Advice for International Students:

Advice for UK students:

UK students studying abroad

Information Sheets and other resources

Arriving and living in the UK
Immigration
Fees status and Student Support
Other financial support
Studying in the UK

Arriving and living in the UK

Accommodation overview
An introduction to the accommodation options available to international students in the UK
What you need to know when choosing accommodation
Things to look out for when deciding what type of accommodation to choose
Arriving in the UK
Practical information on issues such as transport and money, when first arriving in the UK.
Driving in the United Kingdom: a guide for international students
An explanation of the legal requirements relating to the car and to the driver.
International students and culture shock
Adjusting to life in a new country and a new culture can be very difficult at first. This Information Sheet aims to help students prepare for this period of adjustment and the effects it may have.
Keeping healthy
A practical guide to medical services in the UK, and students' entitlement to them. Also helpful information on diet, weather and personal health.
Preparing to return home
Practical arrangements before leaving the UK, and a discussion of 'reverse culture shock', which many students experience when they return to their own country.

Immigration

Making an immigration application as a student visitor
Explains what you need to do to get immigration permission in order to come to study in the UK as a 'student visitor' or as a 'child visitor'.
Making a Tier 4 application
How to apply for immigration permission to come to the UK, or extend your stay in the UK, as a student under Tier 4 (General).
Protecting your Tier 4 student immigration status
Advice on how to protect your immigration status as a tier 4 student while studying in the UK.
Your family's immigration
Advice on how to apply for immigration permission to be in the UK as the family member of a student.
Your family's immigration if you do not have Tier 4 leave
Advice on how to apply for immigration permission to be in the UK as the family member of a student for students who applied for their current leave before 31 March 2009.
Tier 4 sponsor licence problems, and colleges that close
What to do if the institution where you are studying has recently closed, or if their Tier 4 sponsor licence is suspended or revoked.
Working during your studies
Information relevant to students who want to work during their studies.
Working in the UK after your studies
Information about some of the schemes relevant to students who want to stay on in the UK to work at the end of their studies.
Sabbatical officers
Information for students, recent graduates, Students' Unions and Tier 4 sponsors about working as a sabbatical officer.

Fees status and Student Support

Tuition fees: will I pay the ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ rate?
An explanation of all the groups entitled to the lower ('home') rate of tuition fees for courses at universities and colleges in the UK.
Ordinary residence: case law for fees and Student Support

Student Support
An explanation of the conditions you need to meet to be eligible for public (UK Government) funding for study (‘Student Support’).

If you are eligible for Student Support, you should apply to the authority in the country of the UK where you normally live when you are not studying. Choose the Information Sheet for that country. If you are a European Union national, or the family member of a European Union national, and you are coming to the UK only in order to study, select the Information Sheet for the country where your institution is located.

Other financial support

Council tax and international students
An explanation of Council Tax and advice on who must pay it.
Financial hardship
An outline of strategies for international students in the UK who find themselves experiencing financial hardship
Welfare benefits
Advice on if and when international students can claim government benefits and help with health care costs. Also see, Keeping Healthy and EEA and Swiss Students, as appropriate.
Sources of funding for international students
Please note that UKCISA is not a funding agency and does not provide scholarships or any form of financial support. The link above takes you to the British Council "Funding your studies" page, where you can read and/or download their leaflet, 'Sources of funding for international students'. This is a basic guide to possible sources of funding for international students who want to study in the UK.
International student calculator
For help with budgeting and working out the costs of studying in the UK, try the International Student Calculator, developed by Brightside in partnership with UKCISA.

Studying in the UK

Study methods used in the UK
What is it like to study in the UK? How is education structured? An introduction to what to expect from your course, and what your tutors are likely to expect from you, as well as some suggestions to help you study effectively.
Prepare for Success
For more detailed information about studying in the UK, including video and audio material, and online quizzes to help you develop your knowledge and language skills, see this free online resource developed by the University of Southampton in partnership with UKCISA.

Choosing your course: further information from the British Council

At British Council Education UK you can do a search for courses, institutions and scholarships based on different criteria such as subject and location. You will also find more practical advice about living and studying in the UK, including

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