What is the ideal amount of time to apply required for a University in the UK?
It is important to allow yourself lots of time when applying for a course. Institutions will have lots of applications to process and it will take a while before they can give you an answer. You should be aiming at the following deadlines, although these are only suggestions.
24-18 months before start of course - start researching courses and institutions.
18-12 months before - preliminary plans and shortlist of courses.
12-6 months before - send out course, funding and, if necessary, visa applications.
Last 6 months before - continue applying for courses and begin attending any required interviews.
Some institutions have closing dates for applications and you should make sure that you get your application to them well before this date. To speed things up some institutions now accept applications over the Internet and you can also apply through some British Council offices.
What is the general application procedure for the UK?
What goes into an application varies from institution to institution. Some only require a letter while others will want a complete academic history and research plan. What is most usual is to fill out one of their application forms where you will be expected to highlight your academic record and possibly mention your proposed research interests.
You can make sure that your qualifications meet the course requirements by contacting the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for their UK equivalents. Do not put the equivalents on the form as the institution admissions officer will do that. Do provide an English translation though.
If English isn't your first language, you may be asked to supply proof of your English language competence. This is usually done by taking an English language test, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
Work experience is valuable when applying for a postgraduate course so give full employment details along with the skills and training that you may have developed on the job. Your personal statement is one of the most important parts of the application form and you should think about it very carefully. Mention your motivations for the course, experience and interests but be specific and honest
What is the MBA Application procedure?
Send enquiries at least 12 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two ways to get application forms.
1. Requesting Application Forms: You can request application forms from the universities website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to request application material.
2. Agents/Representatives: You can contact agents and representatives of the business
school you are interested in. Most of the universities have representatives in many
countries. These agents will give you the application forms and will guide you in the
application process as well.
3. Downloading from the university website: Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print version of their application form on the net. These can be used for applying just as regular forms
4. Academic Record - Transcripts & Mark sheets
Full details of your education including your course subjects and grades are required in the applications. Transcripts or official records of your previous academic qualifications are crucial for your application. Students applying for admission are required to submit an official transcript from each college or university that they have attended after secondary school with complete details of the subjects, credits involved and other details like correspondence courses, diplomas etc. Most universities ask for the transcript to be sealed in an envelope and signed and attested across the seal by the registrar. This procedure is to be done for each and every college that you have attended. Some universities may ask for more than one transcript but most require only one.
What are the academic documents which need to be submitted?
- Class X / 'A' Levels / Secondary School Mark sheets & Certificate
- Class XII / 'O' Levels / High School Mark sheets & Certificate
- Bachelor Degree Transcripts & Degree Certificate
- Transcripts & Certificates of any other programs that you may have attended.
If the originals are not in English, copies and a good English translation must be enclosed. If your undergraduate qualification or university is unknown to the admissions tutor, the British Council would be able to advice.
What is a work history resume?
Most MBA programs require at least a few years of work experience for admission. Most UK Business Schools are pretty strict about this. A detailed R sum is an important part of your application. It should include all information of professional work experience along with the details like positions held, achievements and range of work.
What is a recommendation letter and what should it have?
Letters of reference or recommendation letters play a very important part in your admission to a good MBA program. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well professionally or has taught you in a subject that is related to the course you are applying to. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such information. The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Authors are usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case. Many universities have their own format and questions that have to be answered by the person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not give enough information, can jeopardize a candidate's chances of selection.
What is an application essay or a Statement of Purpose?
The personal application essays, and/or statement of purpose, also play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for admission to the MBA program. It gives the admission committee assessing your application their most significant impression of you as an individual. A personal statement should include reasons for choosing this particular course, your area of interest, the suitability of your education and experiential background for this course and your personal and present future goals.
Most business schools have a set of questions that they would like the students to answer. These include questions about your achievements, leadership activities and the reasons for seeking an MBA.We recommend you to spend as much time as possible in this part of your application as this could make or break your application.
How do I get a student visa?
Visa applications have to be made on IM2A forms, which are available, free of cost at the British Embassies. This form has to be filled up by the student and submitted to the embassy, along with the Visa application fee and the required documents as mentioned below.
You must intend to study at a publicly funded university or college, a bonafide private institution or a fee-paying independent school.
You must be able to and intend to follow a full time degree course, or a weekday, full time course at a single institution involving at least 15 hours of organized, daytime study per week.
You must be able to pay for your course and the living expenses of your husband or wife and children (if they are with you) without working in UK or claiming public funds.
You must not intend to work in UK unless you are accepted for a course lasting longer than six months, when you may work part-time or during vacations.
You must intend to leave UK at the end of your studies.
What document do I require for my student visa?
A letter of acceptance on the course. This will be a letter from your institution confirming that a place has been offered to you and that the course is full-time as defined by the immigration law. The letter should state how long the course will last. Where your course is more advanced and specialized, the letter should also state what level of English is needed for the course (giving minimum test marks, if appropriate) and confirm that you satisfy this requirement.
Evidence that you can pay the course fees and support yourself and your family, if
Applicable. Depending on your circumstances, this could include evidence of government sponsorship, a letter from a sponsor in UK confirming they can support you, together with evidence that they can do this, and/or your own bank statements. You should also provide a letter from your place of study stating the full cost of the course, what arrangements are acceptable for payment and whether you have already paid fees or a deposit.
What are some exams the UK requires?
Some of the exams required for the UK are mentioned below. The requirement for each would depend on the course you intent to pursue.
GRE Graduate Record Examination
GMAT Graduate Management Admissions Test
IELTS International English Language Testing System
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language
How much approximately does it cost to study in the UK?
Boarding: Independent boarding schools offer a relaxed, home-like atmosphere. Pupils stay in bedrooms or dormitories on the school site, living under the same roof as residential house staff and their families.
University and college owned accommodation: Most international students coming to study at a UK college or university will be entitled to at least one year's accommodation in an institution-owned property, such as halls of residence. Your institution will try to match your needs with the options available.
Privately owned accommodation: Renting privately owned accommodation gives you greater choice and flexibility than accommodation provided by your institution, but may not guarantee the standard of quality that institution accommodation can. There are a number of different types of privately owned accommodation such as house or flat share or home stay.
What are the approximate course fees for post grad courses?
The average course fees a years study in the UK are as follows:
Arts and humanities courses: 7,000- 9,000 per year
Science courses: 7,500- 12,000 per year
Clinical courses: 10,000- 21,000 per year
MBA: 4,000 to more than 30,000 per year
