Tips for Getting a Student Visa to Study in UK

Before you can study in UK, you will need to have several important documents, including a visa. The visa allows you to legally reside and study in the UK. If you are not what is referred to as a EEA citizen, which means that you are not from Europe, a visa is an essential to allow you to legally be in the UK. Do not make the mistake of obtaining a visitor’s visa and then attempting to stay and study.

Having a student visa will also allow you to work in the UK while you are studying under certain circumstances. In addition, if you have a family, you can also bring them with you to the UK provided that you can demonstrate you are able to support them while you are in the UK.

You can receive a visa application at any British Embassy near your location, which is in most major cities. You will also be able to pick up the required IM2A forms and pay the requisite application fee at the Embassy as well.

In addition, you will need to provide several important documents when making your application for a student visa to study in UK. These documents include an acceptance letter from the university or school where you will be attending, financial evidence such as a sponsor letter, personal bank statements or scholarship information and documentation regarding your accommodations.

Keep in mind that in order to be approved for a student visa to study in UK, you will need to meet several important rules. For example, you must demonstrate your intention to study at a public-funded college or university, legitimate private institution or an independent school that is fee-paying. The reason for this is that immigration officials want to be certain that you are actually studying while in the UK. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have the ability and the intention to follow a full-time course of study for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

You will also need to demonstrate your ability to pay for your study course as well as your own living expenses and the living expenses of your spouse and/or children if they come with you without the need to work or claim public funds while you are in the UK.

Studying abroad can be fairly expensive and immigration officials typically want to be certain that you have a sufficient amount of funds to sustain yourself as well as your family during your time away from home. Under certain conditions you may work while you study in UK, but only if you are accepted for a course of study that lasts longer than six months. In this case, you may work only part-time or during your study breaks or vacations. This is because the type of visa for which you are applying is primarily for you to study not for you to become employed. In addition, you must also demonstrate your intention to leave the country once you have completed your study in UK program.

Colleges in London - Make Sure of the Right Choice

When searching for colleges in London, the huge choice of Educational Organisations and courses appear to be overwhelming. Universities and colleges in London enrolled 426,175 students in 2008/9 according to recent research carried out. The 60 public universities and colleges in London are quality controlled by the UK Government run Quality Assurance Agency. In addition to these publicly funded Educational organisations, exist a multitude of specialist Independent colleges offering courses ranging from Diplomas in Fashion Drawing to Masters of Business and Administration.

Finding a Good College in London

If you are searching for colleges in London from overseas you may have made your final selection online. Please be cautious and do your homework before you make any payments!

Check if the college is recognized to issue UK degrees and qualifications. Unfortunately, fraudulent independent colleges in London attract many International students each year by purporting to be either accredited or of university status.

Recognised UK Degree Awarding Bodies

Universities and colleges in the UK are renowned throughout the world for their academic excellence partly due to strict external reviews which must be carried out at every publicly funded educational organisation. For an educational institute to be able to call itself a university and to have UK degree awarding powers it must be assessed by the Advisory Committee on Degree Awarding Powers (ACDAP), part of the UK Quality Assurance Agency of Higher Education (QAA) and is required to carry out regular and mandatory external quality assurance reviews. Quite a mouthful!

Once the HEI has been officially accepted by ACDAP it can be added to the DBIS list of Recognised Bodies and is authorised as an Independent Organization to award UK certified qualifications.

Look Out for Bogus Colleges in London

Private colleges are not legally required to undergo external quality reviews and cannot be registered as Recognized Bodies preventing them from independently distributing UK degrees as an official university. If you are a prospective International student about to apply to any of the private colleges in London, please make the following checks before signing anything.

Precautionary Checks

• Do not approach any private college without accreditation from an independent external quality agency such as the British Accreditation Council (BAC).
• Ensure the college is recorded by DBIS as a Listed Body, and affiliated with a recognized UK university.
• Ensure that the college is partnered with an internationally recognized awarding body by checking on UK NARIC.
• Make sure the college offers accredited qualifications by a recognized awarding organization such as Edexcel or OCR listed on the Register of Regulated Qualifications (OFQUAL).
• Do not choose a college which is not authorized by the UK Border Agency to enrol international students.
• Only colleges which have official Tier 4 licences registered with the UK Border Agency have the authority to distribute Visa letters (CAS letters).

It is undeniable that there is a broad spectrum of courses and colleges in London to choose from providing a host of opportunities, however to ensure you get the best learning experience from one of the leading cities for study in the world, make sure you do your homework first.

Studying and Budgeting

Some people may believe that colleges in London will present more financial obstacles for students than other student locations in the UK.

It is undeniable that the diverse choices available in London have both an up and down side. As a large capital city, there is unbridled choice, and an assortment of discounted and free events on offer which allow students at colleges in London to choose carefully and get by on a limited budget without missing out. In contrast as a 24 hour city, London presents many more ways to spend money in comparison to other UK towns, often making it difficult to save when going out.

London has been recorded as the most economical place students in the UK according to a survey comparing study locations for students.

The tips below may assist International students at colleges in London to limit the likelihood of getting into a state of poor finances and to optimise time spent studying.

Preparation

* Investigate likely costs of studying in London before you leave by questioning any relatives who may live there, searching on the internet, and going to a library.

* Ensure you are aware of what service or products are incorporated into your course. Some colleges in London may not have well resourced computer rooms so it may be worth purchasing a PC when you get there so your studies will not be restricted. Some text books may be included in college course fees however it is likely that you will need to buy subject specific magazines and newly published books in addition.

* It is better to explore funding options for your studies such as private or public scholarships, sponsorship or loans before you arrive. Place yourself in the best possible financial status and accumulate enough income in your bank account before you embark on your student journey.

Stay Ahead of Expenditure

* Draw up a budget of expected expenditure for the year, month and week in advance of your arrival. On arrival calculate your weekly budget by documenting and reassessing your monthly, or weekly expenditure including a surplus in case of any unexpected payment requests. Apart from expenses such as accommodation, travel, food do not forget to include insurance, health costs in case of an emergency, bank charges, additional accommodation expenses, such as a deposit, utilities (e.g. gas, electricity and water) , internet and TV Licence. Also it is essential to keep a budget for clothes and going out so that you can make the most of your time in London. Having set your Budget make sure you are disciplined and do not vary it each week.

* Consider which Bank Account is best for you. Online banking is a useful tool to assist you to keep an eye on your bank balance, so make sure your Account has this facility and use it often. Be aware of bank overdraft limits and charges for exceeding them as some banks charge mercilessly. It is certainly a good idea to keep emergency money aside in an instant access savings account rather than opening an additional bank account.

Shop Around for a Bargain

* Compare prices before buying. Look around for economical places to buy everyday items as well as places to socialise. London has many markets and supermarkets where more economical products can be found.

* Always keep a look out for student concessions, free events, facilities and alternative ways to have fun in London on a minimum budget.

It is certain that students at colleges in London, must have the ability or learn to manage their finances effectively in order to make the most from their studies. In the end you will find that being a student in London will teach you an invaluable skill for life.


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Where Your College Is Based Must Be Considered

There are over 40 colleges in London covering the expanse of the capital city. Each educational Institute can to a certain extent, be characterized by the area of London in which they are based.

Areas in London

London, similar to other global capitals, consists of an assortment of neighbourhoods differing in scale and atmosphere.

Greater London is separated into 32 Boroughs and the City of London area, which is not a Borough. The City of London, known as the financial district, is built on the original site of the first Roman settlement and is positioned directly in the centre of the capital.

In addition to divisions by Boroughs, London is divided by Underground zones and postcodes corresponding to each area.

When short-listing your chosen colleges in London you will find that their position on the London Underground map will be a highly influential factor to bear in mind.

Zone 1

Zone 1 of the London Tube map is essentially the central region of London and has the greatest number of travel options.

Central London houses the main tourist attractions, shopping areas, entertainment areas and museums of the capital so tends to be the most busy.

Located within Zone 1 of the tube map are some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in London as well as a multitude of renown libraries and museums including Senate House Library, the British Library, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum giving students access to a wealth of key academic resources.

Students studying in Central London can also take advantage of being nearby to Soho, Covent Garden, and the West End which offer a host of venues to go to after class. Away from studying, students have all the latest bars, clubs and shows on the doorstep of their college so it is simple to arrange an unprompted night out on the town.

Central London Parks

Students studying centrally can find places to study or chill-out away from the hustle and bustle of town in the open air when it is sunny. With so many parks, gardens and squares to choose from in the centre of London it is not difficult to spend time outdoors with friends, have study sessions or do some quiet reading in Hyde Park, Green Park or Russell Square.

Colleges based in out of Zone 1

Some students would rather study in colleges in London which are based away from the buzz of the centre in quieter areas outside Zones 2 such as Ealing, Greenwich or Harrow.

These areas are likely to be more residential with a village-like feel, less expensive and shaped by the culture of both the surrounding and student communities.

The location and study resources of colleges in London are best reviewed at college Open Days before making the final selection so you can make a fair comparison and get a sense of the local area.

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