immigration regulations do require of you to give evidence that -
- You have gained admission to a recognized course of study in a genuine university or college;
- That you will be occupied in full time study which implies at least 15 hours per week of organized daytime study;
- That you have adequate prequalification to enter the course;
- That you intend to go back to your country on completion of your studies.
Visa requirements
For getting a visa you need to get an entry clearance for which you have to apply. If you travel to Britain without an entry clearance and are refused entry at the immigration counter you have to return to your country and then appeal for a review. If, however, you have an entry clearance and you are refused entry as your documents are incomplete you can get temporary admission and make an appeal there itself against the decision. You can, however, avoid most potential problems by being meticulous in procuring and presenting all documents. An application in advance for entry clearance helps to avoid any delays at Immigration Control. You should be ready with the following documents at Immigration Control:
- An original letter of acceptance onto a course (no photocopies are accepted)
- Certificates of all your academic credentials
- Bank statement, letter showing scholarship award, proof of sponsorship if you are not supporting yourself (original documents are accepted)
- Passport and visa, letter of consent or entry certificate
Some students prefer to visit a few colleges before really making a final choice as to where they will study. If you wish to look around at a few different colleges before making your final decision, then you must not try to travel to Britain on a tourist visa if your real intention is to study. Explain your intentions to the entry clearance officer who will give you permission to enter and stay for a short period of time (generally about 2 months). After making up your mind you can apply for extension of your stay.
If an entry clearance is refused you will be given reasons for the same. An appeal for reconsideration can be made within three months. If you are refused entry into Britain and you had the entry clearance be sure that you cannot be removed from Britain. You can appeal and while you are waiting to be heard you can stay. You may contact the following offices while making an appeal.
- United Kingdom, Immigrants Advisory Council (UKIAS), Tel.: (01)2299268
- United Kingdom Council for Overseas Student Affairs (UKCOSA), The Council for International Education, 9-17, St. Albans Place, London, NI ON Tel 44 1712263762
Contact your college to inform them and seek guidance.
Permission to remain in Britain
On arriving in the UK your passport will be stamped. The stamp will give three pieces of information:
- Details of your permitted length of stay
- Employment restrictions
- It will show whether you need to register with the police
For those who intend to stay for less than six months, this may not be necessary.
Extension of stay - Most students are granted stay for one year and many students do need an extension. Permission for extension must be requested before the expiry of the current permission. Details of where to apply can be procured from the immigration office. Immigration offices are in Belfast, Glasgow, Harwich, Liverpool, Norwich and Southampton.
Alternatively, you may file an application in writing to the Home Office in Croyden, enclosing your passport, a letter from your college stating that you are still enrolled on your course, a bank statement that you have sufficient funds at the following address:
Home Office Public Enquiry Office, Lunar House, Wellesley Road, Croydan, Surrey CR9 2BY
Many students have to leave UK for a holiday during the course. Students who wish to travel outside the UK must do so within the granted period of stay. Multiple/double entry visas must be procured beforehand by those who anticipate travelling to and from Britain.
Re-entry to UK is refused without a valid visa. If you encounter difficulties with immigration regulations during your stay in Britain, the following people can help: the College advisor or Indian High Commission or the UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs 9-17 St. Albans Place, London N1 0NX or UK Immigrants Advisory Service at Central Office, 190 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YB. Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants; 115, Old Street, London EC1.
Addresses for reference are as follows:
Passport office, Clive House, 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9HD, Tel.: (01)271 8560
Passport office, 3 Northgate, 96 Milton Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow, Tel.: (041)3320271
Passport office, 5th Floor, India Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool L2 0QZ, Tel.: (051)237 3010
Passport office, Olympic House, Upper Rock Street, Newport, Gwent, Wales, Tel.: (0633)56292
Passport office, 55 Westfield Road, Peterborough, PE3 6TG,Tel.: (0722)895 555
Passport office, 49-53 High Street, Belfast BT1 2QS,Tel.: (0232)232371
