International Trade

The United Kingdom is still considered the bastion of learning. It boasts of some of the oldest and most reputed centers of education like Oxford, Cambridge and Aberdeen. These universities were founded in the 14th and 15th centuries. There are newer universities too, and they offer a host of under-graduate and post-graduate courses in various disciplines.

The academic year in Britain runs from late September/early October to June. There will usually be a month off at Christmas and Easter. Most British courses give value for money because they are shorter and more intensive than similar courses offered elsewhere, thus reducing living expenses and time spent away from home. International students are also entitled to comprehensive free health treatment under the National Health Service for courses that last longer than six months.

Obtaining a student visa for studying in the UK
Candidates who have secured admission to a full-time course of study at a reputable educational institution can enter the UK as a student. In order to obtain a UK student visa you should be able to show that you are going to follow a recognized full time degree course or a course involving at least 15 hours of organized daytime study each week. Students should be able to pay for their studies and accommodation while living in UK and must be willing to leave the UK when they complete their studies.

Student Visas
Students from a country outside the European Economic Area will have to apply for a student visa at the British Embassy/Consulate/High Commission in their country. The relevant embassy can provide a full list of the documents required to complete the application. You have to submit original documents with your application.

How to apply to UK universities
Applications are made through a computerized national system known as the Universities and Colleges Admission service (UCAS). Students need to complete a single UCAS form which allows them up to six choices of universities and colleges so that they don't have to make costly and time consuming multiple applications. The completed application forms should be sent to UCAS along with the correct processing fee. You can also apply online at www.ucas.com [http://www.ucas.com].

When to apply
UCAS forms should ideally be submitted before December 15 of the preceding year. The earliest date for sending in applications is September 1. Students can start applying even if they have not received their secondary school results. It should be noted that for Oxford and Cambridge, students must apply before October 15 of the year preceding their year of proposed study. There are no strict national closing dates for sending application forms. Therefore, even after December 15, applications can still be processed in the normal way until June 30. Conditional offers are confirmed during August depending upon exam results. For those who have not achieved the results they needed, or who applied late, the Clearing process begins in August.

The author is the editor of dailylearningtips.com, a website that provides study abroad information and TOEFL practice tests.