6 conditions for studying abroad in the UK that international students must know | IDP Vietnam

1.1 Age requirements

Normally, in Vietnam, most students study abroad between the ages of 17 and 18 years old, as soon as they finish grade 11 or 12 of high school. However, the age requirement to study abroad in the UK is quite easy, you must be from grade 8 or older (over 13 years old), have an average academic ability or higher.

1.2 Health conditions

Pulmonary TB Examination Certificate

When participating in face-to-face courses in the UK and the duration of the course is 06 months or more, students will be required to take a pulmonary tuberculosis test and must have a TB test (Tuberculosis test) when applying for a visa as well as must bring it with them when entering the UK. Students can only get tested for TB at clinics and hospitals recognized by the UK Immigration and published on the UK government's website. The cost of pulmonary tuberculosis screening for students over 11 years old is USD 105 per person.

Medical Surcharge

In addition to the cost of applying for a visa, the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) fee is a mandatory fee in the application for a visa to enter the UK. This fee was officially implemented from April 6, 2015, applicable to all citizens of non-European countries who have lived in the UK for more than 6 months.

Students will be required to pay this medical surcharge before paying the visa fee and the total surcharge will be calculated based on the duration of the student's course in the UK. Students will receive medical care services from the NHS. This surcharge ranges from £776 per year, depending on the age of the student and the duration of the course.

1.3 Financial conditions

Whether you study abroad in the UK in any form or at any age, you need to meet the financial conditions. Britain does not assess financial ability based on assets such as land, houses, or monthly income, but simply requires a passbook.

Requirements when proving finances

To be eligible to study in the UK, it is mandatory to have a Passbook in your name that has been opened 28 days prior to the date of applying for the visa online. If the passbook is in the name of your parents, in this case you need your birth certificate and a letter of financial guarantee from your parents.

Amount required when proving finances for 1 year of study:

This amount needs to be at least enough to cover tuition fees and living expenses for 1 year in the UK, ensuring that you focus on your studies effectively, without financial problems. The amount to be proved is calculated based on one year's tuition fee (after deducting the scholarship and the amount of tuition deposited for the school) plus the maximum living expenses within 09 months in the UK. The cost of living depends on the region where you study in the UK.

In London: Living expenses l13,347 pounds/year (about 441 million VND).

Outside London: The tuition fee for the first year is about 245 million VND and the required living expenses are 10,224 pounds (about 338 million VND).

Note: The pound exchange rate may change according to the time the student makes the passbook.

1.4 Requirements for documents to be prepared when applying for a student visa in the UK

When applying for a student visa in the UK, you need to prepare the following documents and papers:

• Visa application form (declared on the UK government website)

• Schedule an appointment at VFS (Visa Application Center authorized by the Immigration Department)

• Original passport, valid for at least 6 months, and 03 blank pages

• Pulmonary tuberculosis examination certificate (if the course is longer than 6 months)

• Passbook and Passbook Balance Confirmation (within 31 days prior to online visa application)

• Parents' financial guarantee letter (if the savings book is in the parent's name)

• Confirmation letter of consent for the child to be sent to school by parents with students under 18 years old

• Birth certificate (if the passbook is in the name of the parents)

• CAS/Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies - A letter of support for a visa issued by the school you are applying for

• Transcripts/Degrees (as per specific requirements on CAS mail)

• IELTS or IELTS UKVI certificate (as specified on the CAS letter)

Prepare all documents to apply for a visa on time

1.5 Conditions for applying for a UK student visa

The UK currently approves visas according to the Points-Based System with a total score of 70 points for the following 3 conditions according to the international student route:

Accepted into 1 course at a licensed UK school or institution (with CAS offer) - 50 points

Ability to use English - 10 points

Prove that you have enough financial potential to support yourself in living and studying in the UK - 10 points

Normally, the standard application processing time is about 3 working weeks. However, you can use the Priority Visa processing service to shorten the visa processing time to only 7-10 working days.

The peak time for applying for a visa for the September admission period is June, July and August and the January admission period is October, November and December, so international students need to have a time plan to prepare their application early.

1.6 Educational requirements

In addition to the general conditions for studying in the UK above, for each level, program, and school, there will be different conditions in terms of educational level, GPA; GPA, English certificate, and estimated tuition fee.

Studying in the UK at Secondary - High School

Studying in the UK at the Secondary - High School level includes a study abroad program similar to the secondary and high school levels as it is called in Vietnam.

Studying in the UK at Undergraduate level

Studying in the UK at undergraduate level includes pre-university, college and bachelor's degree study abroad programs.

Study abroad at the postgraduate level

At the postgraduate level, studying in the UK includes pre-Master's and Master's degree programs

Below IDP will guide you step by step from choosing a course, making an application, submitting an application, waiting for the result, applying for a scholarship and finally applying for a visa after learning about the conditions to study in the UK:

Step 1: Choose a course

A favorite major or course will help you promote your strengths and arouse your inner potential. You should look up and find out carefully the suitable school, has teaching quality and facilities that meet the field you are aiming for so that you have the opportunity to develop in the best way.

If you are still wondering which major to choose, please refer to the article: 15 "hottest" majors to study in the UK

Step 2: Make an application

Each school has different requirements, but the application for an offer letter when studying abroad in the UK usually includes:

Passport: valid for at least 06 months

Personal CV: provide full personal information, strengths, experiences, and achievements of yourself in a scientific and appropriate way

Letter of Recommendation (LOR): is a letter from a lecturer, boss, or colleague, that aims to give the Admissions Officer an objective view of the skills, experience, and contributions you show in your CV

Personal Essay (SOP): helps the board know who you are, why you deserve admission to the school

Transcripts: Transcripts/transcripts of the most recent school-level

Qualifications: Degrees/Certificates (Provisional Graduation Certificates)

English Certificate: IELTS or IELTS UKVI (UK VISA & Immigration)

Step 3: Apply to study in the UK and wait for the result of the offer letter

For pre-university and pre-university courses in 01 year: Students will apply through Study Abroad Counseling Centers/Agents

For Bachelor's courses: Students will have to apply through the UCAS system (students have 05 choices of schools/courses and must pay an application fee of approximately £28.5)

For postgraduate courses: Students can apply directly through the course link on the university's website or ask for the support of study abroad counseling centers.

Depending on the submission time and application processing time frame of each school, there will be no fixed time to wait for the admission letter, but it will usually take an average of 03-06 working weeks.

Step 4: Apply for the scholarship

There are 2 main types of scholarships available to students who intend to study in the UK, namely:

UK Government Scholarships: Chevening scholarships, Global Wales scholarships

Scholarships: Nottingham Trent University, Sheffield Hallam University, Lincoln University...

Depending on the type of scholarship, the required terms, policies of the scholarship as well as the timeline will be different. Therefore, you should actively follow the official website of the scholarship or the schools' websites.

Step 5: Apply for a visa

This is when you finish supplementing the last missing papers, and simultaneously handle the problems that arise in the previous steps. A visa application usually includes the following documents:

Passport, tuberculosis certificate, appointment, visa documents,..

Academic records according to CAS: transcripts, diplomas, English language certificates.

Financial records: Passbook, bank balance confirmation, letter of consent to use the savings number, birth certificate

If you want to learn more about the UK application process, the consultants at IDP are always available to advise you on your study abroad journey. IDP is the official admissions representative of more than 800 prestigious schools in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, and currently has a network of 210 international admissions offices in 35 different countries.

IDP's counselors are available to advise you on finding the right school and course, assist you in applying for admission, and track your progress until you receive a confirmation letter from the school. In addition, you can also experience the IDP Live app with the unique Fastlane feature, which helps you quickly receive an in-principle admission letter from 1023 courses in minutes.

In addition, IDP is ready to introduce scholarships to study in the UK up to 100% for students who come to apply at IDP. You will be guided by experts on the secrets of scholarship hunting, interview practice, completing the application for a UK student visa, and equipping yourself with knowledge before you go to study abroad.

Contact us immediately via the IDP 19006955 hotline for completely free support and advice on studying abroad today!

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