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FEES AND THE COST OF
STUDY
One of your main concerns when
thinking about studying in the UK might be the cost. However, this is unlikely
to be the barrier that you expect it to be.
Financial
assistance and scholarships are available and it is worth
finding out early on in the process what you will be able to
receive.
But of course
you will want to be clear what scale of investment is needed
before you commit yourself.
To gain entry
clearance to the UK, you will need to prove that you have enough
money to cover all your course fees and living expenses. To
calculate whether you have enough money, you first need to work
out how much you will need. The best source of information about
course fees is your college or university – the admissions staff
are the ones who can tell you exactly how much your course will
cost. Here is a rough guide to what you can expect.
Level of study
Average cost
English language:
£150–£300 per week
Vocational
(pre-degree level):
£3,300–£4,150 per year
Undergraduate level
Arts, business, social science courses:
£7,000–£7,900 per year
Science (lab based):
£7,000–£10,400 per year
Clinical:
£17,400–£18,710 per year
Postgraduate level
Arts,
business, social science courses:
£5,000–£12,000 per year
Science:
£6,500–£10,000 per year
The fees quoted above
are typical ‘overseas’ fees. But some international students
qualify for ‘home’ fees (the fees charged to UK students), which
are lower because they’re subsidised by the UK government. If
you are a national of an EU (European Union) country, or if you
have been living in the UK for a while already, you may qualify
for these reduced fees.
Funding
If you’re hoping
for a scholarship to help pay for your studies, then start
making enquiries and applications at least a year in advance.
Most
scholarships are merit-based and competitive. The deadline to
apply for a scholarship can be up to 12 months before your
course starts, so it is best to see what scholarships are
available as early as possible.
It is a good
idea to contact those organisations that offer scholarships
directly, as well as to ask your chosen university what
scholarships are available. If you have a study abroad adviser
at your school, they will also be able to help you find out
about financial assistance.
You could also
start by enquiring with your own Ministry or Department of
Education.
Your local British
Council office can provide details of awards available,
including those offered by UK institutions themselves. You’ll
also find information and a scholarships database at
www.britishcouncil.org.
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