Will I need to do an IELTS test?

You may need to do an IELTS test. To find out if you do, you need to contact the international applications section of the education institution you wish to apply to. Contact information can be found on individual education institutions' websites.

What is IELTS?

IELTS is a test of English language proficiency. It is a method of assessing the English language used by non-English speakers who want to study, train or work using the English language. IELTS tests either general language skills or academic language skills.

Academic is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education study or who are seeking professional registration.

General Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes. For further information, please visit www.ielts.org

Where will I live while studying in the UK?

Student accommodation varies from halls of residence to privately owned houses. Institutions usually provide information about accommodation available to their students and will normally have an accommodation office. In most cases accommodation will be arranged for you by your institution's accommodation office. If you have any questions about this, you should contact your university directly for information.

Questions you may want to ask your university include:

What types of accommodation are available?

Will I be offered accommodation each year?

Will I have to leave my accommodation during the vacations?

Will I have to provide my own bed linen, towels and kitchen utensils?

How much does the accommodation cost and what is included in the price?

Will accommodation be available for my family? (if you are travelling with your family).

The information above is produced in full by UKCISA. You can download their guidance note Accommodation at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

How do I apply to university in the UK?

If you plan to follow an undergraduate course at a university in the UK, you should make your application through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). There are several ways to apply including online applications. You can find more information on UCAS on their website at www.ucas.com

If you plan to study at a post graduate level in the UK you should apply to your intended university directly.

If you are not in the UK and you require a UCAS form, your local British Council office can send one to you. You can find the contact details for all British Council offices at www.britishcouncil.org/where

Useful information on applying to UK institutions can be found in the British Council Education Information sheet, Applications at www.britishcouncil.org/education/resource/infosheets

Am I entitled to free health care?

EEA Nationals can receive National Health Service (NHS) care while in the UK. If you are in the UK for more than six months you will receive free treatment from NHS hospitals. If your stay is for less than six months and you hold form E128 you can receive free NHS treatment. Form E128 is available from the relevant health authority in your home country and must be issued before you leave your country.

If your stay is for less than six months and you do not hold form E128, you could be charged for any treatment from a doctor at a hospital for a pre-existing condition (i.e. a condition that you had before coming to the UK).

Leaflets explaining your rights to NHS health care are available from Social Security offices, hospitals, doctors, dentists and opticians and from the Department of Health website: www.doh.gov.uk

You can download the UKCISA guidance note Keeping Healthy at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

Can my family come with me to the UK?

EEA Nationals are free to enter the UK. If your spouse (husband or wife) is an EEA national they can live with you in the UK. If your family are not EEA nationals, your spouse and your children will usually be able to join you as your dependants. You should contact the British Embassy or High Commission in your home country to apply for an EEA Family Permit. If you are not sure about your family's status or need further advice, please contact UKCISA (see useful contacts).

The information above is produced in full by UKCISA. You can download their guidance note EEA Students at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

Can I claim welfare or benefits while studying in the UK?

Usually full time students are not eligible for state benefits, whatever their nationality. Most EEA nationals are not eligible for the following benefits:

Jobseekers Allowance (income-based) and Income support

Housing Benefits

Council Tax Benefit

There are some exceptions for example, if you are a single parent you may qualify for some of these benefits.

The information above is produced in full by UKCISA. You can download their guidance note EEA Students at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm This information also includes details of Child Tax Credit and Contribution based benefits.

Will the new higher 'top up' fees of £3000 effect me?

Parliament is still deciding whether or not to charge up to £3000 for tuition fees. If the UK government does decide to do this, it will effect students starting their university courses from September 2006. You can find more information on the proposed changes at www.dfes.gov.uk/hegateway/hereform/index.cfm

Am I entitled to any help with my tuition fees? And how do I apply?

The cost of providing college and university courses in the UK is met mostly by the UK Government and partly by tuition fees charged to students. Many EU nationals or children of EU nationals are entitled to help to pay some or all of their fees. Exactly how much you get depends on your income and that of your family. If you are entitled to pay 'home' fees, the most you will have to pay in 2004/05 is £1, 150.

If you wish to study in England or Wales, you should contact The Department for Education and Skills EU Team for information about receiving financial support. You can find information including their contact details at www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/eustudents The EU team will assess how much, if anything you will have to pay.

If you are planning to study in Scotland you should contact the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Full information about applying for student support is available at www.student-support-saas.gov.uk

If you are planning to study in Northern Ireland you should contact Student Support for Northern Ireland. Full information about applying for student support is available at www.student-support.org.uk

The information above is produced in full by DfES EU Team. You can find this information at www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/eustudents

I think I qualify for 'home' student fees but have been charged 'international' students fees. What should I do?

If you think you qualify for 'home' fees under any of the sections mentioned above and your institution has classified you as an international student, you should ask your institution to re-assess your fee status. You will probably be asked to provide evidence to show that you meet the requirements of the relevant rules. British Council cannot appeal to your institution on your behalf. If you are in any doubt about your fee status or would like more information on how to appeal your institution's decision, please contact UKCISA (see useful information below).

I am from a new EU Accession country. Do I have to pay 'home' or 'overseas' student fees?

If you started your course before your country joined the EU, you will usually have had to pay 'overseas' student fees. You will usually be charged 'home' student fees from the next time your fees are due to be paid after your country has joined the EU.

If you are due to begin your course after your country has joined the EU, i.e. if your course begins after May 2004 or later you may qualify for 'home' student fees. You will be subject to the same regulations as existing EU students. The three year residency rule will be backdated from May 2004 so you do not have to wait three years to qualify. The information above is produced in full by UKCISA. You can download their guidance note EEA Students at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

Will I have to pay 'home' or 'overseas' student fees?

You will qualify for home fees if you are an EU national or your parent is an EU national and:

You have been ordinarily resident anywhere in the EEA (ignoring short absences such as holidays) for the three years immediately preceding the 1st September, 1st January or 1st April closest to the beginning of your course; and

Throughout the relevant three year period the main purpose of your residence in the EEA was not to receive full time education. You will not be automatically excluded if you were in full time education, as long as it was not the main reason for residence.

The regulations regarding eligibility for 'home' fees and Student Support are complex. If you think you may qualify or need further advice, contact the advice or welfare service at your institution or students union, or telephone the UKCISA student advice line (see useful contacts)

The information above is produced in full by UKCISA. You can download their guidance note EEA Students at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

Where can I find information on courses in the UK?

You can search a full database of courses in the UK on the EducationUK course database. This search is on the home page of this website. www.educationuk.org

Will I be able to work while I study in the UK?

As an EEA national you are free to work while you study in the UK. You do not need to get permission to do this (i.e. a visa) and there are no restrictions on the number of hours you can work. You can find information about working in the UK during your studies by downloading the UKCISA guidance note at www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

Students from the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland do not need permission to study in the UK. The EEA consists of the 25 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

If you are not sure about your visa status or you need further information please visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Will my UK qualification be recognised in my home country?

UK qualifications are recognised all over the world. You should ask for information from education authorities in your home country about the recognition of UK qualifications.

If you are following a vocational or professional course you should check with the leading professional body for that profession in your home country. The British Council office in your home country will be able to offer you more advice. You can find the contact details for all British Council offices at www.britishcouncil.org/where

If you would like to know what your UK qualification will be equivalent to in your home country you should contact the NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) or ENIC (European Network of Information Centre) for your country. Details of which can be found at www.support4learning.org.uk education/naric.htm

Will the qualifications from my home country be recognised in the UK?

Most universities have a working knowledge of qualifications issued in EU countries and the admissions officer or international office should be able to provide information on what they will accept for their institution. If you are in any doubt about your qualification or would like information on the UK equivalent, please contact the British Council in your home country, details of which can be found at www.britishcouncil.org/where or the British Council Information Centre (see useful contacts below).

The organisation responsible for compiling information on international qualification for the Department for Education and Skills is the National Academic Recognition Information Centre. You can find information about NARIC at www.naric.org.uk

What are the entry requirements for UK universities?

Each University course has different entrance requirements and you should ask the admissions officer at your chosen university for information on the entry requirements for their courses. You will be able to find the entry requirements for university courses at www.ucas.com If the course does not list information about international qualifications, contact your chosen university.

Who is in the EU?

From 1st May 2004 the following countries will be part of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

Experience of a lifetime

In a couple years you will forget the name of your literature professor in Grenoble or the name of your dorm in Beijing, but you'll never forget the friends you made or the incredible experiences you shared.

Resume building

International experience is ranked high among many employers as a critical asset for prospective employees. Study abroad shows that you are resourceful, adventurous, internationally minded, and diverse.

What is Practical experience?

Study abroad coupled with an international internship is an incredible way to gain some real world experience. Additionally you may find that only an international program can offer the real expertise you desire in your education. Australia is a great place to find a marine biology program, the engineering labs in Sweden may exceed your facilities at your home institution, and peace studies in Geneva would offer an insight that couldn't be matched in Nebraska.

What is Language acquisition?

The world market place is shrinking rapidly, many companies require second languages. Foreign languages are not only valuable in the work force they are valuable in the real world.

What is Academic credit

The most obvious reason why students study abroad is to earn academic credit. You should consider the type of credit you will earn on your study abroad program. Will you earn credit towards your major or elective credit only? Will you receive grades or pass/fail credit only? You may study abroad to earn upper division credits in your major field or you may be overseas to earn some of your core or general education hours your freshman year.

The study abroad guide

Studying abroad may be that defining moment in your education that will change your life. Nothing will be quite the same after you have studied abroad. Your perspectives will be global, your attitudes will be international and you will have memories that you will carry forever. Your resume will be more attractive, in some cases your language proficiency will be advanced, and you will have developed lifelong friendships.

The largest misconception that prevents students from participating in study abroad is its perceived inaccessibility. Students who do study abroad are often amazed at how easy it was to put the whole thing together. Financial aid is often available, every major field of study can partake, and study abroad is an experience available for every student. It's as easy as a working through a checklist. The following information is just that, it should be used only as a guideline, each university or college has their own study abroad policy.