Studying for a Bachelor’s degree in the UK
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the UK through studying abroad offers numerous benefits. It helps in obtaining a globally recognized degree and gaining exposure to the international community. You can make new friends, explore yourself, and gain a deeper understanding of personal values and goals.
With the announcement of the PSW of 2 years, many students are choosing to study Bachelor’s degree abroad and many are choosing to study especially in the UK. Studying for a Bachelor’s degree in the UK is definitely a great choice given the quality of education. However, if you do not plan carefully your study experience might turn into a nightmare for your career. In this blog, we discuss how you should plan if you want to study Bachelor’s degree in the UK.
Studying without IELTS
We strongly discourage students to apply without IELTS Examination. If your English proficiency is not very good, it is important that you improve your English language skills before taking the IELTS test. Some universities may admit you without IELTS or after passing an English test of the university. However, it is a better idea to take the IELTS test first and measure your English skills before applying. In case your English skills are not good enough, you will have issues understanding the lectures which can result in failure to pass the examinations during the studies and you may have to come back. To get admission in most colleges or universities in the UK, studying for a Bachelor’s degree is imperative.
Choosing a course
When studying for a bachelor’s degree in the UK as an international student, it’s important to select a program that aligns with your interests and future career goals, while also having a feasible scope in both the UK and your home country. With thousands of courses to choose from, failing to consider the relevance of a program in your home country may pose challenges, as having a degree from a top UK university may not lead to the expected outcomes if the degree is not recognized or valued in your country. Thus, selecting a bachelor’s degree program in the UK requires thorough research and consideration of one’s long-term goals.
Finances matter a lot
If you’re planning to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in the UK, it’s crucial to carefully consider the financial aspects, including both tuition fees and living expenses. Most universities in the UK require full payment of tuition fees, which typically range from £10,000 to £12,000 per year. Additionally, it’s important to have a contingency plan for future tuition fees, as it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to finance your education independently. Having financial support from your parents or another source will ensure that you can continue your studies without facing financial difficulties.
Part-time jobs are not enough!
Bachelor’s degree applicants often lack the kind of experience or exposure or skill set that is required for working in the UK and even if they find some part-time jobs, these jobs are baseline jobs and do not pay much which is not enough to pay for your living and tuition fees. However, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the UK gives you a lot of options for part-time jobs.
The median salary of a Registered Nurse is 23000 GBP per year in the UK and roughly 23000-24000 GBP is the amount that you will need per year for your living and tuition fees in the UK. No matter how economical your stay you will need at least 20000 GBP assuming that your tuition fee is 12000 GBP per year. With part times jobs it is very unlikely to earn this amount. You can only take part-time jobs to cover some parts of your living expenses.
Prepare yourself well
The job market in the UK is different and also the way you should apply for a job in addition to health and safety measures that may be required on the job. It is strongly recommended that you get the additional skills such as bartending, coffee-making, and other skill sets that you can get training in Nepal, in addition to improving your English and networking skills even if you are just looking for a min. wage part-time job to cover a portion of your living cost.
Initial settlement
Most bachelor’s degree applicants usually travel abroad for the first time for their studies and do not have experience of settling in a foreign country. COVID-19 further complicates the initial settlement despite the best effort of consultants and the university support staff team. You will need to plan everything very well and months in advance. Most bachelor’s degree students often lack this kind of skill and miss the details resulting in a difficult situation immediately upon arrival.
Accommodation
Finding affordable accommodation during your bachelor’s degree studies in the UK may be challenging, but early research can help identify options to help reduce costs. At Edupark Asia, we believe that careful planning and preparation are essential for success in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the UK, regardless of the subject or location you choose. We offer expert advice to help you navigate the process and plan for your higher education journey in the UK.