Academic Cycle

• Application begins: October (previous year)
• Last date for submission: March (can be extended to June-end for International students)
• Visa cycle: Best to apply for visa 3 months prior to start of semester
• Sessions begins: September/ October

ROHINI Chopra swears that during her course in Management Psychology at University of Nottingham, UK what she learnt outside class was something that makes her see things in a different light. The biggest advantage of studying in the UK has been the one-year Master’s programme as compared to the two-years’ Master’s in countries like the USA and Germany.

In addition, it boasts of the legendary Oxford and Cambridge Universities that have managed to catch the fancy of the Indian student population for decades.

Although the high tuition fees and cost of living have deterred students from applying to UK universities, many of them do offer trust and college-level bursaries and next to the USA, maximum number of fellowships for India is in the UK. It is also easy to get part-time work to fund your expenses there, though one can only work within the university. With respect to food habits and social atmosphere, the country and streets are dotted with Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan restaurants.

The unpredictable weather (especially rains) might at times create havoc. So it is advisable to carry an umbrella or raincoat, wherever you go. With the change in Visa application process based on points system, it might have become a tad difficult for aspirants to seek UK universities.

• In order to apply for a visa to study in the UK, an application under ‘Tier 4–Students’ category (applicable from March 31, 2009) of the new Points-based system has to be made. Total 40 points have to be obtained to get the student’s visa.
• The Visa application form is VAF 9, which needs to be filled and visa fees is 255 pounds.
• It is essential to possess the visa letter from the university, which they provide upon payment of the course fees.
• Candidate must be able to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to live in the UK, apart from tuition fees. They have to show the availability of funds at the time of application and not in the previous 28-day period.
• About 15 documents are required for Visa. Visa application may be submitted personally at the VFS UK local office, after obtaining appointment by email from them. If the authenticity of documents is confirmed, issue of visa will not take more than 7 days to 15 days.
• In case the visa officials consider that an interview may be required, there will be a personal visa interview before a visa could be granted or denied.