Study in UK, United Kingdom
UK: The education hub
The UK is the popular choice for international students lookking to study aroad. International students come from over 200 different nations, making it a global, vibrant and diverse region.
While most international students in the UK go back home after studying, there are certain visa categories that you can apply for, which may just help you stay back in the UK after graduation.
United Kingdom, which is home to many renowned universities, is now gaining popularity for many of the offbeat courses it offers like Harry Potter Studies, Puppetry – Design and Performance, etc.
Are you considering studying in the UK? International education counsellor Karan Gupta takes you through the admission process.
You should start your application process one year ahead of when you want to study in the UK-you will then have ample time to finish the entrance tests and application procedures. One of the common dilemmas that students face is – how do you select your ideal universities? Several trusted rankings are available to help you decide which universities to apply to. But rankings are just one of the criteria that you should use in determining whether or not you want to apply to a particular university. It would be prudent to pay more attention to information received from alumni and current students, as this source is most reliable. Remember, no matter which university you are applying to, you must carefully follow their application instructions and meet their entrance requirements.
The good news is that the UK application process is the simplest of all developed countries. Undergraduate students or students applying for Bachelor’s degrees, only need to fill out one UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) form. This form can be completed online and you can send the form to a maximum of five universities. Besides demographical information and academic grades, the form also asks for a short personal statement and one recommendation letter from any professor. If, for any reason, you do not get admission to any of the 5 universities you listed on the UCAS form, you will be permitted to add additional choices at later stage. The postgraduate application is different and you have to fill separate applications for each university, with two reference letters, a personal statement and transcripts of your undergraduate degree college, you are ready to apply.
The only exam that undergraduate students need for admissions to UK universities is the IELTS. The SAT or ACT is not required by UK universities. Graduate students also need only the IELTS. There are exceptions as top MBA programmes such as London Business School, Cambridge University and Oxford university, all, require applicants to take the GMAT. Similarly applicants to London School of Economics need the GRE for admissions to most courses. Your best bet is to individually check with each university what their admission requirements are, before you apply.
The good news is that the UK application process is the simplest of all developed countries. The only exam that undergraduate students need for admissions to UK universities is the IELTS
WHAT IS THE IELTS?
The IELTS is a simple exam which tests your ability to speak, read, write and understand English. The different sections of the test are: Listening, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, and Speaking. The test results are normally available within two weeks. Candidates receive scores on a band scale from 1 to 9 and are valid for two years.
GMAT FOR MBA PROGRAMMES?
The GMAT seems to be the biggest hurdle for students planning for an MBA. But do only US universities need the GMAT? The British MBA courses are moving steadily up the international rankings and many students are now applying for UK MBAs. European and UK B- schools usually follow a one-year curriculum for their MBA programme and require candidates to have many years of work experience before they can be admitted. Thus, the students not only gain from the curriculum, but also have valuable inputs from an experienced class. Generally, most of the top universities (no matter where they are located in the world) may ask you to take the GMAT before your file is considered for admissions. The ones who do require the GMAT tend to give more importance to work experience. Some universities also state that you have to be 25 years or over to meet the entry requirements.
As a rule of thumb, UK B-schools do not need the GMAT. The schools which need the GMAT are the ‘top’ schools such as London Business School, Oxford University, imperial College, and Cambridge University, among others. However, if you do not have much work experience and would still want to apply for an MBA, sometimes a high GMAT score will tilt the admission scale in your direction. Of course, a high GMAT score is not a sure indicator of admission and top business schools eloquently put is as “a high GMAT score does hot guarantee admission, and a below average score does not eliminate a candidate.”
When you begin with the application process to apply to UK universities, your first step is to thoroughly research your potential universities. The entry requirements of each programme need to be carefully understood including the work experience as well as the GMAT requirements. Be sure to have introspected on your career goals and what you wish to do after your course.
Egalitarian workplaces
Heather McGregor, Executive Dean, Edinburgh Business School, the Graduate School of Business of UK-based Heriot-Watt University, on why it is crucial to increase the number of women employees in an organisation.
When we were setting up the 30% Club, which is a movement started by around a dozen women in 2010, in the UK, 21 of the top 100 companies had no women at all on their boards, and the percentage of women directors across those 100 companies was 12%.
Today every board has female directors, and the percentage is 30%. Of course, that is just the top 100 companies, the so-called FTSE 100, and there are about 2,500 quoted companies in the UK, so we have a long way to go.
The 30% Club originated in the UK but our campaign now extends across the globe where we have chapters in Australia, Canada, Gulf, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Southern Africa and the United States; all worKing towards the same vision to increase gender balance at all levels of organisation.
It is crucial to increase the number of women in organisations to prevent ‘group think’ on boards and within organisations, which generally leads to poor quality and unchallenged decision making. We chose 30% as our goal as this is the point at which a minority can begin to make a difference. I have put into practice this belief at Edinburgh Business School as well where 50% of my senior leadership team are female. One day I hope we will have complete gender balance within our student’s cohort where currently 40.6% of our active students are women.
I believe women make excellent entrepreneurs and business people as they have a different perception of risk from their male counterparts. Generally women have great influence over how money is spent within a household, and women in business leadership roles bring this invaluable insight with them. I can’t think of any company for whom women aren’t an important stakeholder in purchasing decisions.
These days women are playing increasingly major roles in corporates, however, there is still a lot of historical prejudice to break down. Even in the UK, a so called ‘developed market’, where women have had a vote since 1918 and where there are no legal barriers to entry into the workplace, women still lag behind men. A combination of prejudice and natural impediments have acted as an invisible barrier for women to progress. For things to change, we need to address the prejudice, through organisations like the 30% Club, and help women surmount the natural barriers they may face.
Starting from April 2017, employers in Great Britain with more than 250 staff are be required by law to publish their gender pay gap as well as gender bonus gap. I predict this will have a great and positive affect on decreasing the pay gap here in the UK. if this policy was adopted globally, this could go some way in changing how women are paid.
Scholarships for high-achieving Indian students
Academic Excellence scholarships
- £5,000 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships available for taught courses across a wide range of subjects
Subject-specific scholarships
- Management – five £8,500 postgraduate scholarships
- Computer Science – two £5,000 scholarships, one undergraduate and one postgraduate
Subject-specific scholarships are part of the British Council India GREAT Scholarships Scheme. GREAT Scholarships for 2018 are subject to final confirmation by the British Council.
All scholarships are competitive and available only for applicants with an offer of study for 2018 entry.
The University of York is one of the UK’s top institutions. A member of the prestigious Russell Group, it is world-renowned for excellence in research and teaching. Situated close to the historic and beautiful city of York, the University hosts a global student community from over 170 countries.
A broader horizon
Sanya Saroha, pursuing MA International Relations at University of Bath, shares her experience of pursuing a postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom.
Before coming to the University of Bath, I studied Political Science (Hons) in India. I chose to study my Master’s degree in the UK as it is one of the most influential and developed countries and I felt it was perfect for my course.
I decided to study MA International Relations at Bath because of the reputation of the university and the combination of interesting modules the course offered. Studying International Relations gave me the opportunity to explore the areas relating to world politics, affairs and developments. I was not only able to understand these issues but also the causes and consequences. The course dealt with both theoretical and practical study with units focusing on specific yet important regions of the world and applying international relations theories. Seminars each week allowed us to present and look at problems from different approaches and views.
I have always been interested in the study of terrorism and conflict. Studying MA International Relations has not only helped me to think critically but to also find solutions. I wish to work with international organisations in regions that are affected by terrorist attacks, to be able to provide aid and resolve conflicts.
I am currently working in an organisation called the Afghanistan and Central Asia Association in London, which provides services to refugees and migrants. Bath is a place I would love to visit again and again. It’s a historic and romantic city with friendly people. The city of Bath holds a special place in my heart.
THE RIGHT CHOICE
I decided to study MA International Relations at Bath because of the reputation of the university and the combination of interesting modules the course offered. This gave me the opportunity to explore areas relating to world politics, affairs and developments.
Intersectional approach
SOAS alumnus Neeti Biyani rewinds why she weighed both, course and university, to make her study decision.
I was born and brought up in Kolkata. The city’s vibrant history, politics, demonstrations and discourse left an impression on me early in life. I took political science as one of my main subjects in class XI, a decision which came instinctively to me. I went on to receive a political science honours degree from St Xavier’s College, Kolkata. I then decided to study abroad to broaden my academic horizon. To make my decision, I considered both-course and university.
HOW AND WHY
I selected SOAS University of London because it is one of the few Marxist schools in the world. The institution takes an alternative approach to each discipline, be it politics, law, anthropology or development % studies, l did not want to attend a school which offered an institutional, econometric approach to politics, as the subject is diverse and reflects different realities. SOAS is also the only school which offers an intersectional disciplinary approach putting Asia and Africa as regions at the fore.
As for the course, MSc International Politics seemed like the natural next step after my undergraduate education, which was theoretical and nationally focused. The second reason was the balance between theory, history and geopolitics. Geopolitical motivations for state behaviour have long been one of my interests, and this course offered me a fundamental understanding from a Marxist, alternative point of view.
MSc International Politics includes a wide mix of courses. When I enrolled, all students had to complete four credits. One credit is for the research dissertation submitted at the end of the one-year course. The remaining three credits had to be picked by students. I chose international theory; conflict, rights and justice; China and international politics; and state and development in Asia and Africa. The course structure has changed since, with six modules from which students can pick subjects, and a revised credits system.
CHANGED VIEW
My worldview changed after SOAS. I started questioning things for what they appeared. This is important in a discipline such as politics, whether in the country or internationally.
Viewing the world through an alternative political lens helped me to unravel the politics-business-military nexuses in place throughout the world. My time at SOAS trained me to analyse things using intersectional approaches, it also exposed me to different cultures and people.
However, after receiving my degree in 2013, I did not stay back in the UK because I always wanted to work for and in a developing country. Now, as programme consultant at the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) in Delhi, I work on issues of tax justice and financial transparency in the global financial system.Through research and policy briefs, I bring the political imbalance between developed and developing countries to the forefront. Going forward, I would like to remain associated with financial transparency, illicit financial flows and tax justice. To sum up, SOAS helped me to do what I do now.
Study at the UK’s Modern University of the Year
Nottingham Trent University has been named the Modern University of the Year and given a gold rating for its excellent teaching.
- A gold rating for our outstanding teaching in the UK government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
- A range of prestigious scholarships are available.
- Top ten university for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.
- Students voted Nottingham the joint fourth best student city in the world In the Student View category of the QS Best Student City ranking.
- Over £450m invested to create inspiring places to live and study.
- Subjects available include: Accounting and Finance; Architecture; Biosciences; Business; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Fashion Design; International Business; Journalism; Law; Management; Marketing; Psychology.
Go offbeat in the UK
Unsure about what your university degree should be? Don’t want to follow the herd? International education counsellor Karan Gupta lists some of the most unusual and offbeat study options available to you.
The United Kingdom, which is home to many renowned universities, is now gaining popularity for many of the offbeat courses it offers.
BAKING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MANAGEMENT):
This two year foundation course offered by London South Bank University will help you become a baking technologist. In addition, you will also develop managerial skills which are directly related to business in the baking industry. After the course you will be able to diagnose operational problems and also recommend industrial solutions in baking.
MASTER’S DEGREE IN BREWING AND DISTILLING:
Are you interested in knowing how alcohol is made? Then consider this Master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot Watt University. This course prepares students to work in malting, brewing or distilling industries. You can even conduct research after doing this course. While studying this course you will learn a wide variety of subjects from Wort Boiling, Fermentation and Beer Maturation and chemical engineering, to business studies and production management. The course typically admits students from science and engineering backgrounds and hence students with commerce backgrounds may not be eligible for this Master’s degree.
PUPPETRY – DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE:
If you had fun playing with puppets as a child and want a career in puppetry, this 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama could be a great option for you. Once you study this course, you will be able to create and design as well as perform with puppets. You will also be ready to take on performance projects and showcase your skills in front of large audiences. Admissions are open Jo students from various backgrounds and you can be a student from just about any discipline to get admission to this course.
HARRY POTTER STUDIES:
Are you obsessed with Harry Potter or want to learn why Harry Potter became such a popular worldwide phenomenon? Then a course at Durham University might be right for you. While this is not a complete degree, you can study the social and cultural context of Harry Potter in today’s society. Some of the topics you will study include Gryffindor and Slytherin and Welcome to Hogwarts.
If you want a career in puppetry, the course will teach you to create and design as well as perform with puppets.
INTERNATIONAL SPA MANAGEMENT:
Do you love massages and enjoy a day pampering yourself at the spa? If yes, then a degree in International Spa Management at the University of Derby would be a good option for you. Some of the subjects you will study include Marketing and Communication, the Global Spa and wellness Concept, Spa Consumption: Theory and Practice,Treatment Philosophy and Physiology, Advanced Treatment Philosophy and Physiology, Introduction to Higher Education and Professional Development for Spa Managers, Business Development and Entrepreneurship, Management and Leadership, Spa Facilities and Operations Supervision and Spa Financial Performance. For admissions, you will need to have Math and English among your subjects and will apply for the course through the UCAS form.
PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES:
Do you wish to make a difference in the world and provide solutions for peace? If yes, then pursuing a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict studies at the University of Manchester may be a good idea. Some of the topics that you will cover include key issues and debates related to the theories of peace and practices of peacebuilding, statebuilding, conflict management, resolution, and transformation. You will also learn about international governance structures, statebuilding, and the role of key actors and institutions including NGOs and military and other security actors, in order to apply for admissions, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree in just about any subject.
SURF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:
At Cornwall College in the UK you can study a foundation course in Surf Science and Technology. This is a 2-year full-time course and as per Cornwall’s website you will learn topics such as – the sport of surfing, surfing businesses, business planning which is related to the surfing industry, event management, environmental science, human exercise science, principles of psychology and coaching, design and manufacture of surf boards, the environment and human impacts on it, the development of surfing culture and history, sport-related media and politics, the geographical and climatic influences on surfing.
Fuel your creative ambition
A course in Comic and Concept Art provides students an opportunity to explore many careers in the creative field.
A career in comic and concept art is gaining popularity globally these days, thanks to the increasing demand for new and innovative products. A BA (hons) in Comic and Concept Art offered by the Leeds Arts University, UK, is meant for students who want to develop specialist skills and a professional understanding that are necessary to succeed as a professional comic or concept artist.
COURSE DETAILS
The three-year, full-time course offers 55 seats and focuses on training students to become industry-ready.
“The course aims to equip students with relevant skill sets through guest lectures, faculty visits, international competitions, and work- based learning through internships. The university has established links with publishers, production houses and professional studios across a range of disciplines. These industry links will provide the opportunity for students to gain professional experience. The course will prepare students for careers in commercial, independent and online publishing as well as pre-production for film, moving image, game and performance,” says Fred Bates, programme director, communication design, at the university.
The course is open to applicants with an overall average score ranging between 70% and 75% from a recognised board of higher secondary education. Good A level and International Baccalaureate grades are also accepted. The overall IELTS score must be 5.5 or equivalent.
The course, spread over six semesters, aims to develop a good knowledge of comic and concept art.
Each module of the course is assessed through a combination of portfolio, written and presentation-based submissions with no exams. Students will receive grades and feedback for all modules which will allow them to improve their skills, knowledge and understanding as they progress through the course.
Students who wish to apply are required to submit an application form either on the university’s website or through UCAS. They also require a portfolio of the student’s work. This is assessed along with the application. Shortlisted students will then be invited for an interview in person if they are in the UK or online if they are international students.
The total course fee is set at £15,000 per year of study for international students.
AT A GLANCE
Intake: 55 students each year Cost: £15,000 for international students
Duration: Three years
Scholarships: Seven Vice-Chancellor’s international Undergraduate Scholarships worth £2,000 each are available as a tuition fee discount for the first year of study
Work all the way
Want to work in the UK after completing your education? International education counsellor Karan Gupta lists out the options that you can explore.
Getting a job in the UK after studying is not easy. Most international students in the UK go back home after studying and very few actually manage to score a job in the UK itself. However, there are certain visa categories that you can apply for, which may just help you stay back in the UK after graduation.
TIER 1 ENTREPRENEUR VISA
If you want to set up a business in the UK and have at least 50,000 pounds to invest in the business, you will be eligible for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. This visa can be approved in as little as 3 weeks and is valid for a period of 3 years. Before the visa expires you can extend it by a period of 2 years, making the total validity 5 years. And if you have been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for a Settlement visa, which means that you get permanent residency and don’t have to leave.
If you do manage to get the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you will be able to get your family with you and start your own enterprise. However, you cannot be employed by another business and your primary purpose of stay in the UK will be to run your own business.
TIER 1 EXCEPTIONAL TALENT VISA
If you are a recognised leader or emerging leader in the field of science, technology, humanities, medicine, digital technology or the arts, you can apply for the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. You have to apply for the visa in two stages – the first stage where you get endorsed by the Home Department as a leader or emerging leader and then the second stage when you actually apply for the visa. This visa can be approved in 3 weeks. The visa is valid for 5 to 5.4 years and extendable by another 5 years, making the total duration 10 to 10.4 years. This visa does not apply to doctors, dentists, or people in sports.
TIER 1 (GRADUATE ENTREPRENEUR) VISA
If you are a graduate student who has a business idea and have been officially endorsed by the Department for International Trade or a UK higher education institute (which has been authorised), you can apply for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa. After being endorsed, the visa process takes a maximum of 3-8 weeks and the visa is valid for 1 year, extendable by another year. Thus the total that you can stay on this visa is 2 years. You cannot use this visa to settle in the UK and it is not valid for doctors, dentists and people in sports.
TIER 2 (GENERAL) VISA
If you have been offered a skilled job in the UK by a licensed sponsor, you can apply for the Tier 2 (General) visa. You can get this visa in 3 weeks and the visa is valid for a maximum period of 5 years and 14 days. This option may seem like the best option for students who are currently studying in the UK and are looking for jobs. However, many employers find it hard to justify why they should employ international students and not UK residents and hence are skeptical of sponsoring such visas.
TIER 2 (SPORTSPERSON) VISA
If you are an elite sportsperson or qualified coach, who has been recognised by the particular sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of your profession internationally, and you intend to develop your sport in the UK, you can apply for the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa. The visa can be obtained in 3 weeks and is valid for 3 years, extendable by another 3 years, making the total validity 6 years.
TIER 5 (TEMPORARY WORKER)
As the name suggests, the Tier 5 visa is designed for temporary workers in various fields including working for charity (with no payment), creative and government authorised schemes, international agreements, and religious workers. Visas for Tier 5 category are generally approved in 3 weeks and are valid for a period of 1-2 years and in some cases longer.
Remember networking is the best way to find jobs, not only in the UK but anywhere in the world. Networking includes creating your Linkedln profile and being active by publishing articles, speaking to alumni and faculty of your institute and sending out your resume directly to placement agencies and companies. If you network well, you may just be able to secure a much coveted job in the UK.
AT A GLANCE
Networking is the best way to find jobs. Networking includes creating your Linkedin profile and being active by publishing articles, speaking to alumni and faculty of your institute and sending out your resume directly to companies.
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