United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The United Kingdom comprises four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales; and fourteen overseas territories. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state—the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north, the North Sea in the east, the English Channel in the south, and the Irish Sea in the west.
It was the world's first industrialized country and the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The UK remains a great power with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally.
The UK has been a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council since its first session in 1946. It has been a member of the European Union and its predecessor the European Economic Community (EEC) since 1973; it is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Council of Europe, the G7, the G8, the G20, NATO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization.
Total area: 243,610 km 2 94,060 sq mi (80th)
Capital: London
Government: Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy
- Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II
- Prime Minister: David Cameron
Population: 63,181,775 (22 nd)
- England 53,012,456 (83.9%)
- Scotland 5,295,000 (8.4%)
- Wales 3,063,456 (4.8%)
- Northern Ireland 1,810,863 (2.9%)
Official language: English
Recognized regional languages:
- Scots (about 30% of the population of Scotland),
- Scottish Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
- Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales)
- Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland)
- Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 in Cornwall)
Religions:
- Anglican and Roman Catholic 40 million (66%)
- Muslim 1.5 million (2.5%)
- Hindu 559.000 (0.9%)
- Jewish 267.000 (0.4%)
- Buddhist 152.000 (0.25%)
- No religion 9 million (15%)
Currency: Pound Sterling
Economy
The UK is a leading trading power and financial center. It is the sixth-largest economy in the world and the third-largest in Europe after Germany and France, having fallen behind France for the first time in over a decade in 2008. (In 2012, the gross domestic product (nominal) was estimated at a total $2.434 trillion, while the per capita was $38,591.) Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. London is the world's largest financial centre alongside New York.As a member of the EU, the UK is part of a single market that ensures the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within member states.
Climate
The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons seldom dropping below −11 °C or rising above 35 °C. Northern Ireland, Wales and western parts of England and Scotland, being closest to the Atlantic Ocean, are generally the mildest, wettest and windiest regions of the UK, and temperature ranges here are seldom extreme. Eastern areas are drier, cooler, less windy and also experience the greatest daily and seasonal temperature variations. Northern areas are generally cooler, wetter and have slightly larger temperature ranges than southern areas.
Britain has four distinct seasons of fairly equal length - spring, summer, autumn and winter.
- Spring (March, April and May) is a time for sudden rain showers, blossoming trees and flowering plants.
- Summer (June, July and August) is the UK's warmest season, with long sunny days, occasional thunderstorms and, in some years, heatwaves.
- Autumn (September, October and November) can be mild and dry or wet and windy. It's the season when the leaves fall from the trees and the temperature dips.
- Winter (December, January and February) is the UK's coldest season, with freezing temperatures, icy conditions and sometimes snow.
Reasons why you should study and live in the United Kingdom
- Gain a world-class education- The degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high quality and world class.
- Open the doors to your dream career- UK qualifications are respected and valued by employers worldwide, giving you the edge when you are applying for jobs.
- Perfect your English-English is the international language of business, science and technology. By studying and living in Britain, you will be immersed in the language and have the opportunity to perfect your English communication skills.
- Save your money and time- Most UK Bachelor degrees take three years and Masters' degrees one year to complete. This saves you money on annual fees, plus it means you can graduate and start earning sooner.
- Work part-time while you study- International students in the UK are usually allowed to work up to 20 hours per week part-time while they study.
- Working after Degree Completion - Students who complete a degree program in England are allowed to apply for a one year extension to their visa to allow them to gain work experience in the UK, without having to obtain a work permit.
- Get great value for money -When it comes to starting your career, UK qualifications are a great boost to your salary, as well as to your CV. According to the Tracking International Graduate Outcomes survey (BIS), international students educated in the UK achieve significantly higher salaries after they graduate, on average, than if they had been educated at home.
- Have the adventure of a lifetime - The United Kingdom is steeped in history and makes for an extremely interesting place to live and study. With its many historic buildings, like castles, and historic towns there is always plenty to see and do.
- Feel at home -The UK is a friendly, welcoming place for people of all countries, cultures and faiths. In 2012, over 500,000 international students from 200 nations studied in the UK, and a further 600,000 students came to do an English language course. As a student in the UK, you'll get to know people from all over the world, and you'll learn about many different cultures.And also British people are modest, free to express their own opinions, friendly and usually very tolerant.
Living in UK
The UK Border Agency requires students to have £1000 per month for living costs if they are spending most of their time in inner London, with £800 per month for living costs elsewhere in the UK. However, the cost of living can vary greatly depending on student's lifestyle, budget and spending habits.
Transport
The UK is a highly developed modern industrial country so as you would expect it has a number of transport options. For most students transport will mean public transport as taxis can be very costly. Public transportation is convenient and with various discounts available to students can be inexpensive. Many students also purchase bicycles, which is an even cheaper and healthier way to get around. Many cities have bike paths for cyclists.
Health insurance
If your course of study is for six months or more, you will qualify for treatment under the National Health Service, from the beginning of your stay, on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily resident in the UK.
The National Health Service is the UK's state health service which provides treatment for UK residents through a wide range of health care services. Some services are free and some have to be paid for.
The following NHS treatment is free for everyone:
- emergency treatment (but not follow-up treatment)
- family planning services
- diagnosis and treatment of certain communicable diseases
- compulsory psychiatric treatment
Students who are studying courses shorter than six months (such as a pre-sessional or pre-masters course) are covered only in case of emergencies and would not be covered for hospital treatment. Students in this case are recommended to get private health insurance.
Accommodation
Accommodation owned by school, college or university - This can be a fantastic way to make friends, and is often good value for money too. A hall of residence usually has a member of staff living on the premises. They are there to check the hall runs smoothly and to give you advice or support. When it comes to food, halls can be catered, self-catered or part-catered. Check what is included in your accommodation fees. If your course lasts for more than one year, you may be able to stay in halls for the subsequent years too. If not, you will have to find private accommodation. Your college or university can help you to arrange this.There are many different accommodation options for international students in the United Kingdom.
Private accommodation - Many UK students live in private, rented accommodation. This is especially popular for students in the second year of their course onwards. You can rent a place on your own, or share with other students. Sharing is common for students in the UK. It can help to reduce costs and can be much more sociable and fun.
Homestay accommodation - Homestay is where you live with a UK family in their own home. Home-stays are especially popular with English language students or younger students. They can be a great opportunity to experience UK culture first-hand.
Prices in United Kingdom
Restaurants |
Median |
Range |
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
£10.00 |
£8.00 |
£15.00 |
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
£50.00 |
£35.00 |
£60.00 |
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar |
£5.00 |
£4.50 |
£6.00 |
Cappuccino - Coffee (regular) |
£2.50 |
£2.00 |
£2.85 |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) |
£1.00 |
£0.90 |
£1.50 |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) |
£1.00 |
£0.75 |
£1.10 |
Markets |
Median |
Range |
|
Milk (regular), 1 liter |
£0.99 |
£0.80 |
£1.00 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) |
£1.00 |
£0.80 |
£1.20 |
Rice (1kg) |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£2.00 |
Eggs (12) |
£2.00 |
£1.60 |
£2. |
Local Cheese (1kg) |
£6.00 |
£4.00 |
£8.00 |
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) |
£6.99 |
£5.00 |
£9.00 |
Apples (1kg) |
£1.75 |
£1.43 |
£2.00 |
Oranges (1kg) |
£1.66 |
£1.00 |
£2.00 |
Tomato (1kg) |
£2.00 |
£1.50 |
£2.14 |
Potato (1kg) |
£1.20 |
£1.00 |
£2.00 |
Lettuce (1 head) |
£1.00 |
£0.79 |
£1.00 |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
£1.00 |
£0.75 |
£1.50 |
Transportation |
Median |
Range |
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
£2.90 |
£2.30 |
£4.00 |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) – Students discount 30% |
£105.00 |
£60.00 |
£150.00 |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
£2.78 |
£2.40 |
£3.50 |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) |
£1.40 |
£1.00 |
£2.49 |
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
£42.50 |
£35.00 |
£50.00 |
Gasoline (1 liter) |
£1.40 |
£1.35 |
£1.42 |
Utilities (Monthly) |
Median |
Range |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment |
£145.00 |
£100.00 |
£200.00 |
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
£0.15 |
£0.10 |
£0.22 |
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
£20.00 |
£15.00 |
£24.99 |
Sports And Leisure |
Median |
Range |
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
£35.00 |
£30.00 |
£50.00 |
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
£10.00 |
£6.00 |
£11.20 |
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
£8.00 |
£7.00 |
£10.00 |
Clothing And Shoes |
Median |
Range |
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
£53.75 |
£45.00 |
£70.00 |
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
£30.00 |
£25.00 |
£40.00 |
1 Pair of Nike Shoes |
£60.00 |
£45.00 |
£70.00 |
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes |
£60.00 |
£40.00 |
£75.00 |
Rent Per Month (outside London) |
Median |
Range |
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
£650.00 |
£500.00 |
£1,000.00 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
£550.00 |
£400.00 |
£800.00 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
£1,200.00 |
£850.00 |
£1,800.00 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
£900.00 |
£650.00 |
£1,250.00 |
Rent Per Month (in London) |
Median |
Range |
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
£1500.00 |
£1,200.00 |
£1,800.00 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
£900.00 |
£750.00 |
£1,100.00 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
£2,600.00 |
£2,200.00 |
£3,000.00 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
£1,600.00 |
£1,300.00 |
£2,000.00 |
TIER 4
Restrictions for students on a TIER 4 visa vary according to where you study. Students at universities on courses QCF level 6 (SQCF level 9) or over can work 20 hours per week in term time. If you study at a further education college, you can work 10 hours per week during term time. In both cases, you can also work full-time during the official university holidays. Students at private colleges and language schools have no right to work during their time in the UK.
Student visitors
If you are in the UK as a student visitor, you will be unable to work during your stay in the UK. This means that you are not allowed to:
- take paid employment
- take unpaid employment
- do a work placement, even if it is part of your course.
You should not rely on income from work to fund yourself through your studies, as there is no guarantee you will find a job; even you do, the amount you earn is highly unlikely to fully cover your costs.
All non-EEA students are required to obtain entry clearance (a visa) to enable them to enter the UK and, in most cases, you will have to get this before you travel. Your visa application will be assessed by the British diplomatic post (e.g. Embassy or Consulate) in your country of nationality or where you are officially resident. There are two main types of student visa.
What type of visa should I apply for?
1. TIER 4 (General student visa): Students who are going to involve at least 6 months or more programs such as English course, Bachelor degree or master degree programs with IELTS 4.0+ will apply for this type. This type of visa`s advantage is that student can extend the visa inside of the UK. It is a points-based visa and to successfully apply for it, you need to score 40 out of 40 points, as shown in the table below. If you can collect these points, there`s no way to deny visa.
Points | Criteria for points | Requirements |
30 | Sponsorship | A valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS): Issued if the institution believes the student is capable of doing the course, intends to do the course, and the course is at the appropriate level. |
10 | Maintenance (financial) requirements | You will need to prove that you are able to pay your tuition fees for the academic year, plus a set amount for your living costs. Also you will need to provide a bank statement or letter from your bank confirming that the money has been held for a minimum of 28 days. |
2. Student Visitor: Students who are going to involve short length courses such as English course without IELTS score will apply for this type. It is similar to the tourist visa and is impossible to extend the visa inside of the UK.
When should I start my visa application?
You should make your application as early as possible. However, you cannot apply more than three months before the start date of your course, as stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
How long does it take to receive the visa?
You should get a decision on your visa within 6 weeks.
Are there any requirements?
Translation of Documents
If any of your documents are not in English, the original MUST be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by UK Visas & Immigration. This original translation must include:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The translator's/an authorised official of the translation company's full name and signature
- The translator's/translation company's contact details
Medical examination
You may be required to undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) test, which involves a chest x-ray. This must be done in a UK Visas & Immigration approved medical centre.
UK Student Visa Application Service
Study UK offers visa and immigration advice and support to Mongolian students wishing to study at a UK University, college or language school. We are committed to providing expert consultation and assistance to all students who need help on their visa applications.
- Receive comprehensive up-to-date information and advice
- Be guided step by step in preparing your documents
- Complete your visa application without mistakes
- Ensure you have the best chance of receiving your visa
www.gov.uk - Official website of Government of UK
www.education.gov.uk - Department for Education UK
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk - UK Border Agency
www.britishcouncil.org - British Council
www.ukcisa.org.uk - UK Council for International Student Affairs
www.statistics.gov.uk - UK National Statistics
www.visitbritain.com - Official travel guide to Great Britain
www.visitlondon.com - Official website for London
www.ukstudentlife.com - A guide to student life in the UK, which includes information on British culture, traditions and events, and has been written specifically for international students
www.foreignstudents.com - A useful resource for international students coming to the UK