FAQ'S Destiny

Quality, accreditation and recognition

• Which are the best universities or best courses?

• How is the teaching quality in UK universities assessed?

• How is the quality of research in UK universities assessed?

• How do I know if a university or colleges is accredited and that it offers recognised degrees in the UK?

What types of accommodation are offered by UK universities?

If you are coming to the UK for the first time, accommodation provided by your institution will offer the best opportunity to meet other students and get involved in the social life of an institution. The main types of university accommodation are halls of residence and flats or houses. Halls of residents are large buildings where students live in study bedrooms alone or sharing with other students. Bathrooms and other facilities are usually shared. Halls of residence can be catered when meals are included in the price or self-catered when you cook yourself. In a flat or house owned by the institution a student would normally occupy a room, share facilities with other students and cook his own meal.

Employment and work experience/placements

• How can I find work experience or student placement opportunities?

• How can I find a graduate job?

• How can I advertise a graduate job, work experience or student placement opportunity?

• I want to work in a university – where are these jobs advertised?

Registration with the police

Your entry clearance, or the stamp that the immigration officer gives you when you arrive in the UK, will state whether or not you have to register with the police. EEA and Swiss nationals and Commonwealth citizens do not have to register. Your entry clearance or stamp will probably tell you to register with the police if:

1. you are aged 16 or over and are either from one of the countries listed below, or are a stateless person, or are traveling on a non-national travel document (rather than a passport): Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen and

2. you intend to stay in the UK for more than six months as a student. If your entry clearance or stamp tells you to register, your spouse, civil partner or child is likely to be given an entry clearance or stamp that tells them to register too. If you do need to register (check the stamp in your passport), you must do so within seven days of your arrival in the UK.
Go to your local police station and take your passport, two passport-sized photographs of yourself (unless you are registering in London) and the registration fee (currently ?34). If you are studying in London, go to the Overseas Visitors Records Office instead of the police station: Overseas Visitors Records Office, 180 Borough High Street, Borough, London SE1 1LH (open 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Monday to Friday, although the doors can shut as early as 2.30 p.m. during the busy autumn period), telephone: +44 (0)20 7230 1208 (recorded information).you must renew your police registration. There is no charge for renewal unless you have lost your original registration document.

Welfare benefits

To enter the UK as a student from outside the EEA, you must be able to support yourself and any dependants without claiming the following welfare benefits (which are called ‘public funds’):

• Attendance Allowance
• Career’s Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Council housing (but if you live in ‘hard to let’ council housing through arrangements made between your college or university and the local authority, this does not count as public funds)
• Council Tax Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing as a homeless person
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• State Pension Credit
• Working Families Tax Credit
• Social Fund payment.

If you apply for any of these funds, you are likely to endanger your future immigration status in the UK, so talk to the student adviser or welfare officer at your college or university before making any enquiries. If you are a national of an EEA country or Switzerland, you are allowed to claim public funds, although you may have to meet certain residence and other conditions to qualify for some of the benefits.

Welfare benefits

To enter the UK as a student from outside the EEA, you must be able to support yourself and any dependants without claiming the following welfare benefits (which are called ‘public funds’):

• Attendance Allowance
• Career’s Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Council housing (but if you live in ‘hard to let’ council housing through arrangements made between your college or university and the local authority, this does not count as public funds)
• Council Tax Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing as a homeless person
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• State Pension Credit
• Working Families Tax Credit
• Social Fund payment.

If you apply for any of these funds, you are likely to endanger your future immigration status in the UK, so talk to the student adviser or welfare officer at your college or university before making any enquiries. If you are a national of an EEA country or Switzerland, you are allowed to claim public funds, although you may have to meet certain residence and other conditions to qualify for some of the benefits.

UK Degrees Recognised

Q. How do I know whether the institution I want to study at is recognised in the UK?

Q. What do I do if the course I want to study is not validated by any of the Recognised Bodies?

Q. I have a query about whether a UK qualification that is not a degree is accredited or recognised. Who should I ask about this?

Q. What do I do if the institution where I want to study is not recognised?

Q. What is the Register of Sponsors?

Q. How will I know if the college or institution I wish to study at in the UK will be acceptable to the Home Office or UK Border Agency?

Q. What has happened to the DIUS Register of Education and Training Providers?

Q. How do I know if the qualification I want to study will enable me to stay in the UK under the International Graduates Scheme?

Q. Can I study externally for a recognised UK degree at a private institution?

Q. How do I know what the quality of my course will be?

Q. Will the course be acceptable to professional bodies, employers and other higher education institutions?

Q. What is the ranking of UK Universities?

Q. How do I find out what Universities offer what courses?

Q. If I am an overseas student, is it possible that I could gain credit for previous studies and finish my degree in the UK?

How do I know whether the institution I want to study at is recognised in the UK?

The UK authorities recognise those institutions that can offer degrees by virtue of their own degree awarding powers (Recognised Bodies) or those powers of another institution (Listed Bodies). You can search for Recognised Bodies, Listed Bodies and other awards. If you are in any doubt about the validity of the course you are applying for, check the legal basis on which the course is being offered with the institution and check that the degree will be one awarded by a Recognised Body.

What do I do if the course I want to study is not validated by any of the Recognised Bodies?

The course may be offered by a foreign university. Foreign universities may offer degrees in the UK provided they make it clear that they are not UK degrees. The UK authorities cannot advise on the quality of these courses. It is up to you to check what recognition arrangements exist in the country of origin for any degree course you undertake in the UK.

If you are in any doubt about the validity of the course you are applying for, check the legal basis on which the course is being offered with the institution and check that the degree will be one from a Recognised Body.

I have a query about whether a UK qualification that is not a degree is accredited or recognised. Who should I ask about this?

You may want to contact the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual), which is the new regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England. Ofqual maintain a National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) which includes a record of recognised awarding bodies for these qualifications.

What do I do if the institution where I want to study is not recognised?

Check with the college or university the legal basis on which it offers courses. Then check with the institution which is said to validate the course. There may have been some additions to the lists since they were last updated..

What is the Register of Sponsors?

The Register of Sponsors is the UK Border Agency's new register of education institutions which are accepted for immigration purposes.

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How will I know if the college or institution I wish to study at in the UK will be acceptable to the Home Office or UK Border Agency?

You can check whether any such college or institution will be acceptable for coming to study in the UK by accessing the UK Border Agency's Register of Sponsor's link

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What has happened to the DIUS Register of Education and Training Providers?

The DIUS Register - which is not to be confused with the Recognised UK Degrees website, has been replaced by the UK Border Agency's Register of Sponsors.

How do I know if the qualification I want to study will enable me to stay in the UK under the International Graduates Scheme?

The UK Border Agency's International Graduates Scheme has now closed to new applicants. If you wish to come to the United Kingdom to work, or if you are already here and wish to extend your stay by switching into a working category, you will need to apply under the new points-based system. If you are already in the United Kingdom under the International Graduates Scheme (or the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme that preceded it), you should see Transitional arrangements for migrants on the International Graduates Scheme or Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme.

Can I study externally for a recognised UK degree at a private institution?

To comply with UK Border Agency rules, overseas students accepted to study externally for a degree at a private education institution in the UK, must also be registered as an external student with the recognised UK body that awards the degree.

How do I know what the quality of my course will be?

We have a comprehensive system of quality assurance in place in UK higher education. The quality of all publicly funded UK higher education is assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) through institutional audit and subject review. The reports are published on the QAA website. The QAA also reviews franchised HE operations in the UK and overseas. However, the academic community itself has primary responsibility for the quality of its teaching and the standard of its degrees. Private institutions are not subject to assessment by the QAA. You should check their credentials before embarking on a course.

Will the course be acceptable to professional bodies, employers and other higher education institutions?

Each one makes its own decision so you need to check in detail. If you are in any doubt about the validity of the course you are applying for, check the legal basis on which the course is being offered with the institution and check that the degree will be one from a recognised body.

What is the ranking of UK Universities?

The UK Government does not have a ranking system for its Universities. However, Universities and their courses are assessed on quality. Details of which are contained in reports provided by the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency)

How do I find out what Universities offer what courses?

UK Universities are autonomous institutions and it is up to those institutions to promote the provision of their qualifications. However, you can use the UCAS course search facility which will help you locate all the recognised UK higher education institutions that offer the subject or subjects you want to study. You will then need to contact the institutions concerned directly to discuss their provision.

If I am an overseas student, is it possible that I could gain credit for previous studies and finish my degree in the UK?

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are responsible for making decisions on what they will accept as entry to or credit towards their education programmes. Entry requirements vary from institution to institution you will need to contact HEIs directly to see if they will accept your previous studies. You also could contact the National Academic Recognition Information Centre which advises on the compatibility on overseas qualifications. Their website is: www.naric.org.uk

Working in the UK

This section contains details of most of the categories available to migrants who want to work in the United Kingdom. Each category has different requirements, so you should read the eligibility requirements for your chosen category in full before you apply.
If you are an employer in the United Kingdom and you want to know how to employ migrant workers, go to the Employers and education providers section.
Introduced in 2008, our points-based system for immigration has replaced most of our previous work-based categories. For more information about this change, see the Comparisons page.
If you are coming to the United Kingdom for a short time as a businessperson, sportsperson, entertainer or special visitor, see the Business and special visitors section to find out how to apply.

For highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs and recent graduates from UK universities

This section contains details of the routes available to highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs wanting to work in the United Kingdom. You should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full before making an application.

Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications. The standard for applications made under an employment route, which includes each of the categories below, is that we will decide 75% of applications within four weeks

On 29 June 2008, several former immigration categories closed. If you currently have permission to stay in the United Kingdom under one of those categories and want to extend your stay you will need to apply under one of the categories below.

• Highly skilled workers

This section explains the requirements for applying under the Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system. You do not need to have a specific job offer but will need to demonstrate you are highly skilled, have money to support yourself and are able to speak English.

• Entrepreneurs

This section explains the requirements for applying under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the points-based system. If you want to come to the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur, there are specific arrangements for you.

• Investors

This section explains the requirements for applying under Tier 1 (Investor) of the points-based system. If you want to invest in the United Kingdom you will need to demonstrate that you have the money to do so.

• Post-study workers

This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here as a post-study worker (Tier 1 Post-study work) under our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom. If you graduated from a university in the United Kingdom, you can apply to stay in the United Kingdom to work once you have completed your studies.

For skilled workers with a job offer

If your prospective employer in the UK is willing to sponsor you, you can apply to come or stay here to do a skilled job.

Sponsored skilled workers

This section contains information about the immigration routes currently available to skilled workers who have a job offer.

If you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, see the European citizens section for information about your right to work in the UK.

If you are a national of a country outside the EEA or Switzerland (except Turkey - see below), you will need to apply under the points-based system. You must:

• have a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid certificate of sponsorship; and • pass the points-based assessment.

Before you apply, you should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full. If you are a Turkish citizen and you are already in the UK with a visa that gives you the right to work, you may have certain rights under the European Community Association Agreement with Turkey. For more information, see the Citizens of Turkey section.

Categories of skilled worker

There are four categories of skilled worker under the points-based system:
• Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer)

For temporary workers with a job offer

If your prospective employer in the UK is willing to sponsor you, you can apply to do certain types of temporary work here.

Temporary workers This section contains information about the routes available to temporary workers who want to come to the United Kingdom to do temporary work for a licensed sponsor.

You must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a valid certificate of sponsorship and pass the points-based assessment to be eligible to apply. You should read the eligibility requirements for your category in full before applying.

Applying on or after 27 November 2008 If you are applying on or after 27 November 2008 you will need to apply under either the temporary workers category or the youth mobility scheme within the points-based system.

Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications for living in the UK as a temporary worker. The standard for applications made under an employment route, including each of the categories below, is that we will decide 75% of applications within four weeks.

• Temporary workers - creative and sporting
• Temporary workers - charity workers
• Temporary workers - religious workers
• Temporary workers - government authorised exchange
• Temporary workers - international agreement
• Youth mobility scheme

Other categories

You can also apply to work in the UK as a domestic worker; as the sole representative of an overseas firm; or as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organization.
This section contains information about other work-based categories available to people wanting to come to the United Kingdom to work.
We are currently reviewing our immigration system. The categories below are still under review - they will remain open at present but may change in the future.
More details of any changes will be published on this website later in the year.

• Domestic workers

This section explains how you can apply to come to the United Kingdom to work as a domestic worker in a private household.

• Sole representatives of overseas firms

This section explains the process for coming to the United Kingdom as a sole representative of an overseas firm without a work permit.

• Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations This section explains how you can apply to come to or stay in the United Kingdom as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation.

Other categories - now closed

The following work-based categories have recently been closed. If you want to come to the United Kingdom to work in one of these areas, select the type of work below to find out how you should now apply.

• Clinical attachments and dental observer posts
• Film crew on location
• Overseas qualified doctors taking the PLAB test
• Postgraduate doctors and dentists

For workers from the European Economic Area and Switzerland

Most European nationals are free to enter and work in the United Kingdom - but if you are a national of a country that has recently joined the European Union, you may have to register with us or apply for our permission before you begin work. European Economic Area and Swiss nationals

This section contains information for nationals of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who want to work in the UK.

All EEA and Swiss nationals can enter and live in the UK without needing to apply for our permission. But some EEA nationals do not automatically have the right to work here:

• If you are a national of a country that joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, you may need to register with us when you start work - see below

.

• If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you may need to apply for our permission before you start work - see below.

• All other EEA and Swiss nationals are free to take work in the UK without needing to apply for our permission. For more information about living and working in the UK as an EEA or Swiss national, go to the European citizens section.

• Bulgarian and Romanian nationals

If you are a Bulgarian or Romanian national, you may need our permission before you can work in the United Kingdom. This section explains who needs to apply for permission, and how to apply.

• Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme

This section describes the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, which allows Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to undertake short-term agricultural work in the United Kingdom.

• Sectors Based Scheme

This section describes the Sectors Based Scheme, which allows Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to undertake low-skilled work within the food manufacturing sector. • Worker Registration Scheme

This section explains the registration process for citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia who want to work for United Kingdom employers for more than one month. These citizens cannot normally work here for more than one month unless they have registered.

For workers and businesspersons from Turkey

Turkish citizens can benefit from a European agreement with Turkey if they want to establish themselves in business in the UK, or if they are already working here legally.

Turkish citizens

This section explains how Turkish citizens can apply to enter or stay in the United Kingdom if they want to establish themselves in business, and the residency rights of Turkish workers who are already here. New visa route for Turkish businesspersons

The UK Border Agency has introduced a visa route for Turkish nationals applying to establish in business under the European Community Association Agreement.

If you want to establish yourself in business here

Under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey, you have certain rights if: • you are a Turkish citizen; and
• you want to apply to establish yourself in business in the United Kingdom.
If you meet these requirements, you can apply to enter the United Kingdom in the Turkish ECAA business category, or to switch into this category if you are already here legally in a different category. We will consider your application under the business provisions that were in place in 1973.
To find out how you can apply to become a Turkish ECAA businessperson, and how to extend your stay or settle in the United Kingdom in this category, see the Establishing yourself in business section.

If you are already working here legally

A decision by the Association Council of the ECAA gives certain rights to Turkish citizens who are already working legally in the United Kingdom. For more information, see the Turkish citizens with permission to work in the United Kingdom section.

For Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry

If you are a Commonwealth citizen and at least one of your grandparents was born in the UK, you can apply to come here to work.

Transitional arrangements for earned citizenship

The UK Border Agency has announced transitional arrangements for migrants who will be on the journey to British citizenship when earned citizenship is introduced. The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act received Royal Assent on 21 July 2009. Sections 39-41 and 47-49 of Part 2 of the Act give effect to earned citizenship, which we plan to introduce in July 2011. We will announce the specific date of introduction closer to the time.

As the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill progressed through Parliament, the government listened to the views of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The government subsequently agreed the following transitional arrangements:

• If a migrant has already been given indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement) on the date when earned citizenship is introduced, they will automatically be considered to be a 'permanent resident'. They will not need to pay or apply for this to occur. They will be eligible to apply for British citizenship under the current rules during the first two years after earned citizenship is introduced.

• If a migrant has applied for indefinite leave to remain before the date when earned citizenship is introduced, and is subsequently granted indefinite leave to remain, they will be eligible to apply for British citizenship under the current rules during the first two years after earned citizenship is introduced.

• The government will continue to meet its obligations to migrants who entered the United Kingdom on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) and had a legitimate expectation that they would be able to apply for and be granted indefinite leave to remain, in accordance with the Immigration Rules that were in place when they applied to the HSMP.

• The introduction of earned citizenship has been postponed by six months, to give people time to adjust to the new system and to allow more applicants who are already in the United Kingdom to apply under the current rules. Earned citizenship will now be introduced in July 2011.

All applications for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship received before earned citizenship is introduced will be dealt with under the current system.

During your studies

If you have student immigration permission which you applied for on or after 31 March 2009, under Tier 4 of the Points Based System of immigration, it will allow you to take employment. You can work up to 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during your holidays. You can work full-time on a work placement but only if your course meets certain requirements.

If you have student immigration permission that was granted before 31 March 2009 (or which you applied for before 31 March 2009 and which was granted on or after that date) that allows you to take employment, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during your holidays, a work placement which is part of a sandwich course, or an internship.

You can do most kinds of work, but you must not engage in business, be self-employed, provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy. This applies whether your immigration permission is granted before or on or after 31 March 2009.

If your immigration permission does not allow you to work, this means that you must not undertake paid or unpaid employment, including work placements which are part of your course.

If you have immigration permission, whenever it was granted, that extends for up to four months beyond the end of your studies, you can work full-time for that extra period once you have completed all your studies. If you have immigration permission that is more than four months longer than your course, you should make a new immigration application, stop working or leave the UK when you reach the four-month point.

If at the end of your course you apply to stay in the UK as a Tier 1 (Post Study Work) migrant, you can work full-time until your Tier 1 (Post Study Work) application is decided.

What is term-time?

Term-time means any period when you are supposed to be doing academic work, such as attending classes and lectures, preparing for exams, doing coursework, writing essays, a dissertation or thesis. Your holidays, when you can work full-time, are the period when you do not have to be doing academic work. This will be different depending on the type of course you are doing. For example, if you are supposed to research and write a dissertation or thesis while other students are on holiday, this is term-time for you and you should restrict your work to 20 hours a week. However, if your tutor or supervisor agrees that you can take a break for some of that period and is happy to confirm in writing that this time is a holiday for you, you can work full-time for the duration of that agreed break.

Work placements if your immigration permission is granted under Tier 4

This information applies to you if you applied for and were granted student immigration permission on or after 31 March 2009.
You can work full-time on a work placement if:
• you are doing a UK course; or
• you are a studying a degree course in another country and, as part of that degree course, you are spending some time at a college or university in the UK.
In most cases, you must not spend more than 50% of the time on your course doing a work placement, or work placements. However, there is an exception if the law says that you must spend more than half of your course doing work placements. This applies to Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or, in Scotland, PGDE courses.
Your work placement must be an assessed part of your course, and it can take place at any point in your studies.

Sandwich courses and work placements if your immigration permission was granted before Tier 4

This information applies to you if you were granted student immigration permission before 31 March 2009, or if you applied for student immigration permission before 31 March 2009, and you were granted it on or after this date.
You can work full-time, even in term-time, if you are doing a work placement which is part of a sandwich course. The course itself must lead to a degree or another qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body. The level of your current course is irrelevant.
The work placement part of the course must meet all the following requirements:
• it must be clearly defined
• it must be approved by the university or college providing your course
• it must not extend beyond the end of your course, which means that you must be undertaking more study, for example, attending lectures or writing up a dissertation, after you finish your work placement.

If your work placement meets all of these requirements, you can work full-time without the need for you or your employer to obtain further permission from the UK Border Agency. You can decide to do a work placement after your course has started. In this case, you will probably need to apply for extra immigration permission. Talk to the international student adviser at your college or university about whether you should apply for more time in the UK before or after you do your work placement.

Internships if your immigration permission was granted before Tier 4

This information applies to you if you were granted student immigration permission before 31 March 2009, or if you applied for student immigration permission before 31 March 2009, and you were granted it on or after this date. (There is no provision in the Immigration Rules for Tier 4 students to undertake an internship.)

If you are on a degree course, you can work full-time, even in term-time, if you are doing an internship. Neither you nor your employer needs to obtain further permission from the UK Border Agency if the internship meets all the following requirements:

• you must be studying on a first (undergraduate) or higher (postgraduate) degree course in the UK
• your employer must regard you as a potential employee, whether your future employment would be in or outside the UK
• internships must be an established part of your employer's recruitment procedure
• you must not have previously undertaken an internship with the same employer
• the internship will last three months at most
• you must be paid for doing the internship, and the pay and conditions must be comparable to those for a resident worker doing the same kind of work
• you must complete the internship within the period of your current student immigration permission.

Your family’s immigration

Note: If you are a European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss national, or if you are in the UK as the family member of such a person, this Information Sheet does not apply to you. Please see instead EEA and Swiss Students. The information in this Information Sheet is based on the “Points Based System – Dependants Policy Guidance” as at 30th October 2009 (on the website of the UK Border Agency). However, please ensure that you are referring to the latest version of the “Points Based System – Dependants Policy Guidance”.

Making a student immigration application in your home country

Warning: The UK Border Agency makes regular changes to the guidance it issues on student applications. Before you make your application, check the UKCISA information sheets [www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php] to make sure you have the most up-to-date version of this information sheet.

Why should I go to university? What are the benefits?

Higher education provides many benefits for the individual, including enhanced career prospects and often increased earning potential, as well as wider cultural, social and economic benefits.

What are the different qualifications awarded by a university?

The range of courses and qualifications on offer at UK universities is very broad. There are three main levels: Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral. Foundation degrees are also being introduced. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) provides a guide to help explain the different levels of qualifications under its frameworks for higher education frameworks.

Where can I find a list of undergraduate/postgraduate courses in the UK?

Individual universities publish their own prospectuses. For undergraduate study - the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) publishes an annual comprehensive guide to undergraduate courses in the UK, available both in hard copy and on their website. The Education UK website also contains a complete UK undergraduate course database. ECCTIS, a private consortium, manages the UK's national courses database, owned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. For postgraduate study - Graduate Prospects (the commercial subsidiary of the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (CSU)) publishes the Prospects postgraduate database (covering taught and research degrees) available on their website.

How do I apply to study at university?

Applications for admission to full time undergraduate courses are handled by the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Currently, students can apply to up to five institutions and courses. These universities then decide whether to make an offer to the applicant, usually conditional on achieving specified grades and/or number of points in forthcoming examinations. If the offers made by universities are conditional, an applicant may accept two offers, of which one is their firm (or first) choice. The other, usually with one with lower conditions attached, is their insurance choice. Applicants who receive no offers or who choose to decline all the offers they receive can elect to enter the UCAS EXTRA system from late February. Applicants who apply after 30 June, or who hold no offers after that date can enter the clearing system. This operates once examination results are known. Similarly candidates whose results do not match their offers can enter the clearing process.

Clearing matches appropriately qualified students with those universities and colleges who have places available.

More extensive information on how and when to apply for undergraduate courses and clearing is available on the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

If you are interested in a part-time course you will need to contact universities individually to find out how to apply.

Reforms to the undergraduate application process are underway and being implemented by the Delivery Partnership.

The Graduate Prospects website contains information about applying for postgraduate courses.

What qualifications do I need to get into university or onto a particular course?

The requirements vary depending on the course. Most UK students will need two or more A levels or equivalent. The Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) provides entry profiles for the different courses, giving information about the types and grade of qualification that may be accepted.

How can an international student find out if their qualifications are recognised and valid to study in the UK or how their qualification compares to its English equivalent?

You can check the equivalence of your country's qualifications with those in the UK by contacting The National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC), which runs an information service for international students.

In addition, the UK Council for International Student Affairs and the British Council all provide information for international students.

Where are the universities located?

The Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) provides a map of all UK universities and colleges that provide higher education. The website also includes a breakdown of universities by region.

Where are the universities located?

The Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) provides a map of all UK universities and colleges that provide higher education. The website also includes a breakdown of universities by region.

Where can EU students find out more about studying in the UK?

The UCAS website has a section for non-UK students and the British Council can also provide information.

Where can international students find out more about studying in the UK?

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides information and advice to international students. The British Council also provides guidance for international students.

Education

• Why study English in the UK?

• How can I be sure that the course is good quality?

• Where can I study?

• What are the different types of courses?

• How do I check if I need a visa?

• Where will I live?

• Can I work?

• What is IELTS?

• What courses are available for teachers?

• What is the food like in the UK?

• What is the weather like in the UK?

• Useful checklist

• English in Britain Accreditation FAQs

Why study English in the UK?

The UK is a world leader in English language teaching. Over 600,000 learners a year come to the UK to help achieve their ambitions, to experience modern UK life, and to use the language in its natural home. Why not join them?

• All parts of the UK are English speaking. There are different regional accents throughout the UK and you will soon adjust to these

• You will be able to use your English in everyday life, through film and television, newspapers and books, shopping and entertainment

• The UK has a long tradition of excellence in teaching English as a foreign language

• UK qualifications in English language are internationally respected

How can I be sure that the course is good quality?

The British Council and English UK run Accreditation UK. This is the only internationally recognised accreditation scheme for private schools in the UK and the only scheme for short courses for children. Accredited centres have been inspected by the British Council and meet a set of quality standards. All the English language courses listed in the English language section of the EducationUK are accredited courses. If the course is running at a college of further education or a university, it should have been checked by government inspectors as part of a routine inspection.

Where can I study?

There are accredited institutions throughout the UK, from the south coast of England to the north of Scotland and also in Wales and Northern Ireland. This means that you can choose the region that best suits your needs.

You can also choose the type of language institution you want to study at: a specialised language school, a college of further education or a university. State and private institutions offer different advantages. In a state institution you will have the chance to mix with UK students studying other subjects. In a private language school there are usually smaller classes and more individual attention and less UK students. Up to the age of sixteen, you will probably learn English in a language centre which runs summer courses. Independent schools also run these courses. You can also learn English at a British Council teaching centre in many countries around the world. If you are over sixteen, you can study at one of the following institutions:

Private language school: Full-time and part-time courses at all levels. Short and long courses. English language only courses will be in the majority.

Private and state language centres: Only short-term courses, normally in the summer, often including social activities and cultural visits. English language courses only.

Independent schools and tutorial colleges: You could study a range of subjects at these schools and colleges, and all your activities would involve using English.

Further education institutions: Full-time and part-time courses from beginners to advanced. They also offer career-based training and academic courses in classes where many students speak English as their first language. If you learn English language with another subject, the course will sometimes be called English Plus.

What are the different types of courses?

You can learn English language for social, academic or business purposes. You can also study English on its own, or alongside other academic, business or hobby subjects.

Here are some of the options;

General English: For students from complete beginners upwards.

English for Academic Purposes: To help students learn the English they need for academic study.

Pre-university English courses (also called Pre-sessional courses): For students who plan to study in the UK, and who have been asked for a minimum level of English. These courses can last from three weeks to a year.

Support/in session English courses: These are like the courses above, but are usually free. They are to give extra help after the main academic course has started.

English for specific purposes: For people who want to learn English to further a career in areas such as business, travel and tourism, and catering.

English Plus combined courses: English language is only one part of a course. The other part - the 'plus' - could be training for a career or a professional qualification. The 'plus' part of the course could be anything from pottery to politics.

English plus work experience: A general English course combined with study of another subject such as business studies or IT/computing, with work experience

Seasonal or vacation courses: Summer and Easter courses, available for juniors (aged under sixteen) and adults. These courses often include holiday activities, such as sport or sightseeing.

Foundation and access courses: A combination of academic English with study skills and study of an academic or professional subject.

One to one: Personalised individual tuition. Only one teacher and one student.

Home tuition: One to one tuition in the teachers' own home.

How do I check if I need a visa?

You can find out whether or not you need a visa, and how to go about applying on www.ukvisas.gov.uk or www.ukvisas.gov.uk - Do I Need A UK Visa or, for more questions and answers about the visa process click on www.ukvisas.gov.uk - Guidance - Students (INF 5)

Where will I live?

Although you can stay with friends or relatives it is probably better to live somewhere where you have to use your English on a daily basis. Almost all institutions running English language courses will help arrange accommodation for their students. There is a wide range of accommodation types available from staying with a family, in college halls or student flats to hotels and hostels. Think about what type of environment you would prefer to stay in.

Can I work?

You can take part-time or holiday work, but you must not: work for more than 20 hours a week during term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has been agreed with your educational institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or work full-time in a permanent job.

If you are coming to the UK as a student for six months or less, you must ask the Entry Clearance Officer for permission to work.

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is an internationally-recognised system for testing English language skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is recognised by universities all over the world and can also be used to support visa applications.

What courses are available for teachers?

You can find many courses to enable you to teach English.

Introductory courses There are various introductory courses in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) ranging from one week in duration, to four weeks for courses leading to qualifications such as the UCLES CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL.

Courses for experienced teachers These include courses leading to the UCLES DELTA and Trinity DipTESOL qualifications as well as refresher courses for overseas teachers, covering topics such as teaching specialised English, young learners, tailor-made group programmes, and methodology or language improvement training courses.

Universities and Colleges also offer similar courses leading to certificate or diploma level qualifications.

Postgraduate courses Masters degree programmes are available in TESOL and TEFL along with many related subjects such as those for example, specializing in multimedia and Internet Technology, Young Learners, Materials Development, and Trainer Development.

What is the food like in the UK?

You will find almost every type of food in the UK and you will find restaurants in the cities and large towns serving food from all over the world. Supermarkets stock vegetables, fruit, spices and other ingredients, and numerous shops specialise in international foods.

What is the weather like in the UK?

The climate in the UK is moderate: summers are fairly cool and winters are quite mild. And despite what you might have heard, British weather is not all rain and fog - it is actually more comfortable, more varied and more interesting than that. What you can look forward to in the way of rain, sun, temperature and even daylight depends on where you will be living. In general, the west is wetter and milder than the east, and northern areas are noticeably cooler than southern ones.

International students who are used to tropical or equatorial climates are often intrigued by the sheer variety of the weather in the UK. Weather in the early spring tends to be especially changeable. You could be treated to rain, snow, thunder and lightning, hail, and glorious spring sunshine - all in the course of a single day.

Useful checklist:

1. First, select the courses or schools/colleges that interest you. Your local British Council office will be able to provide you with full details of English in Britain accredited institutions in the UK. Or you can search the English language section of the EducationUK website

2. Contact the school or college for a prospectus and application form, or visit their website.

3. Find out key information such as number of teaching hours each week, class size, course fees (what is included and what extra costs might be), type of accommodation offered/costs and if you can gain a qualification if you want to.

4. Send the application form to the school or college. You can apply directly, or use an educational agent, or in some countries the British Council can help with the application.

5. Wait for the letter of acceptance, which will usually come within two weeks. This will confirm what accommodation you require, and will also ask for a deposit.

6. Pay the deposit. The school or college should send a confirmation letter.

7. If you need to apply for a visa, the confirmation letter can be used to support your application.