Deferment, Disability, Employment

Now that you are knowledgeable about the British education system, you may want to know if the university you dream of will accept you. Always call the university to ascertain if they have openings and if you’re eligible to join them as a student. Be sure to ask everything you need to know before paying. One important thing to do is to research the institution and visit it in person, to determine if it’s the right school for you. Does it align with your principles and career choice? And how long will your undergraduate studies last. Apparently, it’s no easy task selecting one from a broad range of top-class universities, so choose wisely. If possible, look for students who have been there before you, and let them paint the real picture of the university.

Planning for distance learning? Online classrooms are more or less the same as their physical counterparts. You’ll meet your tutor and even interact with other students from your computer. All assignments and your exams are done online, and the grading system is the same. Regardless of the mode of teaching or learning, you must pass your examinations if you want to graduate. The grades you get also matter a lot when it comes to securing a job.

If you’re not from the UK or EU, work on your visa in advance. Call the immigration department and ask them what you should do, if you want to study in the UK. With the tough economic times, you may want to work while studying. So make sure that you share with the visa representatives about your intentions. All in all, the UK remains to be among the best study destinations in the world, and surely you won’t regret enrolling in one of its universities. Enjoy your studies!

As an undergraduate or postgraduate student, you may want to suspend your studies or leave the university for some time. Many universities in the UK allow students to terminate their studies due to the following reasons:

• Academic reasons
• Health issues
• Financial difficulties
• Immigration matters
• Family reasons
• Maternity or paternity

If you’re considering deferring your studies, you need to consult your personal tutor, Director of Studies (DOS), and the Student Services. But how do you request a suspension? You need to meet your Director of Studies to initiate the process. The DOS will then complete the form and send it to the Academic Registry to update your academic records. Next, you’ll get an email confirming the decision and stating the date of resuming your studies.

Staying registered as a student when you’re away from the university is free. As an international student, contact the Student Immigration Service to discuss how suspending your studies affects your visa status. You could be asked to return to your home country during this period. Once the suspension period elapses, you may choose to extend the suspension or resume your studies. Whichever route you choose, make sure that you contact the DOS to discuss the issue.

Do you want a part-time job to support your studies and living? London and other major cities in the UK provide thousands of jobs and work experience opportunities to both home and international students. You can work up to 20 hours a week if you’re an international student. During holidays, you can work full time. There are no working restrictions for students from the European Union, but still, this doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to work while studying if you don’t come from Europe. You need work permits from the appropriate authorities to secure a job. Most universities have work placement centres, which help you find employment. But such universities must be listed on the official UKVI Sponsor list and other recognised sites.

Whether you work part time or full time, you need to pay tax on your earnings. The tax you pay depends on the amount you earn. For extra information, you may visit the UK Visa and Immigration and UKCISA websites. If you come from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), you can consult the UK Council for International Students Affairs for advice on specific circumstances.

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.

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.