Most students think that applying to a UK University and getting admission is very difficult, but it is a straightforward process if you have all the required documentation available. Different university has different entry requirements for the courses they offer. Before you apply for admission, you must check if you are eligible to submit your application. Here are the steps by steps process you can follow to apply and get admission in a UK University.
1. Get your Passport
Once you decide to come to the UK for higher education, you should get your passport ready if you already don’t have one. Depending on the country you are in, it might take a while until you get your passport. You will need your passport to apply to the university for admission, to take English language test and you cannot apply for student visa without your passport.
2. Make a List of Potential UK University
UK Tier 4 (General) Visa is tied to a “Register of licensed sponsors”. In another word, you must take admission to a UKVI approved university/college before you apply for your student visa. Finding the right university is a very important task as you will spend most of your student life at the university. Also, a good university will help you shape your career the way you are planning it to be. Depending on the course you want to study and the location you want to stay, you must research and find the best suitable university for yourself. You must consider the quality of education, student life, UKVI license status, course content, tuition fees, living expenses, support for international student, duration of the course and scholarships opportunity when you are choosing a University. Based on your criteria, make a list of potential UK universities that you want to apply. Learn more on how to choose a UK University. You can also get help from a UK University representative in your country.
3. Contact the University Before you Apply
You should contact all universities you shortlisted and ask them about admission and visa requirement for the country you are in. You should also ask about the application process and scholarships opportunities. Some Universities might refer you to their website for information, and the most university will be willing to help you with your admission and visa process. You can also get help with your admission process from your local UK university representatives.
4. Take UKVI Approved English Test
Proving your knowledge of the English language is one of the key requirements for your student visa application. Most universities will also not accept your admission application until you provide the proof that you have passed a Secure English language Test (SELT) and your results are either similar to the admission & UKVI requirements or higher than the admission & UKVI requirements. Check the Gov.uk website to learn more about the English Language requirements.
5. Open a Bank Account and Deposit Required Balance
To obtain a UK student visa, you also need to prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees and your living expenses in the UK if you are granted a student visa. The amount you will need to show in your bank account will depend on your course fees and the city where your university is situated. When you contact your prospective universities, ask them about the amount you will need to deposit in your bank account. It is preferable to open the bank account in your name, and you must show that you held the money in your account for at least 28 consecutive days period, within last 31 days from the day you are submitting your visa application. To avoid any unnecessary hassle, it is strongly recommended to deposit your first-year tuition fees and living expenses in your bank account and not to withdraw the money until your visa is approved. You can, however, pay your tuitions fees from the deposited amount and keep only the living expenses in your account.
Check how much money you will need to deposit in your bank account using our interactive UK student visa maintenance fund calculator.
6. Get your Documents Translated (If applicable)
UK Universities and UKVI will not accept documents in a different language other than English. You must get your document translated which will increase your chance to get your admission application accepted.
7. Apply to the University
After your research and getting all the required information, choose at least 2 or 3 universities and apply to all 2 or 3 universities for admission. Make sure you submit a complete application form with all the required documents. If needed, get someone to review your application. One of the most important parts of your university application is your personal statement. You must provide an excellent personal statement.
8. Pay your Tuition Fees
When you received an unconditional offer letter, your next step is to pay your tuition fees. For some universities, you can pay 50% of your first-year tuition fees before you get your visa and many universities will ask you to pay your first-year tuition fees in full. If you had your tuition fees deposited in your bank account, you could pay from your account. But if you only deposited your maintenance fund in your bank account, you shouldn’t withdraw or pay your tuition fees from your bank account. Instead, pay your tuition fees from an alternative source. If you are not paying 100% of your first-year tuition fees, you will need to show the outstanding tuition fees in your bank account along with your living expenses (See step 5 for more information).
