World-class universities, major cities that are melting pots of culture, and a rich history all make the United Kingdom a popular draw for international students. If you’re looking to make the move yourself, there will be a whole list of things to tick off, and it can all seem pretty complicated.
That’s why our experts at Remitly have created this swift summary of important points to keep in mind when you’re preparing to settle in the UK as a student. It covers everything from how to get your student visa to finding a place to live, so let’s get into it.
Applying for a student visa
Having successfully landed your place at an educational institution in the UK, the next thing you need to do is obtain a student visa. As of this writing, it costs £348 to apply from outside the UK, you can begin the process up to six months before your course commences. The visa will let you stay in the UK for up to five years if it’s a degree-level course, and for your application to be successful you’ll need to:
Verify your identity at a Visa Application Centre or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
Prove you have an unconditional offer of a place on a course by providing your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) reference number.
Prove you can afford to pay for the course and cover your living expenses (£1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London, £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London), unless your home nation is on a list of countries exempt from this condition. The list can be found here.
Prove you have a good knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider, unless you’re from one of the countries listed here.
Pay the immigration health surcharge to allow access to the NHS. This is £470 per year for a student visa.
You can apply for your student visa online at the official UK government website.
Finding accommodation
Next on the to-do list when moving to the UK is arranging where you’ll actually live. The main options to consider are:
Student halls of residence, which are owned and run by the educational institutions themselves. Featuring private rooms, shared kitchens and social areas, with bills included in the rent, student halls provide a convenient way to settle in and make new friends.
Private halls of residence, which operate much like regular halls except that they’re owned by private companies.
Private rentals, such as moving into a flat or house with other students, or getting your own room in a family home. This is a particularly popular option among students after they complete their first year in halls.
You’ll find information on all of these options at your college or university’s website and local estate agent listings online.
Finding a part-time job while studying in the UK
Working part-time while studying will be on the agenda of many international students heading to the UK. With a student visa, anyone studying at degree level or above will be entitled to work up to 20 hours a week during a term/semester. You’ll also be free to work full-time during breaks/vacation periods.
Bear in mind that you cannot be self-employed (for example, as a freelancer writer or a private tutor) or work as an entertainer or sportsperson.
Getting a part-time job will almost always require having a well-written, up-to-date CV/résumé which lists your schooling, exam grades, work experience and practical skills. You’ll be able to search for potential jobs using online agency listings, checking notice boards at your college or university, or even walk into shops, bars and restaurants to submit your CV in person.
If you’re liable to pay income tax on your earnings – which may not be the case as you’ll only be working part-time – this amount will be automatically deducted by your employer. If you haven’t been provided with a National Insurance number as part of your visa process, you’ll have to to apply for one in order to work in the UK.
Setting up a bank account
Having your own UK bank account will make it far easier to settle into your new life. Thanks to the power of the internet, you’ll have all the relevant information at your fingertips long before you travel over to the UK, with bank websites laying out what services they offer. Things to consider when choosing a UK bank include:
What fees may be charged for various aspects of the account.
Whether the bank provides an easy-to-use mobile app.
Whether there are bank staff who can speak your native language.
What other services the bank offers, from overdrafts and loans to insurance and savings accounts.
Sending money back home
Moving to study in a new country can be challenging and exciting in equal measure, and you’ll certainly have a lot on your plate when you relocate. But, here at Remitly, we also know that one of your priorities, throughout the whole process of moving, settling in and studying, may be to send money back to your loved ones at home. That’s why we recommend you take some time out to research the easiest ways to make international money transfers.
Sending via your UK bank account will certainly be one convenient option. However, you can also look into dedicated, online remittance companies which may provide a more cost-effective way to send. As they don’t have physical retailers, their running costs tend to be lower than banks and traditional money transfer firms. This can in turn translate to lower fees for their customers.
Postgraduate opportunities in the United Kingdom – what’s on offer for 2022?
The United Kingdom is second only to the USA as the most popular study abroad destination in the world, welcoming nearly 490,000 international students each year. Its higher education system is as diverse as the country itself, ranging from ancient universities in Oxford and Cambridge to modern, innovative institutions. The UK is also unique in that it consists of four nations with their own distinct university systems: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We’ve listed just a handful of the best reasons why should you consider the UK for your Masters this year:
World-class universities – Several British universities are frequently ranked among the very best in the world.
Cultural institutions – Wherever you choose to study in the UK, you’ll likely be within reach of outstanding museums, galleries and libraries. From the V&A in London to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow and the National Railway Museum in York, there’s no shortage of cultural attractions in the UK.
Funding opportunities – There are a number of funding opportunities for international students in the UK, including Chevening Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships.
Internationally-recognised degrees – UK Masters are recognised and respected across the world.
British universities
Most higher education institutions in the UK are public universities, which means that they receive a proportion of their funding from central government. Universities must demonstrate the quality of their research and teaching activities to receive public funds. However, public universities enjoy a great deal of institutional autonomy, being free to invest and generate income as they see fit.
Even among public universities, there is great variation. Not necessarily in quality but in terms of the number of programmes offered, expertise available and connections to industry. Universities can range in size from over 30,000 students to just a few hundred. Some have their own campus while others are based in the heart of a city.
Private institutions awarding postgraduate degrees also exist in the UK. They tend to focus on specific areas such as Business, Management and Law. These institutions may not always have the power to award their own degrees, instead using an affiliated accredited university.
As you probably already know, the UK is made up of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These countries have their own distinct higher education systems and varying levels of control over policy, fees and funding. Although universities across the UK don’t differ wildly in quality, it’s worth getting to grips with those other aspects of the university experience – particularly the availability of postgraduate finance
Universities in England
England is the largest country in the UK and is home to most of its universities (as well as the oldest: the University of Oxford, established in 1096).
Universities in Scotland
Scotland has a long and proud history of higher education, with several ancient universities dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries (the University of St Andrews was founded in 1413). These institutions – which also include the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen – often award an MLitt (Master of Letters) instead of the MA (Master of Arts) usually offered at universities elsewhere in the UK (MAs at these Scottish institutions are typically awarded as integrated four-year undergraduate degrees, rather than separate postgraduate qualifications)’.
Universities in Wales
There are around 26,000 international students at Wales’ diverse range of universities, from city centre institutions like Cardiff University to campus-based Swansea University and Aberystwyth University.
Universities in Northern Ireland
There are two universities in Northern Ireland – Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University – as well as several colleges offering higher education programmes.
University accreditation
In the UK, a degree-level qualification can only be awarded by permission from the Secretary of State, a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament. This helps you to identify the list of recognised institutions. Universities and some colleges can award degree-level qualifications, but if you are looking to pursue a Masters or a PhD you are more likely to study at a university. There are exceptions, such as arts colleges and business schools – some of which are autonomous, while others are constituents of universities.
There are two types of ‘accreditations’ – institution-level and qualification-level – often dealt with by completely different organisations. For example, for a recognised university to be able to award a medical degree or a teacher’s qualification, it will need the appropriate professional body accreditation. In any case, all bodies that award UK degrees are subject to a regular external quality assurance reviews by the Quality Assurance Agency UK (QAA).
Applying for a Masters in the United Kingdom
The application process for a Masters in the UK depends on the course and institution. Most of the time, you’ll apply directly to the academic department in question (although some universities use UCAS Postgraduate, a centralised system).
In general, a postgraduate application will involve completing and supplying the following documents:
Application form
Academic cover letter
Personal statement
Academic / professional references
Certified copies of your degree and academic transcripts
Research proposal (if you’re applying for a research Masters like an MPhil or MRes)
English language test results (if applicable)
In some cases, you may have to attend a postgraduate interview, either in person or via Skype. You might also have to complete a graduate entry test, although these aren’t as common in the UK as they are elsewhere in the anglosphere.
English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll normally have to supply proof of your proficiency in English when making a Masters application. This might not be the case if you studied your undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country.
You can usually find out exactly what score you need by checking the course description (if in doubt, ask the admissions team at your chosen university).
These are the four main types of English language test:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Cambridge Assessment English’s C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
Our guide to English language tests has more information on typical scores and how to prepare for your exam.
Masters student visas in the United Kingdom
If you’re an international student, you’ll usually need a student visa to study a Masters in the UK. In order to be accepted onto a student visa, you’ll need:
To have been accepted for a place on a full-time or part-time postgraduate course (Ofqual level 7 or above) at a UK university with licensed student sponsor status
The required level of English language proficiency for your Masters
Enough financial support to pay your tuition fees and living costs during your Masters
There is also a £348 application fee for a student visa. For more information, read our full guide to UK visas for postgraduate students.
Health insurance
It’s important to have adequate health insurance while studying in the UK. If you’re applying for a student visa, you’ll need to pay an annual NHS surcharge of £470 as part of your visa application.
It’s also a good idea to have some form of private health insurance to cover unexpected costs that wouldn’t otherwise be covered by the NHS (such as your repatriation in the event of an emergency).
Working during a Masters
If you hold a student visa, you can work in the UK for 20 hours a week during term time and an unrestricted number of hours during the holidays. However, there are certain types of job you can’t do, including:
A trainee doctor
A professional sportsperson
An entertainer
Entrepreneurial activity
Self-employment
Full-time, permanent roles
Next steps
After finishing your UK Masters degree, you’ll have an accredited postgraduate qualification from one of the most well-known and respected higher education systems in the world. Whether you want to go straight into work or carry on your studies with a PhD, you’ll be in an excellent position to make the most of your Masters.
Working in the UK after graduation
In 2019, the UK Government announced a new visa scheme for international students to remain in the UK and look for employment after their studies have finished.
Known as the Graduate Route, this programme is available for anyone holding a Tier 4 or student visa who finishes a UK degree in the summer of 2021 and beyond. It allows you to stay in the UK for two years after you graduate, with no restrictions on the work you do (or the salary level).
Once the two-year period is up, you’ll need to apply for another visa to remain in the UK (usually this will be the Tier 2 visa).
Find out more about Graduate Route post-study work visas over on our blog.
If you have an excellent business idea, you could also apply for a Start-up visa, which is aimed at talented entrepreneurs with sponsorship from their university or from a business organisation.
