- Can IELTS be waived to get admission to the University?
Though IELTS can be waived sometimes by the university if the year 12 English language score is more than 70% it is better to do language proficiency test like IELTS or PTE as the top end universities would want these scores. In some cases the university may have their own test. Eg: ARU and DMU
- Do I need GMAT for a Master’s programme in the UK?
Generally, Master’s Courses in the UK do not require a GMAT with an exception of a Master’s in Finance in a few universities like Lancaster, LSE etc.
- Can my Visa be extended?
By completion of the course if a student is able to find a job with an annual package of 21,000 pounds per annum from a company listed in the UKVI website then the Visa can be extended. Students doing a PhD get 1 year extension or starting a business can also extend their visas Tier1
- Should I choose a university based on ranking alone or are there other ways to choose?
Choice of a university should ideally be based on the course modules that suit ones interest. Rankings can be a guideline as the parameters in different ranking lists vary.
- Can I work part time while studying? How much will I be paid
Full time international students are allowed to work 20 hours part time during the term period and 40 hours or full time during vacations. On an average a student is paid a minimum of 7-10 pounds per hour.
- Is a sandwich course better than a three years undergraduate course?
The Industrial Experience year enables you to gain relevant industrial experience as part of your studies by usually spending your third year working for a company.Besides the money that you earn during this year, you also gain practical experience that can be invaluable both in your final year project and when applying for jobs after graduating.
- Is an Interview mandatory while filing my Visa?
Yes, all the students are required to attend a credibility Interview via Skype from UKVI. The interview is designed to check whether you are a genuine student who knows details about the course going to be studied.
- Can I change the Course once I reach the university?
You can change the Course if it is in the same department at the same university. It has to be approved by the Admissions tutor.
- Do all design courses require a portfolio?
Yes, design courses require a portfolio. A basic portfolio needs at least 20 pieces of work showing artistic and creative ability as well as sketching skills. This can be sent as a web link , CD or as scanned copies.
- Will I have to pay for medical treatment in the UK?
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK provides free and subsidized health care to international students if their Course is over 6 months.
- I don’t have the grades I need to get into the course I want. What can I do?
Many colleges have Pathway programmes validated by a university that allow you to prepare for a degree course. They last from six months to a year and teach you a variety of subjects, including the one you plan to study – English, study skills, research and more. They are sometimes called foundation, diploma or pre masters courses as well. They can be studied in the UK or in India as well.
- What sort of accommodation is available?
The most common type is Halls of residence. These are accommodation blocks where each student has their own room. Some of the newer ones have rooms that have their own toilet and shower (en suite), but usually you share the flat with other people. Self-catering halls have kitchens for about the same number of people, where you can cook your own food. Catered halls have a dining hall where you are served at least two meals a day: breakfast and dinner. Halls will have cleaners and may have a laundry for bedclothes. Bills for electricity, lighting, heating and water will be included in the rent.
- What is the easiest way to get an internship?
To start with you need to be a good student with good interviewing skills. Every University has a career support centre that will help with the application. The Student Union will also be helpful in most cases. If the Work Placement is part of the course, the Course Tutor will guide you and help you to apply.
- How many hours do I need to go to class?
Usually 15–18 hours per week are allocated for classroom teaching. Apart from that, library research, tutorials and assignments too have to be scheduled into your timetable.
- Are entrance exams required for UK Universities?
Most of the courses don’t require any test as British universities accept the Indian academic marks, but a few professional courses like LLB and Medicine require tests like LNAT and UKCAT respectively. GMAT too is only required for MBA or Masters in certain universities
- Are universities that require LNAT better than those that don’t?
The universities that require LNAT are more competitive and get a lot more applications than the others. The test is more of a filter rather than a sign of being better.
- How important are sports and extracurricular activities for admission to a UK university?
The academic grades are the most important criteria of admission to a British university. Sports and extracurricular activities better your profile in comparison to others, especially for scholarships, Job Interviews etc. There are a few scholarships which you will be eligible for based on the sport played.Eg: Cardiff
- Are there any deadlines for applications to British universities?
By and large British universities have a rolling admission process with no deadlines except in certain cases. At the UG level, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge have a deadline of 15 October of the year preceding the year of entry. This is also true for all the clinical courses. Eg: 15 October 2015 is the deadline for September 2016. At the PG level some universities may have deadlines, or may have to stop taking applications if there is the danger of a popular course being oversubscribed. So it is always better to apply well in time especially if you are looking at applying for programmes that are competitive or you wish to apply for scholarships.
- How long does it take to get a student visa?
As long as the paperwork is in order it should take about 15 working days. Students in Ghana can file a priority visa which normally takes 5 working days. It costs 120 pounds extra. This facility is only available in Bangalore.
- How are scholarships awarded?
Scholarships are usually merit based. So the first criterion is academic marks. You have to have an offer from the university which you need to accept. Most scholarships require you to write an essay on a given topic, and some may have an interview as well. Your CV should stand out as scholarships are very competitive.