UK study and visa related questions

The most popular English language proficiency test is IELTS. It comes in two versions: academic and general. Academic results are graded from 1 to 9 points. It is usually recommended to aim for 6-7 points to be sure of admission, although some universities accept 5.5 points and above.

The second most popular test is TOEFL. It comes in two versions: computer-based and paper-based. In the first version, the maximum score is 300, and in the second, it is 677. Most often, British universities accept scores of at least 550 on the paper-based test or at least 210 on the computer-based test.

Some of the most difficult exams are taken at Cambridge. There are several of them:​​​​​​​

• CPE — Certificate of Proficiency in English. 220–230 = Grade A (excellent), 213–219 = Grade B (good), 200–212 = Grade C (pass).
• CAE — Certificate of Advanced English. 200–210 = Grade A (excellent), 193–199 = Grade B (good), 180–192 = Grade C (pass).
• FCE — First Certificate in English. 180–190 = Grade A (excellent), 173–179 = Grade B (good), 160–172 = Grade C (pass).
• PET — Preliminary English Test. 160–170 = Pass with Distinction (excellent), 153–159 = Pass with Merit (good), 140–152 = Pass.

Universities always indicate what exam scores they expect from their applicants.

Definitely yes. You can work 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during school holidays (provided you have a Student visa or Short-term study visa). If you are a high school student and have a Child Student visa, you can work up to 10 hours per week starting at age 14.

There are no special restrictions on employment for students. However, you cannot engage in private entrepreneurship, work in the sports and entertainment industry, or work as a freelancer.

Some British universities also offer their students internships. These are low-paid jobs for a couple of days a week, but you don't have to look for anything yourself and you get to work in your chosen profession.

It all depends on how long you plan to study, the age of the student, and the educational institution chosen. Currently, there are four types of visas for studying in the UK:

• Student visa — for those who plan to study in the country for more than 11 months;
• Short-term study visa — for study programs lasting from 6 to 11 months;
• Child Student visa — allows children aged 4 to 17 to study in secondary school;
• Standard Visitor visa — designed for programs lasting up to 6 months.

In order to obtain one of these visas, you must receive an invitation from an educational institution and attach it to the main set of documents.

Now let's take a closer look at each type.

1. A student visa is granted to students aged 16 and over who intend to study at a university or on courses lasting more than 11 months. The educational institution must be listed in the British Register. Another key criterion is that the course must be full-time and face-to-face, with a minimum of 15 hours of study per week. A huge advantage of this visa is that students can work up to 20 hours per week and those on courses can work up to 10 hours per week. This type of visa can be extended.
2. Short-term study visa — a short-term visa option for a study period of 6 to 11 months. It is also available to students aged 16 and over. This visa cannot be extended, but you can stay in the country for another 30 days after the end of your studies.
3. Child Student visa — this type of visa is required if a child needs to attend a British secondary school. It allows them to study only at private institutions that are officially registered. Children aged 14 and over are allowed to work up to 10 hours per week. The visa can be extended.
4. Standard Visitor visa is suitable for courses lasting up to 6 months. This is a standard visa, which is also obtained for medical treatment, tourism, and business trips. The main condition is to leave the country after the visa expires. This type of visa does not give the right to work.

The cost of education in the UK depends on factors such as:

• applicant's citizenship;
• level of education;
• focus of the educational program;
• duration of study;
• subjects;
• ranking and location of the university.

Education for foreigners is exclusively fee-based. At the same time, citizens of the European Union also pay for educational services, but slightly less than students from other countries that are not members of the EU.

For example, the cost of education in British schools ranges from £9,875 at King Edward's School to £38,581 at Eton College. The minimum and maximum prices for one year are indicated; the exchange rate is valid as of January 10, 2022.

A general requirement for foreigners to enroll in English educational institutions is a good knowledge of the official language, so foreign applicants must take preparatory courses. The annual cost of these courses is estimated at £5,800-35,000.

The cost of higher education averages £6,450-20,000. Universities themselves determine the tuition fees for UK and EU citizens (home fee) and foreigners (overseas/international fee). The cost of educational services also depends on the level of education. For example, the average cost of a bachelor's degree at universities in the capital (London) is £14,000-20,000, and a master's degree is £13,200-37,000 per year.

• The cost of education depends on the future profession. Relatively low prices are observed in universities specializing in the humanities and economics: from £10,000 to £15,000 per year.
• These are followed by more expensive specialties in the following order: economics, engineering, and natural sciences. Medical fields are in the highest price category (up to £35,000 per year and above).
• Degrees from prestigious universities, where tuition fees are the highest, are in greater demand. For example, universities such as Oxford and Cambridge offer the most expensive education. Foreign students at these universities will have to pay around £60,000 per year.

If the child and parents are not citizens of the country, the child can only attend a private boarding school, where they can live permanently. Please also note that the school must have a license to issue a CAS (invitation for a student visa). Otherwise, the child may be denied a student visa.

Most bachelor's degree programs in the UK do indeed last three years. However, it is also worth considering the fact that school education in the UK lasts one year longer than in some countries. Thus, in total, students study for the same number of years. In addition, the UK offers so-called sandwich bachelor's degrees: bachelor's programs that include practical training. These programs last from 3.5 to 4 years.

As a rule, EU citizens are required to pay a smaller deposit upon admission to the school, while the cost of the program itself is the same for all foreign students. For accurate information, please contact the finance department of the school you are interested in or our specialists.

Primary classes in the UK are called Primary School. Attendance at primary and secondary school is compulsory in the country — children start school at the age of 5 and acquire fundamental knowledge until the age of 16. Children must be enrolled and are required to receive an academic education at a public or private school. It is also possible to obtain permission for children to study compulsory subjects at home.

Primary school is a stage of schooling for students aged 5-11. Primary education in England consists of two stages:

• KS 1 — for children aged 5-7
• KS 2 — for children aged 7-11

During these years, in addition to academic studies, schoolchildren are involved in sports and creative activities. More serious education begins at the age of 11 and continues until the age of 16. There are two types of primary boarding schools in the country: Preparatory schools, which operate ndependently, and Junior schools, which work in cooperation with secondary schools.

The duration of higher education in England for bachelor's programs is 3-4 years, and for master's programs, 1-2 years. Doctoral studies depend on the research project (1-3 years or 3-4 years). International students can enroll in university at any level.

A bachelor's degree is the first stage of higher education in England. To obtain a degree, you must study for 3-4 years and complete an internship during your studies. Some specialties (medicine, architecture) require more complex and lengthy training, which can take up to 7 years. There are four bachelor's degrees: in the arts, sciences, law, and engineering.

A Master's Degree is the second stage of higher education. The duration of study depends on the chosen specialty and is 1-2 years. Master's students improve their professional level or engage in scientific activities and are called Masters of Philosophy.

Bachelor's and master's programs are quite challenging: lectures, seminars, lab work, and exams require a serious approach. At the end of each semester, there are tests, and students must defend their thesis.

Postgraduate education — Doctoral/PhD Degree (Doctor / Doctor of Philosophy). To obtain a doctoral degree, students must decide on a research topic and focus solely on it. The results of their work must be published in official university reports and in specialized scientific journals. After defending their thesis and based on the results of their research, students are awarded a degree.

• The educational system in the UK is quite flexible. There are a vast number of different courses and programs available in the country, and schoolchildren and students have the opportunity to choose the subjects they want to study. If they wish, students can change the list of subjects they study at any time by simply submitting an application.
• Preschool education is limited by law to three hours per day. Children should spend more time playing, developing, and walking in the fresh air.
• Enrollment in elementary school is based on tests. For prestigious, elite schools, parents are required to submit an application as soon as their child turns 1-2 years old or even earlier, otherwise there may not be enough places and the child will be put on a waiting list.
• Primary and secondary school education is divided into two stages.
• After completing compulsory education at the age of 16, students can take a vocational training course and start working.
• Schools in the country are divided into public, private, and specialized (football academies, military schools, art schools, religious schools).

Preschool education in the UK begins at age 2 (at the parents' discretion). In kindergarten, children socialize and learn to read, count, and write. The workload is light, with the emphasis on overall development.

Compulsory education in the country is from ages 5 to 18 and includes:

• Primary school (ages 5-7 to 7-11)
• Secondary school (ages 11-14 to 14-16)
• Upper secondary school (ages 16-18)

In primary school, children study their native language, mathematics, art, geography, and history. In secondary school, science is added to this list, and students choose their own elective subjects. From ages 14-16, students prepare for the GCSE exam to obtain a secondary education certificate. Then they can go to vocational colleges, where they get a specialization and find a job in two years. Those who want to go to university study at school for another two years (from ages 16-18), then take A-Level exams in their chosen subjects.

Higher education in the country is considered one of the best in the world, with the country's universities consistently ranking at the top of the rankings. University education consists of three stages: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. There are three trimesters in the academic year. Classes include lectures and seminars, and students complete both independent and group work. Tests and exams are taken in between.

The country also offers various training courses for all ages and purposes, school camps, and language schools.

First-year students at a university are called Freshmen, second-year students are called Sophomores, third-year students are called Juniors, and fourth-year students are called Seniors. The university itself is called a University, or Uni for short, and in colloquial speech, it is called a school.

All students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs are called undergraduate/undergrad students. After completing their studies, students receive a bachelor's degree.

Master's students are called Master's students. Doctoral students are called PhD students, and after completing their studies, they become post-docs (researchers with academic degrees). Such students have the right to work as teachers at the university if they wish.

You can start learning English from a very early age. There are many courses for adults, summer language schools, and camps that offer intensive, high-quality preparation for school or university, comfortable and safe accommodation, and an introduction to the country. Schoolchildren will have a wonderful summer, make friends, and get to know their future educational institution. Prices start at £700/2 weeks (usually including accommodation).

The price of education at private schools and boarding schools depends on their prestige, location, and list of additional services. Children of any age are accepted. Prices start at £19,000/year (also including accommodation).

The one-year ESL course, taught in schools, colleges, and universities, is designed to help foreign students adapt more quickly to their new environment and improve their English language skills. Prices start at £1,000/2 weeks, but discounts are available for long-term bookings (which is usually the case with ESL).

Foreign students after grades 9, 10, and 11 can take pre-university courses to improve their English and consolidate the knowledge they have gained at school. The cost of A-Level, International Baccalaureate, or Foundation courses lasting 1-2 years starts at £8,000 per term.

The cost of education at the country's universities also depends on many factors: location, the ranking of the educational institution, the program and its duration (bachelor's, master's), additional classes, and the chosen specialization. The cost starts at £10,000 per year.

Bachelor's degree programs last an average of 3-4 years, including internships and practical training. Some specialties require much longer study due to the specifics of the chosen profession — for example, architecture and medicine require 7 years of study. In Wales and England, a bachelor's degree requires 3 years of study + practical training. Design and art history students first take a basic course, then study their specialty for another three years.

Courses are divided into degrees — the higher the degree, the more valuable the future specialist.

In bachelor's programs, students attend lectures and seminars, study 4-5 core disciplines, complete various projects, and defend their thesis at the end of their studies.

There are four main bachelor's degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering
• Bachelor of Law

In order to enroll in bachelor's degree programs at universities in Britain, international students must complete the appropriate preparatory training. There are several options to suit every situation.

1. The first option is that after completing 10th grade in a school, students can study an IB or A-Level program by enrolling in a British school.
2. Another option is to take a Foundation course, which is designed specifically to prepare students from other countries. However, this option is not usually accepted by the most elite and prestigious universities (Russell Group).
3. It is also possible to study for one year in your country and then enroll in the first year of your chosen British university. To do this, you need to collect all the necessary documents (preferably within a year) and submit them by the deadline.

A bachelor's degree in the UK provides relevant and high-quality education, a prestigious diploma, and broad career prospects. About half a million students from around the world study at the country's universities. The country's universities are among the top 100 best educational institutions, annually occupying the top spots.

In England, higher education is called Higher Education. The country's university education system consists of three stages: bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctoral degree.

• The initial stage of education at English universities, during which students receive their first higher education, is called undergraduate. The duration of study at this stage is three years, although future architects and doctors study for much longer. Bachelor's degree programs are practice-oriented. Graduates receive a bachelor's degree in their chosen field (Bachelor).
• The second stage of higher education in England is called postgraduate, and lasts 1-2 years. Students study academic programs + many hours of practical training. Graduates receive a master's degree (Master).
• The final stage of education at universities in England is called Research programs (PhD). Students and young professionals work on a research project, publish scientific papers, and write a dissertation. Postgraduate education lasts from 3 years.

Students can obtain bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at universities in England in such popular specialties as:

• Art
• Engineering
• Natural sciences
• Business
• Design