This Guide to getting started is aimed to help you prepare for your study in the UK. As a potential international applicant this article therefore applies to you, although there are some additional issues of which you need to be aware of before you make your final decision.

Before you Apply

English Language Proficiency
Are you sufficiently prepared to understand and participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials and examinations conducted in English? Do you have evidence of your written and spoken English language ability? Most institutions accept a number of qualifications as providing evidence of competence including the British Council IELTS test, the American TOEFL test, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, NEAB (formerly JMB) and AEB tests.

If this may be an area of weakness for you, consider pre-sessional courses. English Language Teaching courses in your own country or at one of the many UK language schools. Some universities may offer pre-sessional English Language summer courses.

Academic Qualifications
British Higher Education is selective at the point of entry - do your current or expected qualifications meet the likely requirements? Are your qualifications acceptable to all UK institutions?

Your local British Council office may be able to advise you, perhaps by reference to the International Guide to Qualifications in Education which it publishes. Other useful publications are produced by UKCOSA the Council for International Education. You may need to identify a bridging course or a course with a foundation year to remedy any current or initial weaknesses.

Life in Britain
Gather information about living in Britain from friends, family, students returning from the UK, institutional information, books and the local British Council Office. Although it is a small country, there are considerable variations in climate, surroundings, cost of living, and population. The cultural and social environment will be very different

Are there any religious, cultural or social reasons, which may inhibit you from studying in the UK?
Are you prepared to cope with up to three years or more of British weather?

Family
Are you intending to take any or all of your family with you? Have you considered the practicalities of your family accompanying you such as; availability of facilities, extra cost, education provision for dependants, their language proficiency or immigration arrangement?

The British Council strongly advises students to travel alone initially at least - in order to check provision, possibilities and cost before deciding to bring dependants to Britain. There may be alternatives to doing so.

Cost
Do you know what the likely costs are? Are you able to provide financial guarantee of your ability to pay your costs for the full duration of the course? Do you know that living costs vary from region to region? What is the length of your proposed course?

Do you qualify and have you applied for any scholarships to fund your study? There is little chance of obtaining scholarships from the British Government or universities and colleges, so you must explore other possibilities.

You must be able to finance both your tuition and living costs for the whole course, airfare, initial accommodation cost, appropriate seasonal clothing and study expenses - information is available from the university or college, your local British Council and recently returned students (through the Alumni Association)

Accommodation
Can be provided by the institution or by family/friends? Is it guaranteed for the duration of the course?

Choice of Course, Institution and Qualification
Obtain current information about the course(s) that you are interested in (syllabus, teaching and examination method etc.) from the institution(s), prospectuses, reference publications and your local British Council office.

Obtain information about the institution(s) where courses are offered (region, location, size, and facilities)

Obtain information about the qualification and continuing education prospects on successful completion of the course.

Is the qualification recognised? By whom? Is it recognised at the same level in your own country/by future employers?

Much of this information will be available in prospectuses from the institutions themselves and the latter may also have an international office or external relations, which can help and advise you.
Prospectuses may be available for reference in your school, college or local British Council office.
Making a decision about your preferred choice of HE course is the first step, and you are now in a position to make your application.

How to Apply
Applications from international students are welcomed, however UCAS (The University and College Admission Service) recommends that international students make their applications as early as possible in order to allow time to organise immigration and the financial aspects of studying in the UK.

Clearing
UCAS operates a Clearing system, which provides details of unfilled places to unplaced applicants. This comes into play during the summer and eligible applicants are automatically sent full details about Clearing arrangements and the publication of lists of UCAS course vacancies. You should plan to be at home from mid-August as you may well have vital decisions to make. A reappraisal of your options may be necessary and you cannot do that from far away places.

After you Apply
There is a lot to be done and if your arrival in Britain is to be trouble-free you must make many practical arrangements and preparation in advance. Seek advice as often as necessary, and allow plenty of time to make arrangements.

Immigration Regulations and Documents
Request information from the local British Government representative and seek advice from your local British Council Office. Find out which documents you need to obtain and how and where to get them.

Check your visa. Can you work in the UK, either during and 'sandwich' elements of your course to supplement your income while you study?

Accommodation at your Chosen Institution
Request accommodation as early as early as possible. What is the cost? What does this include - food, heating and lighting, linen, vacations? If meals are provided does this include weekends?
Travel

Take advice on how and when to travel to Britain, taking into account the start date and pre-sectional training if applicable.

Book tickets, but only once you are sure you have a firm place.

Author: Chris Hudson
Brunel University

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