The UK is a multicultural country and also extremely popular with international students. In fact, the UK is the second most popular destination for international students in the world.

The Bachelor Degree is the first step in the UK higher education system. In the United Kingdom, the length of study for a bachelor's degree varies. In England and Wales it is three years, in Scotland it is four. The total training period may be extended if you need to take a practical course.

British academic universities admit students who have reached 18 years of age.

What documents are required for admission to British universities?

There are 3 basic requirements for student admission:

1. Certificate of secondary education;

2. Certificate of English proficiency. The certificate is issued in accordance with the IELTS standard. Each university in England has its own requirements for the level of English. The minimum grade for a student is usually considered to be 7.0;

3. Certificate of pre-university courses: Foundation, A-Levels or IB.

Depending on the selected British university, you are additionally asked to provide:

- statement of purpose;

- reference letters;

- portfolio;

- results of the UKCAT test for a medical school or LNAT for a law course.

Applications are collected through the UCAS system (University and College Admissions Service) or through the official websites of universities. There are also deadlines for submitting applications and documents.

Citizens of Ukraine, like most international students, need a student visa to study in the UK.

Your student visa will allow you to live and study in the UK throughout the course.

You can apply for a student visa to study in the UK if you are 16 or older, and:

● You have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor;

● you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances;

● speak English;

● have parental consent if you are 16 or 17 - you will need evidence of this when you apply;

When can I apply?

When you can apply depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside of the UK.

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Applying from outside the UK

You can apply for a visa 6 months before the start of training.

You will usually receive your visa decision within 3 weeks.

Applying from the UK

You can apply 3 months before the course.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You will usually receive a decision within 8 weeks.

How long can you stay in the country?

How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you have already completed in the UK.

If you are 18 years old and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If this is below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Prolongation of stay in the country

You may be able to:

● extend your visa if you are eligible to continue your studies in the UK;

● switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing the course.

When can I travel to the UK?

You can arrive before the start of the course. It may be:

● 1 week before the start of training, if your course lasts 6 months or less;

● 1 month before the start of training, if your course lasts more than 6 months.

You must not travel to the UK before the start date specified in your visa, no matter when your course starts.

Proof of ability to pay for the course

You need to have enough money to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). The amount you need to pay will be stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you do not need to provide evidence that you have this money for your visa application.

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Documents to be submitted

When applying for a student visa, you must provide:

● valid passport or other valid travel document;

● certificate of acceptance (CAS) from the education provider.

You may also need to provide:

1. Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - depending on your circumstances;

2. Valid ATAS certificate, if required by your course and nationality;

3. Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent, if you are under 18 years of age;

4. Proof of your relationship to your parents or guardians if you are under 18 years of age;

5. Tuberculosis test results;

6. Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you have received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. See the instructions for a complete list of documents you need to provide.

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) at a visa center. When you apply, you will be told if you need to do so.

You will have to pay an application fee of 363 pounds.

If you are under 18 years old

If you are under the age of 18, you will need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one of the parents, if they are solely responsible).

This must include their consent to:

● your visa application;

● your living and care arrangements in the UK;

● your travel to the UK.

You will also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) with your parents' names.

How long does it take to get a decision?

You will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks.

After you apply

You will be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example, because:

● your supporting documents must be verified;

● you need to attend an interview;

● of your personal circumstances (for example, if you have a criminal record).

If you need to change something in your application after you have submitted it, please contact UKVI.

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

After you get a decision

If your application is successful, you will get either:

● biometric residence permit - if you provided biometric information at the visa center;

● digital immigration status that you can view and prove online - if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ application.

Find out what happens after you get your decision here.

Can I combine study and work in the UK?

Under British law, students can work part-time jobs no more than 20 hours a week while studying. But, as in many other countries, with some restrictions.

However, some universities set their own rules, such as time limits: no more than 16 hours per week. It is not possible to exceed the standard set by the university or college, because then you can be returned home, citing the fact that the student works more than studying, and this does not meet the purpose of arrival.

Is it possible to receive a scholarship to study?

Most major universities in the UK provide scholarships and grants to international students. The main condition is the excellent success of the applicant. University scholarships cover the full cost of tuition or 30-50%. There are options when accommodation is compensated.

A biometric residence permit (BRP) is an identity card that you will receive if you apply for a long-term study visa valid for more than six months or if you extend your visa for more than six months.

BRP holders can use this card to prove their identity, eligibility for education, and access to public services or benefits (where applicable).

You do not need to apply for a biometric residence permit separately. If your visa application requires a biometric residence permit, you will receive it automatically (after providing your biometric data to the UK Visa Application Center).

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How do I get a biometric residence permit?

Once you have been approved for a long-term visa to study in the UK, you will receive a letter with the address of the UK Visa Center office in your country of residence, which you need to visit. During your visit to the visa application center, you will need to provide all the necessary documents that were used to apply, as well as biometric information, which includes a photo and a digital scan of your fingerprints (remember that this is necessary to obtain a biometric residence permit if your study course lasts longer than 6 months). 

After that, if you have applied for a visa from the UK, you will receive your BRP by courier to the address you provided in your visa application form.

If you applied for your visa from outside the UK, you must collect your BRP on arrival in the country. You will usually need to obtain your BRP within ten days of your arrival in the United Kingdom. Instructions on where to collect the BRP will be given in your visa decision letter.