Janice Lozano
Although there are no tuition-free universities in the UK, international students can study in the UK for free by applying for scholarships, grants, and bursaries. These scholarships are offered by organisations like the government, private institutes, and universities. The University of Manchester, for example, offers scholarships that cover tuition fees, personal expenses, and flight tickets for international students. Additionally, international students can work part-time while studying in the UK, allowing them to earn extra money and cover some of their expenses. To study in the UK, international students must apply for a student visa and meet the necessary English language requirements, which vary between universities and courses.
Can an international student study in the UK for free?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Between £11,400 and £30,000 annually |
| Scholarships | The UK government, private institutes, and universities offer scholarships to international students. Some scholarships cover the entire tuition fee, while others cover a part of it. Some scholarships also cover travel, accommodation, and personal expenses. |
| Visa | A student visa is required for international students. The visa fee depends on the type of visa and the student's country of origin. |
| English language proficiency | International students are required to provide proof of English language proficiency. The required level of English varies depending on the university and course. |
| Academic requirements | Academic requirements may vary depending on the school, but all international students must submit their academic history, work experience, a personal statement, and proof of English language proficiency through UCAS. |
| Part-time jobs | International students can work part-time while studying, but the number of hours they can work depends on their visa rules and the type of job. |
| Living costs | Living costs in the UK can be high for international students, but there are options to share living costs or live on campus. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships, grants, and bursaries
The UK is one of the most popular study destinations for international students, but financing a degree and living costs can be challenging. Scholarships are the most common form of funding for international students. They are usually awarded based on academic ability, talent in sports or music, or merit and excellence. Some scholarships cover tuition fees in full, while others reduce them or contribute to living costs.
Universities in the UK offer scholarships and bursaries to attract international students and help them with the substantial costs of moving to another country to study. Undergraduate scholarships and bursaries for international students are less common than those for postgraduate studies, but they do exist. Funding can be split into two categories: those offered by UK universities and those offered by third parties, such as governments or organisations in the student's home country.
The UK government runs several scholarship programmes to support international students, including:
- GREAT Scholarships: Scholarships of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a range of one-year postgraduate courses.
- Chevening Scholarships: Fully funded master's degrees in the UK.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Scholarships for talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage.
There are also subject-specific scholarships offered by individual departments for students studying a particular course or subject. Additionally, equal access or sanctuary scholarships are available for refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution in their home countries. These can take the form of a tuition fee waiver or a maintenance award. Disability scholarships are another option for international students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, learning differences, or other special needs.
Students can also seek advice from international student advisors and admissions consultants, who can provide guidance on scholarships, grants, and bursaries, as well as the application process.
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Student visas
International students from across the globe choose the UK as their study destination every year. The UK is a great place to study for international students, as it is a very multicultural place, and they will have no trouble fitting in and finding their niche. International students can also benefit from the enriching social, academic, and cultural experiences the UK has to offer.
If you're an international student planning to study in the UK, you will most likely need a student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your age and the type of institution and course you plan to attend.
Child Student Visa
If you are under 18 and want to study at an independent school in the UK, you will need a Child Student Visa. This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa. The earliest you can apply for this visa is six months before your course starts, and you will usually get a decision within three weeks. Your course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
Student Visa
If you are 16 or over and want to study a course at higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months, you will need to apply for a Student Visa through the Student Route. This costs £524 per applicant. You will need to prove your identity as part of your application. The earliest you can apply is three months before your course starts. You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate
If you are doing a master's degree or above, you may need to apply for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
Work Restrictions
If you are studying in the UK on a Student Visa, you may be able to work. However, the number of hours you can work depends on your visa and the type of work. For most courses, you will be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time.
Visa Extensions
You might be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK. However, if you break the conditions of your visa, you may not be able to return to the UK.
Other Options
There are other options for financial support for international students studying in the UK. For example, international students can take on part-time jobs while studying, which can help cover some of the costs. Additionally, there are scholarships and bursaries available, as well as government-funded programs that offer aid to international students.
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English language proficiency
International students need to prove their English language proficiency to study in the UK. This is to ensure that they can cope with the demands of an undergraduate course and complete their course successfully. The level of English language proficiency required varies from university to university and even from course to course within the same university. For instance, areas like law and medicine will usually require students to have a higher level of English than other subjects.
International students can prove their English language proficiency by taking an English language test or through another method of assessment used by the university. The most common English language tests are:
- IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
- PTE Academic UKVI or PTE Home by Pearson
- Trinity College London's Secure English Language Tests for UKVI – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
Some universities also accept other tests, such as the Duolingo English test, TOEFL iBT (not the Special Home Edition), and LanguageCert International ESOL (non-UKVI version).
The scores required for each test vary by university and course. For instance, most universities require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each section. The University of Manchester requires higher scores for some of its courses, such as ISE II, ISE III, or ISE IV.
Students can prepare for the English language tests by doing mock test papers and familiarising themselves with the different accents they may encounter in the listening sections of the tests.
In some cases, international students may be exempt from submitting proof of English language proficiency if they are from an English-speaking country or have a bachelor's degree or higher from one of these countries.
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Tuition fees
The University of Manchester, for example, offers scholarships that cover tuition fees for international students who have received an offer letter from the university. The university provides three types of scholarships: Global Futures Scholarships, Humanitarian Scholarships, and Subject-specific awards.
The GREAT Scholarships, funded by the government, are another option for international students. These scholarships are available to students pursuing bachelor's or postgraduate degrees in any subject area at participating UK universities. The Chevening Scholarships, funded by the FCO, and the Commonwealth Scholarships are also fully funded opportunities for international students seeking master's degrees in the UK.
Additionally, the Westminster International Scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and flight tickets for students pursuing full-time master's degrees at Westminster University. The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are another prestigious scholarship awarded to students demonstrating exceptional academic excellence who are not UK citizens.
It is important to note that scholarships have specific eligibility criteria and application processes, so interested students should research and plan their applications carefully.
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Living costs
Students will also need to budget for other living expenses such as groceries, socialising, and travel. There are, however, many ways to save money as a student in the UK, including student discounts on technology, food shopping, eating out, going out, media subscriptions, clothes, travel, and university supplies. Students can apply for a TOTUM card, which provides proof of student status and offers discounts of up to 50%. There are also separate cards and programmes, such as UNiDAYS and Student Beans, that offer a broader range of discounts. Many banks offer student incentives such as free railcards, Amazon vouchers, and Apple gadgets. Local establishments in university towns often encourage students' custom by offering discounts. Additionally, many gyms offer student memberships for around £15-20 per month, and there may be free or cheaper options in university halls of residence or at universities.
International students will also need to consider the cost of visas and associated fees. A UK student visa costs £524, and there is an additional Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee of £776. The Graduate visa, which allows students to stay in the UK for a period of time after completing their course, costs £880, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year spent in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no tuition-free universities in the UK, international students can apply for scholarships, grants, and bursaries to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses.
There are several scholarships that international students can apply for to study in the UK for free, including:
- The Chevening Scholarships
- The GREAT Scholarships
- The Commonwealth Scholarships
- The Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- The Westminster International Scholarships
To get a scholarship to study in the UK for free, you must first be eligible and have the necessary documentation for the selection process. Scholarship providers will look for holistic success, not just academic achievement.
International students can also consider finding part-time work while studying, which can help cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. Additionally, students from certain countries may be eligible for student visas, which can make it easier to stay and work in the UK during their studies.
