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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