FAQs

Is studying in the UK different from studying elsewhere in the world?

Studying in the UK is an unforgettable experience, as some of our students can verify. Some universities in the UK are over 600 years old and have a long tradition of offering personalised education. All of them are owned and funded by the British Government and pass quality assurance audits. The countryside, the literature, the multi-cultural environment are some of the many other attractions of studying in the UK.

What are the courses that I can choose from and when do the courses start in the UK?

There is no dearth of courses that you can choose from; it can be anything from anthropology to zoology, from fine art to music to Shakespeare studies. You can get the entire list of courses available from the prospectus of each university/college, where they are listed in detail, including the names of the lecturers and their research interests. There are two intakes for most universities, the first and main intake being usually at the end of September and the other being January/February, although not all courses or universities will have a January/February intake.

How do I choose the best university and the best course? Are there any league tables?

Our staff at BOAC can help you to choose the best combination of universities/colleges and courses tailored to your needs. There are unofficial league tables compiled by newspapers and other publications, but they do not always fully reflect the actual standard of the university/college or the department you wish to study in. Most students will use them as a general guide for studying in the UK but rely on the results in the UK government's teaching and research quality assessment exercises when assessing the strength of universities.

What are the entry requirements for post-graduate, undergraduate and MBA courses?

There are different requirements for different courses and also there are differences from University to University. BOAC will advice and consult to provide you with detailed information on the requirements for entry to universities.

What is the mode of instruction for courses?

Some courses are taught while others require research. Taught courses usually involve presentations, written course work such as marked essays, exams and dissertations. Classroom sessions are highly interactive, requiring student participation.

Can I study part-time?

Although universities do offer part-time courses, they are not an option for most Non-European students. Non-European students can enter the UK on a student visa only if they are planning to study a full-time course.

Are there any distance learning courses that I can enrol for?

Yes, there are some universities/colleges that offer distance-learning courses.

Is there a last date for admission to a British university?

While there is no formal last date for applying for admission to a postgraduate course, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible, especially if you want to apply for any kind of financial assistance. Some courses are more popular than others and will be filled long before the commencement date.

Where can I get the post-graduate application forms?

You can get postgraduate application forms from the institutions that we represent from BOAC.

Is there's a limit on the number of universities that I can apply for and is there any application fee?

For undergraduate students you can apply to up to 6 universities/colleges on the same application form. For postgraduate students there is no formal limit to the number of universities/college that you can apply for and institutions generally do not charge an application fee. The recommended number of courses to apply for entry at the postgraduate level is three.

Do I have to write the GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS or any other related exam?

You may have to write the GMAT exam for admission into a MBA course in some universities. You may be required to sit on an English Language Test such as IELTS or TOEFL before the university will confirm your seat on the course. The IELTS is organised by the British Council and results take 2-3 weeks. The minimum scores usually required are 6.0 for IELTS and 550 for TOEFL. However this can sometimes be waived, if you personally meet representatives from the universities visiting your own country, who, depending on your fluency can make an unconditional offer without a formal test of English.

I want to improve my English language skills. Can you help me?

BOAC represents an extensive range of English language institutions, which are recognised by the British Council. We provide free impartial advice and can help you find the right course to suit your needs whether you are looking for a long or short course, with an academic focus or if you are simply learning for pleasure.

Can I work part-time to raise money for living expenses?

As a student you are allowed to work for 20 hours per week during term time and full time during vacation periods. However, many students find it difficult to combine full-time study with part-time work. Post-graduate students find it especially hard to combine studies and working. Part-time work is usually done in the evenings and during weekends when there are no classes.

When will I know the results of my application?

It takes on average six weeks for a decision to be taken on an application. You are therefore strongly recommended to apply well in advance of the start date of your course. To speed up the decision process BOAC will courier your application form to the chosen institution.

Will my qualifications be recognised in the UK?

You can check the equivalence of your country's qualifications with those in the UK by contacting the National Academic Information Centre (NARIC) or BOAC.

How do I apply for a place on a course at an institution in the UK?

Simply contact BOAC or send us your information on line and we will do the rest for you.

How do I find somewhere to live in the UK?

All the universities provide student accommodation although you may have to apply by a certain date to be guaranteed a place. There is also private sector accommodation available. You will need to arrange some form of accommodation before you arrive in the UK, even if it is only temporary.

Can I get free health care for myself and my family whist I study in the UK?

Yes, if you are on a course lasting 6 months or more you can get treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) from the beginning of your stay. You will not have to pay for hospital treatment, but you may have to pay for some dental and optical treatment and a standard charge for medicines prescribed by a doctor, depending on your income. This also applies to your spouse and children (children under 16, or under 19 and in full time education do not normally have to pay for any treatments).

Can I use my driving licence from home to drive in the UK?

This will depend on where your licence was issued. You may be able to drive using your current licence for up to 12 months and then take a test. Alternatively, you may be able to exchange your licence for a British licence or to apply for a provisional licence and then take the test.

How easy is it to get a British visa? What documents do I have to show?

Your nationality will determine whether you are required to apply for a student visa before entering the UK or not. Some nationalities are allowed to arrive in the UK and apply at the port of entry for a student visa.

Do I have to share my accommodation with other students? Do I have to cook my own food?

You may have to share your accommodation if you go in for halls of residence, where students share rooms. Food is provided in such accommodation. But you can also opt for self-catering accommodation if you want to cook your own food.

What kinds of jobs are available for students and how much do they usually pay?

Students usually work as waiters/waitresses, cleaners, shop assistants, petrol bunk assistants, etc. They usually pay four to five pounds an hour.

How do I get to my university after landing in the UK? Which is the cheapest mode of travel within the UK?

Depending on the airport in which you are landing, you could take a taxi, train or bus from the airport itself. Many universities also offer an airport collection service for students at the beginning of term.

Will I have free access to e-mail? How expensive is it to call India?

You can keep in touch with your parents through 24-hour e-mail facility in the university/college. Call overseas is quite expensive, costing about 30-70 pence a minute. But you can buy phone cards, which offer special rates.

Will it be all work and no play during term time? Are there any extra-curricular activities?

Most universities/colleges have a lot of co-curricular activities that you can help to make your year in the UK fly. There are different clubs including religious clubs, sports clubs, and adventure clubs, social service clubs, music clubs. There are pubs where you can chill out after a hard days work as well as good theatre and cinema.

Visa Regulations

Most students holding a non-British or non-EU passport planning to go and study in the UK require a prior entry clearance visa from their nearest British High Commission. Please check with the UK Visas website www.ukvisas.gov.uk to check if you need to apply for entry clearance visa. If you need to apply for visa, please read on.
The student must be able to show that he has been accepted on a course of study at:

A publicly funded institution of further or higher education (e.g. a university)
A private-education institution
An independent fee paying school.

The student is going to pursue:

A recognised full-time degree course
A weekday full-time course involving at least 15 hours organised daytime study per week
A full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school.

The student must also:

Be able to pay for his course and support an accommodation for himself and any dependants without working or without help from public funds.

Visa Application Procedure

To apply for a student visa you must submit your visa application at the nearest British High Commission or Embassy in your home country. Your application with all the required documents and visa fee will be accepted and put up for decision to an Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) from the nearest visa issuing centre of the British High Commission or Embassy. The British High Commission or Embassy aims to make decisions on visa applications within 2 working days, although this may take slightly longer during the busy periods. It is therefore, important to apply as early as you can. If an interview is required then the application process will take longer and you are therefore advised to apply for your visa at least 1 month before your course commences, but preferably earlier.

If your application is fully prepared, and accompanied by relevant documentary evidence of your circumstances, you may be issued a visa without an interview.

The final decision on whether you would require an interview or not will be taken by an Entry Clearance Officer at the British High Commission or Embassy, no one else can make this decision. However, generally students may not require an interview (subject to changes in visa regulations for different countries) if they have:

Travelled to the UK in the last ten years and have evidence of this travel
Travelled to the US, Australia, New Zealand. Canada, Switzerland or Schengen countries within the last five years and have evidence of this travel
Prepaid 100% of their tuition fees and have a receipt to prove it.

If no interview is required, your passport would be returned to the application centre, or couriered to you, within two working days or you may be asked to come and collect it. If however, you are called for an interview, you are likely to get an appointment on the next working day. This might slip during exceptionally busy periods.
 
The student is likely to be called for an interview if he has:
Been refused a visa for the UK or for any other country, unless he has subsequently obtained a visa for that country
Been refused entry to the UK or any other country