What are the benefits of studying in the UK?
Two clear benefits are:
NHS: All international students staying in UK for the purpose of education for six
months or more qualify for free health care through the National Health Service.
A student body, the National Union of Students negotiates heavy discounts on behalf
of student members, including foreign students on stuff like books, stationery,
food, clothes, travel and entertainment. All students posted in the UK, regardless
of their country of origin, are entitled to free NUS membership.
Will I get refund if my visa application is turned down?
If your visa is refused and you have paid a deposit to your institution for tuition
fees then you will receive a refund of the deposit when you send the institution
a copy of your visa refusal letter from the High Commission. A few institutions
deduct a small amount usually no more than £100 for processing the refund payment.
How can I finance my studies?
Try and see if you can rely on your family’s help, take a bank loan, apply for scholarships,
bursaries, sponsorships etc. As compared to the cost of studying in India, going
abroad can appear to be expensive, but look at it as an investment into your bright
future that will pay you well later. The quality of education and international
exposure that you will gain is worth investing in.
Bank loans
Most nationalized banks offer students loans at competitive rates for considerable
time periods which may enable a larger section of students to go and study abroad.
They will ask for a collateral security to be pledged. You can even consider the
possibility of an international bank loan. Discuss this with your student counselor.
Sponsorships
A blood relative is always preferred but other sponsors can also help to fund your
education in the UK provided a logical explanation is given as to why he is willing
to sponsor you.
Should I pay a deposit?
Some universities require the students to pay a part of the tuition fees in advance
in order to reserve a place for them in the university. In any case we recommend
that all students should make a token deposit as it facilitates in getting a student
visa.
Educational trusts / Institutes
Such organizations may also be able to help the student to fund his studies abroad.
How are the universities rated?
The Government conducts a Research Assessment Exercise once every five years that
determines the level of research activity a university department has undertaken
during that interim. Based on this, the various departments are graded on a scale
of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. You can also check University rankings
published by the Sunday Times and the Financial Times, the two publications that
regularly undertake this exercise.
British Universities do not have a formal ranking system but the government does
assume the responsibility of monitoring and controlling the quality of education
provided by each university through the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
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