What You can Study

Where can you Study

Why Study in UK

Entry Requirments

Teaching Method

Costs

Living

English language courses

GCSEs, A-levels and other equivalents

Scotland - Standard Grades, Highers and Advanced Highers

Career-based courses

Degree courses

Postgraduate foundation programmes

Postgraduate programmes

MBA programmes

Distance learning

Short courses

Professional membership

Every year, over 600,000 people travel from around the world to study English in the UK 'where it's easy to find the right course, easy to register and easy to feel at home. There is a huge variety of English language courses to choose from in the UK. You can take English for business or tourism, English for medical workers, for fashion designers, engineers, or for international trade 'or simply to prepare yourself for further study or to work in the global economy.

English courses are offered by private language schools, boarding schools and tutorial colleges, further education (FE) institutions and higher education (HE) institutions. Around 370 schools, colleges and universities in the UK are accredited by the British Council. This means that their English language programmes have been inspected and meet agreed quality standards.

GCSEs, A-levels and other equivalents

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), International GCSE (IGCSE) or GCSEs in vocational subjects are normally taken at the age of 16. Following these, students can do one further year of academic study before taking Advanced Supplementary examinations (AS-levels). After another year of study, they can take Advanced level examinations (A-levels) or, in some cases, the International Baccalaureate (IB) .
Alternatively, there are career-based qualifications, such as General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) or vocational A-levels, which can be taken after one or two years of study. All these courses give access to university or further study.

Boarding schools provide educational opportunities for young people from the ages of seven to 18, usually leading to GCSEs, AS-levels, A-levels or the IB.

Colleges cater mainly for students aged between 16 and 18, and offer a similar range of qualifications, as well as English language tuition and a number of career-based qualifications. You can study GCSEs, A-levels and other equivalents at boarding schools, tutorial colleges and FE institutions.

Scotland - Standard Grades, Highers and Advanced Highers

Standard Grades are normally taken at the end of a pupil's fourth year of secondary education. Awards are graded 1 to 7 (1 being the highest grade). Standard Grade achievement is described on three levels: Foundation level covers grades 5 and 6 (SCQF level 3), General level grades 3 and 4 (SCQF level 4), and Credit level grades 1 and 2 (SCQF level 5).

Highers are normally taken at the end of a pupil's fifth year of secondary education. Some pupils will have passed four, five or, in exceptional cases, six Highers by the end of the fifth year and may well have obtained the required grades for entry to a Scottish university or college. However they may stay at school for a further year to undertake some combination of Advanced Highers and additional Highers and/or free-standing National Units. (The fifth and sixth years of secondary education in Scotland correspond to years 12 and 13 in England) .

For entry to higher education, grades 1 to 3 at Standard Grade are normally acceptable in combination with Highers in the main subjects. Scottish higher education institutions normally frame their conditional offers in terms of numbers and grades of Higher passes. Highers, like all other National Courses, can also be taken by adults. Advanced Highers are normally taken at the end of the sixth year of secondary education.

Like Highers, Advanced Highers have three pass grades: A, B and C. Advanced Highers are broadly comparable to GCE A-level grades A to C but the achievement at GCE A-level grades D and E would not equate to a pass standard for Advanced Higher.

Career-based courses

Career-based training in the UK 'often known as vocational training 'is about teaching you the things you need to know to pursue the career you want to follow. It offers practical courses taught in a college environment, some leading to entry to university degree courses and others enjoying the status of professional qualifications in their own right.

The UK offers some of the world's most widely recognised career- based qualifications in such important subjects as business studies, computing, engineering and art and design, not forgetting options such as hotel and catering, tourism and fashion design. Examples include the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) diploma and qualifications offered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). You can study career-based courses at tutorial colleges, FE institutions and HE institutions.

Degree courses

A UK degree is a passport to brighter career prospects and higher earnings. Of all the qualifications available today, a degree from the UK says you've acquired the kind of pro-active, problem- solving skills sought after by today's top companies. UK HE institutions (see above panel) offer internationally recognised qualifications acknowledged to be of the highest academic standard. A degree will be invaluable for your current or future career, equip you for postgraduate study or give you access to a profession.
If you don't yet have the entrance requirements for undergraduate study, access and foundation courses will help you get there. You can study degree courses at FE institutions and HE institutions.

Postgraduate foundation programmes

A small but growing number of universities now offer access/foundation programmes for postgraduate students. These are aimed at international students who did their first degree outside the UK and now wish to pursue a postgraduate course in the UK. They are most suited to students who require a substantial amount of English language tuition to bring them up to the level required for post- graduate studies. They might also be appropriate for students who did their first degree some time ago and need to refresh their study/research skills. These courses are six to nine months long. They include a large English language component along with training in study/research skills and a range of optional subjects.

Successful completion of a postgraduate foundation programme should guarantee you entry to a master's programme at the same university. Some programmes are specifically designed to prepare you for entry to an MBA.

Postgraduate programmes

A postgraduate degree is awarded after the successful completion of either a taught course or a period of research. Many taught master's programmes involve in-depth study of a specialist subject already studied at undergraduate level or where relevant professional experience has been gained. Such programmes can act as preparation for a research degree. Other master's programmes give students the opportunity to switch from one subject discipline to another, and do not necessarily require prior specialist study of the subject area.

A research degree is the ultimate opportunity to pursue your own specialist interests. Research involves producing something original that contributes to the further understanding of a particular subject.
Whether at master's or doctoral level, research programmes involve individual supervision by a faculty member who has an interest in the topic. This emphasis on personal guidance and independent study is a key characteristic of research degrees in the UK.
A UK research degree will give you the high-level problem-solving skills that are suited to careers in business and management, applied research and higher education. You can study postgraduate courses at HE institutions and some FE institutions.

MBA programmes

Choosing to study for an MBA in the UK is a giant step towards investing in your future employability by improving your range of management skills. The MBA is designed for well-qualified man- agers who wish to add to their practical experience by gaining an in-depth understanding of up-to-date approaches to management and its development.

The UK is the biggest provider of MBAs in Europe. There are well over 100 MBA schools in the UK, with more than 3,000 international and European Union students choosing to enrol on full-time programmes in the UK every year. You can study for an MBA at HE institutions.

Distance learning

You can also choose to study many UK qualifications through distance and supported open learning. This approach can be ideal if you can't afford to take time out for full-time study. On distance and supported open learning programmes, you work through the course at home in your own time with the help of printed study materials and also videos, CD-Roms, audio tapes and web-based resources. You communicate with your tutor 'and sometimes with other students 'by mail, email, web chat room and/or fax. On some courses, you may also need to attend some classes at a local educational institution in your own country or come to the UK for a brief period.

Short courses

Many UK institutions offer courses lasting up to one, three or nine months. These are usually specific career-based programmes that allow students to develop a particular knowledge or skill in a short period of time (for example, in marketing, photography, social work or tourism) . They are also a good way of getting a taste of UK education and living in the UK as a student. Short courses are also offered at spring and summer schools as recreational courses.

Professional membership

Many professional careers, for example, accountancy, medicine, law and teaching, require specific professional qualifications and training. A number of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in the UK will give you what you need to be regarded as professionally qualified. Others will provide you with the necessary foundation from which to go on to take further professional qualifications after starting your career. It's important to check whether the qualification you gain in the UK will be recognised by employers and professional bodies in your own country. It's also worth checking to see if the course you wish to study is accredited by professional bodies in the UK.  

Private language schools

Boarding schools and tutorial colleges

FE institutions

HE institutions

These schools specialise in teaching English to international students. There are around two hundred and eighty that are accredited by the British Council.

Boarding schools and tutorial colleges

These schools and colleges provide education up to the age of eighteen. Boarding schools combine modern teaching methods and up-to-date facilities with traditional values and attractive learning environments. Tutorial colleges provide a bridge between school and university, allowing sixteen to eighteen-year-olds a more independent lifestyle.

FE institutions

Further Education institutions offer a very diverse range of programmes for students from the age of sixteen upwards. They are the main providers of career based courses and have good links with industry. In addition, many FE institutions also offer GCSEs and A-levels (or equivalents), and access or foundation courses. Some also offer degree and postgraduate programmes in the areas in which they are particularly strong.

FE institutions provide many different routes to degree-level study thanks to their extensive links with HE institutions. For example, you could spend a year at an FE institution taking an access course and then transfer to a partner university for a three-year degree course. Or you might spend two years at an FE institution gaining a career based qualification and then transfer to a university for the final one or two years of a degree course. The options are numerous and flexible.

HE institutions

Higher Education institutions are the centres of high-level teaching and research activity, and most courses at this level lead to a degree or equivalent qualification. The degrees and postgraduate qualifications offered by these institutions are among the most prestigious academic qualifications available. HE institutions include universities, HE colleges and institutes. The first universities were founded some eight hundred years ago, so HE institutions in the UK draw upon an exceptional depth of educational experience.

Why study in the UK

UK qualifications are recognised and respected throughout the world. Your UK qualification will be a solid foundation for building your future, boosting your career and prospects for a higher salary. UK universities, colleges and schools will provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment in which to develop your potential.

Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world. Universities, colleges and schools continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of the UK.

The international alumni from UK institutions includes many leading politicians, thinkers and business people who have had an important influence on the world such as Bill Clinton (former President of the USA), Thabo Mbeki (President of South Africa), Desmond Tutu (Archbishop and human rights campaigner), Rifat Ozbek (fashion designer), Wole Soyinka (Nobel prize-winning author), Stelios Haji-Iaonnu (founder of the easyGroup of businesses) and Imran Khan (cricket legend and politician).

You will get the skills you'll need for the modern environment

In an increasingly globalised world economy, people need special skills and qualities to succeed. Employers want employees who can think effectively, creatively and independently. This is an essential part of the UK learning experience. Institutions use a variety of teaching and assessment methods to encourage independence, as well as mastery of the subject.

UK scientists and institutions have won almost 100 Nobel Prizes for their scientific achievements. The UK's creative brains 'artists, fashion designers, film and television stars, and leisure software designers' are regarded as among the best in the world. Their work is worth £112 billion every year.

At degree and postgraduate level in particular, students are encouraged to read widely, to question and analyse what they have read, and to discuss openly their own ideas in seminars and tutorials. Career-based courses are designed to equip you for specific roles in the modern world of work.

English language skills will be important for your future career prospects. English is acknowledged as the language of business, science, IT and the internet around the world. Learning English in the UK allows you to immerse yourself in the language, to live and think in English.

Whatever your educational needs, the UK can meet them

There are more than 3,000 educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK. You can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in your home country.

The sheer variety of specialisms means you will be able to find a course that suits your real interests, your ambitions and passions. For example, in the UK, you could specialise in anything from computer games programming, ocean engineering, satellite positioning technology or sound engineering to multi- media design, anthropology, cross-cultural psychology, hotel management or dance.

It has an exciting, fun culture

The UK is a cosmopolitan place to live. Many thousands of families from around the world have made the UK their home, creating a richly diverse, open-minded, multicultural society. There are also more than a quarter of a million international students in the UK at any one time.

You've probably come across the UK's vibrant popular culture through its music, television and films. Now you can find out what it's like to be a real part of it. This is after all the home of Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Radiohead, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and Kate Winslet.

UK people like to get together and enjoy themselves. Theatres, concerts and art galleries can be found in all large towns and cities; big sports events take place every weekend; pubs and restaurants are everywhere.

It's an ideal base for your travels

When you come to the UK, you get three countries and a province in one: England, Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. Each has its own distinctive history, landscape and modern culture. And, because they're all within easy reach of one another, they're easy to explore. The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get you almost anywhere in the UK ' so you won't need a car, as you might in some countries. Discounts or special rates are generally available for students on most forms of transport.

It's easy to see the rest of Europe. The Channel Tunnel, cheap flights and ferries mean that you're never too far away from the other great capital cities of the European mainland. The closeness of the rest of Europe means that many institutions offer work placements and periods of study there.

It's an affordable option

UK degrees can take only three years and postgraduate master's courses only one year ' compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means you will save a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs ' and you will be able to start working and earning money sooner. . UK degree courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of your time and money. Health care is often free for international students. You are likely to be able to take advantage of National Health Service (NHS) treatment, as well as reduced-cost medicines, dental treatment and eye tests.

Thousands of scholarships and bursaries are offered by UK institutions just for international students, while more than 21, 000 international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year. Under existing work regulations, international students in the UK can work up to 20 hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.

You'll get a warm welcome

The UK has been welcoming international students for generations. We have many years of experience of looking after your needs, and will give you special support from the moment you apply and throughout your time in the UK.

Your local British Council office will give you advice and information on choosing courses and help you with your application. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)makes applying to a number of institutions at the same time straightforward. You can also apply via the internet if you'd prefer.

Many institutions arrange for you to be collected from the airport and offer guaranteed accommodation for your first year. They will provide a dedicated international office, international student societies, planned social activities, academic support, counsellors and advisers. The system works: the UK has one of the lowest 'drop-out' rates (the number of students who leave before the end of their course) in the world.

Quality education wherever you study in the UK

The UK has two distinct education systems: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland. Each is compatible with the other. The Scottish Parliament has devolved responsibility for education in Scotland. Wherever you choose to study, you will be able to study relevant, world-class qualifications of exceptional quality. 

English language courses

Boarding schools and colleges

Career-based courses

Degree courses

Postgraduate programmes

MBAs

Check your qualifications

Admission to English language courses is flexible and based on your level of ability. No matter what your current level, you will be able to study English in the UK.

If you want to study an English language course alongside your main academic course, however, you will need to satisfy the entrance requirements for your main course.

Boarding schools and colleges

Most pupils enter independent boarding schools at the age of seven, 11, 13 or 16. To gain admission at 11 or 13, some pupils sit an exam called the Common Entrance Examination. At 16, they enter the school to study in its sixth form (for A-levels and equivalent qualifications).

Many schools are very flexible and will consider admitting international students outside their normal entry points. Pupils are usually asked to sit an entrance examination in mathematics and the English language.

Career-based courses

Entrance requirements for career-based courses depend on the level of study. For example, National Diploma courses and vocational A-levels normally require four or five GCSEs or the equivalent, whereas a Higher National Diploma (HND) would require at least two A-levels or the equivalent. You may also be required to produce evidence of relevant skills or experience, e.g. a portfolio of drawing for an art and design course.

Degree courses

Students normally enter degree courses at the age of 18 but they can be younger and many are older. For admission to a degree course, you will need three A-levels or the equivalent. The grades you need will depend on which subject you choose and which institution you want to study at.

Postgraduate programmes

For entry to taught postgraduate courses (master¿s degrees, postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates), you will need an undergraduate degree or equivalent from your country in a relevant area. For example, to study chemistry at master¿s level, you would need to have a degree in chemistry.

However, 'conversion' courses are designed to provide an intensive introduction to a subject. For these programmes, any British undergraduate degree is sufficient, even one in an unrelated area. For example, you might have studied history for your first degree, but could use a conversion course to prepare for a Master of Science (MSc) degree in information technology.

For a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, you will need a UK master's degree or equivalent from your country. If you don¿t have a master¿s degree, you may be able to register initially for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Master of Research (MRes) course and then transfer to the PhD programme later if your progress has been good.

MBAs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses usually require a British undergraduate degree or equivalent, or a professional qualification. Most MBA courses may also require two or three years' management experience.

Check your qualifications

If you want to know how your qualifications compare with their UK counterparts, you can contact the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

Admissions tutors may base their decision regarding your application not only on your academic qualifications but also on factors including your references and experience, English language ability and motivation for study.

Your local British Council office can provide further guidance. The office will either have access to UK NARIC¿s most up-to-date information, which can be used to compare qualifications, or will be able to guide you on making such comparisons.

UK approaches to teaching have evolved over many hundreds of years and aim to encourage independent, thoughtful and confident students.

Rigorous quality assurance and academic audit procedures ensure that the educational opportunities available in the UK meet the highest standards.

Most students benefit from the continuing support of a tutor, from small classes or tutorial and seminar groups and from a range of teaching methods that may include discussions, games, problem- solving, projects, practical work, peer tutoring, computer-assisted learning and simulations. These methods are effective: pass rates are high and drop-out rates (students who fail to complete their course of study) are among the lowest in the world.

By encouraging an independent approach, education in the UK helps you to develop intellectual and problem-solving skills for the global market.

English Language Course

Boarding Schools & College

Career Based Courses

Degree Courses

Postgraduate Programme

MBAs

Distance Learning

Furthur Information

The teaching style is mainly practical and you will be encouraged to communicate from the moment you enter the classroom. Students on these courses are immersed in the language, rather than just studying it.

The wide range of creative teaching methods includes games, role- playing exercises, problem-solving and group discussions. You will also be able to make use of technology and the language laboratories to study without supervision from a teacher.

Boarding schools and college

Independent boarding schools pride themselves on the quality of their teaching and their excellent facilities. You can expect to be taught in a small group, where your teacher will be able to give you all the individual attention you need to help you achieve your academic goals. Such values as independence, sociability and a love of learning are all gained from studying at independent schools.

Career-based courses

Students pursuing career-based courses are encouraged to take responsibility for their own studies with extensive support from tutors and lecturers. You will find yourself working on projects with other students, spending time in college libraries and being assessed through practical demonstrations, as well as through essays and examinations. Your course will combine practical skills with a sound academic underpinning, all geared towards a particular career or occupation.

Degree courses

During your degree programme, some of your specific courses will be compulsory but others will be optional, allowing you to tailor the programme to suit your interests.

The core topics of your course will be outlined to you through lectures. More in-depth analysis will take place in smaller tutorial and seminar groups where you will prepare topics in advance and discuss them with the other students and the tutor. You will need to read extensively about the subject and form your own ideas and opinions. If you choose a technical subject, you will spend a large portion of your time in supervised laboratory work, designed to develop necessary technical skills.

Postgraduate programmes

All postgraduate programmes require you to do a great deal of work on your own initiative. On taught courses, postgraduate tutors and lecturers will provide the framework of the course and, within this, you will be able to pursue your own interests.

On research programmes, the principal teaching method is original research, which you complete under academic supervision. Writing a dissertation about your research forms a substantial part of the programme.

MBAs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses are a particularly intensive and challenging form of taught postgraduate course. You ¿ll be expected to work through a very large amount of material, complete projects and assignments and give regular presentations. Teaching methods characteristic of MBAs include case studies, simulations and business games.

Distance learning

In addition to more conventional courses, there are also many opportunities to study for a vast range of qualifications through distance and supported open learning. These programmes involve a slightly different set of learning methods: you work through the course at home with the help of study materials, videos, CD-Roms, audio tapes and web-based resources. Tutorial support may be offered by email, web chatroom or fax, or may be provided by local educational institutions.

Further information

- Studying and living in the United Kingdom , chapter 10.

- UKCOSA guidance note: Study methods in the UK.

These publications are available for reference at most British Council offices. UKCOSA guidance notes can also be downloaded from the UKCOSA website (see below).

Web links

UKCOSA:The Council for International Education www.ukcosa.org.uk

English Language Course

Boarding Schools & College

Career Based Courses

Degree Courses

Postgraduate Programme & MBAs

Estimate your likely costs while studying in UK

Furthur Information

Fees for these courses vary greatly. Always check costs with the school or college you are considering. You can expect to pay around £100 per week for classes in a group of around eight to 12 people, and up to £300 per week for more specialised or intensive small-group tuition. Academic English study courses may cost £100 to £200 per week, although some universities offer these free of charge to students who are registered for other courses.

Boarding schools and colleges

Students boarding in independent schools will not need to budget for accommodation, food or laundry costs. It is important to check what else the fees do or do not include, such as textbooks or examination fees. Fees can vary a great deal from school to school. For a boarder, fees are likely to fall within the range of £2,350 to £5,500 per term. For a day pupil, fees tend to be lower. There are three terms in a year.

Career based courses

For European Union students with 'home fee' status, fees for career-based courses vary according to level of study but start at around £775 per year rising to £1,100 for HND/HNC courses. Fees for professional courses will usually be higher. Students with 'home fee' status who are under the age of 19 can attend a further education college for free, although they will have to start paying fees once they reach their 19th birthday.

For international students, fees are in the range of £3,900 to £4,800 per year. Higher fees are charged for HNDs/HNCs (£5,700 to £7,500 per year) and for professional courses. You will also have to budget for living costs: £768 per month in London, £600 per month elsewhere.

Degree courses

Honours degree courses in most of the UK take just three years to complete, while in the USA and Australia they take four years. In Scotland, honours degree courses last four years - equivalent to doing an access and degree course elsewhere in the UK.

European Union students with 'home fee' status pay fees at the standard rate of £1,100 per year for all undergraduate courses. For international students, universities set their own fees and they vary by subject and by institution. International fees for undergraduate courses will usually fall within the following ranges.

Arts £6,250 to £7,650

Science £6,500 to £9,950

Clinical £6,950 to £18,000

For living costs, you should budget for a nine-month academic year. Average living costs (covering accommodation, food, clothing, books, entertainment and travel) for an international student on a degree course are £768 per month in London or £600 per month elsewhere.

Postgraduate programmes and MBAs

Most UK taught and research-based postgraduate master's courses take just one year (in the USA and Australia, such courses typically last two years). Advanced research programmes, such as for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), can take at least three years of full-time study.

European Union students with 'home fee' status pay fees at the lower 'home rate'. Home fees for postgraduate courses start at £2,870 per year but higher fees (£3,000 to £6,000 per year) will be charged for programmes that are more expensive to run.

For international students, universities set their own fees and they vary by subject and by institution. International fees for postgraduate courses will usually fall within the following ranges:

Arts £6,750 to £8,200 per year

Science £6,500 to £9,950 per year

Clinical £6,200 to £17,400 per year

MBA £7,500 to £13,500 per year (although programmes at some high-profile UK business schools can cost up to £20,000 per year).

For both types of postgraduate study (taught and research), you should budget for a 12-month academic year. Average living costs (covering accommodation, food, clothing, books, entertainment and travel) for an international student on a degree course are £768 per month in London and £600 per month elsewhere.

Estimate your likely costs while studying in the UK

It is important you have a clear idea of the likely overall cost of studying in the UK, not just tuition fees but all the everyday expenses you will have. The table on the previous page will help you to estimate costs. Prices for accommodation and daily shopping vary between different regions of the UK. The figures are intended as a guide only. You should remember that London will be more expensive. Costs in other major UK cities may also be above average.

Student discounts
Special reductions are offered for students at many shops, theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries; and special student fares are available on buses and trains. Many discounts are negotiated by the National Union of Students (NUS), an organisation that represents the interests of all students in the UK. Recent discounts listed on the NUS website included 10 per cent off purchases of selected items at HMV (a music and video retailer) and at Topshop/Topman (a chain of clothing shops). Ask at your Students' Union for details of the latest student discounts.

Living expenses
How much you should expect to pay for your main needs:

Accommodation or rent: £160 to £350 per month

Heat and light (if not included): £20 to £40 per month

Food (if not included) £110 to £135 per month

Other average costs:

Underwear, T-shirts: £10 or less

Jeans: £40 approximately

Winter coats for men and women: £90 approximately

Textbooks (large variations are possible): £252 per year

Childcare: £160 per month

Laundry: £12 per month

Personal hygiene, cosmetics: £9 to £12 per month

Hairdresser: £10 for men, £12 to £20 for women

Restaurant meal (without drinks): £5 minimum, £12 average

Wine (very dependent on quality): £3 minimum for 75cl bottle

Beer (prices vary): from £1.50 per pint

Daily travel fares (quite close to place of study): £1 to £3 per day

British Council education information sheet: Tuition fees and the cost of living. (Available from the British Council website - see below).

UKCOSA guidance notes: Fees and student support; Preparing for study in the UK; Opening and running a bank account; Working in the UK during your studies; Council tax and international students.

These publications are available for reference at most British Council offices. UKCOSA guidance notes can also be downloaded from the UKCOSA website (see below).

Web links
UKCOSA: The Council for International Education
www.ukcosa.org.uk

National Union of Students
www.nusonline.co.uk

British Council
www.britishcouncil.org/education/resource/infosheets Living in the UK

Finding accommodation

English language courses

Boarding schools and colleges

Career-based courses

Degree courses

Postgraduate programmes and MBAs

UK towns and cities have long experience of providing homes for students and there are many inexpensive, comfortable and safe places to live.

Finding accommodation

You should always try to arrange your long-term accommodation before you leave home. Your institution should be able to help you with this. English language schools and further education (FE) colleges have student advisers who can advise you on how to find accommodation and universities have accommodation officers.

When you accept a study place, you should receive a package of information which will include accommodation information. Complete the accommodation application form and return it by the date stated. Even if residential accommodation is not available, there will be an accommodation advisory office which can help you find private accommodation.

If you're coming to the UK for the first time, accommodation provided by your school, college or university might be the most suitable choice. This is an option taken up by more than half of the international students on degree courses in the UK and around 30 per cent of those who come to FE colleges.

There are advantages to living in accommodation provided by your institution:

- you usually live close to where you are studying
- you get to know other students easily
- you are likely to spend less time travelling, so you have time to get to know the local area
- you will be living in a safe and secure environment.

College and university accommodation is also affordable: a room in a self-catering hall of residence or student apartment costs from £180 to £360 per month. The term `self-catering ¿means that you will have access to a shared kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. Some universities and colleges also offer accommodation where meals are provided and the cost of your breakfast and evening meal is included in the rent you pay. Where meals are included you can expect to pay from £320 to £400 per month. In the traditional student residence, bathroom facilities are shared but an increasing number of universities and colleges now offer residences with en-suite rooms where you have your own private bathroom. You would pay slightly more for this option. For students with families, a number of universities and colleges offer two-or three-bedroom family units at a cost of £450 to £550 per month.

If you choose to rent accommodation in the private sector, the options are private hostels, lodgings, bed-sits or shared flats/houses. A lodging is where you rent a room in a private house. Your landlord/landlady would live in the same house, possibly with their family, and would prepare your meals for you. For hostel accommodation and lodgings where meals are included, you can expect to pay £300 to £400 per month. For a bed-sit or a room in a house or flat shared with other students, you would pay from £200 to £380 per month.

English language courses

Nearly all English language centres can help you arrange suitable accommodation. The type of accommodation available will depend on where you study: it may be halls of residence, a hotel or lodging with a British family. Living with a British family is the most common option and will give you the opportunity to practise English in a supportive environment.

Boarding schools and colleges

Independent boarding schools offer a relaxed, home-like atmosphere Pupils stay in high-quality bedrooms or dormitories on the school site, living under the same roof with residential house staff and their families. Younger pupils usually share a room with up to four others of a similar age; older pupils may have a study-bedroom to themselves. Boarding schools take great trouble with caring for their students. There is normally a qualified nurse on duty and other house staff are never far away.

Career-based courses

Accommodation options at this level include halls of residence, lodgings or homestay, hostels, and private flats and houses. Your college will try to match your needs with the type of accommodation available. The most common form of accommodation is lodgings or homestay, which involves renting a room in a private house. The rent normally includes the cost of cleaning, laundry and half-board (breakfast and evening meals).

Degree courses

Although you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation, all universities and colleges offer assistance with finding somewhere to live. The most common form of accommodation is in halls of residence and many institutions guarantee accommodation in halls for first-year international students. In halls, you live in a study bedroom, either by yourself or with another student. Bathrooms are usually shared but many institutions have en-suite rooms for postgraduate and mature students. Some halls provide breakfast and evening meals and others are `self-catering¿: you buy and prepare your own food, sharing a kitchen with other students.

Some institutions also have houses for small groups of students or flats for couples or families. Other options include private flats or houses (where you share the cost of renting with other students), lodgings (where you rent a room in someone¿s home) and bed-sits (single rented rooms with living, sleeping and sometimes cooking facilities).

Postgraduate programmes and MBAs

Although you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation, all universities and colleges offer assistance with finding somewhere to live. The most common form of accommodation is in halls of residence and many institutions guarantee accommodation in halls for first-year international students.

In halls, you live in a study bedroom, either by yourself or with another student. Bathrooms are usually shared but many institutions have en-suite rooms for postgraduate and mature students. Some halls provide breakfast and evening meals and others are `self-catering¿: you buy and prepare your own food, sharing a kitchen with other students.

Some institutions have houses for small groups of students or flats for couples or families. Other options include private flats or houses (where you share the cost of renting with other students), lodgings (where you rent a room in someone¿s home) and bed-sits (single rented rooms with living, sleeping and sometimes cooking facilities).