Studying in the UK – Part 2

COSTS OF STUDYING IN THE UK  

There are various risks and factors that need to be taken into consideration before taking the step to study overseas. Below are some of the cost aspects that one has to keep in mind.

Course Fees

The largest outgoing cost would most likely be the actual fees for the course which you elected to study. International students are charged more than those who are deemed to be settled in the UK. The fees can vary from course to course, so this is something that you would need to look into, depending on the course you wished to study and the university you wished to study at.

As such, usually, the first step in obtaining a student visa is to find a course that you are interested in and then reach out to the course provider to see whether they would accept you on the course, and what the associated costs would be.

It is also important to note that if you wish to be able to work part time whilst studying, and to then later switch into the Tier 2 route once you had been awarded your degree you would need to study a UK-recognised Bachelors, Masters, or PhD with an institution which is in receipt of public funding as a higher education establishment (i.e. most well-established universities).

Maintenance Requirement

Aside from the course fees, you would also be required to show that you held sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate yourself in the UK without recourse to public funds – this is known as the “maintenance” requirement.

The level of the funds you would need to show will depend on where you are studying. If you study inside London, a higher maintenance fund is required.  You also need to show that you held the full course fees for the first academic year of the course (or for the whole course if the course is less than one year), plus a fixed amount determined by the UK Home Office. Please speak to your consultant for the latest information in this regard.

Prospective students need to take note that in order to meet the maintenance requirement you would need to be able to show that you had held the relevant level of funds as cash savings in an account in your name for a consecutive 28 day period running up to the date that you lodge the application.

UK Immigration Health Surcharge

In addition to the course fees and maintenance funds, you will be required to make payment of the National Health Surcharge attached to the Tier 4 student visa application. This is charged at a rate of £150 per year of leave being granted (rounded up in six-month segments). For example, if you were taking a 2-year course and being issued with a two-year visa, you would be charged £300 in this regard.

UK Home Office Fees

You will also be required to make payment of the Home Office fee, which currently amounts to £328 for a single applicant, applying from outside the UK.

There may also be other ancillary costs which are not covered by the above summary, such as covering the cost of being tested for TB or undertaking an English language test (as applicable).

Despite all the costs involved, the UK remains one of the top international educational destinations for overseas students. If you are interested in studying at one of Britain’s world-class universities and need more information regarding the visa application process, please feel free to contact our dedicated team of consultants! We guide prospective students through the entire process, thereby ensuring that all is above board.

 DEPENDENTS OF TIER 4 STUDENTS

Whether or not dependents – spouse/partner and children – can accompany you to the UK as dependent on the Tier 4 visa, will depend on the type of course that the Tier 4 Student Visa holder is studying, or will be studying.

The general rule of thumb is that immediate family members will be allowed to join or accompany the student if the student is studying a course of twelve months or more at postgraduate level (above degree level). Also, a student on the doctorate extension scheme or a government sponsored student who is undertaking a course of study for longer than six months.

Unfortunately, Tier 4 General Students who will be studying in the UK for six months or less cannot bring their partners/ and or children with them.

It is important to keep in mind that there are additional maintenance requirements that need to be fulfilled, should your dependants want to accompany you to the UK. This maintenance requirement will differ, depending on; the length of the course; where the main applicant will be studying in the United Kingdom; and whether the main applicant already has an established presence studying in the UK.

Dependants and work restrictions

The general rule of thumb is that the dependent will be allowed to work, provided that the course study is for longer than 12 months, and the course of study is above degree level. There are of course exceptions to this rule, and other conditions of stay, so please contact your BIC consultant for advice in your unique circumstances.

Despite all the costs and initial administration involved, the UK remains one of the most popular international educational destinations for overseas students. Many South African students feel that competitive edge of gaining a British qualification, and the wonderful life experience makes it all worthwhile – financially and on a personal level!

If you are interested in studying at in the United Kingdom and need more information regarding the visa application process, please feel free to contact our dedicated team of consultants! We guide prospective students through the entire process, thereby ensuring that all is above board. Please feel free to fill out the form below to get in touch with Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants.

Also read Part 1 in the series.

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com