Before University

The UK has been opening its doors to international students for many years. There are over a million full-time and part-time students in higher education of which more than a quarter are international students. General information, including contact details for Universities and colleges, is available on this website. Visit the British Council's website if you would like to get useful information about studying in Britain. All programmes of study within the UCAS scheme offered by Further Education Colleges are subject to the same quality assurance arrangements as those offered by colleges of higher education or universities; much of this provision is delivered collaboratively through academic partnership agreements with institutions with degree-awarding powers.

More general information about the full range of further education opportunities available in the UK may be obtained from the British Council and Further Education Funding Council. Students may wish to note that the responsibility for the funding and planning of (non-HE) further education provision will transfer shortly from the Further Education Funding Council to the newly established Learning and Skills Council when it will be subject to quality inspection by OFSTED.

There are entry requirements for each course. Entry requirements are there to help universities and colleges choose students who will be successful. You can find them in each university and college prospectus and also on this website.

Entry requirements for the course will be in terms of UK exams. Unfortunately there isn’t an official list of how UK grades compare with other countries' qualifications. The decision as to whether you meet the requirements rests with the university or college. For more advice and information about qualifications for entry to UK higher education institutions, contact UCAS or the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC).

Requirements for course entry may include academic and professional qualifications, such as exam passes in stated subjects and particular grades they may also include work experience. It is not unheard of for universities and colleges to add other requirements, for example, financial or medical conditions, which you have to meet before you can start the course. Universities and colleges tend to give you a conditional offer if you have not already qualified when you apply.

You will then need to meet the entry requirements by 31 August 2003 for courses that start in September or October 2003. It is also possible to apply for entry with credit (to start a course at year two, three or four). If you are planning to do this you should get the college or university's agreement that it will consider you before you fill in a UCAS application form.

Universities and colleges will tell you what standard of written and spoken English you require to understand and take part in lectures, seminars, tutorials and exams. If however English is not your first language, most universities and colleges will want you to have a qualification in English, or to take a specified test in English, for example, CAE, CPE and IELTS. You need to check which qualifications are acceptable before you apply. The admissions office or international office at each university will be able to tell you this.

Qualifications from UK institutions are acknowledged and highly regarded throughout the world. This said, it is vital that you check that employers and professional organisations in your country (or where you want to work) will accept the course and qualification you have chosen.

Different things are important to different people but you may want to know if:

• There are fellow students from your country at the same place
• What sort of societies are available at the university or college
• The types of accommodation that are available
• Does it have disabled facilities

The climate should also be considered and also pay attention to health and welfare issues.

You will need to do a lot of research when you are deciding which courses to apply for. You can ask an admissions tutor if there is anything you can do to prepare yourself before the course starts. Normally they may suggest that you look at some of the books on a reading list, or that you improve skills in other areas.

A large number of students want to buy books and equipment before starting the course. Ideally check with your admissions tutor before you do this as some items may be provided by or are available for you to borrow at your UK University or college. It may also be cheaper and easier to buy what you need after you arrive in the UK, and avoid excess baggage allowances!

Ahead of you registering at your university or college in the UK, you will be asked for certificates showing that you have passed all the exams that you need for entry to your course.

To enter the UK you must have a valid passport. If you do not have one, you should apply for one as soon as possible. Students from some countries may require need a visa to gain entry. You should contact the British Embassy or the High Commission in the country where you live to find out whether you require a visa. To confirm whether you are eligible to come to the UK as a student you may want to contact the British Embassy.

On arrival in the UK, you will have to show certain documents. You will need:

• A valid passport
• A letter from the institution that you will study at, confirming you have a place
• Evidence that you have enough money to pay for your course

Getting the correct documents may take time, so start early.