Study in the United Kingdom

Types of higher education institutions
University
– institution that offers academic courses on all the three levels
College - indipendent institution or part of a university; mostly offers courses on all three levels

Structure of university studies
The language of instructions is English.

University
1st level – undergraduate study
* Bachelor (BA, BSc, etc.) -
3-4 years full-time study
Studies get more specialized year by year.
* DipHE -
2 year courses - offered only at some schools

2nd level - graduate study
* Master Degree (MA, MSc, etc.) - 1-2 years of study and research after a Bachelor degree

3rd level – doctoral study
* MPhil - 2 years full-time study and/or research
* DPhil/PhD - 3 yeras full-time research

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Application procedures

- students applying for undergraduate studies are urged to apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) which sends the applications away to the universities
- deadline for applications is from September 1 to December 15 for the next academic year; deadline for applications for Cambridge and Oxford universities is October 15
- when applying through UCAS, students are allowed to apply for up to 6 institutions, it is not possible to send more than one application
- students can apply through Electronic Applications System (EAS); application form can be sent either on a diskette or throuogh Internet (http.//www.ucas.ac.uk)
- students applying for graduate and doctoral studies should apply directly to the university or college of their choice
- students applying for graduate teaching courses must apply through GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry)
- proof of English is required; university may require IELTS exam (International English Languague Testing Service), Cambridge Proficiency Test or TOEFL
- foreign applicants for graduate and doctoral studies must inquire about the university's demands directly at the institution of their choice
- student who has spent part of his/her studies at a university outside the USA can ask for transfer of credits

Financing of university studies
- tuition at the UK universities varies from GBP 6,000 to 15,500
- the living expenses in the UK are about US$ 4,500 - 7,000 for a year
- universities may offer a partly or full tuiton waiver (rather on the second and third level studies)

Health insurance
If your course of study is for six months or more, you can receive free health care from the National Health Service (NHS). You will be able to receive treatment in hospital at no charge, and if you register as an NHS patient with a doctor, consultations at the doctor's surgery will be free. If your course is for less than six months, you should take out health insurance to cover yourself. Some countries (to find out which, enquire at the British Embassy in your own country) have reciprocal health agreements with the UK, which entitles their nationals to free NHS treatment even if they are on courses of less than six months. Dental and eye treatment are not normaly free of charge in the UK.

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Visa

The nationals of certain countries countries (to find out which, enquire at the British Embassy in your own country) need to obtain visa. If you are not a visa national, you will only be allowed to appeal against decision not to admit you if you are seeking entry for more than six months. If you are seeking entry for less than six months you will have no right of appeal against refusal of entry.

Important addresses
British Council
Information Centre
10 Spring Gardens
London SW1A 2BN
tel.: +44 (161) 957 7755

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
Fulton House
Jessop Avenue
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL50 3SH
tel. +44 (1242) 222 444
fax +44 (1242) 221 622

UKCOSA (UK Council for Overseas Students Affairs)
9 - 17 St Albans Place
London N1 0NX
tel. +44 (171) 226 3762, 354 5210
fax +44 (171) 226 3373
e-mail: ukcosa@clusl.ulcc.ac.uk
- advisory service on study in the UK

GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry)
Fulton House
Jessop Avenue
Cheltenham
Glos GL50 3SH
tel. +44 (1242) 222 444

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National Union of Students
461 Holloway Road
London N7 6LJ
- services for international students

Department for Education and Employment
HE Branch (Student Support Devision)
Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road
Darlington DL3 9BG
- information on postgraduate awards

Useful publications
title: British Education - Guide 1997
published: British Council
title: Higher Education in the UK - Graduate Courses
published: Higher Education Business Enterprises Ltd, 1996
title: Higher Education in the UK - Research Opportunities
published: Higher Education Business Enterprises Ltd., 1996
title: Studying and Living in Britain
published: British Council 1996
title: UCAS 97 Handbook
published: UCAS, 1997

Internet addresses
http://www.ucas.ac.uk - higher education system, UCAS services
http://www.britcoun.org/eis/ - higher education system, universities' programs, courses, scholarships
http://www.niss.ac.uk/education/hesites/cwis.html - universities' programs

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