Explore the rich history, vibrant culture, and top-quality education that the UK has to offer. With world-class universities, a multicultural environment, and a wide range of courses to choose from, the UK is the perfect destination for your academic journey. Discover the opportunities awaiting you in the UK and take the first step towards an exciting and fulfilling educational experience!
After receiving a Full Acceptance Letter from the target university, students can apply for a student visa which can only be arranged by certain education agents , of which SUN Education Group is one of them. After completing the required visa documents, visa applicants are required to have their fingerprints taken and photographed directly at the British Embassy Representative Office (VFS). After students have obtained an entry visa to the UK for more than six (6) months, they will receive entry clearance in the form of a vignette / sticker on their passport which is valid for 30 days from the date of departure. Furthermore, students will get a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) upon arrival in the UK. BRP indicates that students have the right to live, work or study in the UK. In addition to the student visa application, you must take TB Screening , which is a health test to detect the presence of TB by means of a chest X-Ray. And there is also a Credibility Check Interview when applying for a visa. The UK also requires health insurance ( Immigration Health Surcharge/IHS) of GBP 400 per year . This fee policy applies to international students since April 6 2015.
There are many good accommodation options for foreign students in the UK which can be arranged after you have been accepted to a school or university in the UK.
Usually schools and universities provide accommodation for their students. Facilities available include a bed, storage cupboard for clothes, study table and lamp, chair, heater and bookshelf. Some are also equipped with in-room bathroom facilities and 24-hour internet access. This accommodation costs on average GBP150 – GBP300 per week.
A popular option for more than two (2) students who want to share accommodation costs is to rent an apartment ( flat ) or house with a minimum contract of one (1) year. The cost to rent an apartment or house is around GBP200 – GBP400 per week . Of course, the rental cost depends on the size of the apartment or house and location. You will also likely have to pay for electricity, heating and telephone costs.
Students who study for more than six (6) months in the UK will get permission to look for part time work ( part time job ) for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the study period and can work full time during the holiday period for undergraduate or postgraduate programs .
The salary earned during part-time work is around GBP 6 per hour ; for night work hours ( night shift ) you will get more than GBP 8 per hour .
Education in the UK is regulated and supervised by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills . Local authorities are responsible for implementing policies for education and state schools at the local level. In the UK there are more than 3,000 schools/educational institutions that accept international students at various levels with thousands of study areas to choose from. There is a variety of access to education and training in the UK, which combines a wide choice of fields of study to suit your needs, interests and abilities. The education system in the UK is divided into four (4) main parts, namely primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education . Students in the UK are required to attend primary and secondary education starting when they are five (5) years old until they are 16 years old. Briefly, the basic education system in the UK is divided into important stages or ‘ key stages ‘ as follows:
Generally, key stages one (1) and two (2) take place in primary school and at the age of 11 students will move on to secondary school and complete key stages three (3) and four (4). Students will be assessed at the end of each stage. The most important assessment occurs at age 16 when students take GCSEs or the General Certificate of Secondary Education . Once students have completed their GCSEs, they have the choice to progress to further education and higher education, or enter the world of work. The following is a more detailed explanation of the stages of the UK education system:
Primary education in the UK begins at age five (5) to age 11, consisting of key stages one (1) and two (2) under the UK education system.
From ages 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three (3) and four (4) to start taking GCSEs. Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after the age of 16, further education is optional for students. Students typically take approximately ten (10) courses that are assessed (depending on the course taken) through a combination of assignments and written exams.
Once students have completed secondary education, they have the option to extend to further education to take Advanced Levels (‘A’ Levels), GNVQ’s, BTEC’s or other qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Pre-U . Further education ‘ A ‘ Level, also known as Sixth Form, lasts for two (2) years, ‘A’ Level is usually taken by students aged 16 or after they have obtained GCSEs. Students usually take two (2) to five (5) ‘A’ Level subjects which are the admission requirements for university entry. Each subject is assessed via written exams, assignments or both. With a GCE ‘A’ Level certificate , students can continue their studies at universities or colleges that offer vocational programs. Fees for ‘A’ Levels average around GBP45,000 – GBP50,000 over two (2) years. IB is equivalent to GCE ‘A’ Level and is now increasingly requested as a qualification for enrollment at UK universities. Exams for this qualification can be taken at private or state schools in the UK. For students who plan to go to college or university, they must complete further education first.
Advanced programs ( HND or Higher National Diploma ) offer technical and skills programs, usually around 1-2 years depending on the major and certification chosen. The qualification obtained is a Certificate of Higher National Diploma or Higher National Certificate . For students graduating from high school class For difficult majors such as medicine and law, especially for top universities in the UK, international students are required to enter the ‘A’ Level program for two (2) years before the Undergraduate program . Fees for Pre-University ( Foundation ) Programs average around GBP 13,000 – GBP 20,000 per year.
The first university in the UK was founded approximately 800 years ago, so universities in the UK already have very in-depth experience and knowledge in the field of education. In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Bachelor degree programs are generally completed within three (3) years. The term ‘ sandwich program ‘ is where students complete two (2) years of study at a university, then in the third year they undertake research or work internships outside of school, then in the fourth year they return to university to complete their Bachelor’s degree. In Scotland, undergraduate programs generally last longer, namely four (4) years. Meanwhile, professional programs such as medicine last around five (5) to (6) years. Assessment is carried out through a combination of assignments, participation in seminars, written examinations and dissertations. After completing the Bachelor’s degree program, the degrees obtained are Bachelor’s degrees such as BA ( Bachelor of Arts ), BEng ( Bachelor of Engineering ) and BSc ( Bachelor of Science ). Students who wish to register for an undergraduate program are required to register via the online Universities and Colleges Admission System (UCAS) program . University tuition fees range from GBP 12,000 – GBP 20,000 per year ; while for medicine, tuition fees are around GBP 15,000 – GBP 40,000 per year .
Master’s ( Master’s ) programs in the UK usually take a short time, namely only one (1) year, including the MBA ( Master of Business Administration ) program. This makes Masters education in the UK very competitive compared to other countries which takes two (2) years. For the S-3 or Doctoral (PhD) program, the study time required is three (3) years. The MBA program is designed to improve managerial skills, the ability to analyze complex problems and the ability to make strategic decisions. There are some MBA programs designed specifically for certain industries (finance or retail) or specific sectors (defense insurance and casualty, e-business , public sector , etc.). Entry requirements for the MBA Program are a minimum of three (3) years of work experience in a managerial position; therefore the cost of an MBA program is higher than other Masters Programs , ranging between GBP15,000 – GBP30,000 per year. Master’s programs are generally divided into two (2) types of learning systems, namely:
This is a more detailed academic program, designed to deepen your knowledge of the field of study you previously took in your undergraduate degree. Some programs also function as ‘ conversion courses’ which will introduce you to the new field of study you are taking, if the field of study is different from your previous undergraduate field of study. The Taught course is further divided into two (2), namely the Master’s Program – usually lasts one (1) year consisting of classroom learning, seminars and dissertation; and the Diploma Program – lasting nine (9) months consisting of the same teaching elements as the Master’s Program but WITHOUT a dissertation.
For the Research Program, the average study duration is two (2) years. This is a program where 70% of learning is research outside of school such as in the lab, field or company; and the other 30% of students are asked to formulate a hypothesis from the research carried out. Research programs give you the opportunity to conduct research in a specific area of interest. You will develop a research topic under the supervision of one (1) or two (2) supervisors who specialize in your chosen field. To be successful, you must be able to demonstrate the intellectual ability to be independent, have good time management and also be disciplined because you yourself manage the time and schedule of the research you carry out. Fees for the Master by Research Program average GBP 12,000 – GBP 20,000 per year.
Students can choose various types of educational pathways and training systems, combining various fields according to their needs and abilities. Many fields are also taken using a distance learning system in their respective countries. With this wide choice of special fields, students have the ease of choosing a field that suits their desires, ambitions and enthusiasm in pursuing a science.
The UK has an excellent tradition of providing English language teaching. English language instruction is provided at all educational levels from beginner to expert, and is designed for all ages from young to old. Some courses prepare students to study in specific areas such as medicine, law or business. The teaching system is usually more practical, where you are expected to actively communicate in English from the first time you enter, engaging in games, problem solving and discussions to practice your English skills. Costs for an English Language Course average around GBP 150 per week for large classes and GBP 400 per week for smaller, more intensive classes.
The quality standards of education in the UK are guaranteed by the government, therefore UK qualifications are known and appreciated throughout the world for their high quality. All levels of education, especially undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, must be authorized by the Department of Education & Skills (DfES) or the Royal Charter of Act of Parliament . Some quality assurances are Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) every four (4) years, to assess the quality of teaching in specific subjects; also the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) to assess the quality of research from a university. RAE is an important reference for consideration for Postgraduate studies in the UK. The scale starts from 1-5, the higher the scale means the higher the university’s funding for educational research in a particular subject.