Moving to the UK.
Moving to the UK.
It’s been more than 5 months since I moved to the UK, and if you ask me how it feels, I’ll tell you that it’s an adjustment process that eventually improves. Life on social media can seem really happening and that’s because we always choose to put out the best and happy parts of our lives for people to witness.
Living on your own can be challenging at times but, the more cumbersome part is the process of applications. You’ll most likely have to rack your brain over minuscule things, and that's exactly why I decided to write down a few tips and information that might make the lives of people applying to a university in the UK easier.
A lot of people who reached out to me had questions about universities, placements, visas, my course etc. So, I decided to rant about my challenges, mistakes and some things that I wish I had known before I messed up and had to go the extra mile to fix it.
Let’s begin with the most asked question: "Which University should I apply to and which agents should I approach?”
The answer to this question is highly subjective, you need to consider what's important to you and find answers accordingly. I started by taking the help of our very friendly internet. Take out some time to write about all the areas that interest you, or the things you’d look for before choosing a particular university, this can be the tuition, subjects, campus life, location of the university etc. You could also approach educational agents; it would be better if you approached the ones that your university has tied up with. If you ask me, agents are a necessary evil. One can’t entirely depend on them, but you would need their help concerning your visas and other technical processes.
Approaching IDP for these things would be ideal as they know their shit, but apart from them, you can also look into SI UK, Edwise etc.
How Do I know if the University is good?
The answer to this is simple, ‘research’.
You can do this by simply going on LinkedIn and trying to communicate with a few alumni.
See how they have progressed after passing out from the university, and ask them questions about their experience while they were studying there. If you don’t find anyone, you can always ask the university to provide you with the emails of students or faculty members. Most colleges and unis have webinars for international students, and attending those also helps you answer many of your basic questions.
Which course am I pursuing and is it any good?
I am pursuing my Masters in creative Advertising, from Falmouth University and I don’t have any major complaints in terms of my modules. Falmouth is located in Cornwall and about 5 hours away from London via train. However, I would advise opting for a city, especially if you have grown up in one, as it makes you feel at home.
When you opt for universities in London the living costs and the overall tuition are also high. As you move farther the cost of living reduces, it's low, especially in smaller towns.
Do you get jobs there? What is the current situation?
I keep saying this to people who approach me, “Don’t apply to the UK simply because the visa process is easier in comparison to other countries.” That’s not why you should move to a particular country. Moving abroad takes a lot of energy and investment and you want to ensure that you get your money’s worth.
I am going to be honest, and tell you that it is challenging to find a job in the UK. However, different people have different experiences depending on their courses, fields etc. Currently, high immigration, recession, energy crisis and other problems are making it tough for immigrants to find high-paying jobs. But again this is strictly one person’s opinion, some people might not agree with this. So, research about the scope in your field before you jump on the wagon of applying. Immigration policies are constantly changing so read up thoroughly on that before you choose to move here.
What documents do I need to apply for a university abroad?
Let’s start with the most obvious one, your passport. You need to have a passport before applying to any university abroad. Apart from that, you’d also need your educational and degree certificates; this includes your 10th or 12th-grade mark sheets. For any individual applying, you’ll be asked to meet the English requirements of your university, the minimum score can differ depending on your uni, but it usually is a band 6.5 or 7 overall if you’re giving IELTS. Now, these are the documents that help you secure your admission. However, to get your CAS (Confirmation of acceptance studies; a letter that’s an integral part of your visa) you may need additional documents like your Birth certificate, NOC from your sponsor (if you have one), bank statements, affidavits attesting the same etc. The exact documents might differ depending on the type of visa. Indian students usually get in on a tier 4 student visa and you can always read more about it on the government of UK website.
The answer is accommodation, the more you wait, the harder it would be for you to find a good or cheap one, make sure you read the terms and agreements of your contract before you sign it.
Try to get an accommodation which is close to your university. The last thing you want is to spend more money on travel. If you are living in London you might end up spending around 1800 to 1900 pounds on rent and living costs. Now, this could increase or decrease depending on the zones, if you’re living in central London you better be in a capacity to shit money because it’s bloody expensive. As and when you move farther from London the cost of living reduces. In smaller towns, you end up spending around 1000-1200 including rent and other living costs.
Is it worth it?
The answer to this is highly subjective, there are a lot of things about this country that I don’t like, especially its healthcare system and strikes all over. These are things nobody talks about. One can’t afford to fall sick in the UK, as you won’t be able to find a doctor to fix you. However, there are things I also like about the place like; the cool climate, the importance people give to mental health, the freedom etc. Thus, depending on everyone’s experience, the answer people give you will differ. I personally don’t think it’s something to go nuts over, it’s like any other place that has its own problems and challenges.
Lastly, I would advise anyone who’s deciding to move to a foreign country to weigh their pros and cons before you jump on the wagon of applying.
Hope this answers a lot of questions for people who are on the verge of moving or thinking about it. Feel free to reach out if you have anymore.
All the best!
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