[:en]The UK is one of the world’s leading study destinations for international students, after the USA. Universities in the UK are among the best in the world and consistently perform well in world rankings. The country has also earned a reputation for its world-class research.
According to UNESCO, 7,257 Singaporeans study in the UK. With its diverse population and prominence in prestigious schooling, the UK is certainly one of the best choices for international students.
Moreover, for students worldwide who are seeking an English-language education, what better place to study than the country that is a pioneer of the language itself, right?
Why study in the UK?
Pursuing your education in a UK university is a great way to expand your knowledge, meet new people, and experience multi-cultural interactions. Around 395 universities and colleges offer over 50,000 undergraduate-level higher education courses across the UK for international students.
UK universities also give you a chance to experience a great student lifestyle. They enable students to fuel their passion while enabling them to pick a course from different interests in areas such as Arts, Media, Hospitality, Medicine and Engineering, to name a few. Universities in the UK also have a huge range of clubs and societies, as well as a diverse social life for the students.
The country has a multicultural society, with a rich diversity of cultures, and languages. You will also find an exciting range of cuisines, strong transport links, mega music festivals, and international sporting championships here.
So, If you are interested in studying in the UK, you need to be aware of the requirements of the student visa in general. Here are some things you will need to know about the Student Visa before you decide to begin your overseas journey in the UK.
Types of Student Visas in the UK:
Tier 4 Student Visa (General) - Full- time
As an international student if you are planning to pursue a full-time degree you will require a Tier 4 (General) visa.
This is a standard student visa that is required for courses lasting for longer than 6 months. If you are 16 or over, you can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK.
Moreover, you have the advantage of applying for the visa from inside or outside the UK, provided if you have an offer letter from the institution for your course. You should be able to understand English to a level appropriate for your course, and also, be able to support yourself financially for the duration of the course.
The visa length depends on the duration of your course, which can even be extended if you wish to stay in the UK to work or pursue further studies.
Tier 4 Student Visa (General) - Part-Time
Tier 4 Part-time Student visa is for students who are studying part-time for a postgraduate master's degree or doctoral programme.
You will find this visa useful if you are working overseas and want to pursue a part-time degree in the UK. It may also be useful if you want to repeat a year or semester of study on a part-time basis.
The eligibility criteria for this is, your studies must be longer than 6 months and not distance learning. As a full-time Tier 4 student you can switch or shift to a Tier 4 part-time visa in the UK (and vice versa). You are required to get your Tier 4 part-time visa before switching to part-time study.
The best part is, presently, there are no restrictions on how often you can travel with a Tier 4 part-time visa. You can stay full time in the UK for the duration of your visa, even if you are studying part-time.
Short-term study visa:
If you are planning to do a short term course in the UK, then this is the right visa for you!
The benefit of this visa is that you can stay in the UK for the length of your course or research.
Moreover, you may also be allowed to stay an extra 30 days if your total stay in the UK would be no more than 6 months or 11 months. You can apply for the visa up to 3 months in advance, before your date of travel to the UK.
Requirements of a Student Visa in the UK
Now, here are some of the requirements that you need to fulfil if you want to apply for a student visa in the UK.
Passport proof - A current passport photograph or other valid travel documentation for evidence.
Confirmation acceptance for studies (CAS) - The offer letter from the prescribed institution or university that has offered you a place on a course of study. The letter should contain details about you, your course, qualifications and confirmation of your English language skills.
Finance - You must provide evidence that you can support yourself and pay for your course for a maximum of 9 months. For instance, a bank statement.
English language requirement - As a Tier 4 (General) student you will need to prove that you have a good level of English. The level of English language proficiency or ability you need will depend on your course. You may also need to provide an English Language Test as evidence of your English language skills with your application.
Tuberculosis Certificate (TB) - You will be expected to take a tuberculosis test (TB test) if you are to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, and are if you are a citizen from any of these listed countries.
That’s about it!
Do you find this process tedious? Still unsure of what else you may need to know? No worries! Contact AECC Global and talk to our educational experts in Singapore for further information! We’ll guide you through it all![:]
