By Darren Barden
COLLEGE life is full of challenges, especially if you are an Indian student studying in a UK university. Most students in US universities are international and away from their families. They have to look after a place to stay, work, education, and many more. So let’s look at the top tips for studying in the UK as an Indian student.
Plan your funding and research scholarships
Finance is the biggest concern of every student. Before you enroll in a university, pre-plan your money and make sure you have enough finances. Start saving money at least a year before so that, by the time, a lack of finances doesn’t stop you from getting admission. Finances are not that big of an issue in your native country, i.e., India, as you always have relatives or friends to help you in desperate times. If you are traveling to England for the first time for admission to a university, you will need to go through the websites and talk to the counselors. Read the university manual thoroughly and discuss it with your parents. It is also wise to seek a part-time job to save your income for college tuition fees. Different colleges have different fee structures according to their criteria. Colleges also provide a variety of funding plans for their students. They are smooth and make it possible for students to cover their expenses without stressing out. It is even better if you are a bright student. Academic institutions in the UK have scholarship schemes that provide you with fee waivers and discounts. You simply have to search the university website or talk to their counselor to get information about the scholarship programs.
Organize your student visa
If you are an international student coming to the UK from India, it is wise to advise study abroad tips from similar students. First, you will realize that you need to apply for a visa. Without a visa, you are not in a position to visit the UK. Apply for a visa as soon as you make up your mind about international traveling. There are different types of visas that you can choose from depending on the duration of your course. For example, if you intend to take a course for less than six months, then a standard visitor visa will suit you fine. The con of this visa is that you will not be able to work in the UK unless you join as an optional placement in a medical field. If you plan on working, you can always apply for a student visa. If your course is between six to eleven months, you can apply for a short-term study visa. For lengthier courses, you will need a student visa. However, to apply for a student visa, you will need to submit a few documents. These include:
- Confirmation of acceptance studies or CAS
- Proof of finances
- English language skills
In addition to the visa, you may have to pay a healthcare surcharge along with the visa application.
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Mentally prepare yourself for the British life
The United Kingdom is a cultural mix. It is diverse as you will find people from all over the world. Even in college, you will meet friends from different ethnicities and religions. The UK accepts a bulk of international students annually, so you will not find yourself left out. The universities even have different interacting programs that allow you to find other students with your mindset. This makes survival in the UK education system smooth and easy. It is always a good idea to surf Facebook groups that are relevant to your educational institute. This may give you a chance to meet other Indian students in the UK. You can find the same kind of people who will help you gain confidence and grow academically. You can start searching before you start attending the university as this will allow you to make friends before you arrive. As India is near the equator, the country experiences quite hot summers. This may not be the case in the UK. The weather in the UK is generally cold so remember to pack warm clothes. Even the summers are not that hot compared to India, so it might take some time before you adjust to the weather in the UK.
Manage your student accommodation
Landing in an entirely new country without having anywhere to stay is the last thing you want. Make sure you sort your living space before leaving India so that you can travel with a clear head. Make sure you apply for admission early because, generally, the universities provide accommodations to students who apply before a certain date. This will save you from searching for random places to stay.
Provision of settlement by the university ensures that you will be living not far from your campus. This can save the transport cost as well as your precious time. The students mostly live either in university halls or rent private spaces. As a freshman, university halls are the best option because you will meet new friends with the same goals. In addition, there are generally separate halls for international students in London. This is even better and will give you a chance to blend in easily.
Set up a student bank account
A visit to the UK for a few months is cool but as a student, if you intend to stay longer, then setting up a student’s bank account is a wise decision. There is a high chance that you will already have a tight budget. You don’t want to waste money on foreign currency charges. Having an account also means that now you will keep your money safe and pay the bills easily.
Almost every bank provides online transactions, and so you can also pay or buy things without having to rush to the bank every time. Setting up a bank account can be quite challenging as you will have to verify your identity. You will also have to provide other various details like your credit ratings. Student accounts are the best option for several reasons. They provide interest-free transfers, which will prove to be of great help during your stay in the UK. However, some banks do not provide student accounts for international students, so you will have to search for international student bank accounts specifically.
An Indian student studying high school in the UK has its fair share of advantages. You will get a chance to socialize and learn about different cultures. It is not an easy journey, but once you set your goals and set out to achieve them, you will realize it is worth it.
- Darren Barden is a writing coach. Darren is working on net new campaigns as well as re-jigging and putting a slant on work in progress. He is able to write short, mid and long form copy for truly omni channel campaigns such as: OOH, TV, digital, social networks, print and more for writemyessayforme.co.uk.
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