UK provides you with a variety of courses and you can choose from among these depending these depending upon your interest. The benefit of studying in UK even if you don’t match the requirements of one course, you can choose another at a different level and work your way up. UK offers a number of study options to suit international students at all levels.
Improving your English language skills
You will need a good understanding of the English language and high proficiency in the same to study in any of the institutions of UK. Studying an English language course in the UK like the pre-sessional course will prepare you for further study.
Another option is to take an English test such as IELTS in your home country before you come to UK. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s leading English test of its kind, testing the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Over 1,000 UK institutions recognize IELTS and the test is available in over 125 different countries.
You can also take the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). The test is recognized by more than 100 institutions in the UK and accurately measures the English language listening, reading, speaking and writing abilities of non – negative speakers.
Entry requirements for UK undergraduate study
The qualifications you need depend on the course you want to study. You should have completed at least 13 years of education in your own country or in UK, and have taken pre-university qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels, Scottish Highers or National Diplomas.
If you haven’t got these qualifications yet don’t worry – you can still study in the UK.
Qualifications Required
HND
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two Scottish Highers or a Higher National Certificate or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus, IELTS 5.5-6.0.
Foundation Degree
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, one or two Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus, IELTS 5.5-6.0
Diploma of Higher Education
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus, IELTS 5.5-6.0
Degree
Qualifications equivalent to two or three UK A-levels, three or four Scottish Highers, a Higher National Certificate or Diploma, or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year. Plus, IELTS 6.0-6.5
Entry requirements for postgraduate or MBA study
To begin a post-graduate course in UK, you’ll need to hold an undergraduate degree from the UK or overseas. You’ll be expected to have obtained a first or good 2:1 in a directly related subject and you’ll need to speak English to at least IELTS 6.5 level for most courses.
Qualifications Required Pre-master’s
Undergraduate degree plus IELTS 5.0-5.5
PG Cert/PG Dip
Undergraduate degree plus IELTS 6.5-7.0, or a pre-master’s course
Master’s degree
First or upper second class undergraduate degree plus IELTS 7.0, or a pre-master’s course
MBA
First degree, 2-3 years’ business experience, plus IELTS 6.5-7.0
PHD
Master’s degree, plus IELTS 6.5-7.0
Entry requirements for UK independent schools
To apply to a UK independent school, you’ll need to have a good standard of education from your own country. You may not be asked to pass any formal qualification but you may be asked to pass the school’s entrance exam.
Entry requirements for career-based and pre-university study
The qualification you’ll need will depend on the course you want to study. Some qualifications are below the university level and lead directly on to higher education. Others are university-level qualifications that enable you to join a degree course in the second or third year.
Qualifications Required
BTEC National Diploma
Good general high school education equivalent to four GCSEs grades A –C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
AS/A-levels
Good general high school education equivalent to five GCSEs grades A –C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers
Good general high school equivalent to six Standard Grade qualifications grades 1-3, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
International Foundation Year
Twelve years of school education or equivalent in your own country, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
HND
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
Foundation Degree
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
