Many Americans move to England on a student visa, but big changes are coming in 2024 that will make it harder. Here’s what you need to know.
A student visa presents an excellent opportunity to experience everything living in England has to offer, while getting a world-class education.
If you have already started to research going to “uni” in England, you may have noticed that a lot of the terminology differs from the United States. Taking a few minutes to understand these differences will save you a lot of time and frustration.
Basic Terminology
College and 6th form: The term “college” is not the same as university (or “uni”) as it is in the US. Education is compulsory in England until age 18. Students complete traditional education at age 16 and can either go on to an academic program (6th Form to prepare for uni) or a technical school (college for vocational training) for those last two years. Students who choose 6th form will study to take A level exams for admission to university.
A Levels: As previously mentioned, these are the exams that UK students take in order to apply to university in the UK. Students study for 2 years in 6th form to take A level exams. While A levels are not a general requirement for international applicants, there are some advantages to taking them. If you have a specific uni or course in mind, check the entrance requirements for international students.
Course: A “course” in the UK refers to a whole degree or course of study, not just one class as it does in America.
Clearing: Clearing is a way for students to get a second chance at a place in a university course if they didn’t apply on time, didn’t get into a desired course, or want to change to a different course or university.
Revision: This is what Brits call studying. If you are looking for studying materials, it will be called a Revision Guide.
How do I apply to university in England?
Students wishing to attend university in the UK can learn more about different courses of study and apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website, which is an excellent resource for international students.
Applying to university in the UK is very different than other countries. You’ll want to get a good understanding of what schools are looking for to increase your chances of getting into your desired course of study.
If you have your heart set on a Russell Group school, such as Oxford or Cambridge, know that applications for these schools end earlier!
Is University free in England?
University is not free in the UK and the cost has risen in recent years. Tuition is capped at £9,250 for UK and EU citizens. Fees for international students can vary from £10,000 to over £38,000 per year, depending on the university and course of study.
When calculating costs, keep in mind that most undergraduate degrees in England are three years rather than four (unless you are required to take a foundation year).
What is a foundation year?
A foundation year is an extra year of study that you may take for a number of reasons, such as not being able to meet the entry requirements, lack of English proficiency, or because you wish to changing courses.
You may choose to take a foundation year, or it may be required by your university.
Can I take out student loans to fund my education in England?
If you are from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you may be able to take out a loan from the UK government to cover tuition fees
If you are American, you can apply for a student from the US government or take out a private education loan to cover the costs of your education in the UK.
If you decide to remain in the UK, you will still be responsible for paying your loans just as if you resided in the United States.
Can I take my family with me on a student visa?
As of January 2024, you will no longer be able to bring dependents to the UK while studying at the graduate level. You may be able to bring your family if you have been offered a placement in a PhD or postgraduate course.
Can I bring my adult children with me as dependents on a student visa?
In most cases, your adult child will need to apply for a dependent visa before their 18th birthday in order to join you in the UK. If they are already in the UK as a dependent when they turn 18, they can remain on a dependent visa as long as you are supporting them financially .
Can I stay in England after I have completed my study?
This is another recent change in legislation. Starting in 2024, you will no longer be able to switch to a skilled worker visa until after you have completed your course of study.
However, after completing your degree, you may be able to change your visa and remain in the UK longer. To check if your intended career path is eligible for a skilled worker visa, you can look up your occupation’s code on the ONS Occupation Coding Tool and then see if it is on the list of eligible occupations.
Can I apply for UK citizenship on a student visa?
A student visa is not a path to citizenship and your time in the UK as a student does not count towards applying for citizenship, even if you change to a different visa later. For example, if you were on a student visa for 3 years and then switched to a skilled worker visa, those first 3 years would not count toward the 5 years you need to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
What Worked For Us
School was one of the biggest stressors when preparing for our move to England. We knew we had to be in the UK before my daughter turned 18, and that meant we would need to move in the middle of the school year. It took a lot of research and creativity, but it all came together perfectly.
We moved to England in January, when our daughters were 14 and 17 years old. Our younger daughter started her new school in Year 10 after the half-term break, and our older daughter finished her senior through home-study.
The most important thing we did to prepare our youngest for the transition to British schools was to get her a GCSE revision guide before we left the States. She knew exactly what her class had been studying all year and what she needed to brush up on. Moving in January gave her a few weeks to settle in and study before she started school.
When deciding on a place to live in the UK, one of the “must-haves” was a university with low international fees. Our eldest was able to apply to university as an international student with her high school transcripts and SAT scores. She did not need to take a foundation year or A levels, and because the course is three years long, the cost was comparable to in-state tuition in the US.