Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France.
Area: 243,789 sq km
Population : 63,181,775
Main Cities : London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast, Plymouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.
Industries :
Machine Tools, Electric Power Equipment, Automation Equipment, Railroad Equipment, Shipbuilding, Aircraft, Motor Vehicles and Parts, Electronics and Communications Equipment, Metals, Chemicals, Coal, Petroleum, Paper and Paper Products, Food Processing, Textiles, Clothing, and Other Consumer Goods.
The United Kingdom is the home of Europe’s largest city and is embedded in the culture, vocabulary and dreams of English speakers worldwide. It is seen as an economic hub for trade between Europe and North America with the United Kingdom benefiting from the situation for centuries. The United Kingdom still has one of the strongest economies in the world today. Its economic strength coupled with the best educational infrastructure makes it one of the ideal destinations for an international student.
Over England the mean annual temperature at low altitudes varies from about 8.5 °C to 11 °C, with the highest values occurring around or near to the coasts of Cornwall. The mean annual temperature decreases by approximately 0.5 °C for each 100 m increase in height. To a very large extent, winter temperatures in the British Isles in influenced by the surface temperatures of the surrounding sea, which reach their lowest values in late February or early March. Around the coasts February is thus normally the coldest month.
Temperature is moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current.
The United Kingdom has a population of diverse backgrounds, given the variety of people who have settled here over the centuries. The majority of the population is Anglo-Saxon which is predominantly German/ Scandinavian in origin. Since the middle of last century there has been significant immigration from many ex-colonies. The United Kingdom has a positive view on increasing multicultural population of the country with the number of people immigrating to the United Kingdom increasing every year. Nearly 15% of the population was born outside of the United Kingdom and have ethnic ties with over 140 countries. This melting pot of cultures range from European groups, particularly Germany and Spain, to immigration from countries across the globe, including Australia, USA, South Africa, Hong Kong, Turkey, Caribbean, Pakistan and India.
Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the State. The British constitution, unlike those of most countries, is not set out in a single document. Instead it is made up of a combination of laws and practices which are not legally enforceable, but which are regarded as vital to the working of government. Nevertheless, utmost care to taken to safeguard the fundamental right of the citizens and provide them with the best of the facilities.The UK has one of the most open economies in the western world. The abolishment of foreign controls deregulated the economy led to globalization. This has led to high levels of foreign direct investment and rising levels of import penetration. The current wave of globalization also places heavy emphasis on the importance of human capital and development This is thus, the right time to be in UK.
Education System:
Primary education is available for children aged five to thirteen. Many international students enter at the age of seven, often as boarders, and then transfer to a secondary school in the independent system when they are either eleven or thirteen.
Primary Education
Primary education is available for children aged five to thirteen. Many international students enter at the age of seven, often as boarders, and then transfer to a secondary school in the independent system when they are either eleven or thirteen.
Secondary Education
Secondary education is for students aged between 11 and 16. At this point, they continue with English, mathematics and science, and choose four or five additional subjects to study for GCSE (SCE Standard-grade in Scotland). These courses usually take two years and finish with examinations at the age of 15 or 16. Normally the international students will enter in the UK at the age of 12 years moving into secondary education.
Post–16 Education (including A-levels and equivalents)
At the end of compulsory education, students have the choice of either leaving studies to begin working or moving onwards to post-16 education. Most, however, study A-levels or equivalent qualifications as sixth-form students in a school, sixth form college or college of further education. International students often enter the education system at this point, e.g. taking an A-level course in preparation for further or higher education in the UK.
Post–18 Education
First Degree Courses (Bachelor’s degree) are normally of three or four years (in case of a sandwich course) and are largely taught courses sometimes including the preparation of a dissertation. Sandwich course – after completing 2 years of bachelors a student can undertake a year of commercial training before returning for a final year in college. The main advantage is that the student gets real experience while in the learning mode. Most universities offer this type of education.
Higher National Diploma (HND) is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Council. They offer a 2-year course in a vocational subjects like scientific and technical, and business subjects. Great emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first step towards a degree course as the credits can be transferred.
Postgraduate study leads to postgraduate certificates and diplomas, Master’s degrees (including the MBA) and doctorates (e.g. PhD or D.Phil.). All are advanced academic programmes for students who already have a good first degree. They are offered by universities, and by some HE colleges and institutes. These courses are normally of one or sometimes two years. Completion of a doctorate normally takes a minimum of three years. Many post-experience courses are also available, either leading to a qualification or providing a refresher course for graduates wishing to update or extend their knowledge.
Application / Admission Procedure :
Intakes: The main intake for all educational Institutions in UK is September. Every university opens admissions for all courses that they offer, for the September intake. There is also a Mid-year intake offered by some British Universities during January / February. It is important to keep in mind that, a university offering an intake in Jan/ Feb might not necessarily offer all the courses that they have on list, during the mid year intake. Whether or not a University will offer a Jan / Feb intake can be found out on the university website, but this decision is often taken by the university depending on the number of applications they receive of a particular subject, for the Jan / Feb intake.
Private universities, which are not British Universities, but are privately managed educational institutions or are foreign (American, French, Canadian etc.) universities having their campuses in UK, could have up to 3 to 4 intakes in a year. Usually these intakes are in Sept, Oct/Nov, Jan/Feb, May/ June.
No Application Fees: A very beneficial aspect of the UK education system is the fact that most Universities (British or Private) do not charge any fees for ‘application’. Thus, to send an application to any University, one is not required to pay any amount to the University; it is absolutely free. Except for a very small number of Universities that do charge an application fees, majority of Universities offer the benefit of ‘no application fees. This enables a student to apply to as many institutions he wishes, without being limited by financial constraints.
Application Procedure:
Each University specifies its application procedure / requirements. Generally one can apply for admissions in 2 ways:
1) By Corresponding with the University, i.e. sending an application with all relevant documents through post or filling up an online application form, and also through
2) On The Spot Interviews conducted by several visiting Universities. In this case, one is required to attend an interview conducted by university staff/ faculty, who will offer the student an on the spot decision, about whether or not he is eligible for admission. EFLI visa consultancy service can help you apply to Universities in both the ways, where by all application, admission and correspondence services will be provided by us. For information on different Universities visiting the various EFLI visa consultancy service offices across India, CLICK HERE.
It also important to keep in mind that application to Undergraduate courses needs to be routed through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Services). Further information about UCAS can be found on www.ucas.com. As the UCAS procedure can sometimes take a longer duration of time, a large number of British Universities are now enabling Indian students to apply directly to the University, without necessarily using the UCAS route. Deadlines must be kept in mind, when applying through UCAS, in which case applications must be made before June 30, incase of international students living outside the UK/ EU. CONTACT US at EFLI visa consultancy service for assistance in the application procedure. The following checklist will be helpful while applying to a university in the UK:
- Application Form
- Resume / Bio-data
- Statement of Purpose
- Graduation Degree Certificate / Provisional Certificate (if applying for PG)
- Y., S.Y., F.Y. Mark sheets
- Std 12 mark sheet
- Std 10 mark sheet
- 2 Recommendation letters (out of which at least 1 should be academic, with the other being from the work place, if student is working)
- Work experience letters (if applicable)
- IELTS / TOEFL scorecard (as proof of English proficiency)*
- Any other relevant certificates
- Portfolio of work must also be included, incase of application for courses in art / design etc.
Visa Procedure :
Students holding a non-British or non-EU passport planning to go and study in the UK require a prior entry clearance visa from the British High Commission. British High Commission is now offering a new service named VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) under which personal interview is not necessary primarily. The applicant can apply for the visa under this service and if the case is clear-cut, then the passport will be sent back to him/her with the visa stamped on it. However, if the documents submitted by the student do not satisfy the High Commission, then the high commission will call the applicant at the respective visa office for further interviews. The VFS can be availed at Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. For addresses of VFS offices across India,