Insider’s guide to studying in the UK

Studying a language course in the UK is very popular with students from all over the world. So how can you best prepare for the experience? This insider’s guide gives tips on student visas, selecting a language school, when to visit and where to live.

Photo Credit: garryknight - Flickr

Student visas

It’s crucial you arrange the correct documentation before you arrive in the UK. Tier 4 (General) visas are for adults who are coming to the UK for post-16 education. To qualify for a Tier 4 student visa you must be accepted onto a suitable course, which will provide you with 30 points. You need to score another 10 points by proving you have enough money to cover your fees and living costs.

If you still need to finalise your arrangements for a Tier 4 course, you might be able to come to the UK as a prospective student. Adults who plan to undertake a short course of study, like a beginner’s language course lasting less than six months, might be able to come to the UK as a student visitor.

Language courses

The biggest decision to make is which language course to study. Would you prefer an intensive course, group learning or one-to-one tuition? You should take into consideration your budget and timeframe as well as personal preference.

Language schools like www.uiclondon.com have modern facilities and experienced staff. Whether you want to learn English or learn German London has many courses, as do other major cities in the UK like Edinburgh and Brighton.

When to visit

It’s no secret that the UK’s climate is changeable! Summers are more likely to be warm and dry, but prices for flights and accommodation go up in peak season. Language schools are more likely to be busy with summer school students.

Winter is the cheapest time to visit. Although the days are short and it can be cold, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, like Christmas markets. Whatever time of year you choose, make sure you secure a place on a language course and sort out your visa before you arrive.

Where to live

The UK has a range of living options for students. If you are at a university, you might want to stay in a room on campus so you are close to your classes. This is also an ideal way to meet other students and make friends. House shares are also a sociable option.

For short stays in the UK, hotels and bed and breakfasts can be a simple solution. They can be pricey for long stays, however, so a hostel could be more cost effective. To really keep costs down, you could camp in a tent or a caravan, or even arrange a house swap.
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all offer fantastic language courses and affordable accommodation any time of the year. All that’s left for you to do is pick where, when and how!