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The Cost of University in the UK

The Cost of University in the UK

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How much will it cost to study in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland? If you’re interested in studying in the UK, it’s essential that you consider the costs of every aspect of university life, to determine if everything is covered and affordable.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees in the UK vary from one university to the other. The fees you pay also depend on whether you’re a resident of Britain or you come from a foreign country. As a home student, you pay up to £9250 or $13050 per year. And as a foreign student, you pay between £10000 and £38000 per year. The good news is that you may apply for a student loan to cater for your tuition.

Accommodation

If you stay, or your university is located, in London, then you’re likely to incur fairly high accommodation costs. Expect to pay an average rent of £640 a month. In other towns, you’ll pay approximately £535 per month, which is £125 every week. But the average annual cost for rent across all universities in the UK is £4875. This means that at the end of your three-year undergraduate degree, the expected cost is £14625. Most rents include different kinds of bills, but still, you may have to cater for certain bills on top of the rent. You may apply for a maintenance loan from the government to cover your accommodation and other living costs.

Other Living Costs

In addition to the tuition and accommodation fees, you need to pay for other essential costs, such as utility bills, books, university equipment, food, and transport. Expect to pay over £20 a week on travel, which includes buses, trams, trains, and the London Underground. Outside London and other major cities, you’ll pay an average of £45 per month on travel. University equipment and books may cost you about £60 a month. How about the phone bills? On average, your mobile phone bill will cost you about £5 every month.

When it comes to food, you pay an average of £50 per week. But this could be slightly lower if you’re in the private catered halls. Note that your food bill depends mostly on your diet and the place you eat or live. As a student, you’re likely to receive a discount in many gyms. Averagely, you’ll pay £50 a month for exercise and training. Other essential costs cover gigs, drinks, event entry, and entertainment.

Steps to Choosing a University

Steps to Choosing a University

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Although there are various universities to choose from in the UK, there are some steps you can take to narrow down your options.

  • Research Online

Most, if not all, courses are on UCAS. You just need to filter them according to the courses they offer, and where they’re located. Generally, the university you want to enrol in has a website and other online platforms, such as social media sites. Ask questions via web chats and check out their Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to see what they’re doing, and what students say about them. You may also check their YouTube to get a glimpse of their premises.

  • Attend Open Days

Before you join any university, it’s crucial that you physically visit the university, and spend as much time possible there. You get the real picture of the institution when you’re there. Talk to as many people as you can and ask questions. By the end of your visit, you will know whether the university is worth joining.

  • What Is the Course Structure?

It is evident that you want a course which fits your schedule. Conduct a university course structure search to assess the courses they offer and their respective structures. You might already know what you want to do in the future. Or you may want to further your studies based on your career choice. So be sure to check the course content or material, to ascertain if that is what you want. Find out if the course has a lot of exams, group work, and essays.

  • Location of the University

It’s essential that you think about the location of the university you want to join before you pay and begin your studies. How expensive is the accommodation in this area? Do you prefer a busy and noisy city or want a quiet campus in the countryside? London is relatively expensive when compared to other cities. Moreover, if you wish to find employment opportunities, you may want to join an institution that’s located in an urban centre.

  • Extra-curricular Activities

You’re likely to attend university for more than three years. So you need to look beyond the curriculum. Choose the university according to the activities you want. Does the university have a winning football team or an active film society? If you love sports, go to the institution which is good in this area.

  • Reputation is Everything

You’ll know a good university by its name, in that people will speak well about it. Find out how the university ranks among the best. You may read reviews about the institution before you decide whether you’ll join it or not. Be sure to also narrow down on the department you’re interested in. Some departments in the same school may have varying reputations.

University Preparation in the UK

University Preparation in the UK

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At the age of 16, after compulsory education, students may decide to continue with school at a higher level or not. As a parent, you would already know what your child is good at. And you may help them choose their career path wisely. Advanced Level examinations (A-Levels) are required for university entry in the United Kingdom.

Following the secondary school education, there are three or four subjects students are required to specialise in if they want to gain entry into a university. These subjects usually define what you want, or your child wishes to do, at the university. It takes two years to study and pass these subjects. At the end of the first year, each student sits for the A- Level examinations, after which they continue with their chosen subjects in the second year.

They then convert the subjects into full A-Level qualifications. But what are A-Level examinations? These are higher level preparation examinations which are recognised in all UK universities and other global institutions. And ultimately, your child must pass these exams if they want to enter a higher education level institution.

Why Study in the UK

Why Study in the UK

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Are you a resident of the UK and you want to continue with your education after the compulsory primary and secondary school? Or are you an international student who wants to pursue further studies in the United Kingdom? Thousands of students from all over the world have made the UK their number one choice for higher education. Put simply, if you’ve ever wanted to join a reputable university, then you should consider studying in the UK. London, in particular, is known as the capital in the realm of higher education. Its universities are top-ranked globally and are considered the best when it comes to the quality of teaching and research.

Top Reasons to Study in the UK

1. Quality

The quality of education in their universities is predictably the main reason why you want to study in the UK. Evidenced by the number of colleges and universities from across the world emulating the British higher education system, it’s indeed true that you get the best quality of education from these universities. Hundreds of the world’s best academics are in the UK, which means that you’re likely to be taught by the person who wrote the textbook you’re reading.

2. Diversity

The United Kingdom attracts different students from all over the world. And thus, you meet people from different backgrounds and with varied ideologies about life and religion. You also get to experience different cultures. Racism in Great Britain is not rampant, meaning you’ll have no problems living and exploring this region.

3. Career Progression

Earning a degree from one of the top UK universities aids your career progression, in that you find it easy getting employment. Many governments, employers, and universities recognise degrees and other academic accolades from these universities. Some of these universities even help you secure employment.

4. Shorter Courses

Typically, an undergraduate degree lasts for three years, unlike in other countries where you would study for at least four years. Shorter courses mean that the cost of education is slightly cheaper.

5. Sporting Nation

Are you a sports enthusiast? England and the UK, in general, are considered to be the centre of sports, with the region being home to an array of exciting games and activities. Most notably, you’ll experience thrilling weekends by watching the biggest sports shows in the world, in the name of the English Premier League (EPL). Other sports include rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming, and tennis.

Why You Need to Learn English

If English is not your first language, make sure that you’re proficient in it before you join the university of your choice. All universities in the UK will gauge your knowledge in this language before they enrol you. This is because most subjects are taught in English. Learning the language also makes it easy to communicate with your lecturers and fellow students. Employers also want you to be able to communicate with other workers, and English is the official and national language of communication.

Types of Schools in UK

Types of Schools in UK

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Do you want to find the best school which fits the needs and abilities of your child? Distinguishing between different types of schools across the country is fundamental to the success of your kid. There are various types of schools in the UK, and they include the following.

State Schools

Your child gets free education in these schools, which are fully controlled by the local council. These schools usually adhere to the rules and regulations of the national curriculum. State boarding schools, academies (which don’t have to follow the national curriculum), community schools, foundation schools, and grammar schools are examples of state schools.

Free Schools

Unlike state schools, which are sponsored by the local council, free schools are fully funded by the government. Your child attends classes for free in these schools. And while it’s not compulsory for students to take the national curriculum, these schools are only allowed to deviate slightly from this system of education. The length of terms varies from school to school. University technical colleges fall under this type of school.

Special Schools

The United Kingdom considers the needs of students with disabilities by rolling out a special needs curriculum in various special schools across the country. Basically, these schools specialise in speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

Special schools focus on at least one of the following four areas:

  • Cognition and learning
  • Communication and interaction
  • Social, emotional, and mental health
  • Sensory and physical needs

Private Schools

You may want your child to study in a private school if you’re in a position to pay for their education. Also known as independent schools, they charge fees depending on the type of education and the extracurricular activities they offer. No need to worry though, because all private schools must be registered with the national government and usually undergo periodic inspections. Students can learn the national curriculum, but it’s not compulsory. Find the reports of any private school in the UK online.

Faith Schools

If you’re a staunch believer, you may want a school which strictly follows your religious principles. Faith schools are educational institutions that are focused on one religion and encourage their students to follow it. Although these schools adhere to the national curriculum, they’ve the freedom to alter religious studies. They’re also entitled to their own culture or ways of doing things.

School Calendar

School Calendar

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The school year in the UK education system is usually arranged into terms, but this is bound to change from one institution to the other. Generally, a university academic year in Britain runs September to June. In essence, you learn for three terms from September to December, January to March, and April to June. The third is usually the most important, and you’re likely to do more essays, group work, and sit for the main exams during this period. There’s an emerging trend, though, where postgraduate programmes start in January and end in August or September. Masters students, on the other hand, have summers to complete their dissertations.

Some universities, though, are emulating the American academic (calendar) structure, in that they use semesters, and split the school year into two. The semester system means that you’ve class times at different times of the year. The University of Liverpool is an example of the universities echoing the American semester system.

Do you want a break from your studies? Like any other student, you want some time off to reflect on other vital matters in life, such as family and business. In most cases, your holiday lasts for three to five weeks and 12 to 14 weeks. Although vacation times differ, the main holidays are the summer holidays, Christmas, New Year, and Easter. If you live in university accommodation, you may be asked to return home, because most facilities are closed during this period. But as an international student, you can contact your school for an alternative arrangement. Most international students use this period to explore the UK and Europe, in general.

It’s essential that you inquire about the school calendar, including holidays before you join the university.

Reading Weeks

Reading Weeks

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Ever heard of reading weeks where you’ve one or two weeks just to read certain sections of the textbooks or do some research online? These are like holidays where you’re given some days away from the classrooms. One important thing you need to know about universities in the UK, is that they prefer lectures, rather than giving reading assignments to students. This is different from the universities in the USA and other countries with different educational systems. In most UK universities, a lecturer will give notes and explain various concepts. But there’s a growing trend, where some universities are adopting the ‘Reading Weeks’ academic structures, especially in arts subjects. Arts subjects tend to have longer reading lists when compared to other topics. This is not just a perfect opportunity to relax and explore the country. You use this time to read the provided assignment and, possibly, complete tasks, which contribute to your end-term exam. Reading weeks usually come in the middle of the first term or semester. This is the last week of October or the first week of November. As reading becomes more and more popular, you want to complete reading the assignments quickly to save time for other important matters.

Disabled Students in the UK

Disabled Students in the UK

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There is no reason for disabled students not to pursue higher education in the UK. It may still be a challenge, but significant improvements have been made to make sure the university, and its premises, are equally available to everyone. Universities must supply the necessary tools for students living with disabilities. Additionally, it’s imperative that all universities create wheel-chair friendly routes to support movement around the school.

What Are the Rights of a Disabled Student?

Education is fundamental to everyone, whether disabled or not. The UN Convention and the Equality Act 2010 stipulate that all learning institutions in the UK shouldn’t discriminate against disabled students. They learn like other students and access all facilities within the university. There’s an office in every British university that’s set aside for disabled students. This is where they raise concerns about their well-being in and around the campus. Adjustments should always be made to meet the different demands for disabled students, to ensure that they never feel discriminated against.

Loans and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

As seen in the above sections, the UK education system has various scholarship schemes for students. Disabled students are also not left behind as they too can get financial support, giving them equal opportunities like their non-disabled peers. All UK universities, in collaboration with the government, provide scholarships and loans to disabled students through the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The financial support you get mainly depends on the severity of your disability.

DSA funds are only available to UK students, but in Scotland, international students who are also disabled can access loans and scholarships. If you’re a foreign student, be sure to search for scholarships from various sources. Various non-government institutions provide financial support to students with disabilities. You may also contact your university, to check if they’ve any bursaries or grants for international disabled students.

Online Classes in the UK

Online Classes in the UK

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Do UK universities offer online classes? With the world continually going to digital, most people prefer taking their studies online and still receiving the same grades and skills as other students. If you don’t want to relocate to the UK, or you want to stay with your child at home, even when they’re studying, you can go for an online degree option. A majority of the universities in the United Kingdom offer various top-notch online programmes. Distance learning is not only limited to foreign students, but home students can also register for online classes.

As a citizen of Britain, you can also take a UK accredited degree without having to attend the physical classrooms. Getting a degree online gives you the opportunity to plan for your studies, according to your schedule, while saving on travel and accommodation costs. There is no difference in quality between online and offline studies. But do all courses have online options? No, there are a few courses which require you to be physically present. Ideally, you’ll need to first consult with the university, to determine if they have an online option for the course you want to do.

Compulsory Education in UK

Compulsory Education in UK

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Compulsory education in the United Kingdom comprises of four key stages, namely Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, and Key Stage 4.

In Key Stage 1, your child is in primary school, and they’re introduced to basic knowledge subjects, such as the English language, physical education, music, mathematics, and history. At this stage, your kid is five to seven years old. The children undergo phonic screening to assess their ability to decode and understand phonics. Assessment in phonetics involves speaking loudly to the teacher a list of 40 words. At the end of this stage, your kid sits for English, maths, and science examinations to assess their development.

Children between seven and 11 years are in Key Stage 2, where the curriculum is developed to improve their knowledge in core subjects, which include mathematics, science, English reading, and English grammar, punctuation and spelling. Your kid must be tested in these subjects (English and mathematics are done under a national assessment) at the end of stage 2.

From 11 to 14 years, your child is in the third stage of compulsory education. The subjects taught in this stage include English, mathematics, science, geography, and history. The pupil also learns physical education, music, art and design, modern foreign languages, computing, and design and technology. Towards the end of this stage, your child takes national qualifications, such as GCSEs.

Your child is in the final stage of compulsory education at the age of 14 to 16. The curriculum in Key Stage 4 includes both core subjects (English, mathematics, science) and foundation subjects, including citizenship, computing, and physical education. All schools are also required to offer any of the following subjects during this stage:

  • Humanities
  • Arts
  • Modern foreign languages
  • Design and technology

At the end of this stage, your child must sit for GCSEs or other national examinations.

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