U.K.

• About UK
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About UK

Made up of four countries, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain is a cosmopolitan and an exciting study destination. Many thousands of families from around the world have made the UK their home, creating a richly diverse, open-minded, multicultural society. There are also more than a quarter of a million international students in the UK at any one time.

There are more than three thousand educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK. You can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in your home country.

The UK has two distinct systems of courses and qualifications: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland. Each is compatible with the other. The Scottish Parliament has devolved responsibility for education in Scotland. Wherever you choose to study, you will be able to study for a relevant, world class qualification of exceptional quality.

Population
Over 60 million.

Climate
UK has a temperate climate. The climate of Britain is variable and changeable from day to day. There are four seasons... Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn.

Main Cities
The main cities in each of the countries are...

Culture & Multiculturism
UK people like to get together and enjoy themselves. Theatres, concerts and art galleries can be found in all large towns and cities; big sports events take place every weekend; pubs and restaurants are everywhere.

The UK is an exciting combination of four distinctive countries, each with their own cultures, living traditions, breathtaking architecture and beautiful landscapes. The diverse, multi-cultural population of the UK, though soon makes you feel at home.

Transport
The UK has an extensive and regular train service which makes most UK cities and towns well linked with one another. Travel within is quite easy as the UK has an excellent public transportation system.

Recognized And Respected Throughout the World
Your UK qualification will be a solid foundation for building your future, boosting your career and prospects for a higher salary and will give you an edge over the others.

Excellent Quality of Education
UK universities, colleges and schools provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment in which to develop your potential. Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world. Universities, colleges and schools continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of the UK.

Duration
UK degrees can take only three years and postgraduate Master's courses only one year - compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means you will save a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs - and you will be able to start working and earning money sooner. UK degree courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of your time and money.

Excellence in Teaching
In an increasingly globalizing world economy, people need special skills and qualities to succeed. Employers want employees who can think effectively, creatively and for themselves. This is an essential part of the UK learning experience. Institutions use a variety of teaching and assessment methods to encourage independence, as well as mastery of the subject.

Excellent Career Prospects
Studying in the UK usually leads to excellent career prospects. At degree and postgraduate level in particular, students are encouraged to read widely, to question and analyze what they have read, and to discuss openly their own ideas in seminars and tutorials. Career based courses are designed to equip you for specific roles in the modern world of work.

Welcoming International Students
The UK has been welcoming international students. Most Universities have a dedicated international office, international student societies and planned social activities for International students.

Students normally commence higher education at the age of 18 and study at university or colleges of further and higher education. UK offers shorter duration and more intensive courses than other countries thereby reducing time and living expenses that a student spends.

A Masters degree programme is for 1 year and a Doctoral degree programme for 3-4 years.

A Bachelor degree programme normally lasts for 3 to 4 years and are usually taught programmes.

Sandwich courses are where the courses are accompanied with practical experience. A student could either complete 2 years of college, then a year of commercial training before returning for a final year in college. Or, he/she could do a 4-year course with 3-6 months' training interspersed each year. The main advantage is that the student gets real experience while in the learning mode. Most universities offer this option.

Higher National Diploma (HND) / Higher National Certificate (HNC) / Foundation Degree
HND is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Councils, which offer one to two year courses in vocational, career related higher education courses, usually in science and business subjects. Here, a lot of emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first stage towards a degree course as the credits can be transferred.

Foundation Degrees
They are also often the first stages of a degree and are are two-year career-related higher education courses.

Vocational Courses
They offer an opportunity to enter the university system slowly. Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), General Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), General Scottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQ) offer recognized courses in a range of disciplines. Most students opt to take 1-2 years of, for example, BTEC courses before being transferred to a degree programme.

The average range of Tuition Fees is as below...

Average costs of living per week are...

General living expenses may be about 20% greater in London than elsewhere.

English language skills will be important for your future career prospects. English is accepted as being the language of business, science, IT and the Internet around the whole world. Learning English in the UK allows you to immerse yourself in the language, to live and think in English.

Thousands of scholarships and bursaries are offered by UK institutions just for international students, while more than twenty-one thousand international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year.

The main intake for most UK Universities is September. Every university opens admissions for all courses that they offer, for the September intake. There is also a Mid-academic year intake offered by some British Universities during January / February. However, all courses may not be offered in this intake. Whether or not a University will offer a January / February intake can be found out on the respective university’s website, university brochures or from our counselors.

Application Fees
Usually UK universities do not charge any application fees.

Though each University specifies its application procedure / requirements, generally one can apply for admissions through us at Avenues Overseas, where by all application, admission and correspondence services will be provided by us. You can give us all necessary supporting academic documents and we will assist you with the entire admission procedure.

Spot Interviews
Spot Interviews are also conducted by several visiting Universities at our offices at Avenues Overseas. In this case, one is required to attend an interview conducted by university staff/ faculty, who will offer the student an on the spot decision, about whether or not he is eligible for admission. Also, further relevant inquiries can be made and are usually answered by the University Representative.

The following checklist will be helpful while applying to a university in UK...

Visa Procedure

Any person, who is not a British Citizen or a citizen of one the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, needs an entry clearance before he travels to the UK. To apply for a visa to the UK, applicants need to submit their visa application to the Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Centre nearest to them.

VFS staff accept the applications at each centre and all applications are then immediately forwarded to any one of the 4 visa ofices of the British High Commission in India.

VFS are responsible only for accepting applications and providing advice and guidance where necessary. All visa applications are assessed by Visa Officers at the British High Commission.

In many cases the application is approved without the need for the applicant to attend an interview. In these cases, the applicant's passport, endorsed with the appropriate UK visa, will be returned to the application centre by courier, or sent to his contact address.
If a Visa Officer cannot make a decision on your application on the basis of the papers submitted, VFS will contact you to book an interview appointment.

Please contact us at Avenues Overseas personally for further assistance on the above and Visa Procedure.

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